Learn me on trapping

Cpl Punishment

Cpl Punishment

Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
7,035
OK, Mr Estela has been posting a lot of good pic threads. On the fishing kit one, someone posted a trap set. This got me thinking: I know precisely nothing about how to use any of that stuff.

So who's the trapping gurus that can give an overview and give pointers on good resources for learning and doing. I hear Buckshot's camp is no longer a reliable source -- is this accurate?
 
There is so much info on traps in books like SAS Survival Guide by John "Lofty" Wiseman, Wilderness Survival by Greg J. Davenport. The best thing to do is try to get with someone who can show you the tricks and different angels of each working part. I highly suggest Ron Hood's Video-Traps Volume 5 of the Woodsmaster series. It shows a great deal on basic traps. That is a good start.
-RB
 
One thing I will recommend is keeping a journal of your trials and errors. You will find many diagrams of traps (especially recycled drawings) that are excellent in picture form but really impractical and impossible to make in reality. There are a few traps I cannot set with an additional person helping me let alone by myself. There are some traps I prefer that are easy to construct and are quickly made. Take the standard figure 4. I can carve a functional one in about 7 minutes. I've learned which ones I can make easily and stick with them. This of course is only about 1/10th of the skill. You have to learn animal habitat and behavior to learn correct placement. This can only be learned with time spent in the woods. You'll be looking for runs, slides and trails. Your friends will look at you funny for examining scat but at least you're learning their eating habits and behavior.

The problem with trapping and snaring is practicing it and not breaking any laws. Believe me, THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN WHAT IS EFFECTIVE AND WHAT I LEGAL. I can set a trap in my backyard and catch 4 or 5 squirrels in a day or so. That being said, it is 100% illegal except in a life or death situation. Trapping and snaring involves what Marty Simon calls "Robot warriors." They work when you don't. I'd recommend setting them early in the morning and checking them at least twice a day. Expect a ratio of 6 to 1 return with 1 trap or snare (all properly placed of course) killing your prey.

As Bear mentioned, Hoods video is a good source for showing basic trapping skills. I'd also recommend looking into a trapping course sponsored by your local Department of Environmental Protection or equivalent. I've purchased from Buckshot's camp before and have a number of his snares. I purchased the snare kit with a variety of sizes for demo purposes. I can't speak to his credibility now but in the past he has been good.
 
Dang! I should have thought of Ron Hood!
Yeah, I've got the SAS book and such, but knowing how to make a trap and actually using it are two different things.

Trapping is legal here with a trapping license ($26.50), but only on furbearing mammals, not on "game" (deer, turkey, etc)
 
Trapping North American Furbearers by Stanley Hawbaker is a great place to start.
 
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