Trapping Thread 2025/2026

[Jbotto]

Finally on the board for the weekend. I decided to set some traps for this long weekend so I got 15 out Friday afternoon. The weather has been unseasonably warm lately and I wish I had traps last weekend already. The weather is cooling again now that I have traps out and I’m struggling with ice in the creek now. Go figure. Most of what i have out are blind sets in the creek with a few DP’s and 220’s where I thought it made sense. Yesterday’s check yielded nothing. Today was a single young raccoon in a 1.5 coilspring in a blind set.

 

[sigpros]

Just curious, what didn’t you like about about them? I don’t use conibears enough to discern much difference between the couple different brands I’ve tried.

I had a hard time keeping the sprigs in the right spots and the triggers were terrible. Now this was about 15 years ago they might be better now. And I have read where the triggers switched to 220 triggers work much better. But after handling Belisle 330's I just like their traps. Duke was talking about a 120 super mag and I thought about trying a few of those. Honestly I am not a big body grip guy either but it would allow me to keep some sets going during the week when I work. We have a 24 hour check here but I just don't like checking foothold traps in the afternoon that is just me

 

[squirrel_hunter]

I am planning on buying a dz of new duke 330's. They look just like the Belisle. Here is a catch off a nuisance control job. Thats a Duke 330 mag trap. First time I double on otters in a single trap.

 

[nontyp]

Report back on the pressure washer trick please. I’ve seen a ton of videos but in those they seem to be using the highest pressure which makes me think (like you said) would have to be really really careful.

Fleshed 2 coons today with a electric 1700 psi power washer and it worked well. For me, this will be my go-to. takes zero skill, and simplifies the process. i did have to do a little bit of manual scraping, but the power washer did 95% of the work.

 

[Jbotto]

I fought ice along the creek I was trapping more than I thought I would this weekend. Had the time yesterday so I pulled the footholds and DP’s. Left a few 220’s high and dry. I had a plan to run for a couple weeks and try for 15 raccoons. I got one, ha!

 

[Lostinthewoods]

The famous reminder why you always should consider wax dirt in the winter.

 

[jpc01101]

The famous reminder why you always should consider wax dirt in the winter.



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Same. Freeze thaw is killing me and I can’t bring myself to make wax dirt. My brothers cement mixer is broken and I just can’t bring myself to do a small pot at a time

 

[brockel]

Between the wind and snow covering traps and covering guide sticks or blowing down my blocking for snares I had a rough go at the cats today. Did have a badger plug a cat set. Was fun skinning that one with all the quills in him

 

[Hunting Wife]

Between the wind and snow covering traps and covering guide sticks or blowing down my blocking for snares I had a rough go at the cats today. Did have a badger plug a cat set. Was fun skinning that one with all the quills in him

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But that’s a nice badger. They have great fur!

 

[brockel]

But that’s a nice badger. They have great fur!

If you can get by the smell and the fleshing they have some of the nicest fur when tanned. That’s what this guy will end up happening

 

[Hunting Wife]

If you can get by the smell and the fleshing they have some of the nicest fur when tanned. That’s what this guy will end up happening

I wish they were bigger because fantastic fur, but then again a 50 lb badger might wreak some serious havoc

 

[Lostinthewoods]

I’ve really been slacking getting out. I’m back in the right routine now and it’s going to get ugly.

Quick back story because I start explaining the new farm I’m going to set traps on as we speak.

One of my core friends here in Missouri is the manager of a little hunting/archery store. A gentleman came in one day because he had forgot to bring his gun when he drove out from Florida. My friend and the guy are chatting and the guy says he’s out hunting his property down the street. My buddy throws out the casual “if you ever need anyone to watch over your place or manage it while you’re in Florida let me know.” Obviously not thinking anything would happen n

Fast forward a few conversations and now my buddy is the guy who is managing the property. Burning, habitat improvement, and TRAPPING. Well guess who go brought in to do all the trapping?
Yep…. Me!

So I’m going out, post our first snow and cold temps to set the first traps on it if the season.

Just from being the trap guy I’ve gained access for trapping, shed hunting, and mushroom hunting.

Talk about a win. Very good chance this turns into more.

Anyways, it’s 13 degrees, 5” of fresh powder, and I’m going out arm to the teeth with traps.

Gal time!

 

[JCS]

Tanned a few years ago

 

[coleL]

Anybody use 1.5 offset coil springs? How do you like them?

 

[Hunting Wife]

Ok guys. What the &@$? is eating my pelts? I have the dry ones hanging in the rafters in like a mezzanine area. Jumped up there today to hang some more and found this. Mice? Suggestions for deterrence or better storage?

 

[Dave N]

Looks like mouse turds on the floor?

 

[Elktrack]

Ok guys. What the &@$? is eating my pelts? I have the dry ones hanging in the rafters in like a mezzanine area. Jumped up there today to hang some more and found this. Mice? Suggestions for deterrence or better storage?

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Mice. Been there done that. I finally foiled them by hanging from a wire that they couldn’t scurry across and down to my hides. I’d go scorched earth on em and set traps everywhere. Good luck!
Nothing worse than losing hard earned hides to that

 

[Hunting Wife]

Mice. Been there done that. I finally foiled them by hanging from a wire that they couldn’t scurry across and down to my hides. I’d go scorched earth on em and set traps everywhere. Good luck!
Nothing worse than losing hard earned hides to that

SOB. Thanks for the tip. I think I can salvage most of them for projects, but that’s super frustrating. I have a lot of work into those.

 

[Elktrack]

SOB. Thanks for the tip. I think I can salvage most of them for projects, but that’s super frustrating. I have a lot of work into those.

Catch em, put em up and then have mice destroy them is frustrating. Any time I’m hanging them or storing them now I make double sure mice can’t reach them at all. They hammered a bunch of muskrats I had hanging about a week before the fur sale.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

First of the year!
Happy as can be!