gophers, and the new season

[trappnman]

dang it but I continue to like the Cinch trap over any other killer trap. but it drives me crazy- one day I have 80% success- then another less than 40. I think a lot f it is baby gophers, but still. I remember a while back having a discussion about gophers. rian and plugged traps- and at the time I was 50.50 but with these cinches- if it rains early and continues, I have horrible success rates. The only thing I can figure, is it is because of the consistency of the dirt. but overall, with the cinches, I can be in and out of an area in a day or two less, than not using them.

to the new season- dried my last bucket of dirt- got al l5 barrels filled. not a real chore, but it is a PIA to bring home a bucket everyday, lay it out to dry, stir, store, etc. Always glad to be done with it, as its only certain days where I can collect the dirt, esp this year with rain every few days.

So that's done- all I have left is traps to do, and talking to farmers-

after advice from a trusted man in one of the auction houses, going to start coyotes, and run lines as normal, and it is what it is. I'm going to start around oct 15th and run my 5-6 weeks.

water- just like last year- minimal line, take the cream, enjoy myself.
coon- not going to set 1 trap for them- whatever incidentals I take, I'll skin.

this will be almost 60 years setting traps, and I'm not quitting now!

next?

[trappnman]

Some corn is being chopped, that's normal for those wanting to feed a bit- but noticed Tuesday the first bean field starting to turn. Maples are starting to turn, and the tree rats are hitting the chestnuts and walnuts hard. Going to be an early fall.

been seeing a lot of coyote sign- everyday getting gophers taken from traps.

[mustelameister]

While fishing the Mississippi River this summer I did notice more 'rats than the past several years. That's a good sign I 'spose. The water was up, could've factored into it, but darned it was good to see 'em swimming around all day, loafing here, there, little V's sliding along the island in the duckweed.

[trappnman]

for sure the water is high- the river has been up pretty much the whole summer.

now yesterday- we noticed color in beans all over

[trappnman]

got a job last week- only 20 acres, but hasn't been trapped in a long time, so plenty of gophers.

2 interesting things-

I found, and expected, that the gophers we got were predominantly adults, and some of them quite large- a sign of an unexploited population.

but what I didn't expect was this: last week at WI, talked to a good friend and he mentioned he always puts the trap back after a gopher. I told him I've done it at times, but the % was so low, that better to move those traps on. but this was a small (50 trap) set up so decided to put everything back. next check, we had over 50% activity in those mounds where we caught gopher day before.

My only other success enough to do this, is when young are just moving out- you can catch mom and young in multiples in same set- but not enough success to do it on a regular basis.

so- over 50%- that's a lot when normally is 2-5%.

so my thoughts are is it because its an unexploited population and family groups are extensive and some tunnels are shared? or the time of year?

not coyotes, but interesting non the less.

I know when kids, we would leave trap in same hole for weeks, and occasionally would catch a new gopher, so I know they run old tunnels at times.

no other gopher guys here?

I feel lonely......

[northof50]

Fall dispersal of the young.
Wet condition are they moving more.
Are you far enough south to have multiple litters or only a June birthing?
I'll be in the goose blind on Monday and ask someone that did their masters on them between the flocks coning in.

[trappnman]

but they aren't young. above average size, meaning old population

usually 2 litters- one in late spring, other in late summer

I'd be interested to hear their opinion

good luck hunting!

[exmatador]

Been a slow year as far as calls for gophers.. Maybe 50 caught this far.. Nobody has alfalfa around here anymore.. Still using the Cinches and having a great success.. Definitely my go to trap but also starting to like the Trapline Products trap.. Interestingly I had one move into my yard Saturday night and the hole was open and actively digging.. Maybe 5 minutes and he was caught😉 Also on a run last night I saw one in the road dead.. Assuming a road kill while it was dispersing of dropped by a raptor?? Both juvenile at any rate.

[northof50]

Fall moving from high lands to moist areas to their overwintering dens.
We one time, actually several but I past on the others, dug the winter tunnels because there is nesting chambers we wanted the litter/duff for the fleas and lice cycles. 20 yards of soil later and 6 feet deeper through many twist and turns, no luck in finding a chamber. The tunnels were interesting we would push a soft wire as far as it goes then dig
The grad students got the real workout,fluid replacement turns to jelly legs at the end of the day for their efforts

[Deleted]

Your grad students brought back fond memories of 10-12 years ago watching mine dig out the back of Belted King Fisher nesting chambers.

[northof50]

The students were taken out for a few bubbles for their effort and dropped off home, being restricted in daily fluids it really hits them. Jelly legs
So how was the nest collection and the flea larvae collected?

