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Post by trappnman on Sept 24, 2018 7:12:16 GMT -6
Thought I'd be done with gophers by today. not. That weather last week put a real crimp in my plans. If it wouldn't of rained last tues, we would have gotten our last 4 farms set up- but between the rains, and during, all we could do that day was pull two farms- so at least we don't have traps out- then we got 3+ inches of rain tues-thursday-
its been dry, and somewhat windy fri-sunday so they should be digging- now its just how tall is the hay- but for most this was last crop, so we can drive a little more on it. By the end of day, should have those farms set up- and if not, might just say too bad for the year.
I'm way behind on getting ready for coyotes. I do have the truck tuned up and ready, so thats good. I still need to take my skinner back and get it redone so it fits the Chevy tow hooks- but thats simple enough, just have to take it in.
Two biggest things left are getting traps dyed and waxed, and a run in talking to farmers.
Traps are no big deal- a full day takes care of them- talking to farmers is another couple of days- so I have time- I WILL be done with gophers by thursday at latest, if not wednesday- so then I'll have time.
I don't need many supplies this year, have most in stock- just certain lures, and of course urine.
Got 4 barrels of dry dirt- last year only went through 3, using more peat than dirt each year in wet and freeze- almost only collected 3 of dirt but ...it was free...lol. Got plenty of gophers frozen which reminds me- I want to defrost the trapping freezer yet as well.
so i'm not ready...but ready to BE ready.....
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No big changes this year in methods. I am going to wax traps much thicker this year. Thinking about advice I've gotten, and re-reading Hoofbeats, I'm going to wax much cooler giving the traps a heavier coating of wax- to quote "I want it like frosting".
Picked up a couple of new locations- one is a great one- with NO wet weather access. Its a huge hay field, surrounded by hill pasture with 2 big ponds on 3 sides with a cow lane on the other- the farm its on is a big dairy, and 1/4 mile on other side is another big dairy. gopher trapped it for the 1st time, and coyotes were eating gophers every day we we there this summer. Trouble being -to get to it, you need to go down a hill into the cow yard where they feed, and then up a little hill- stopping for 2 gates. With all the manure and mud, impossible in rain. But- its pretty much on the overlapping edge of 3 loops- so I hope that on one of those loops, I get a few days of dry and I'll hit it hard.
also one new old farm used to trap it years ago- the farmer told me (old guy, old dog) his dog NEVER went back there- of course, 2 days later I caught his dog- I said thought he never went back there- guy tells me- I took a friend back to show him the pond, and dog stepped out of truck and got caught, so he preferred I didn't trap. Now, he sold farm to young guy with big beef operation, and got permission to trap it again.
So- in 2 weeks from tomorrow- will be setting traps. Been seeing a lot of sign, and rabbits are everywhere- so looking forward to the year.
Never set a water trap last year, but after coyotes will set a few in honeyhole spots and trap for 2-3 weeks- I do enjoy trapping mink and rats. Most likely will not set any coon traps this year, nor beaver except if they are any in the few spots I set up- but not going out of my way for sure.
If dead possums on the road are any sign- going to have a lot of them this year- last couple of years hardly any after a couple of hard winters- but last year mild enough going to be bounty I think. not seeing many dead skunks, so thats good.
REALLY looking forward to having a full sized truck again- The Ranger was ok- but I missed the room. Nice being able to get by storage box back n the truck, and room inside for us and stuff. Got my C & C permit, so that will be nice as well having a pistol in the truck- lori got her's as well, so she is covered if I'm not in truck. We can have a rifle uncased, but not loaded in truck as long as you aren't in a town over 5,000 which is no problem for me.
So- enough about me- how is everyone else planning the season?
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Post by coloradocat on Sept 24, 2018 22:05:01 GMT -6
Think Im set to jet. Will start the last week of Oct. at about 8500-9000 ft and work my way down as the season progresses.
Gonna be a short season this year. Lots of dry females, and onesy/twosy in the dens. Seems to be the story in a lot of the west.
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Post by trappnman on Sept 25, 2018 6:08:03 GMT -6
Why is that? low prey base or disease?
got 3 of the farms set up yesterday- will get the 4th today so on plan with the gophers. Stopped by a farm I used to trap, a big dairy where I just couldn't get anywhere I needed so stopped trapping it, saw he had access now so stopped and got permission- fills a hole in my line a bit so thats good. Saw multiple fre sh scats on the gopher farms
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Post by RdFx on Sept 25, 2018 6:29:01 GMT -6
I still got to boil, wax traps and your idea to hvy wax traps is good, ive done it past 10 yrs and its the way to go. Yotes are doing what they do this time of year so thing look normal in my area. Yotes first and then some mink and rats like i do nowdays, same with bvr. With coon anything below a 3x will be tanned and 3x and higher sold. The amount of coon ill get below 3x when tanned will only cost approx $10 a pelt so should be easy to sell even when doubled. Wish i had my younger 50 year old legs as 23 yrs older sure make a differance. But will go at it slow and easy and enjoy..
