New Trapper

I haven't trapped before but i am going to take the Pa trappers course this fall and give it a try. Anyone have any help to guide me along.  Are there any good books I should read on trapping? I plan on using this site to gain some knowledge based on question and answer sessions that are posted.

What type of information are you looking for? One good way to get information is to join the trappers association in your state, here in Georgia where I live they send me a magazine every month with a lot of good information in it. There are a number of books around but the best way to learn is to get out and do it. Some of the methods change from state to state just because of trapping conditions such as rain or snow and type of country but most of the sets used depending on the animal you are targetting are about the same.  

Terry NAHC Life Member since 2003

Rithcey
 
What kind of info you looking for??? Where are you from in PA? If you're near an area where you can check traps regularly then you're already off to a good start. Best advice is after taking the trapping course, which is basically a little of everything, go out and practice it. K.I.S.S. start with a few traps and go from there. Just like hunting. You would rather have 2 good stands than 8 so so stands. The most common traps are foothold and conibear. Foot hold are just what they sound like. Basically you set them on a well known/traveled trail and the target animal will / should be caught, ALIVE by the foot. You use lures or scents to get the animal to the area you want and set the trap so the foot steps on the trigger and viola. The conibear is more like a big rat trap, kinda. Only instead of the spring part coming down on the wood it comes down on another metal part and kills the target animal. The conibear should really only be used in an area where there is little chance of a household pet finding it or it will kill them to. Do a google search there are a couple of very informative trapping web sites. If I were you I'd start with 3 foothold traps along well worn trails or paths and 2 conibear traps in bucket sets somewhere in the way back so no pets get caught. Any info or help let me know I'll do what I can

Sab

You should also look into live catch cable snares, I am a real believer.  I have never had anything die in the trap.  I have caught a couple dogs and a couple cats, and you can just let them go.  I especially like to use them when I am near someones house or when I trap near a city dump or anywhere that there is a chance of catching domestic animals.
 
Another great thing is that you can let the little ones go or if you just don't want what it is you can let them go, and be selective.  With most others you are almost always waling up on a dead or seriously crippled animal.  I have caught a lot of foxes, coyotes, and coons.  They really don't even struggle that long, they seem to just realize that they are stuck and just lay down.  I guess that they figure out that the harder they pull the tighter it gets and if they just lay down it slacks up and they can breathe.
 
Here is a little of the idea of a set, and a site with some good info. http://icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/Coyotes.asp

 
 

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Yes snares do work well at times but here in Georgia and I am sure other states you are only allowed to use them and conibear traps within ten feet of water so that really cuts down on your oppertunities. Some states may not allow them at all. With the conibear you should have a dead animal and with the cable snare that is an option. I am not sure what you are talking about with the seriously injured animal because if traps are checked the way they should be there should be very little damage if any at all. I also catch many coyotes and fox and sell most of my animals alive with no damage to the animal.  Trapping regulations along with trap modifacations have been put it place the make trapping a very hamane way of taking an animal with no damage to the animal if done correctly.  

Terry NAHC Life Member since 2003

You said it with the IF IT IS DONE CORRECTLY.  I like snares but others don't realize that there are 2 kinds of snares and don't realize that they don't kill the animal if set correctly and use the right type.

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Andy
 
I agree but the guy who was asking is new to this stuff so I just thought it was easiest to keep it simple for him.
 
Sab

Right on I see
 

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thanks for the response guys. I live in southcentral Pa and have access to some remote areas. I will use your various ideas along with what I'll be taught in the trapper program. The snare trap (I'll check to see if they are legal here in Pa.)  seems like a pretty good idea and I will try implementing a couple of those as I progress. I will use the conibear traps for the remote areas that I plan to trap.

Let us know how it goes.

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ORIGINAL: ritchey sr

thanks for the response guys. I live in southcentral Pa and have access to some remote areas. I will use your various ideas along with what I'll be taught in the trapper program. The snare trap (I'll check to see if they are legal here in Pa.)  seems like a pretty good idea and I will try implementing a couple of those as I progress. I will use the conibear traps for the remote areas that I plan to trap.

 
Ritchey - the snare trap is legal in PA, but only from January until the end of trapping season and only after you have attended an approved PGC snare trapping course.
 
good luck on your trapping adventure, a friend of mine has trapped several coons so far and is looking forward to getting them out there again after deer season is over.

Todd Segner 
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HIPS Targets Pro Staff, Any Budget Outdoors Writer,
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  Looking forward to some pics of your successful trapping!!!  Good luck!!

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