As trappers, we carry a lot of tools around to make effective sets and catch furbearers. From dirt digging tools and hammers to traps, stakes, lures and more, there gear can really start to add up! Like most people, I started out toting my trapping supplies in a five gallon bucket. To deal with the small tools and accessories a bucket organizer with lots of pouches on the … [Read more...]
What is the Best Bait for Coyote Trapping?
Coyotes are one of the most adaptable species in North America, and their diet and food habits can vary drastically throughout the year. If you're interested in finding a good bait to attract coyotes to your traps, it's important to consider naturally available foods in your area as well as foreign types of food that coyotes are attracted to. Natural Foods The coyote is … [Read more...]
The Last Alaskans
As an outdoorsperson and fur trapper who dreams of living in the Alaska wilderness, "The Last Alaskans" quickly became my favorite show. Heck, I hardly watch TV at all, but eagerly purchased every episode and watched intently....over and over again. The show documents the lives of a handful of families who have chosen to live a unique lifestyle, isolated from civilization, … [Read more...]
The Conibear Trap: Description, Origins and Uses of the Conibear and other Bodygrip Traps
It's hard to imagine the trapping world without the conibear, or bodygrip trap. This revolutionary device is an indispensable tool for fur harvesters and animal damage control operators everywhere. It produces quick, effective catches and humane dispatch of animals. It also has its challenges, and must be properly used for the right outcome. What is a conibear trap? The … [Read more...]
What’s the Best Trap for Beaver?
The beaver is an abundant furbearer throughout most of North America, and trapping is an enjoyable and rewarding activity that can produce high quality fur pelts for mittens or hats, and meat that makes excellent table fare. Beavers are quite easy to locate, and easy to trap once you get them figured out. A wide variety of traps are used to catch beaver. The best beaver trap … [Read more...]
What is a Fleshing Beam, and Why Do You Need One?
If you're just getting started trapping and fur handling, you may not be familiar with fleshing beams and what they do. A fleshing beam is quite simple, but it's a critical tool for processing fur. It's basically a piece of hardwood or pvc in a specific shape or size that holds a fur pelt while you 'flesh' it, or remove the fat and meat from the skin with a fleshing knife. … [Read more...]
In the Land of Wilderness: Marty Meierotto
Many of us have dreamed of living on a remote wilderness trap line, and believe it or not, a few have actually done it. Marty Meierotto is one of those few. You might remember Marty from the hit TV show “Mountain Men”, which followed his adventures trapping in the Alaska bush for eight seasons. Marty grew up in northern Wisconsin where he began hunting and developed a love … [Read more...]
Best Coyote Trapping Lure
Having the right lure to attract a coyote to your trap set can be one of the most important aspects of making the catch. While there is not 'magic' lure, some formulas certainly work better than others. Let's go over some basics on the different types of coyote lures, and then I'll give some recommendations you can try out. Types of Coyote Lures There are three basic … [Read more...]