[trappnman]

very interesting

Had a gopher once pull a trap down hole as I was removing stake- dug and dug and dug and finally gave up

[trappnman]

Done, done, done with gophers- although I drove by one of my farms yesterday, and they had hay laying on the ground- but too late.

ended up with a about 1600 for the year- about the recent year average- not the 3500 I took one year, but enough.

9 days from today will be setting traps- still lots to do. I knew harvest was slow- almost no corn or beans out - but went by a couple of my 1st farms, and they hadn't even started corn yet- although, when they start, its all chopped so it goes quick. Too much corn makes it harder- you really need to be "on the spot" because it restricts travel so much. Its suppose to be mostly dry this week- so I suspect (hope) they hit it hard.

stopped into fleet farm and treated myself to a new pair of "hunting boots" and at same time got us each a new pair of muck style boots for those real wet days. Bonus is I got $20 off my lics for Sr discount- and heck yeah I'll take it! that's 4 mink!

So next week is a prep week. Still haven't touched traps- so tomorrow will start, monday will dye and wax. Tues will be a talk to farmers day, Thursday getting tires put on, Friday getting truck "tuneup" meaning have my guy look things over good, lube, etc

put my peat into winter storage under shelter- broke open one to put into the tub, and it was bone dry without a wet spot anywhere, so that's always good

still need to cut screens, map routes (all though this will be easy as 99% of travel route and set ups written in stone) put skinner on truck, ready shed.

in between getting things ready for winter at home.

a busy week- but I enjoy it- and can't wait to start my 58th trapping season overall, and my 30th year after coyotes.

[flathead40]

Tman, what year would you say the coyotes started moving in to your area in trappable numbers? 58 years trapping is pretty awesome. How bad would prices have to get before you'd take a year or two off?

[trappnman]

first coyote I trapped, was because a guy would let me trap coon, if I trapped his coyotes. That first year was 1986, I figured he must have heard one or something- but he was a sheep guy and we caught 7 the 1st year off that farm. first coyotes I saw or heard of in this area, but heard reports of sightings around whitewater in the 70s- but I hunted that a lot and never saw or heard one. I think around here, they really started coming around in numbers the late 80s.

also for this year, beyond going 100% to wolf fangs, we are going 100% away from any lure holder. For years we used cotton balls, love then in mouse hole flat sets- but with the dirtholes we prefer just smearing the lure into the hole.

in the FWIW dept- accruweather shows October into nov to be a dry month. hope that's true - I can handle wet- its the lack of access that hurts in extended wet

Went for a nice bike ride on a beautiful day- last ride of the year- both bikes ran perfectly- not always a given on antique motorcycles

today the work begins!

just me and flathead trapping this year?

[RdFx]

Cool on the bike ride and weather great today (Sunday) colors on trees starting nice. On lure holders ive been using q-tips for years except for bait. Have a bait and lure holder bag that holds everything and on bait if wanted to keep jar open with fork or spoon can without spilling. Yotes it is and like u say if incidental coon and big enough will keep unless easy to release.
Nice time to prepare traps too, at nite listen to geese going over if wind is right and they jump on the current to help them South.

[braveheart]

Been running ragged the last few weeks.The ADC work wood chucks now beaver and badger and had 1 coyotes job in 200 head of cows and small calf herd that was a treat. giving 2 trapping lessons a week now till Nov. seeing lots of tracks at all locations I take students. Hard getting in places not many crops out.
Even with not much of a fur market been very busy with orders and we Greatly Appreciate them from our customers.
When out working traps very relaxing going South again for a Month and also going in early part of March.It seems I hardly ever stop trapping .

marty

[cameron1976]

Oct 2, 2016 6:58:20 GMT -6 trappnman said:

just me and flathead trapping this year?

I'll be out trapping this season.

[trappnman]

Got the 2 tuffest days over-

got traps dyed and waxed. I know that many say dye isuneeded, and I tend ot agree- just something aobut nice black waxed traps to start the season.

Yesterday spent all day talking to farmers. Its nice I've been running same farms long enough, if nobody home can just leave a card. Very encouraging almost to a man farmers said been hearing and seeing them all the time. Everyone is reporting lots of rabbits in the corn, and I do believe a good correlation with rabbit populations and not just out west means more coyotes.

Today....paperwork day to try to get caught up-

5 days and its on

[exmatador]

Had another gopher move into the yard Monday night.. 1 mound set it at 5 pm and at 5:23 he was caught when I went and looked.. Small yoy I'm assuming was dispersing.. Coyotes, will go hard the week of Thanksgiving with a partner. Just not much time to dedicate to it this year as kids sports and college classes will be taking most of my time.. Also around Christmas break will try to catch some cats.. March heading down to Texas to take some predator trapping instructions from Mark June and Major Boddicker, should be a good time and absorb more information.. 2008 went FTA trappers college and had Ron Legget, and my coyote catch really increased.. But taking on more information from other sources and compiling and combining will all but help in the future..