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Post by mustelameister on Dec 29, 2016 22:06:52 GMT -6
got plenty of snapping turtles and 'coon down here
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Post by braveheart on Dec 30, 2016 4:29:57 GMT -6
I keep seeing a lot of mink sign and I can't resist setting for them.All the water is wide open and no ice.
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Post by blackhammer on Dec 30, 2016 15:36:13 GMT -6
Go get them Marty. More money water trapping than anything right now. unless you got coyotes and decent ones. To me 500 rats is easier than 50 coyotes would ever be saw a gray fox this fall shocked the hell out of me. It's more than habitat with these animals. We have the cedar bluffs they love and still loads of rough country and food. Rabbits and the like
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Post by blackhammer on Dec 30, 2016 15:49:55 GMT -6
Been seeing Big and Kind of healthy looking coon obviously with something wrong with them. Almost paralyzed and not usual distemper symptoms
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Post by RdFx on Dec 30, 2016 16:37:43 GMT -6
Possibly a heavy investation of the long worms ( pointed both ends) believe name starts with asc..... they are all over in the infected coons body.
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Post by braveheart on Dec 31, 2016 4:40:24 GMT -6
I will work the mink but with open water I will not jump into it to trap a coon.When all I have to do is set a dp or a conbear in tall grass. The pick axe in frozen ground is more fun then trapping a coon for me.
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Post by trappnman on Dec 31, 2016 11:02:53 GMT -6
I wish coyotes here, at this time, weren't so rubbed.
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Post by bblwi on Dec 31, 2016 17:50:07 GMT -6
Got about 20 pushups set out today. Funny where there is a lot of snow, not much ice and also on the east side of the open areas so much snow you can't find pushups. Good ice in the open areas and it will be much thicker by late this coming week. I plan to pull Wednesday at the latest, some will be Monday.
Bryce
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Post by trappnman on Jan 2, 2017 7:43:15 GMT -6
I had a couple of smaller coon this year that had bare spots, and at least on one, it looked like roundworm eggs, but on the chest (not lice). Tossed both, wished I would have looked them over more. in any case, something I've never seen before
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Post by trappnman on Jan 2, 2017 7:49:06 GMT -6
went out and rechecked that beaver place- some action, but not much- most likely just an old pair there. But I told the farmer I'd get them ,so sometime when it warms up a bit I'll go after them, and set a few mink/rat as well.
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Post by braveheart on Jan 3, 2017 5:11:48 GMT -6
Had a friend call me last night he said most of the coyotes in N. Iowa are all rubbed as well.Going to trap till Sat. pull up my line for the year except for beaver.
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Post by bblwi on Jan 3, 2017 16:04:26 GMT -6
I got a couple otter sets out and will run those through this cold snap. I have about 5 pushups I will leave until Friday as well. We got off the marsh this afternoon, really slow catch and we had lots of places where the creek runs through with open water and the ice was soft. It won't be soft in a half a day or so. With no snow on the open areas the ice will get really thick the next 3-4 days.
Bryce
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 4, 2017 9:49:29 GMT -6
Steve you bring up some interesting questions. You ask about longlining and I see that hanging around as long as guys can make enough money to justify it. Much of it depends on the countryside one is in. In many parts of the east it is undoubtedly getting tougher as development drains more of the land. The Midwestern states that allow ROW trapping at least have the opportunity present for folks to still give it a shot. But with the recent mink and coon prices I don't imagine a lot are pounding the bridges and ditches like they once were. If you are after beaver and otter certain parts of the southeastern US can still provide the animals as long as one can get on the land. The key down there is getting on the timber/hunting leases. Many of those hunting leases are thousands of acres. The west still has opportunity, but unfortunately many of our western states seem to be battling AR activists that are working hard to shut down some or all of their public, and in some cases private lands, to trapping. All isn't lost in the west however, as there is still plenty of land that a good predator man can find his niche in.