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Post by coloradocat on Sept 25, 2018 20:02:11 GMT -6
I would suspect mange and drought combined. Certainly areas that faired well, other not so much.
I will stick to the high country, they have to be a survivor up there.
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Post by trappnman on Sept 26, 2018 8:54:52 GMT -6
yesterday was a truly long day. light rain in morning, then a drizzle/damp day the rest of the day. The gophers mounds weren't too awful wet- and in an odd situation the fresh mounds (and they were really digging yesterday) were wetter than the older mounds- I'm guessing because the old mounds had settled and thus shed that light mist to a degree- whereas the fresh mounds were brought up a small amount at a time, thus get wet throughout.
A good day % wise- and got that last farm set up. So today will check, and double set any remaining on the 2 farms we have traps out on- then friday we will pull and gophers done for year.
Tomorrow wil l be out talking to farmers-
Harvest was really starting before the rain- beans started on the 15, and by the 17 I was surprised at how many fields were combined. Lots of corn being chopped- saw one field where they were picking-
the rain last week stopped things, but yesterday saw one farm at least chopping corn.
We need DRY to get those beans out.
Will be curious as to see crops on my first loop- last year most of oct had high % of beans and corn untouched- limited access to point i had to skip some good locations, and modify setting on others. That cost me coyotes.
I like my country when crops are out- but if in...no worse place
no one else trapping this year?
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Post by musher on Sept 27, 2018 9:57:07 GMT -6
I am ready to go. There are still a few shorter spurs of lines that the marten boxes need checking but that will get done during setting.
They changed the regs. no more lynx quota or special season. Lynx are rare right now so it will change squat for me. I wish they would have done that 10 years ago. Water trapping and canids start the 17 of Oct. which is a full week earlier. With the intense heat we had I don't think shorter days are making a difference in mfur quality. The fox I have seen are ugly and most of my dogs are also. Moose hunters will still be in the woods at this time, also.
Chasing ducks and geese right now!
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Post by trappnman on Sept 28, 2018 6:27:16 GMT -6
finally done with gophers- on our way out to talk to farmers we pulled the last for the year. Were trying for 22 gophers, got 20 so a good end to a good year.
Crops north and west of me are NOT where I'd like to see them. Almost nothing out yest- they have had more wet thna us. I did see a couple out yesterday, but rain again on sunday- I'm afraid its going to be a duplicate of last year with crops late-
Did have one interesting thing- new farm talked to farmer and gave him a card, He said go ahead. Last night we got a call from his wife- she is a Gappa and we are related, 3 cousins or so- that was unexpected.
So gophers a wrap- today I'm doing traps, Lori is putting plants away (we have them outside all summer) we could get a frost tonight and I hope so-
While the first batch is boiling, I'm taking my skinner in to get re-fitted to new truck.
Tomorrow bikes get put away, and fur shed at least started to be put in shape.
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Post by trappnman on Sept 30, 2018 6:36:31 GMT -6
traps done, plants in house and all fur shed stuff is at least in the shed.
Today I think is a day off.
9 days to go!
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Griz
Demoman...
Posts: 240
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Post by Griz on Sept 30, 2018 11:45:18 GMT -6
Truck has been inspected, traps are ready, and fur shed ready for final set up.
It is raining again today, and rain is forecast for nearly every day for the next week. It is still a month before opener, but crops are going to be out late, and fields are too wet for scouting. Access is going to be an issue this year.
The plan is to prioritize properties according to coyote sign, if it ever gets dry enough to do a decent job of scouting. When access allows being on a property for coyote, everything else will be set up while there. Then the line will be filled in with other properties as access allows.
I agree with RdFx about the 50-year old legs and the slow and easy to enjoy. This will be a year to trap at a pace that is enjoyable.
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Post by trappnman on Oct 3, 2018 6:20:18 GMT -6
Monday went to talk to farmers and scope out things on most of rest of loops. Another rainy day, so for once pretty much everyone home. picked up a few new farms. One I knew about, the guy called me after I was gone last year, and said he also owned a lot of land across the road from him- opening up a whole new system. At another house, another farmer was there helping out, and he asked if I needed another spot- turns out hes right across from another spot of mine, and has sheep. He said he better talked to his son, who tried trapping them, and would get back to me... he called yesterday to say they had 2 coyotes in sheep monday night, and to come on out!
