Trapping

[davemata]

The thread about fishers got me wondering, are there any good resources for someone to learn how to trap?

I'm going to look into the trapping class, but I doubt they do a good soup to nuts job for newbies. I'd like to eventually pick up red foxes, beaver, fisher, raccoon.

 

[oniriggers]

a good resource http://www.fntpost.com/Categories/Trapping/Books+Videos/Trapping+Books/

 

[davemata]

wow, in depth book list, thanks.

Are there any people on the forum that trap?

 

[dixidawg]

FWIW,

There is a course bring planned at Georgetown F&G some time in the next few months. The instructor knows his stuff and is a good teacher. Sign up through the DFW.

 

[BenDover]

If you need a place to "practice" your trapping skills I have a swamp full of brown furry things that would love to meet you...

The thread about fishers got me wondering, are there any good resources for someone to learn how to trap?

I'm going to look into the trapping class, but I doubt they do a good soup to nuts job for newbies. I'd like to eventually pick up red foxes, beaver, fisher, raccoon.

 

[Rick8325]

When I went for my trapper's course the instructors were very knowledgeable. We learned about laws and trapping techniques. They showed how certain traps worked (even the illegal ones). They even skinned a beaver for the class.

If you need more info check out this thread:
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/117986-Trapper-Education-Course

 

[davemata]

If you need a place to "practice" your trapping skills I have a swamp full of brown furry things that would love to meet you...

That would be pretty cool. If any of those small furry things are also tasty, well... I know some people I'd like to feed swamp meat to.

Thanks Rick, I just filled out the signup.

 

[Lignum Vitea]

You can trap in Mass as long as you don't use any devices that effectively can trap animals.

 

[davemata]

You just blew my mind. Let me get this straight...

I can trap as long as I don't use any devices that can effectively trap an animal?

 

[Lignum Vitea]

Yep, want to trap a Yote? set up your extra large cage trap and wait for pelt money to roll in.

 

[MisterHappy]

Dave,

I think that the comment was intended to be ironic....and true.

Besides, I'm pretty sure that Mass. is going to declare trappable animals "Fur People", with the same rights as residents of the People's Republic of Mass.

MassWildlife:

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/trapping/trapping_home.htm

 

[dixidawg]

You just blew my mind. Let me get this straight...

I can trap as long as I don't use any devices that can effectively trap an animal?

You probably weren't in Mass in 1996 during the question 1 fiasco:

http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_Ban_on_Leghold_Traps,_Question_1_(1996)

 

[Twigg]

When I went for my trapper's course the instructors were very knowledgeable. We learned about laws and trapping techniques. They showed how certain traps worked (even the illegal ones). They even skinned a beaver for the class.

If you need more info check out this thread:
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/117986-Trapper-Education-Course

Sounds like its the same bunch from when I took the course in MA a couple years ago.

You cannot use leg hold traps or snares in Ma.
(Unless the laws have changed since I last held a MA trapping license)

Conibear traps are the most effective but you'll need to keep them under the water.

Box traps will work for some beaver but there are some really big beaver out there. I helped a friend of mine skin out a 80 lb beaver and the hide measured almost five fT across once we had it tacked to a drying board.

The Hancock/Baily's are expensive and a pain in the butt to set.

There's also a lot of anti-trappers out there and the H/B's & box traps tend to grow legs and walk away.

 

[firestorm]

I was under the impression that the conibear traps were illegal too.

 

[Twigg]

I was under the impression that the conibear traps were illegal too.

IIRC one needs a "nusiance" permit for a specific area and then its only for beaver,
and they have to be set underwater.

 

[davemata]

Sounds like its the same bunch from when I took the course in MA a couple years ago.

You cannot use leg hold traps or snares in Ma.
(Unless the laws have changed since I last held a MA trapping license)

Conibear traps are the most effective but you'll need to keep them under the water.

Box traps will work for some beaver but there are some really big beaver out there. I helped a friend of mine skin out a 80 lb beaver and the hide measured almost five fT across once we had it tacked to a drying board.

The Hancock/Baily's are expensive and a pain in the butt to set.

There's also a lot of anti-trappers out there and the H/B's & box traps tend to grow legs and walk away.

Despicable. You can't leave fishing line with hooks set at eye level near your traps to notify others they are near it, right?

 

[Twigg]

Despicable. You can't leave fishing line with hooks set at eye level near your traps to notify others they are near it, right?

Pluheese...

Claymores on tripwires are much more effective.

 

[Plural of Mongoose]

I trapped for years as a teen.
My favorite fisher setup was a connibear about half way up a leaning tree and a dead porcupine with some skunk essence on it at the end.
Many a fisher met their doom running up the tree to get to the porky.

 

[gatillo1911]

I called MassWildlife and they don't have anything scheduled yet for 2011. I'm also interested in a class, have you found anything out there?