Trapping

Anyone on here do an trapping? Fox, coyote, coon, bobcat, etc. I was just going to see if there was ome more like me out there that love trapping. Thanks!

+ 1 trapping I did it full time for a few years. One of the funnest jobs I ever had.

Valley Mills eh? Im from Goldthwaite! lol. I love trapping just got into it about 4 years ago. love catching grey fox!

Goldthwaite huh, Ive got family that runs a pecan orchard in San Saba. Small world

Whats there names?

I would like to, but don't know crap about it and from what Ihave read it is a lil more difficult than most people might think!

I love trapping but don't do it much anymore. I live east of Lampasas, do you guys know of a fur buyer anywhere close? Goldthwaite ain't that far from me, do you have one up there?

I know there is one in san angelo. There used to be a guy from louisiana come to San Saba but i dont think he does anymore

Who in San Angelo...we don't have a listing for a fur buyer in S. Angelo unless he/she is new.

Texas Fur Buyers

Glenn Conner, G & S Fish Market, FM RD 2246, Evadale, TX 77615 (409) 276-2497 Jasper Co.

James Drake, Jasper Quality Meats, 1401 S Wheeler, Jasper, TX 75951 (409) 384-6534 Jasper Co.

Ivy Jackson, Silsbee Quality Meat, 970 East Hwy 327, Silsbee, TX 77656 (409) 385-1225 Hardin Co.

Tommy King, King’s Fur, 1201 S Dwight, Monahans, TX 79756 (432) 943-5831 Ward Co.

Anthony Parrish, 2002 Mule Deer Rd., Gilmer, TX 75644 (903) 762-2600 Upshur Co.

Charles Reddell, Reddell Fur Co., 134 McBride, Winnie, TX 77665 (409) 782-2784 Chambers Co.

Tammy Renfro, A & T Fur, 704 Ave E SE, Childress, TX 79201 (940) 585-8815 Childress Co.

Kim Rife, P.O. Box 362, Jermyn, TX 76459 (940) 342-2101 Jack Co.

Ricky Russell, 320 E 16th St., Wolfforth, TX 79382 Lubbock Co.

John Sanders, Wanttabe Traders, 2710 Clarieisa, Arlington, TX 76051 Tarrant Co.

Steve Tyler, Texas Fur Company, 147 North Billie Neal, Wharton, TX 77488 (979) 657-4560 Wharton Co.

Wayne Wright, Wright’s Fur, 4812 Linter Rd., Big Spring, TX 79720 (432) 398-5508 Howard Co.

Dont know his name. But a friend of mine sold some to him last year. Ill try to get the name. He may just be a guy that comes there every once in a while.

I trap quite a bit when I get the time. I use to do it pretty heavy but not as much anymore doing more hunting.

Im glad there are a few that do! i have a blast doin it. Very rewarding

Been looking at dfferent traps on eBay... what kind(s) would be good for a novice. I will be trapping in Louisiana, if that would effect your opinions. I do not know about Texas, but here you are not permitted to used teethed traps. Snares? Sizes? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Also, do you know of a better place to buy traps?

F & T trading post has all the trapping supplies you will need. What animals are you targeting?

I think its f&tpost.com

I love the Bridger coilspring traps. Very durable little boogers.

used to trap all the time, but nobody wants to give any decent money for pelts anymore

Animals here are fox, coons, yotes and I have seen a couple bobcats, too. I am completely new to this and will not have much to do until the trapping season is over. Thanks for your help and I will look at the site you recommended.

MB-650 are great traps for coyotes as well as cats. We used New House long springs when I worked for the Gov and they have been getting the job done for a long long time. My best advice is don't go the cheap route buy a good quality trap and it should last you a long time as well as hold your catches a lot better than a cheaper trap will. And always remember trap wear the sign is and be as clean as possible as well as make really natural looking sets and try and find some one who has experience to tag along with till you get the hang of it. Its work but its worth it!

Even though the furs arent worth anything right now, i still do it. Its a great way to get in the outdoors. I love it because I think its fun trying to outsmart wild animals. And yes skinner the Mb 650 is a great trap. Very well made. I was always taught that if you find sign set on the sign. Catch rates wil go up a lot. Grey if youhave anymore questions just ask im sure everyone will love to help you out.

Skinner, you think it would be a better start with three of thse traps at $65 than a dozen for the same amount off eBay that may be of less quality? Keep in mind, I may not keep this as a hobby. Thanks!