An then a farmer I've trapped on for 10 years says- "ever trap our land by the state land?" no...never knew about it. So he says follow me, and takes me to another farm- looks like a good location, and they see coyotes there regularly. Then he says- "you trap the farm up on the gravel?" no...didn't know about it. so he takes me there- says they shot 2 pups baling hay this summer, but always see coyotes deer hunting.
also got to talk some more to farmers on new farms from last year getting more info that makes sense now that I was on land for a year that should make it better for next year.
yesterday spent me organizing shed, lori digging bulbs and cutting back plants and then off to compost (very convienient a free compost dump in town here) where someone had throw some hug sunflower heads full of seeds- why anyone would raise giant sunflowers and then not have the birds take the seeds is beyond me- but in any case, my birds are now enjoying them.
Today is a last shopping and menards day-
6 more days....
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Post by RdFx on Oct 3, 2018 12:11:59 GMT -6
Oh...the waiting....lol
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Post by trappnman on Oct 4, 2018 6:38:40 GMT -6
ain't that the truth!
Got a new windshield in truck- had a crack, I got 0 deductible on glass, but never a good time- so thats done
Thinking about what Griz said- A few years back, I still tried to set goals. Never like doing that, but was pushing myself/ trouble is, its nice if all goes as planned- but if it doesn't, then you are behind the 8 ball. I kept thinking- now I'm x number behind, i'll need to take X many next loop, etc- and really, took all the fun out of it.
So mid season that year, we made a effort to say enough- we are doing the best we can, in the circumstances we had- so time to relax.
and it was surprising easy to do just that.
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Post by RdFx on Oct 5, 2018 3:40:47 GMT -6
Yeppers and after saying (enough) you starting really enjoying yourself and doing things in a relaxed manner. Sometimes its the key to reach a goal...
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Post by bblwi on Oct 5, 2018 11:06:56 GMT -6
Going a different route this year. We are about 60-70% done with corn silage but with 4-7 inches of rain the last 15 days things are slow in the clay soil areas. Lot of manure to haul yet and more corn will go for snaplage and JMSC this year as it was planted late so they planted shorter day varieties but the heat moved the crop fast and much is too dry for silage now but not drying down kernel wise for dry corn. Some will take 5th cuttings of alfalfa also so there will be lots of traffic in our fields.
I am not going early at all. We will scout rat marshes in two weeks and plan a week to 10 days of flat water rat trapping. I will start my moving water and dry land multi species line in early November and make a couple circuits before our deer season. Getting geared up for more 4-wheeler trapping and getting back further in to permissions than as of late. My first 10 seasons here I was a multi species trapper and caught some of everything but not a lot of any. After several seasons of becoming more single species minded I now remember how much I enjoyed the multi species line. At nearly 71 I am not going to break or set any records and with most of my species not in high value one may as well do what feels the best. I am learning to enjoy the hard water rat trapping as it extends my season by many weeks and gets the Holiday calories off my body.
Th nice thing about being a retired trapper is my SS check does not change with the market, my pension check arrives on time and is constant for a year but does go up or down and while I am on the line if the stock market inches up even 1% for the season I earned well over a few hundred rats while having fun.
Bryce
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Post by trappnman on Oct 5, 2018 17:43:18 GMT -6
this rain is killing me.
Going to have to start a day. maybe 2 later- good rains monday and tues next week- I can handle setting in mud and rain- but access is going to be a nightmare both because of mud, and lack of harvest. I doubt any beans have been taken out for the last 10 days, and the next week looks bleak as well.
Skinner done, last minute supplies have arrived-
bikes put away- thought we could get one more ride- but with rain and cold didn't happen. Everything is pretty much buttoned down for winter. All thats left is packing the truck
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Griz
Demoman...
Posts: 240
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Post by Griz on Oct 7, 2018 10:23:19 GMT -6
Yeppers and after saying (enough) you starting really enjoying yourself and doing things in a relaxed manner. Sometimes its the key to reach a goal... I agree! Sometimes slow and steady wins the race. Not only do you reach the goal, you enjoy the journey.
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Post by coloradocat on Oct 7, 2018 21:19:32 GMT -6
We ground checked some high country stink dogs today. It will be a bit for us yet Im afraid. Figure they are best $30 coyotes now.
I went through my sale receipts from last year. For the most part the Oct. coyotes sold for $28-$30 Nov. $50-$85 Dec. heavies $105-$125
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Post by braveheart on Oct 8, 2018 3:37:02 GMT -6
Finally last convention and a scramble to get ready. Most crops are in field and rains about every day.
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Post by trappnman on Oct 8, 2018 6:50:44 GMT -6
the rain is sickening- we've had it forever, and been raining since last night and not suppose to quit until weds midday- predicted maybe another 3-4"
for sure will delay start at least one day- no going out tomorrow- and most likely not weds either- a chance to set a few sets in afternoon perhaps.
while its true later bring more money- the quantity makes up for it- anytime in Nov snow could happen, and for me numbers just aren't possible in snow for many reasons- including access, and pattern changes. A few years ago we had a deep snow that never left nov 5th, so I trapped 4 weeks in deep snow - to say I didn't like is would be an understatement.
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