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Post by cameron1976 on Dec 4, 2017 6:30:21 GMT -6
Nice road win yesterday in Atlanta! Defense is looking pretty tough. I hate to get too excited though, I have seen them implode countless times in the playoffs over the years.
Let's hope they can keep the solid play up!
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a recap
Nov 25, 2017 15:41:38 GMT -6
Post by cameron1976 on Nov 25, 2017 15:41:38 GMT -6
I used to run 15 and 18 inch stakes, but have gone down to 12 inches with zero problems. I think these Wolf Fangs hold very well, and I would be willing to bet that many could get by with 12 inch stakes.
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a recap
Nov 25, 2017 8:08:13 GMT -6
Post by cameron1976 on Nov 25, 2017 8:08:13 GMT -6
I have bought some from Gerald before as well and they are the Freedom Brand ones. In my experience most dealers seem to be carrying the Freedom Brand Wolf Fangs.
As far as differences I don't really know. Supposedly Wolf Creek made the originals and then the Freedom Brand style came along shortly after. My understanding (I have never personally checked) is that there is a subtle difference in the sizing. Just enough that drivers made for one won't work right with the other. Again I have never personally checked so take that for what its worth.
I know a few guys over on another trapping forum have badmouthed the Freedom Brand Wolf Fangs saying they weren't the originals and were not heavy enough. I am not sure what kind of soils these guys are working in, but in the past few seasons I have found the Freedom Brand style to be plenty heavy enough. In reality I think it boiled down to the usual internet trapping forum argument..."my brand is better than yours just because its what I use."
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a recap
Nov 25, 2017 7:43:39 GMT -6
Post by cameron1976 on Nov 25, 2017 7:43:39 GMT -6
I think the Wolf Fangs are a good stake. Keep in mind there are two "styles" of Wolf Fangs, the Wolf Creek ones and the ones with the Freedom Brand label. I have been using the Freedom Brand Wolf Fangs exclusively now for 3 seasons.
My biggest issue has been the drivers. In fact I have been so disappointed with the drivers I have considered switching stakes. I used to use the HD Berkshires and the one thing I really liked about them was no special driver needed. Any pointed trap stake would work.
This season I decided I wanted to find a better driver of some kind. I know some people were making heavy duty drivers so I did some searching. I found one being sold by Southern Snares and Supply that was advertised to work for the Freedom Brand Wolf Fangs. I ordered one and have been impressed. It is a beast of a driver and so far has held up well. I think I have actually found a driver that will last!
If you do look for a heavy duty Wolf Fang driver make sure you order one made for the brand of Wolf Fangs you use. My understanding is that there are slight variances in the specs between the two different brands and a driver made for one won't necessarily work for the other. I have never checked this personally, but figured I didn't want to chance it so I went with one that was supposed to work for the brand I use.
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Post by cameron1976 on Nov 23, 2017 15:40:31 GMT -6
Happy Thanksgiving Steve and everyone else. It was a nice win by the Vikings today!
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Post by cameron1976 on Nov 21, 2017 5:27:20 GMT -6
Nice to see a few red fox showing up on your line Steve.
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Post by cameron1976 on Nov 21, 2017 5:18:34 GMT -6
you'd be wise to google the TX trappers assn and call some of their officers.......just saying I agree.
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Post by cameron1976 on Apr 21, 2017 5:07:39 GMT -6
Nice pictures! Thanks for sharing!
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Post by cameron1976 on Mar 14, 2017 14:12:48 GMT -6
Never really understood the guys who limit themselves to one trap or style. I like versatility, especially with coon. Given their wild mood/appetite swings it only makes sense to arm oneself with a variety of weapons.
If I had to go to one style of trap on coon it would no doubt be footholds, simply because they work and are versatile. That being said, I hate the idea of being limited to one type of trap.
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Post by cameron1976 on Mar 12, 2017 7:54:51 GMT -6
I find DPs to be a good tool on the coon line. I would not want to be limited to just them, but admit anymore I wouldn't really want to eliminate them from my line either.
I do like the speed of them. Will they catch every coon that comes along? No, but then again no set or trap catches every one. Like anything they have to be set on location to work.
Interestingly enough sometimes I run into an area where the coon, for whatever reason, just aren't interested in them. One particular location comes to mind. I knew coon were there, and set several DPs. Not one produced. I was beginning to wonder if the coon had moved on. Stuck some trail sets in and immediately started catching coon. Go figure. This has happened to me in a couple of other instances as well. If you find your catch dropping with DP's in an area that you know holds good numbers of coon, try setting blind sets in some of the trails. I bet you are pleasantly surprised with the coon you add to your catch.
