Tabla de contenidos para August 2019 en The Trapper

It’s no surprise that the so-called humane charities are anti-trapping. They’ve been trying to put us out of business for years, and though they haven’t succeeded, there’s no denying they’ve done some damage. But these groups aren’t all that friendly toward the very critters that they claim to want to protect. For example, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ own records revealed that of the 2,470 dogs and cats that the organization took into their “shelter” in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2018, 1,771 of them were killed. That’s a 72 percent kill rate, y’all. That single facility killed two-thirds of the cats and dogs put down by private animal shelters in Virginia last year. Also in 2018, only 35 cats and dogs were adopted out — less than 2 percent…

Recently, a man by the name of Kevin Sawyer had some No. 1 long spring traps that he wanted to give to my son, so I stopped by his house to pick them up. It wasn’t long before we started talking about trapping and all of Kevin’s time spent tinkering with traps and equipment to make things more efficient. Kevin showed me things like his pelt drying invention, tee toggles made from used snares, and space-saving ideas like marten pelts on boards hung by a series of simple finish nails bent just-so to keep them lined up and out of the way. I learned a lot from Kevin in just a few short hours, and hopefully some of his ideas will spark even more creativity for you like it did…

One important preseason job for any trapper is preparing traps for the coming campaign. Along with checking chains and how fast traps fire, many trappers also stain or color their steel. But how to get the right hue so the fur is fooled is like most things in the trade — open to interpretation. OLD RUSTY So just what is the science of steel and stain? Metal, if left untreated, will happily rust and eventually reduce all of that expensive shiny stuff to dust. Rust, as the old song says, never sleeps and trappers must be vigilant to keep a weathered eye on steel condition. Light surface rust is actually not a bad fellow and makes certain treatments work better. Pitting is the worst because it means the culprit has…

AUG 2-3: Maryland Fur Trappers, Inc. Annual Convention. Washington Co. Ag. Center, 7303 Sharpsburg Pk, Boonsboro, MD. Call Dan Baker for info 410-610-3311. Call Betty Leggett for Crab feed tickets 301-491-3610. AUG 9-11: Washington State Trappers Association 50th Anniversary and Summer Rendezvous at the Chelan County Fairgrounds in Cashmere, WA. Seminars, auction, vendors and trappers licensing class. Contact Bruce Vandervort at 360-288-2466 or www.watrappers.com. AUG 10: FREE Trapper Training School hosted by Pennsylvania Trappers Association District 8. All ages welcome. Contact George McEntee at 717-732-8099 or wildlifecontrolpros@yahoo.com. AUG 15-17: New England Trappers Weekend. Bethel, ME 04217. Contact Neil Olson, 207-875-5765 or 207-749-1179 (cell phone). AUG 23-24: North Dakota Fur Takers Association 50th Anniversary Fall Rendezvous, Foster County Fairgrounds, Carrington, ND. Contact: Bruce Willyard, 701-652-2109 or Jerry Belile, 701-674-3264, or www.northdakotafurtakers.com.…

In my lifetime I have met a lot of good trappers. What they all have in common is a passion for trapping, self-discipline, and most important — an open mind and a willingness to learn all that they can. Every trapper, especially a coyote trapper, will learn and develop their own conclusions on what works best on their trapline. They will develop their own methods and style. They will gain all of this through experience on the traplines. Experience on the trapline will help on any given trapping campaign and give one a positive attitude to face the challenges on the trapline. It will impart an attitude of professionalism and a “never quit” mindset. When I was young and had trapped for a few years, I was challenged with a…

Care and caution are necessary around any dye work. Make sure that your work area is clutter free so that you don’t trip into the fire or knock the camp stove over. Watch that your fire is not a three-alarm blaze because high flames don’t throw heat. A pile of red hot coals do the best cooking and plenty of wrist-size hardwood will get the heat built up quickly. Keep your fuel wood or gas well away from the flames and stick your axe into a block so that you don’t stumble over it. Never use gas or any petroleum near open fire — so don’t mix methods on the same day. Logwood work today, petroleum dip tomorrow. Speaking of fire, have a decent size extinguisher handy and a couple…

Arizona Trappers Association President — Wayne Boring, traparizona@gmail.com 928-243-0973 Vice President Lance Crouther, Flagstaff, 928-607-9380 Treasurer Mike Huffer Scottsdale, 480-970-5904 Membership Carrie Crouther Flagstaff, 928-699-4305 Directors: Apache County Scott Trowbridge, Chinle, 928-349-0405 Cochise County Bob Lockner, Willcox, 520-253-0848 Coconino County Lance Crowther, Flagstaff, 928-607-9380 Gila County Jack Bounds, Pine, 928-951-2910 Graham County Park Romne, Thatcher, 928-428-6952 Greenlee County Vacant Lapaz County Vacant Maricopa County Scott Francom, Gilbert, 480-330-5029 Mohave County Rick Van Horn, Kingman, 928-757-3860 Navajo County Jim Manard, Heber, 928-535-9029 Pima County Atom Hatley, Arivaca, 520-444-7116 Pinal County Jeff Serdy, Apache Jct., 602-820-4429 Santa Cruz County Vacant Yavapai County Vacant Yuma County Ryan Trousdale, Tacna, 909-213-1168 Membership Options: • Adult membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $30 • Junior (under 16) with subscription — $20 •…

The National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) has launched a strategic search for a new management team, after a nearly six-year tenure with Cooper Coron and Associates (CCA) as their association management company. Andrea and Kristin Coron, principles with CCA, began their work with NWCOA in August 2013. In the ensuing time, the Corons learned a lot about the Wildlife Control Industry and worked their way into the heart of our organization. Charles Holt, NWCOA President, shared, “With professional service, expert management vision and a very personal touch, CCA has helped bring NWCOA from a small trade association with 450 members to a nationally recognized authority on wildlife control training and industry development with 900 members.” In addition to membership growth, NWCOA has experienced hearty growth in its training department…