its a wrap

[trappnman]

was going to pull everything later this week, but with snow coming tues, pulled last of traps on monday, finishing up in the snow. All and all, one of the more enjoyable water seasons I've had in quite sometime- ran 40 traps at most, usually run 150+- set no coon or beaver sets (caught 1 small beaver and zero coon as incidentals- coon are really down in these 2 counties overall, someone gets 100 coon, they really worked it) and ran the entire line w/o ice and snow. Mississippi is very high, and as such that big rain new got 2 weeks ago, still had high water in some of the creeks where they flattened out- the influence of the big river goes quite aways in some of those streams. Did set a couple bind otter sets, never connected.

had a good mink year considering- 2 checks ago had one of those days that I love on mink trapping- 3 big males, all caught in created resting edge sets (2 a double), over the years it's become my #1 created blind set- all three mink caught in traps that had set for a couple of weeks, then bang- you just know that when a blind set trap is gone- 99% of the time its going to be a mink-

the weather was so nice, and just walking on bare ground was a pleasure-

and have a small collection of rats (under 50) but all except 1 slightly damaged and another being a kit) all pretty uniform- that must say something about the population

Earliest I've been done in decades, but can't say looking out the window at the snow I'm too unhappy about it-

not hearing anything good about prices, will report back what I get in next week or so

with all this rain and snow in the Midwest and south- its been a terrible year to keep traps running (I actually was fairly lucky compared to some) - hows it going for the rest of you?

[exmatador]

Pretty dismal season at best here.. Took off the week of thanksgiving to hammer out some coyotes.. Ended up working on my new skinning shop, a project I started on in June!!! The guys finally showed up to frame it so I just helped them.. With coon prices they way the are I didn't even set for them.. Ended up pulling my sets Thanksgiving morning in a downpour of two inches if rain followed by 5 in of snow..


But the good news is a guy brought me 94 western Wyo coyotes to put up for him!

[bblwi]

Poorest season for me in about 15 years. My first week I got 180 rats 1 mink and 6 coons. Since November 2nd we have had 8-9 inches of rain. I pulled after the first 2.5 incher and never got back into the water. Monday the 28th we got 12-14 inches of wet heavy snow. Most sod ground is not frozen There is about 1 inch of ice on most flat water and now with the snow it will take a lot of real cold weather to even walk on the ice and the ice will be that honeycomb crap. I have 4 to pull tomorrow and I am guessing I will be completely through for the year. I put up some coons for a friend and caught a couple really nice coons in DPs just before our deer gun season.

Bryce

[braveheart]

Being stuck on Federal Jury duty the Month of Nov.put a big mess into my trapping.Then the rain and snow came in Dec.Not GOOD!!!

[Deleted]

Nope, not done yet!  

I've got 3 deer hunting properties that I'm not allowed on until 1/2.  These people(individual owners) contacted me wanting the coyotes knocked-back but none of them even allow me on their properties after Labor Day to scout.  I'd say not getting on the properties until mid-winter is really the epitome of what "cold-rolling" is!

Had one of my larger deer hunting property owners call yesterday asking if I would trap his man-made ponds(small lakes actually) and remove the rats.  The past 2 years while checking coyote traps on his property his ponds only gave up 3-4 rats.  He has his shorts in a wad and will pay.  

The "excavation pit" property owner where I made those a several videos (mangy coyote) wants me back but 10 less coyotes using the property is 10 coyotes I can't catch.

Got a property owner who emailed last week wanting me out to his place which is really a good distance out of my territory who's offering me $100 a coyote and $50 a fox.  His property which is orchard and deer hunting property does not have anything except a token canine population.  He's followed directions and has road-killed deer bait pile and watching for canine sign.  We'll see how this shakes out.

Since I still have a few coyote traps on my "rat pit" property I've been watching both the ice conditions and seeing rats on the feed beds most mornings.  This pit/marsh can give up 80-130 rats/yr.  One year was able to trap it on about 2"+ of ice and it was sweet trapping.  The runs to the feeders were mostly open so I had no concern about searching out hollow sounds or looking for bubble trails I just had to wear waders so if and when the ice broke over 3' of water I was in good shape if I kept my balance and didn't fall over on my way riding the ice down.

So yup, I've got lots to be doing for the next month.

[blackhammer]

Had a good year and still running a few. Been steady on rats with I supppose three hundred in Novemeber and over two hundred in December. Coon well over two hundred with real motivation problem and I believe a lot of distemper problems reducing population. Caught a few beaver, limit of otter again and a few canines. Mink catch was lowest in a few years ran less pockets but had less mink here for some reason. Went from my usual 50 or so to 20. Fur market might be no better next year or worse if that's possible.Going to be hard to justify a full bore effort next fall the way it looks.I guess I'll cross that bridge in the fall.

[trappnman]

was wondering how you did on coon- haven't seen this few coon for many decades

I never saw a track on the waterline, and darn few on the coyote line.

[blackhammer]

Dec 31, 2015 9:36:40 GMT -6 trappnman said:

was wondering how you did on coon- haven't seen this few coon for many decades

I never saw a track on the waterline, and darn few on the coyote line.

Coon are on a down swing no matter what farmers tell you. The last few years the decline started. The great populations of five plus years ago may gone forever. I have worked real hard for the coon I caught the last few years. The spots where I would get 3-15 coon are now one or two or none. I haven't seen much sign either and really don't care if I catch any at this point but it would be nice to see a little sign to be positive about the future. Maybe theshort catch will make them bounce back big time hopefully.

[northof50]

Warm start shut things down early. Marten just moving then.

wait and see what the rat prices do for spring trapping.
still calling yotes especially with this demand.

[rionueces]

Its was in the 80's here until Christmas. Caught this kitty by the toes last week.

[trappnman]

very pretty - I wish we had a few

prices today were even worse that I thought they would be- $2.30 average on rats ($4 tops) and mink...ouch...$5 males, $4 females

talked to a guy from Webkies- $4 top coon and that's 3-4X, most 2-3X coon a $ or two, and that's with junk out

otter $25

I think it's going to be a dismal auction- tuff year to be a trapper

[musher]

I found out this morning that the fur buyer that comes through town isn't fur buying this year. So ... auction it will be. NAFA or FHA ..... to be decided.