When I gov't trapped, such as Skinner, I was introduced to the #4 Newhouse for coyote and cougar work. I did begin to purchase my own #3 & #4 Newhouses once I left gov't trapping. Even though they are no longer made, I only will use a couple of the older ones to trap problem coyotes since the parts can be replaced very easily. Back when I purchased my own, they were $18-$24 each. Most are of antique quality now and price!

I readily use Montgomery #2 & #3 coilsprings for bobcat and coyotes. 1.5 or 1.75 for coons, fox and just about anything else, except for otter and beaver. Use #220 Conibears for coons also and #330 for beaver and otter.

Are Bridger, Montgomery, Newhouse etc brandnames or styles? Thanks again.

And what the 7734 is gov't trapping?

If you are trapping as a hobby the MBs probably arent what you want to invest in...

RP outdoors is a good bunch of folks to buy from on the traps and they are located in Louisiana.

I have about 300 montgomery traps and can tell you I have taken more cats in that brand trap than any others.

I also run newhouse, bridger, victor, and even have some of the new Duke traps that are decent for the $$$.

If I was you I would possibly look at the new Duke #1.75 4 coiled traps. They will hold everything you are wanting to trap there in LA and with a couple mods they are a decent trap at a great price.

Forgot to add...when talking "Montgomery, Newhouse, Bridger, etc" those are brand names of traps.

Gov't Trapping - you trap for the state or gov't agency, here in Texas, it is the Texas Wildlife Services, formerly called the Texas Animal Damage Control Service. Back when I was hired in the early 80's, they were part of the Texas Dept. of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

You are trapping depredating species, primarily coyotes, but they do a lot of work with beaver, raccoons, mountain lions and feral hogs. They do have some urban trappers that work on rodents, bats, raccoons, skunks, armadillos, etc.

You won't get rich doing this job, but you will learn a ton and get so much better at trapping, because depredation work is completely different than fur trapping. It WILL make you a better fur trapper!

Kyotee1 hit the nail on the head as far as explaining what a Gov trapper is and does. As far as answering your ? about weather to pay for the high price of a MB-650 or buy some other brand that's cheaper because you are not sure if you will like trapping as a hobby or not. Well let me put it to you like this buy what ever you want to but If you do buy a better quality trap to begin with. Than if it turns out that you do enjoy trapping as a hobby. Then you already have a few great traps to work with. If you decide that trapping is not for you then you can always sell good equipment faster than the cheap stuff. Keep in mind that's just my 2 cents. I hope you find a trap that works for you and hopefully you enjoy trapping as a hoppy as well. TTYL Skinner

Skinner, whats your favorite set for grey fox? Ive taken a bunch in just regular old dirt hole sets. I guide the heck out of them and it doesnt seem to bother them. Just wondering what your favortie set would be

i have some of my grampa's old victory #4s and I have caught bobcats and coons in them and that is what he primarily used for yotes too. for fox and smaller critters he used smaller traps. last year i caught a cotton tail in one of my #4s

Txtrapper10 my favorite set for greys was a dirt hole but after catching 187 greys in 2007 I can confidently say that a flat set is now my favorite. You can squeeze a grey so that he steps right on the pan most of the time. But with coyotes things change a bit you don't have to use much to get him to step right wear you want some times a small pebble will do the trick. And its hard to beat turds and urine as a bait it worked for me on greys and cats allot. Their are allot of other great baits out their and they are all kinda like whine they get better with age.

I have had great success with the beaver medley bait produced by charles dobbins. Never have used much urine though. You think it would be better to squirt some red fox urine on my backing to make my set a little better?

I'm in Frisco if anyone traps near me love to learn. Been tryig to get into trapping for a while.

I love trapping the little critters. its a lost art that is necessary for conservation.

Yes pop. it is! I dont know of anyone in goldthwaite that traps

Sounds like a few of folks on here would be willing to come out and learn how to trap for a variety of furbearers and predators.

I wouldn't mind arranging a weekend for some instruction which I have done before a couple years ago at my place for some folks that were on one of the Predator forums.

Or, the Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association have their annual Spring Rendezvous in Jacksonville.
http://www.txtrappers.com/

It's not on their website as of yet, but should be right after the first of the year.

Txtrapper - I'll be trapping next year in that area with obtaining a lease there.

You trappin dudes got y'alls own language!!! I would be interested in meeting with anyone who might be in east Texas depending upon distance to get some firsthand lessons. Thanks for all the info.

Skinner, That is prolly good advice about which traps to get.

Also, I have seen on trapping sites that 4-coils are much better than 2. Can I buy them with 4 so I do not have to mod them? Also, should I start with just a few traps, like 3 maybe? Then go from there...

Thanks all, you guys have me interested in a new hobby!

