Season check list

[krank]

Cooler weathers got me looking ahead to trapping season.

Been reading old collections of trappers books and magazines.

I have two take offs from reading through.....

Multiple times I see mention of lures and scents. Experts advise to buy lures from successful trappers in your area. If you are Western then some lures you don't buy from Eastern trappers. Buy local scents for the best luck. They say feel free to experiment with new lures and homemade stuff but tried and tested lures stack up the fur.

Second thing was that the most successful trappers think about trapping year-round. Don't wait till season to get permission or boil traps. Do it now.

I am semi-guilty on both counts.....

I love to use my own bait be it fishing or trapping. Admittedly, Apple Road does better for me than my homemade Nelson.

When it was 110 degrees, I could care less about my fur shed but I have been poking around lately in the cool weather.

I lost some permission due to death and land being sold but I have gained some permission due to death and new owners.

With fur prices the way they are I decided not to look at fur prices. I will trap coyote to get rid of them. Bobcat for the challenge. Beaver to stop their destruction. Coons on request of landowner. There seems to be a lot of interest in tanning.

Lastly and the biggest for me is to get things done now so I have the free time later.

[farmnhunt]

I've got my stuff ready. I've been picking off a few racoons the last 2 weeks. This weekend would be good for making waxed dirt if you need some

[segsarge]

I'm guilty of waiting too long to get things ready. Happens every year. My list of lures has gotten shorter. For a long time I was looking for "magic in a bottle" but it doesn't exist.

[krank]

I usually prepare for next season at end of last season. That means I put everything away nice and neat instead of throwing it in a heap. I do have some traps that need boiled and redyed.
Got to watch those DPs. Loading them up with salty jack mack is corrosive. I usually soak after season and coat with old fish fryer oil. I know I got some that didnt get set the last couple years and they are on my mind. I think it would be perfectly okay to soak a dp in old motor oil.
There is some magic in purchased lures. Them lure makers put secret ingredients in there.
Right now I have fish oil in the freezer as well as fox urine. Apple road in the fridge. Also beaver castors. A lady gave me a case of canned tuna dogfood. Her dog didnt like it.
My Yamaha 4 wheeler starts right up. My new side by side is acting up. The key start doesnt work. It starts first pull off the recoil starter. I poked around with a volt meter and didnt find anything wrong. Biggest problem is accessing what I want. I may get disgusted and pick it up with the tractor bucket where I can get at everything. Meanwhile it starts first pull.

[bigjohn]

I'm with krank on putting up everything after season. Other stuff I kinda put off till just before season. With no fur market to speak I'm not too excited. Will do control jobs as they arrive but not much more.

[krank]

I just get out of bed and get coffee going and look at the weather. I get dressed for the weather and head out the door. I might be trapping or deer hunting or predator calling or just having a looky loo.

[krank]

Another source of fascination to me comes from people not ready for deer season. It is beyond my understanding why people hunt with guns not sighted in.
I was abhorred by this 40 years ago and suggested the MDOC pass out deer tags only to people who qualify at 100 yards. Got laughed at.
Most bowhunters practice in the off season.
Me and all my buddies shoot year round and can nail sparrows with our guns.

[segsarge]

It's unbelievable how many "deer hunters" start the season unprepared. Every year they show up at the store whining and pissed because they don't have ammo. Last year they showed up 2 days before opening day looking for 30/30 and .243 and there was none to be had. Of course it was our fault, because WE should have had it available for them. They REALLY got mad when I told them I didn't care and laughed. Getting ready for deer season is a year long deal for me. There's plenty of ammo right now. But in another month it will start to dry up. Same people will show up 48 hours prior to season squalling again.

[krank]

How about the sporting goods counter on Friday night before season? Fools.....

[farmnhunt]

I've got the food plots and firebreaks disc plowed and finish disc but did plant. Wheat clover, turnips I'm sure there is enough moisture to germinate, but fear the seedlings will dry up and die before the first rain. Plan on waiting until at least the end of next week.

[krank]

Right now is risky to plant or transplant. 113 at 630 pm. Wait a week and you wont have to deal with this.

[bigjohn]

I'd plant this weekend. Suppose to get cooler with a chance of rain. The seeds will stay dormant until they receive moisture.

[krank]

I plant millet. It looks like foxtail but bigger seed heads. Everything loves it and the seeds fall and regerminate. Just till and broadcast. I have had problems with turkeys scratching up all my seed before it sprouted.

[krank]

I do need to make more rebar stakes. I use them for other things besides trapping and suddenly I am short of them.

I cut 24" long. I weld a big nut and/or washer on top. Bench grind a point with a quick taper.

I use a tee post puller to pull them out of ground. Easy peasy.

[bigbob]

I have some rebar 5-7 footers for water traps that get used for tomato stakes more than anything! LOL

[krank]

I need to study up on beaver snares. I am watching shows about Alaska where they set feed piles through the ice with gang snares (who knows when MO has ice) Also been reading about short chain beaver trapping. Small trap with front paw catch on dry land.
I am seeing that there is a demand for nuisance beaver trapping as well as demand for fur and castor. Question is will I be able to climb all them banks.

[bigjohn]

I enjoy snaring them through the ice but like you said when and if we'll have thick enough ice. I use snares for beaver quite a bit. They are pretty easy to snare. If they fire a snare or knock it down, it doesn't spook them like BG and footholds.