Anyone getting ready for trapping?

mattgoulding

mattgoulding

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Location
Alberta
This time of the year is a busy one, putting up as much feed as we can, harvest just around the corner but no matter how busy I get I find my self spending more and more time in the skinning shack each evening and nights Prepping traps, cleaning up getting ready for the up coming season. I have had coyote snares hanging on a fence line in the back pasture for about 8-9 months now “seasoning” fixing up the triggers on some conibears, places orders for a few new foot holds. I can’t wait to have some traps out. Anyone else doing prep and getting excited for the upcoming season.
 
mattgoulding said:
This time of the year is a busy one, putting up as much feed as we can, harvest just around the corner but no matter how busy I get I find my self spending more and more time in the skinning shack each evening and nights Prepping traps, cleaning up getting ready for the up coming season. I have had coyote snares hanging on a fence line in the back pasture for about 8-9 months now “seasoning” fixing up the triggers on some conibears, places orders for a few new foot holds. I can’t wait to have some traps out. Anyone else doing prep and getting excited for the upcoming season.
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I'm excited for winter and trapping every year. I only occasionally assist an indigenous trapper as our BC traplines are being bought up by Indian fellows (East Indian). They are buying up the traplines, taking the BC Trappers Course, and applying for an Authorization to Carry (ATC) permits to buy handguns. Pretty ingenious actually, but with already spiking trapline costs, this move has made them impossible to afford.......:(

We certainly cannot afford to pay $100,000.00 plus for a registered trapline in BC.........:(

This was our retirement plan, but not a possibility with the insane prices. The Covid-19 Scam also attributed to the ridiculous trapline prices.....:(

Cat hunting with hounds is still an enjoyment my wife and I can enjoy while going along with my Native Guide friend. Helping him set snares and traps is also a blessing.

I used to trap outside the Barrhead, Alberta area in 1972-1976, it was some of the most enjoyable times I ever spent in the woods.....:)

Every fall or late summer like now, I too get excited for the winter trapping season....:)
 
Thunderhog said:
I'm excited for winter and trapping every year. I only occasionally assist an indigenous trapper as our BC traplines are being bought up by Indian fellows (East Indian). They are buying up the traplines, taking the BC Trappers Course, and applying for an Authorization to Carry (ATC) permits to buy handguns. Pretty ingenious actually, but with already spiking trapline costs, this move has made them impossible to afford.......:(

We certainly cannot afford to pay $100,000.00 plus for a registered trapline in BC.........:(

This was our retirement plan, but not a possibility with the insane prices. The Covid-19 Scam also attributed to the ridiculous trapline prices.....:(

Cat hunting with hounds is still an enjoyment my wife and I can enjoy while going along with my Native Guide friend. Helping him set snares and traps is also a blessing.

I used to trap outside the Barrhead, Alberta area in 1972-1976, it was some of the most enjoyable times I ever spent in the woods.....:)

Every fall or late summer like now, I too get excited for the winter trapping season....:)
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They are starting to allow bear hunting with hounds here in Alberta so I have already started to build dog runs and looking for some good hounds.

We have two types of trap lines here in Alberta the register type like you speak off, and a private land type. I trap our farm and all the surrounding farms. Have permission on them (private land type). Still a lot of work, leave the house on the quad or snowmobile and I’m still gone 1/2 - 3/4 of the day to check everything. The first set is a week end event. My boys love it
 
mattgoulding said:
They are starting to allow bear hunting with hounds here in Alberta so I have already started to build dog runs and looking for some good hounds.

We have two types of trap lines here in Alberta the register type like you speak off, and a private land type. I trap our farm and all the surrounding farms. Have permission on them (private land type). Still a lot of work, leave the house on the quad or snowmobile and I’m still gone 1/2 - 3/4 of the day to check everything. The first set is a week end event. My boys love it
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That's very good news Matt!....:) What a great way to enjoy time with your boys!

We too have the private property option in BC, however with most farms having several dogs, kids, and other animals, it's difficult to get permission. We don't have the large tracts of private land that Alberta does.

