Securing an animal caught in your trap is one of the critical elements of successful trapping, and there are three basic ways to do it. You can attach the trap chain to a solid object (tree or post), stake it down, or use a drag. Drags are an important tool on the trapline, and their proper use is an art that can provide a great deal of benefit to the trapper and the animal … [Read more...]
Beaver Foothold Trapping: Front Foot or Back?
"You want a front foot or a back foot catch?" That was the question from a professional beaver trapper here in nothern Maine when I asked for advice on foothold beaver trapping. To be honest, I really hadn't thought about it much....I just wanted to catch the beaver! Beaver trapping with footholds can be extremely effective in open water. At its most basic level, you're … [Read more...]
AuSable Rotating Trap Drag Overview
Here's a quick overview of the AuSable rotating trap drags from PCS Outdoors. For those who like to use drags, I think they'll work pretty well, and provide a pretty good compromise between performance and portability. … [Read more...]
Furry Critters Book
It's often tough to find a good gift that can share our passion for trapping with the younger generation. For the really little guys and gals, whose age is measured in the single digits, an interactive book can be just the ticket. "Furry Critters of North America" integrates furbearer education and our love for trapping into a great gift for future trappers. It's a board … [Read more...]
Land Trapping Made Simple
In 1996, while most of his contemporaries were probably playing video games, Kyle Kaatz was writing trapping books. A quick learner and an ambitious young trapper, Kaatz shared his knowledge in the book "Land Trapping Made Simple". In about 100 pages, "Land Trapping Made Simple" covers the very basics of most every topic on the subject of land trapping, primarily for fox, … [Read more...]
Trigger Options for Bodygrip / Conibear Traps (Video)
Competition Line Fox Trapping
Tom Miranda's 1985 book, "Competition Line Fox Trapping" is a true classic in the professional trapping arena. You might know Miranda from his days as a pro trapper, writer and personality in the Fur-Fish-Game professional trapping video series. Miranda was born at just the right time to be one of the last of the professional fur trappers prior to the 1980's crash in fur … [Read more...]
Making a Long Distance Call Trapping Lure
After struggling to find a lure that would work in the conditions of my northern Maine marten and fisher trapline, I decided to make my own. My requirements? First and foremost, the lure had to hold up to the rainy spells that we have during the November season here, and keep working. It also had to continue to function during the deep freezes. That necessitated a grease based … [Read more...]