Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i The Trapper

It’s stale news that fur markets are depressed. So are fur prices. The weather is cold. Many furbearers, particularly ‘coons, mink and coyotes, are beginning to rub, singe and sunburn, which decreases their value even more. Therefore, most folks are through stringing steel for the year, if indeed they did any trapping at all. So why, less than three weeks before you’re reading these words, am I just now getting started with my trapline? For the most truthful answer, see the above paragraph: Because markets are depressed. Because fur prices are low. Because the weather is cold. Due to that combination of circumstances, I can be fairly sure there’s going to be very little (if any) competition from other trappers on the 170,000 acres of public land that literally surrounds…

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 AZ. 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 Membership Options: • Adult membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $30 • Junior (under 16) with subscription — $20 •…

Beaver control has become a major issue throughout the country. As fur prices have dropped and animal right groups continue their war against trappers, many are discovering that something must be done to control beaver damage. Before beginning any beaver control action, judge the beaver problem fairly and objectively. Are beavers really causing damage or creating hardship requiring control action? The very presence of beavers is often seen as a problem when, in fact, the beavers are causing no harm whatsoever. You should also determine the type of damage or problem that the animals are causing, then match the most appropriate and cost-effective controls to the situation. Once you have decided to control beaver damage, you have three options: 1. Hire a professional trapper. 2. Prevention — treat the area…

If you look over the current listings, it seems that the trap manufacturers have heard the cries from the wilderness and decided to again offer long spring traps. Practically every maker has begun to turn out long springs in sizes from weasel to wolverine. OK maybe that’s a stretch, but most trap makers have at least a couple of sizes available. Some old names are being stamped out again on long spring pans and the fine guard-type model of muskrat fame has returned as well. It’s the big guns, the #3, #4 and husky #5s that are generating real interest for trappers who know the long spring’s value. These tools are every bit modern steel machines able to handle rough, hard use and still perform flawlessly. In the used market…

Cajun ’Possum Chili | by Chris Rhoads, Arkansas INGREDIENTS: Tomato sauce 1 teaspoon to 1 cup chili powder (depending on taste) 1 large opossum or 3 small opossums 1 large pot 5-10 chili peppers (depending on taste) 5-10 red peppers (depending on taste) 5-10 jalapeno peppers (depending on taste) Cayenne pepper to taste 1 teaspoon black pepper Salt to taste Chili beans for extra flavor DIRECTIONS: 1. Skin ’possums. 2. Remove internal organs, head, claws and bones. There is no flavor or use for these. But if you want to add them, go ahead. 3. Put some tomato sauce in the pot. Then add the ’possum. 4. Chop peppers. 5. Put the rest of the ingredients in the pot. Cook on medium heat for a long dang while. 6. Serve.…

Canine trappers have known for years the effectiveness of catching fur at sets that have a hole involved in one form or another. However, many raccoon trappers have not yet learned the value of utilizing a hole of some kind in their sets, and they’re no doubt missing out on catches. Raccoons cannot pass up a free meal, and their curiosity is also something that gets them into a lot of trouble. The raccoons’ need to eat is often enough draw to catch plenty of them, but throw in their need to investigate a hole, and it can make a trap set that much more effective. When making hole sets I always use a 1½ coilspring that I prefer to attach to a slide-wire drowning rig. When I have to…

Auction season starts when trapping season ends. Every year, this delay prevents trappers from knowing ahead of time what to expect. Of course, market reporters try their best to forecast upcoming prices for wild fur, but really, the best we can often do is simply provide a general indicator of increase, decrease or stable prices. We take last year’s prices, we examine what is circulating for information about the fur industry, we try to think of impacts of the various components, and then we make a guess — yes you read that right — a guess. Why can’t we be more precise? Because this international market for wild fur is driven by so many components, all of varying importance, that which one steers the market is often difficult to tell.…

There are numerous reasons that trappers get out and do what they do. Many of the reasons include their love for trapping, being outdoors, continuing and passing on the tradition, and helping to control wildlife numbers. Instead of discussing methods, sets, lures or baits for catching a shed full of fur this winter, lets discuss the positive impact we can have on other wildlife through our trapping efforts. One solid reason for trapping that does not get much attention, and many trappers forget about, is what trapping can do to help other species of wildlife. Just think about it for a minute. Turkeys are ground nesters and one thing that raccoons love just about more than anything else is an easy meal. Well, turkey eggs are about as easy as…

JAN 19: Pennsylvania Trappers Association District 4 Fur Sale at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Activity Center. Sale starts 8:30 a.m. Small planning meeting to follow. Sellers and buyers welcome. Contact Jeff at 814-594-0896. JAN 19: Idaho Trappers Association Fur Sale Elmore County Fairgrounds, Glenns Ferry, Idaho. Contact Rusty Kramer, (208) 870-3217, idahotrapguy@hotmail.com. JAN 25-26: Upper Snake River Trappers of Idaho Blackfoot Fur Sale at Snake River Jr. High School. Contact Jon Contor (208-317-6162) or Todd Smith (208-315-0299). JAN 26: Tioga County Trappers Association Annual Dish To Pass Dinner. Owego, NY. Contact Bill Swager 607-222-8554 or Mike Verry 607-427-5589. FEB 2: 14th Annual Mid-Winter Trappers Workshop for kids and beginning trappers. Free trapping supplies for all of the kids attending. Vendors, fur buyer, demos. Hermansville, MI. Contact Mike Lewis at (906)…

My grandchildren have gained the impression that I am old. But I don’t know how old they think I am. One time I told them I rode dinosaurs to school. They said that was ridiculous because dinosaurs and humans didn’t exist at the same time. “Maybe you were a caveman,” one of them offered. “According to your grandmother I still am,” I continued. So, I told them that yes, me and Gramma lived way back in the Stone Age. “What are you telling them now?” Miz demanded as she often chaperones our conversations. “He’s telling us about the stoned age,” one tyke volunteered. “He’s what!!” Miz screamed. “How he used to be a caveman,” another one said. “Oh,” Miz conceded. “He still is.” So, I continued, “Me and my friend…