I think the real key for the hard charging longliners will be prices. Bring a little spike in prices again and guys will get back at it, they always do. High prices will inspire creativity and guys will find ways to make long lines work. Unfortunately high prices may also bring out the bad seeds that ignore laws and put traps in place they shouldn't be, giving us all a bad name in the long run.
What direction does trapping go in the future? As long as we have fur markets we will have trappers, I think we all know this. The ADC guys have built themselves up a business whether there is a fur market or not. Lets not forget general predator control. When I was stationed in southeast Georgia I knew a guy that trapped his local hunting areas for predators. He harvested a fair amount of coyotes, fox, cats, and coon. He didn't keep a single pelt, he tossed them all. Personally I think that was a waste, but in his eyes there was tremendous value in every predator he harvested as he did it to help his deer and turkey numbers. I actually met a few other guys like that. Their interest wasn't fur, they trapped to control predators and help their hunting.
The fur industry may have missed a golden opportunity the last few years. The trendy thing has been eco-friendly green products. What is more eco-friendly than fur. It is certainly more environmentally friendly than fake fur and a host of other synthetic fibers. This was also the time that trapping began to receive some positive press coverage (for once) on cable TV. Shows like Mountain Men, Yukon Men, and various others actually showed the American Public that trapping was still going on. Being a career military man I have had the opportunity to work with people from all over the United States, many of them from large urban areas. I was very impressed with how many of these folks with urban backgrounds were regularly watching shows like Mountain Men. Many of them would comment on how cool they thought the trapping actually was. I think the fur industry really should have capitalized on this positive press and the green movement and made a legitimate push to once again develop fur markets here in the US. I know some effort was made, but was it really pushed like it should have been? Probably the biggest factor is cost, and I do recognize that, but again I think more could have been done. Maybe it isn't too late.
I honestly think in many cases we as trappers aren't helping our cause. We always hear about how united we stand, yet we as trappers can't seem to unite very well. Oh sure there are various state and national organizations, but how many trappers aren't members of any? Better yet how many states have seen their association split into two or sometimes more associations? I understand sometimes it is regional differences, or possibly differing agendas, but at some point splitting up associations can only serve to weaken trappers power.
Something else to think about is the constant squabbling amongst trappers. I think these internet forums are neat, and I have certainly learned from them, but how many guys have become bitter enemies over internet squabbles. Yet again further dividing us. I fully understand we are all different, and there will always be disagreements, but man some of the arguments are getting pretty heated. Go onto one of the major trapping forums that gets a lot of action, you guys all probably know the one I am talking about, and it seems like over half the posts these days are heated arguments about something that probably isn't worth arguing about. Doesn't help the camaraderie much.
How much has the issue of 220's in buckets hurt our image? I am all for keeping our rights, but this one seems to really hurt. I cringe every time I see someone online recommend baiting 220 buckets with salmon oil spiked cat food. Really guys. To make matters worse people seem to have the mentality that they can set them wherever, simply because the law says they can. Whatever happened to common sense? All it takes is one dead dog via a 220 and our image is shot. It doesn't matter one bit if the dog was trespassing on private property or not, the public sees and hears about a dead pet. Sometimes it pays to compromise a little, but I know compromise is a bad word these days in the American society. Everyone has the my way or the highway mentality.
I personally think one of the biggest threats to trappers these days is the pet lobby. Think about it. When I was a kid growing up on a farm in southern MN every farm had a dog running around. He was part of the farm. In most cases they lived outside and earned their keep. It seems nowadays the days of the working dog are numbered. People would rather pay thousands of dollars for the latest fad hybrid puppy and then turn around and treat it better than they treat their children. People now pay for doggie grooming sessions, pet massages, elaborate pet funerals, and who knows what else. Our society has by and large humanized pets. The AR groups see this and are starting to exploit it. I think many nowadays recognize that the AR groups push to end meat consumption as ludicrous, but these same people are horrified at the thought of their pet even possibly being harmed by a trap, however remote the chance may be. The AR groups know this and will likely push this angle even harder in the years to come, and unfortunately many in our ranks seem to be overlooking this one.