Ok, time for my dumb question of the day...

After you trap a critter, how do you dispatch him?

Most use .22 short if using foot-holds, conibears no need to worry, and drown wires on foot-holds no need to worry.

On shooting them, I always try for the ear canal since you won't leave another hole to mend and it's the quickest way to the brain.

So I gotta buy another gun, too!!! lol I think I will "develop" another way if I proceed. I am wanting a cheap and time consuming way to get outside.

Like Koyotee, i go for th ear canal with a .22 doesnt mess up the fur. Fur isnt worthmuch but it doesnt matter to me. Maybe one of these days the fur market will get better. Its just a great way to get outdoors and do something fun and challenging.

The only trapping I've ever done was running snares on a fence line... cheap and easy!

To dipatch cyotes I used a tee ball bat to the base of the skull.

There is a lot of info out there about trapping. It takes a lot of time to be good at it. You learn a lot about wildlife and see things you might not when you just go out deer or varmint hunting.

Many trappers think that you should target coyotes only and then if you catch anything else it is just a plus. There are many sets you can use to target each species. It takes time and money and is a lot of fun but a lot of work.

Check out trapperman.com for some info. Keep in mind that everyone has a different way of doing things and learn from those that have been doing it for a long time. if you are going to trap it is worth learning how to do it right. I have done a lot of things wrong over the years and continue to learn more and more all the time about it. The more you do it the better you will become. Koyotee can tell you a lot about it.

Another thing that you should always keep in mind is being humane. Many trappers start out not knowing how to properly secure the trap. Wild animals are very strong and you don't want one running off with your trap attached to their leg. Make sure you check your traps regularly because you don't want the animal to be in there any longer than it has to be. Use the correct size trap for the animal you are targeting. You will catch non-target animals in traps that may not be designed for them so checking your traps regularly is good practice. Trapping has gotten a bad name from people who didn't take time to do things right.

Trapperman.com has great info on it. Can learn a lot by just looking through the archives.

Kyotee I'm in if your close to DFW. Just need a free weekend Whig is the hard part. Any excuse to get in The outdoors

Close to 4 hours away from DFW, but, if someone can find a location to do some practice trap setting or has a little bit of land, I'd be up to coming up and put on a demo.

Any place with a facility just in case of inclement weather would be nice too...sometime City Hall have a meeting room for use at 'no cost' as well as some fireman's hall or Bank Community rooms.

Or, there's always the Spring Rendezvous with the state trapping association.

Yep. Supressed .22 for late night...

I'm a member of a lease in Anna north of Dallas to pratice training my dog beat we can go there for a lesson. Then maybe some pen quail hunts afterwards

Went home a couple of weekends ago and put about 4 sets out just around the house in the pasture. 2 nights got skunk 3 coons and a nice grey.

Ready for christmas break to put out a good little trapline to run. Probably be runnin around 30 traps.

Very nice gray fox...I have around 4-6 that come up to the front of the house to pick up any leftovers I through out. I can sit on the front porch to watch them come out of the woods and eat what I throw out. Them dudes will even eat sunflower seeds and wild bird seed if I don't have anything else. Can't see trapping the ones around the house since they aren't worth anything and not to just kill them. Not mad enough at them...coyotes are a different story!

Lol Kyotee im thinkin these little boogers keep harrassing our chickens.There not pets here. I just wanted to set a few traps for a 2 day check. We dont have any coyotes around us yet and hope we never do. On a quiet night you can hear some howling miles away though.

i had one of those comin out eatin deer corn at my feeder by my camper this past summer, id get up every morning and walk outside to get dressed (why i love the country lol) and he would be sittin under the feeder eatin corn, never thought they would do that. and that was about 40yrds out!

Ive got my steel and snares boiled and hanging...Ready to hit the dirt.

You gonna wax em bobcat?

Ill wait a few days and Ill wax a few... I have several that I wont.

Are you stretching/drying and shipping your hides or selling here in Texas to a buyer?

NAFA is coming to Texas to pick up dried and stretched hides only for their auction if any of you are interested.

Just wish the buyer that is close to me would buy in Texas as well as out-of-state.

What part of the state do you trap or live in? No coyotes in your area, that would be a first.

Yeah I had some friends drop off all their hides to NAFA to a guy coming through San Angelo last year. I will probably do the same this year. I do stretch and dry mine.

I live in central texas by goldthwaite. They are around but we hae never seen one on our property. Dont know why but thats how its been. Im sure in a few years they will be all over.

Do any of yall that deal with furbuyers know how much a large prime otter hide can bring. I have one in the freezer taken a week ago.