At least not in southern BC......:(

If you are looking for hounds, PM me. I have a few friends who own them, and they know of other hounds-man who may want to sell the odd dog. Apparently they are not cheap to buy though......:(
 
Thunderhog said:
That's very good news Matt!....:) What a great way to enjoy time with your boys!

We too have the private property option in BC, however with most farms having several dogs, kids, and other animals, it's difficult to get permission. We don't have the large tracts of private land that Alberta does.

At least not in southern BC......:(

If you are looking for hounds, PM me. I have a few friends who own them, and they know of other hounds-man who may want to sell the odd dog. Apparently they are not cheap to buy though......:(
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I ran beagles years ago for rabbits even those sucks ain’t cheap for a dog from a good bloodline. I’m not ready to start my bear hound pack yet but it won’t be long. I will keep you in mind when I start looking for dogs
 
I’ll get out soon and check how many marten boxes the bears tore down. Have to do a bit of trail clearing if its like every other year. There’s only so many times you want to run over the same dead falls. The snowmobile portion will have to wait.
Martens went high last year, time to get back at it.
 
mattgoulding said:
They are starting to allow bear hunting with hounds here in Alberta so I have already started to build dog runs and looking for some good hounds.

We have two types of trap lines here in Alberta the register type like you speak off, and a private land type. I trap our farm and all the surrounding farms. Have permission on them (private land type). Still a lot of work, leave the house on the quad or snowmobile and I’m still gone 1/2 - 3/4 of the day to check everything. The first set is a week end event. My boys love it
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Resident Trapper vs a Registered Trapper that holds a Licenced Trap line

I hold a Resident licence and do a little nuisance animal removal, coyotes and beavers.

I don't have the time of money to buy up a trapline
 
Dogleg said:
I’ll get out soon and check how many marten boxes the bears tore down. Have to do a bit of trail clearing if its like every other year. There’s only so many times you want to run over the same dead falls. The snowmobile portion will have to wait.
Martens went high last year, time to get back at it.
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I spoke with a resident trapper here in Cranbrook, BC yesterday. He stated that most of the fur prices are skyrocketing this year. He didn't say why, however I think it's great news for trappers......:)
 
Thunderhog said:
I spoke with a resident trapper here in Cranbrook, BC yesterday. He stated that most of the fur prices are skyrocketing this year. He didn't say why, however I think it's great news for trappers......:)
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Hope that’s true because I remember about 15 or so years ago I was getting $75-85 for top coyotes. The last few years it hasn’t even came close to that
 
Dogleg said:
I’ll get out soon and check how many marten boxes the bears tore down. Have to do a bit of trail clearing if its like every other year. There’s only so many times you want to run over the same dead falls. The snowmobile portion will have to wait.
Martens went high last year, time to get back at it.
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Mikey let me know when you’re going to clear trails & me & the boys will come help
 
mattgoulding said:
Hope that’s true because I remember about 15 or so years ago I was getting $75-85 for top coyotes. The last few years it hasn’t even came close to that
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Indeed! He was saying $3.60 for Douglas (Red) Squirrel.......:)

Over a thousand dollars for bobcat, and $800.00 for Lynx. Who knows if his prices are accurate, but he's becoming a central drop off for furs to be shipped out, so hopefully his statement is true. I don't remember the name of the furrier he's shipping to......:(
 
I sold mink, otter, beaver, fox and coyotes last season. All caught within 2 miles of my house. Plan on going a bit further and putting in a few extra sets this fall, especially for mink. Don't really get too many sets out until after deer season ends. Hate putting out sets for other guys to check and help themselves to the trap and catches.
 
For the first time in almost 50 years I will be setting traps this year on small block of private land I own. Raising a family, life and a career in which my employer forbade me and my coworkers from holding trapping licenses (and in my case also a hunter education instructor certification) all got in the way.

Did the course 18 months ago, got my private land license, bought traps and snares and looking forward to starting again. Boiled traps and snares today, building marten and fisher trap boxes which is new to me as I trapped farmland and water when I was a teenager. My daughter just did her course this winter, but unfortunately she lives across the country from me so we aren't going to be able to trap together.

I forgot how much I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the late fall and early winter.
 
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