|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 13, 2007 20:14:59 GMT -6
Is that a Sampson fox?
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 12, 2007 17:34:50 GMT -6
220s can be used on land without restrictions, except cannot be set in culvert entrances.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 12, 2007 19:34:57 GMT -6
brown dip///what will those frenchmen think of next....
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 12, 2007 17:33:28 GMT -6
my thought also- if those traps are dipped each year, you need a new brand of dip.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 11, 2007 16:48:10 GMT -6
no snow, temps below 20 for next 10 days or so.... I couldn't resist and I waxed up a few traps and we set up a couple locations. Only 6 traps, but were in 2 locations I didn't hit as hard as I wanted to last fall. In fact, both locations were set up only a few days, both produced a coyote on last day. Both are usually top producers of both reds and yotes- so Im curious if nothing else. Used the coal/green shale mix with a top dressing of dry dirt. I just used the old sets.
I'll set up a couple more in a day or 2. Still running water, plus a beaver ADC job 30 miles up river, so don't want to get too extended.
Have to say...I like having coyote traps out. Saw a few tracks, hoped for more but we shall see.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 11, 2007 16:43:16 GMT -6
I'm new to offsets- and do like them.
but I don't believe it really makes any difference to the foot. A coyotes foot is a lot bigger than a small offset- so to me, that point isn't valid. But I have to admit- even though I know it doesn't matter, I'll set an offset when I think dogs might be around. On a real small dog, an offset might come into play.
CoonDuke opened my eyes to the benefits of offsets and more toe catches. I think he might be right. I get 2-3 toes a year in my regular jawed traps- and I catch about the same by 1 toe in the offsets. Theory is the offsets don't break the toe, and the toe slides under the offset. CD- is that about right?
In a #3 sized trap for yotes, I don't think you loose any more coon with the offsets over the reg jawed, simply because you get the coon high up, again rendering the offsets moot.
In smaller traps, 1.5s and so- where you often get coon by 2-3 toes- you would in my opinion lose a high % of coon.
and no way for mink
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 11, 2007 16:35:25 GMT -6
What is true in NY is not true elsewhere. If you wish to discuss compative incomes according to regions and what the COL is in NY vs rural midwest, please take it to off topics.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 10, 2007 12:04:45 GMT -6
Snapped doesn't always mean a missed target animal.
Smaller conibears are often snapped because the animal tries to go over or around them, and since most coni's are "hair trigger" they misfire.
Larger traps in water, can have a whole lot of things snap them. Fish perhaps #1, and smaller animals like rats a close second. Plus debris floating in the water, and even just a strong current can snap traps. And even in channels, you get beaver trying to go around, over or under.
Make sure the traps aren't firing on their own. On beaver, don't try for a hair trigger- try for a good solid connection where a beaver has to push to fire the trap. Such a connection of trigger and trap, will reduce snapped traps quite a bit.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 9, 2007 21:58:51 GMT -6
no comments? - I was kinda freaked out for a sec.....
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 10, 2007 12:08:38 GMT -6
Goiod post bryce-
I believe and this is open for discussion among all on this issue that the coon' hunger or lack there of has a lot to do with their winter time fat mobilization to exist on.
I agree.
I also think its like bear. A bear in the spring, doesn't to eat for several days if not weeks, and when he does, he eats green grasses, etc- natures way of get things going again I guess. Like a starving man doesn't eat a rich, heavy meal first thing.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 10, 2007 11:33:43 GMT -6
I don't think snow is really part of it- although indirectly it might be.
I think more of they are fat, lazy, all furred up and no place to go...LOL
They aren't in hibernation mode, so they are active everyday in a minor way. With "normal" weather, you have periods of inactivity then a warm up and a period of major activity, cold inactive, etc.
Heres its been same old.
Give us this same weather in a month- and they will really be running- now urges kick in, hunger starts the juices flowing.
As far as lure- there are a few criteria I insist on for a cold weather coon lure 1) unique, non food smell 2) no freezing 3) long lasting.
There are many good coon lures out there for mild weather, fewer that work good below 32 degrees. I will not say the lure I use is the only lure that would satisfy me, but it is the best I've used, by far. And thats Pro Coon. Yes, I do sell it- but I sell it, because I use it.
I mix 1oz with a qt- a little more in the dead of winter- say 5oz to a gallon. Give each set a good squirt- you want a lot of surface area to get more of the lure into the air. A pint bottle of mix is enough to lure 12 sets or so. But you don't need to relure very often.
Interesting about possums. Back in the day, all the possums I'd see were frost bit toes, tails and ears. Today- none of that PLUS- you get a blizzard- whats the FIRST tracks you will see out there- possum. They have adapted, and adapted well.
The secret of cold weather coon, it to anticipate and be set up and ready BEFORE the warm up.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 9, 2007 9:16:26 GMT -6
thanks guys- I got a couple guys to help out. I had no doubt you'd come through
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 8, 2007 21:11:03 GMT -6
got notice that there is a young man in Virginia, that has qustions abotu trapping and where a good fur buyer is located. Any Virginia trappers willing to help him out, pm me and I'll give you his email.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 8, 2007 21:01:13 GMT -6
Jim could well be right.
but more to the point- if that much sign, and no activity- I'd say not many beavers. Were the dams and such crappy and not well maintained? If so, it might just be a couple or even that one.
Setting up the dens and the runs- plus the feed stations, should have given you any kits or 2 year olds.
If just a couple beaver, they can really fool you. last year for example, I had a dam on a creek, set 2 traps, next night got a nice beaver. Had those traps in for 2 months-I turn them into coon sets- and no sign of any other beaver- and one day- there was second. That second beaver had just went into cautious mode, and I saw no signs of nothing. He was feeding off of feed pile and I never knew it.
I also know that beaver can hole up a LONG time if spooked. I once know for a fact, a pinched beaver holed up in the house for 2 weeks before coming out.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 8, 2007 21:02:19 GMT -6
I do think they pop out of frozen ground better...but who would trpa in frozen ground.... ;D
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 6, 2007 13:40:13 GMT -6
I think thats the #1 thing I like about being a full time trapper- time.
So much of stress and second guessing, is to do with time restraints and planning.
The Halloween storm is a good example. I had 2 weeks vacation to trap- season opened Nov 1- and we had 3 feet of snow , blizzard ocnditions and then the temps plummented ot below zero.
To say those 2 weeks were a nightmare, was an understatment- BUT- that was the period I had to trap.
Today- I go with the flow of weather and conditions.
Another reason I don't set goals beyond the "do the best I can do" goal
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 6, 2007 9:16:36 GMT -6
Second guessing? thats the way to madness....LOL
I don't often if ever second guess sets, but more in maintaining and managing the line- should have set that up sooner/later....should have pulled these.... etc
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 8, 2007 21:21:15 GMT -6
thanks Bill! stuff I didn't know.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 7, 2007 8:01:33 GMT -6
does the prime pattern follow the white fur pattern?
|
|
|
Post by Steve Gappa on Jan 7, 2007 8:05:17 GMT -6
I was thinking you must be a heck of a man to give a ride along on snowshoes....
|
|