Trapping Thread 2024/2025

[brockel]

Thank you. We will do that. We will grab some flake wax at the FTA this week

Takes about 1/2lb of wax for a gallon of dirt depending on your dirt

 

[Jbotto]

Hot sunny day and a tarp. Lay your dirt thin on it and let it dry out good. Spread flake wax on top of it and let the sun melt it in then mix it up. Can test it once it cools by putting some in your hand and putting some water on it. The water should pool up vs soak in

Bookmark worthy! Thanks for this!

 

[Jbotto]

I am about to be very busy with work so I handed over the garden trapline to a neighbor kid. The garden is on a property about ten minutes away from home so it’s actually going to save me a lot of time. I gave him all my advice, bait, lure, to borrow until September when I have time again. Pretty content with it.

Still have a couple traps set where I can check them quickly on another property. As of right now, these two traps are blind set 220’s set on a trail headed to water. I pick up a raccoon from one of them about every three nights. The one I caught today had me fooled. It must have hit him hard and went out fast as he didn’t even mess up the trail and looked like he was watching me walk up to him today. Cool when a plan comes together and hopefully I keep cleaning out the raccoons while I can. Hopefully the birds will appreciate the reprieve next spring!

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Gents please forgive me excitement, but I’m jumping for joy right now.



If you zoom in you’ll see three baby turkeys.

Three years ago when I got access to this farm I was told there were hardly any birds left of a flock that use to range well over 80 in the winter when they weee grouped up.

I am not an expert with management, in fact I had zero experience. But one thing I am is determined as F to win and don’t quit.

The first year I didn’t hunt them at all. I started trapping and took over 122 nest predators from 280 acres.

In 2024 I took an additional 86 nest predators

Then in 2025 so far during the season I took another 53 nest predators and for the first time ever I took out the other side of the element - activate predators.

I trapped a bobcat and three coyotes.

I also started some chicory and clover plots, active burning, adding more CRP/tall grass zones, and begging the land owner to cut hay later than usual.

After years of hard work, following a plan, and begging for a result, here is fricken is!!

I have no doubt there is more because we have so much more grass and safety cover for them, but now it’s confirmed.

Also along with this the birds have never felt so comfortable on the farm.

There are numerous birds that live on me daily, huge flocks in the winter, and we can (hopefully) only go up from here.

To vote - I took the first year off from hunting the turkeys.

We have taken a few birds since then and all were multi beards.


Can you tell I’m happy?

 

[Lostinthewoods]

6 in this one

 

[jpc01101]

Same here! Exciting stuff seeing Turkeys! We have been slaying the nest raiders and it’s paying off.

 

[Nicoli7153]

View attachment 378623View attachment 378624View attachment 378625View attachment 378626
View attachment 378622

Looks like you've got that area pretty well carpet bombed!

 

[Mallardsx2]

July Talley

Coons - 16
Possum - 9

 

[Jbotto]

Gents please forgive me excitement, but I’m jumping for joy right now.

View attachment 379462

If you zoom in you’ll see three baby turkeys.

Three years ago when I got access to this farm I was told there were hardly any birds left of a flock that use to range well over 80 in the winter when they weee grouped up.

I am not an expert with management, in fact I had zero experience. But one thing I am is determined as F to win and don’t quit.

The first year I didn’t hunt them at all. I started trapping and took over 122 nest predators from 280 acres.

In 2024 I took an additional 86 nest predators

Then in 2025 so far during the season I took another 53 nest predators and for the first time ever I took out the other side of the element - activate predators.

I trapped a bobcat and three coyotes.

I also started some chicory and clover plots, active burning, adding more CRP/tall grass zones, and begging the land owner to cut hay later than usual.

After years of hard work, following a plan, and begging for a result, here is fricken is!!

I have no doubt there is more because we have so much more grass and safety cover for them, but now it’s confirmed.

Also along with this the birds have never felt so comfortable on the farm.

There are numerous birds that live on me daily, huge flocks in the winter, and we can (hopefully) only go up from here.

To vote - I took the first year off from hunting the turkeys.

We have taken a few birds since then and all were multi beards.


Can you tell I’m happy?

Don’t apologize for being excited! This is awesome and is really showing your dedication and work are paying off! Well done!

 

[Mallardsx2]

Looks like you've got that area pretty well carpet bombed!

Caught all of these on my 40 acres. I can only imagine how many more I could catch if I could expand my efforts.

If only I had more time to run traps. I’m going to run hundreds of dp’s when I retire one day.

 

[Bowhntr4life]

Nothing like walking up to a cat in a trap!

 

[jpc01101]

Nothing like walking up to a cat in a trap!

Agreed, best feeling!

 

[sigpros]

Anyone attend the FTA in Spencer IA? It was a great convention the boy loaded up on some new supplies and we watched some amazing demos and learned a lot. Really looking forward to season.

 

[Jbotto]

Anyone attend the FTA in Spencer IA? It was a great convention the boy loaded up on some new supplies and we watched some amazing demos and learned a lot. Really looking forward to season.

Never made the FTA. Minnesota Trappers Association puts on a good one every year but it’s been years since I’ve been back for that. Wyoming State Trappers Association had a nice little convention this year, but I was really missing the volume of vendors that I got used to with MN. It was always a nice time to get your hands on some equipment and not have to pay shipping from some of the bigger retailers.

What are the double long springs in your picture and what are your plans with them? Looks like he made a good haul!

 

[sigpros]

Those are all #11. He will be using them for fish stick sets I think he has plans to catch 200 coons this year. Trapping is his FFA project this year and he is hoping to win state and go to nationals

 

[Jbotto]

Those are all #11. He will be using them for fish stick sets I think he has plans to catch 200 coons this year. Trapping is his FFA project this year and he is hoping to win state and go to nationals

I thought so but at first glance they looked bigger. 11’s are such a good coon trap! I have got away from them a bit as I can fit more 1.5coils in a bucket, but I plan to pull out some 11’s out of storage this year too. That is an awesome project! I wish him well and I’ll be watching for any updates to his fall!

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Anyone attend the FTA in Spencer IA? It was a great convention the boy loaded up on some new supplies and we watched some amazing demos and learned a lot. Really looking forward to season.

This makes me happy to see!!!

 

[Mallardsx2]

Coons - 19
Possum - 9

 

[Mallardsx2]

Coons - 19
Possum - 10

 

[Nameless Range]

Been scouting potential set locations with trail cameras and finding a cat or two. Pretty excited about the upcoming winter.