Trapping Thread 2024/2025

[sigpros]

Helped the boy get 9 dp’s set on his little road line tonight. Hoping for some big coons in the morning

 

[NoWiser]

Well, my trapping trip drew to an end today as I pulled my traps. It was a slow last few days of the trip with a small beaver in one of my otter sets yesterday.

As I was going from set to set today, I basically put myself into autopilot with my body doing the work and my brain taking in the complete stillness of the snow-covered northern MN woods. As I neared one of my last sets I noticed something was off. There were no springs sticking out the sides of my cubby box. Obviously a squirrel or bird must have set it off so I kicked around the snow in front of the trap. I couldn’t find cable, trap, or anything. Getting confused I turned around to find a gorgeous tom laying about 20’ away. He managed to disconnect the clip that attached the cable to the trap.

I was completely shocked. It hadn’t even crossed my mind that I might actually catch a cat. The shakes set in, reminiscent of a 12 year old me with his first case of buck fever. I immediately called my wife and kids to tell them.

So now I have a big taxidermy bill coming up. Beautiful 30 pound tom with very nice spots for a MN cat. I’ve never smiled more driving home through the cities. My kids were super excited to see the cat when I pulled in. What a way to end an awesome adventure!

 

[sccritterkiller]

This is my 1st season every trapping...farmer wanted me to try to knock down the yote population as part of my access agreement I do chores now trap..so I got a dozen traps studied the youtube...got 10 sets.l
I have gotten 3 Bobcats since the 8th...its about a 800 acre farm is that normal? Just using dirt hole sets...still learning. Got 4 yotes too..

 

[jpc01101]

This is my 1st season every trapping...farmer wanted me to try to knock down the yote population as part of my access agreement I do chores now trap..so I got a dozen traps studied the youtube...got 10 sets.l
I have gotten 3 Bobcats since the 8th...its about a 800 acre farm is that normal? Just using dirt hole sets...still learning. Got 4 yotes too..

Depending on the terrain I'd say that's normal. I caught 3 last year off of a 255 acre piece in Eastern KY. Good job on the 4 yotes, those things are skiddish, hard for me to catch. I got 2 last year.

 

[Treeshark]

Well, my trapping trip drew to an end today as I pulled my traps. It was a slow last few days of the trip with a small beaver in one of my otter sets yesterday.

As I was going from set to set today, I basically put myself into autopilot with my body doing the work and my brain taking in the complete stillness of the snow-covered northern MN woods. As I neared one of my last sets I noticed something was off. There were no springs sticking out the sides of my cubby box. Obviously a squirrel or bird must have set it off so I kicked around the snow in front of the trap. I couldn’t find cable, trap, or anything. Getting confused I turned around to find a gorgeous tom laying about 20’ away. He managed to disconnect the clip that attached the cable to the trap.

I was completely shocked. It hadn’t even crossed my mind that I might actually catch a cat. The shakes set in, reminiscent of a 12 year old me with his first case of buck fever. I immediately called my wife and kids to tell them.

So now I have a big taxidermy bill coming up. Beautiful 30 pound tom with very nice spots for a MN cat. I’ve never smiled more driving home through the cities. My kids were super excited to see the cat when I pulled in. What a way to end an awesome adventure!

Super cool trip, and congrats on the cat!

 

[NoWiser]

Super cool trip, and congrats on the cat!

Thanks! I’m starting to reconsider the wisdom in spending so much time and money applying to hunt out west for hunts I never draw when I can spend a week doing this for a $30.00 trapping license.

 

[Treeshark]

Thanks! I’m starting to reconsider the wisdom in spending so much time and money applying to hunt out west for hunts I never draw when I can spend a week doing this for a $30.00 trapping license.

I took trappers ed during Covid with hope of doing the exact type of trip you did when kids are out/ I retire.

Sounds so cool.

 

[Elktrack]

Thanks! I’m starting to reconsider the wisdom in spending so much time and money applying to hunt out west for hunts I never draw when I can spend a week doing this for a $30.00 trapping license.

I look forward to it every year more and more simply for being out there by myself. There’s a lot more solitude than hunting season. Nice catches!

 

[Jbotto]

I couldn’t let you guys have all the fun. I threw out three 220 boxes today for racoons. Most of my trapping supplies are in various states of storage so I set as many traps as I had rebar stakes for. Might have to weld a few more up and get more traps out.

 

[NoWiser]

I took trappers ed during Covid with hope of doing the exact type of trip you did when kids are out/ I retire.

Sounds so cool.

A trip like this has been on my radar for a while. The stars kind of aligned for it to work this year, and trapping laws likely aren’t going to be getting any friendlier for us, so I decided to just do it. I learned so much now that I really want to get back up there and do it again. I think I can pull off an otter limit next time.

Next year will be a shorter marten trip with the whole family. Maybe the year after that I can make a trip like this work again.

 

[NoWiser]

Christmas otter with a few nieces and nephews.