All just my thoughts.
Cameron
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Post by braveheart on Jan 5, 2017 5:52:13 GMT -6
All the Tv shows with a dog treated better than a person make me sick. My wife says I am to old and crotchity and don't under stand.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 5, 2017 8:13:19 GMT -6
very good post Cameron.
A few thoughts on your post-
Trappers. We are a different breed indeed. I think the thing that causes fights on the forums is two fold- 1) trapping isn't a science. Its an art. As such, its subjective. And everyone holds opinions dear. In most endeavors, one knows his skills, and learns or at least observes/listens to those that are at a higher level. Through the internet, one soon became an instant expert, and it was (is) hard at times to understand who was who until deep in the discussion. and then add in the drama. I'm attempting to get this forum back to the way it and others were- and a thread like this is a good start. 2) too many worry about non trapping things
Was talking to a coyote guy yesterday, about people getting into coyotes. I was at the right place, in the right time- when no one was trapping coyotes and the coyote expansion was just beginning here. And what land coon trappers there were, were road trappers- so permissions for coon and coyote were easy to get- and many of those first farms am still trapping almost 30 years later.
I've got 150 farms or so tied up- and over the years, the farms that are left I either deemed unworthy, or was refused permissions. sure, one could pick up a few locations- but enough someone could pickup to run even a short longline with success- very unlikely.
With our liberal water laws, one could still set up a water longline, just running bridges and a few private locations- and I'm sure when the prices increase, it will occur. I never saw 1 truck parked at a bridge during the first month of water trapping when I was coyote trapping. I take that back- going through the Whitewater , at Beaver, saw the usual red topped lath every 5 feet in Beaver Creek-but other than that...............so pressure very low
Just reread a great Book- Tracks in the Mud by Gene Stark. He told of his life as a boy trapper, then riding the fur boom. Very much like Gilsvik's writings in style, and for anyone of similar age such as myself, its almost my life story.
And that was a boom- I truly think we will never have that perfect storm again.
and since then- with a few rays of light occasionally, the fur market has never came back.
I'm an optimistic guy generally. Glass half full and all that. But with the state of the market, and the world economy- I can't see it coming back strong anytime soon.
It will be very interesting to see what the auctions do on coyotes. The market is softening, and one wonders how long Canada Goose can keep that ball afloat.
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Organized trappers. I think, with rare exceptions, that most trappers associations are worthless beyond being a place to gather periodically to gossip and discuss trapping. I belong to a club, in fact am an officer in it. Many times, what I want, and what the officers want, is different from what the club wants- as such- we do what the vote determines-and everything is done, "For the good of the club". And the reason is simple- the continuation of the clubs goals and purposes is why we ARE THERE. Loyalty overall isn't with individuals, but for to club. OR- foe individual goals. As such, far, far too much inside politics in many associations so that the purpose- to promote and aid trapping, is lost.
And I'm sorry- but IMO the nationals are even worse, and yes, you can point to 1 or 2 things each has done- but overall, not much bang for the buck.
on that note- the US Sportsman's Alliance has done so very much for trappers (was started as a trapping rights group) that I urge any that can, to give.
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When we had lots more land and far fewer people, trapping at least in rural areas, was kind of mainstream. Every farm had a few traps, and every kid set a few in the back pasture or local creek. It was accepted, and in my rural town, lots of kids in school were trappers.
I know over the past few years, I've had lots more younger people- either teenagers, or those late 20s early 30s with a young boy or two, that want to start trapping. Money is secondary or many times not even a factor. For the few animals they catch, anything is ok.
So we at least have a new generation coming in. Making trapping mainstream is always a double edged sword. No trapper wants more competition- so I guess the best we can do, is to help a few people along the way.
