Table of contents for September 2020 in The Trapper

Basically the entire world of fur sales has stalled for the last three months because of COVID-19 pandemic. No big international fur auctions have been held yet in 2020, and the entire world is too busy fighting the pandemic and adjusting operations. Business in almost all fields has been more difficult, laborers have to be spaced from their coworkers, more sanitary measures and hardly any international travel, so fur sales are on hold. For the average trapper and fur producer, the impact can be summed up easily: If you sold your goods already — good for you — wise move. If not, you are awaiting the post-COVID resurrection of the fur market, and at this point, no one can tell when or how that will happen. One thing is for…

A cubby of one sort or another is part of almost every trapper’s tool kit, and for good reason. Well-made, properly guarded cubbies can be counted on to function through the most difficult of conditions. However, for this type of set to perform effectively, some serious consideration is in order long before installing that first trap. DEFINITIONS So just what is a cubby? It is pretty much whatever the builder decides to create, because like all good tools, a cubby is adaptable for many situations. In our trade a cubby is an enclosure, either man-made or natural, guarded with a restraining or lethal device. A properly constructed cubby must attract, hold the attention of and then control the target furbearer’s actions, eventually convincing the critter into the set to fire…

“Ewww! Gross!” I turned to find out what was so gross and saw my wife, wearing her custom-made fur coat and standing with a girl, maybe 15 or 16. I didn’t see anything gross, but apparently the teenager did. Jill was extending her bobcat-clad left arm, and the girl was recoiling from it as if it was a rattlesnake. She quickly scurried away, and when she’d achieved what she apparently felt was a safe distance, she turned and screamed a single word: “Murderer!” Then she hurried away down the mall concourse, glancing back every few steps to make sure the “murderer” wasn’t in hot pursuit. Her leather Nikes squeaked on the waxed floor, and her leather purse flapped against her back as she fled. Jill’s coat is a jacket-length model,…

Do not let the cuddly appearance of rabbits trick you into believing they will not damage your garden, flowers and even trees. Younger plants will receive the most damage as they are the most tender to eat. Rabbits are abundant across much of the country — whether you live in the country or in the city, and damage can occur at any time of the year. The first step you can take is to keep your yard clean and manicured. Mowing your yard regularly will deter rabbits from visiting, to a point. They will still come, but if they feel vulnerable out in the open, short grass, they might think twice about it. The same goes with brush. Remove any brush in your yard that is inviting for rabbits to…

There ain’t a coyote that I can’t trap given enough time. I’ve lived by that statement most of my life. I also know for a positive outcome, hard work is the bottom line. When giving instruction on hard-to-kill coyotes, I try to be cordial to the brethren that have not been initiated. It’s a whole different world. We have all been there in the hall of fame where we have run our traps in virgin pockets of coyotes. They seem to just stand in line to get into those footholds. Boy, there is no better feeling! Then there is that sinking feeling of, “What the HECK is going on? I see tracks but the coyotes are avoiding my sets.” Awhile back I wrote about a phenomenon called “genetic culturing.” Genetic…

Large catches always fascinate trappers. Whether it is 500 mink, 2,000 raccoons, 1,000 foxes, 300 coyotes, 200 marten or 500 beavers, trappers that reach exceptionally large catches always fascinate us. And let’s admit it — the first thing we seek to know is the how? Which set? Which bait? Which lure? Which trap size? Trap paint or logwood? What kind of snare lock? What kind of drowning system? What size cable? Wire or cable? Trigger on top or on the bottom? Longspring or coilspring? Heck, we even pay attention to the type of shovel they use, the boots they wear or the brand of truck they drive. The truth of the matter is all this technical information is not why such large catches were made. Large catches were made because…

I came around the bend, rain bouncing off the windshield of my side-by-side UTV. There was nothing in either one of the two sets I had there. Thank god! Now, it may seem odd for a trapper to count as good luck not catching anything in his traps, but sometimes that is the case. I had just finished taking a coyote from a set that was turned into a virtual hog wallow, the coyote playing the part of the hog very nicely. There was absolutely no remaking that set, it was gone. Furthermore, it was too wet and muddy to put in a new set nearby. I like to get as much mileage as possible out of a location, but that one was off the books, at least until the…

There are many ways that trap chains can be rigged for different setups, but with so many options available these days, knowing which way is best can be confusing. Despite all of the various opinions about trap chain rigging, there are a few principles that trappers must understand to clear up the confusion. The first thing to consider is the type of stake that you’re going to use. Two types of stakes are most prominent for the modern trapper; earth anchors and rebar stakes. If you plan to use an earth anchor to stake your trap, you can use a shorter trap chain than if you plan to use a solid metal stake, like rebar. Using this as a guideline will help get you started building the best chain rigs…

Trappers are, without a doubt, some of the most adventuresome people that I have ever met. They are willing to go to many extremes to get their catches. Bad weather, busy schedules, injuries and illnesses are not enough to stop the hard-core trappers. And I might not be the most die-hard trapper around, but when I had the opportunity to leave my home in Illinois this past trapping season to travel to northern Minnesota to do some trapping, I did not hesitate. There are not very many places in the country where a trapper can make sets for pine martens and fishers. Minnesota just happens to be one of those places. Unfortunately, Minnesota does not allow nonresidents to purchase trapping permits. But, just the opportunity to experience something that not…