As far as the trap itself I honestly seem to do about the same catch percentage whether the trigger is push/pull, or pull only. This surprised me a bit. I remember purchasing a few white Z Traps some years back with the thought that they were going to be coon catching machines. They caught coon, but no more than my brown dipped, pull only Duke traps. I will also add that I do not like the circle triggers. For me they just don't seem to catch coon like the straight triggers.
In regards to bait, I have tried many different things. I have used marshmallows with syrupy baits applied on them, various kinds of kibble baits, and even cat food with a shot of salmon oil. All work to some extent. The big issue with these baits is mice and weather. I know many are saying to cap the trap and my problem is solved. I have tried that and was not impressed. For starters I don't want barriers between the coon and bait. If he's hungry I want it easy for him to work the set. Relying on the coon to pop a cap off or remove a cup is one more step that might cause him to lose interest. I also remember trying a tin foil covering. I would sometimes find where a coon had worked the set, started playing with the foil, and moved away without working the set. At least that's what tracks in the mud told me. Did it happen all the time, no, but it did happen from time to time and that was enough to convince me to stop doing it. I blame the short attention span of the coon. He started playing with a shiny object and forgot about the food in the tube. For the last couple of seasons I have played around with a rubbery trigger bait sold by Lee Ruewsaat. They come pre-scented and slip over your trigger. They work well. For one they give the coon something squishy to grab onto. Rain, and freezing temps don't bother them either. In the case of very heavy rains/floods a little shot of salmon oil (or any other scented oil) will bring the smell back and get the coon working them again. They are a little pricey, but they are re-usable. Anyway not trying to sound like an advertisement, just passing along something that has worked surprisingly well for me.
I will also add that if you like a commercial kibble bait, Marty's Coon Crunch is pretty darn good.
Again, I view the dog proofs as yet another tool to add to a coon trappers arsenal. They are fast to set, and can certainly help you put some coon on the boards. That being said, don't fall into a rut and ignore other traps either.
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Post by cameron1976 on Feb 9, 2017 17:00:16 GMT -6
The early report I heard from the NAFA sale going on now is that the Canadian/Montana heavy coyotes did well, and everything else didn't do so hot.
I am curious how the Colorado sale goes?
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Post by cameron1976 on Feb 9, 2017 7:00:08 GMT -6
Nice pics Steve. I'll be setting out next week. Got another show yet this coming weekend. Lake Home & Cabin Show $$$ . . . Steve, remember that "secret" set I was talking about and included in the demo last fall at WTA rondy? Well, I'm going to do a little pictorial essay on the evolution of that set, and where I am today with it. I do believe you're going to enjoy it. Figure by Wednesday of next week I'll have enough of these sets out to at least give you a somewhat fair idea of their "deadliness" on mink and 'rats. They will stay soaking until the closure in early March. Stay tuned! Looking forward to it.
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Post by cameron1976 on Feb 4, 2017 9:40:06 GMT -6
Thanks for the videos and pictures Steve. How's the line going for you?
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Post by cameron1976 on Feb 4, 2017 9:34:35 GMT -6
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Post by cameron1976 on Feb 3, 2017 21:04:18 GMT -6
Marty in regards to the beaver tails...as Trapping pointed out, you might have some guys looking to make oil. It also could be guys looking to buy tails and turn them in for bounty. I believe Arkansas is still paying a bounty, and in the past I have heard of them having problems with trappers buying beaver tails inexpensively from out of state and turning them in for cash.
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Post by cameron1976 on Feb 3, 2017 19:19:46 GMT -6
Looks good Jim!
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 29, 2017 21:25:53 GMT -6
On the other end of the spectrum I saw on another forum where a guy in Idaho averaged $77 on a lot of coyotes he sold at the Blackfoot Fur Sale. It sounded like his lot of coyotes was one of the top sellers at the sale. Obviously the guys out that way have a far better coyote fur wise than most of us.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 29, 2017 21:10:29 GMT -6
I just saw on Facebook that coyotes averaged $13.87 at a sale in PA.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 25, 2017 20:16:51 GMT -6
I haven't sold a bit of fur yet this year, so I can't be of any help to you on this. Hopefully someone will put some results up.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 25, 2017 18:59:59 GMT -6
Thanks for posting this Gibb.
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