Fur is getting more mainstream, that's a fact. Wonder what would happen if every trapping org, would pool all their money- and make a national campaign for fur. Would it do good, or just be waste of money?
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Post by bblwi on Jan 5, 2017 12:45:13 GMT -6
Wild fur does not change much in size, quality, color etc. over time compared to ranched fur. Wild fur needs to wait for the cycles to come their way with little change in fur type except for numbers and or stage of primness. That being said it is easy to over harvest species like coon, beaver, rats, and ordinary coyotes when markets are soft. There will always be a good market for some hatter beaver, western spotted belly cats, western silky white coyotes, sable, fisher, clear number 1 and 2 colored Western heavy coons and marten but these are wild fur items that typically are not harvested in high volumes. Ranchers have the ability to create new types of fur, be it long, short or grade and color. They can also produce large enough volumes where economies of scale can work in their favor and the end users. Trappers typically vary harvest greatly depending upon price and thus with fluctuating numbers and quality end users look for items that offer more stability in volume for them to invest in the processing of fur. Also ranchers can and do expand and contract quite quickly depending upon the markets. The last couple years regarding ranch mink is an example. If indeed ranch mink numbers went from the 80 million mark to say 60 million mark that alone is a change larger than all the wild fur caught in the whole World in one maybe two years. Today the 200,000 US trappers could shut down coon numbers and their efforts would not be as much as a couple of the largest ranches in the world when it comes to square inches of fur reduction in the market.
Bryce
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Post by lumberjack on Jan 5, 2017 14:32:46 GMT -6
Its winding down for me, only a few days left for mink. Had a good day today, big mink at an overhang, 2 rats in a run through the watercress, and to my surprise, a grey fox in a pocket set. Not bad for being on the back forty. Once mink goes out I will play with some land sets in the woods indian style (covered with grass/leaves/moss, etc). Its a little different ball game packing in coilsprings on drags compared to my wired 110s and 160s- the weight is crucifying.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 7, 2017 7:26:25 GMT -6
In regards to the internet fighting, I actually don't mind many of the trapping/outdoor arguments. Keep them civil and no big deal. Actually, some of those arguments bring forth a treasure trove of information.
The problem comes from the off topic stuff. Don't get me wrong talking about things besides trapping is fine. That being said some of these forums are frequented by a handful of folks who rarely if ever trap and do nothing but make repeated posts on wild conspiracy theories, politics, and religion. A little bit is fine, but when half your forum is taken up by these posts, enough is probably enough. We are many weeks past the election, and yet if a person logs onto one of the more popular trapping forums right now you will find post after post on various political topics, how the government is out to get you, and a score of other bs topics. Why? Those threads lead to nothing but heated arguments that solve nothing. Again a little bit is one thing, but people if those are the kind of discussions you want there are specific forums for them.
In Navy wardrooms (wardrooms are where officers dine) there is basic protocol that politics and religion won't be discussed. Why, because everyone knows they generally turn south. No sense causing division between people over arguments that no one is going to win.
Sorry for the little rant folks.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 7, 2017 8:18:38 GMT -6
and the very interesting thing? Never have I talked about such off topics at a convention or when trappers come over.
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Post by flathead40 on Jan 7, 2017 16:13:38 GMT -6
I believe it has little to do with the topic being discussed, trapping, politics, religion, ford, chevy, doesn't matter. I see it's problem people have with someone having a different thought or opinion then their own. People can't seem to understand: "Just because I don't do it,(or think it) doesn't mean YOU shouldn't". It's a right we have in this country to disagree, we should respect that enough to do be civil about it. When I meet someone, I can usually tell if we'll get along or not. Before I know who they voted for or what trap they think is best for coyotes. I vote for who I think is going to be best for the country, I hope YOU do too. If our opinions differ, so be it. Men all through history have fought and died so we could be free and have different opinions. Besides that, if everyone did exactly what I did and thought, who would I be able to learn from. Not going to learn anything if you don't ever do anything different, or aren't exposed to different thoughts.
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