Gotta make this one quick... I've got seven sets to remake this afternoon and I'm running out of time Caught our first regular coyote this morning -- meaning it wasn't black! :D Thanks to all those who've taken the time to PM me or post on the threads about how much they're enjoying the pics... Talk to you guys later!
Greg, I watched an ol timer set some traps during turkey season and catch a yote and a few possums, and I was hooked then. Now watching you, I am motivated to do a little after deer seaon. We have a very healthy yote pop and quite a few coon and poosums as well. How much does a pelt, skin bring in. I do not know if I would sell them, but was just curious as to what they bring. I just mainly want to knock off some yotes. Beautiful pics by the way.
this thread has inspired me to try some trapping out on our land for the same purpose... my question, if someone's dog get in the traps, will it break the leg?? great job by the way!!!
Thanks so much guys; your comments really make sharing this adventure of ours worthwhile... we love bringing you the pics! Let me answer SevenMag's question first... trapping has come a long way over the years in terms of how the trap itself captures and animal and the damage it does to it; most if not all on the market today are built so as to minimize damage to the animal, both target -- and especially -- non-target animals. My traps are specifically adapted to that purpose by the way of what's referred to as "jaw laminations." These are extra pieces of round metal welded onto the outside of the trap jaws on both sides so as to give a wider, more uniform holding surface which spreads the pressure out greatly and minimizes damage. Every large canine I've trapped or seen trapped hasn't even had a cut or abrasion on their feet or legs; I could have turned any loose that I wanted and I'm sure it would have went off somewhere and licked its paw for a day or so, but otherwise would have been fine. Even the tender red fox which was my first catch of this year was the same as the larger canines... michael... you've really got to get into trapping these days -- at least for now -- for the love of the outdoors, to match wits with a predator (the most wary animal in the woods) and to have a chance to get up close to these magnificient animals. The fur market is really at some historic lows right now due to a variety of reasons (the Russian market primarily at this point). Consequently, most people aren't even buying yotes this year. If you find someone who will, you're probably looking at $7 a pelt or so... Grays are bringing $12 - 15 or so, with reds around $15 - 17. River otter is among the best right now as it might fetch $20 - 25, and most people who do this to really make money are doing ok with coons at around $15 - 20, depending on length and how they grade out. I may end up selling a few of our furs this year but most of what I catch will be sent off to a tannery -- including the black yote -- to decorate the lower level of my house where all my mounts are. Really the only reason I'll sell any is just because the way our season's going, I don't want to have to pay to have EVERYTHING we catch tanned... that would add up after a while. Trapping is neat in the fact that it's the only "hobby" like this that you can and will be able to recoup most of your startup expenses -- and eventually can make a bit of an annual profit with it. Last year, we sold a bobcat, a red fox and a gray fox to my taxidermist for $40 apiece... My boy turned the $120 into five more Grizz Getters to catch coons with to go along with the one he traded a bobcat pelt for to our fur buyer, so we're now running six Lil Grizzes in addition to our dozen predator traps. I'll order in another dozen coilsprings before next season, and I'll probably have all I want for a long time then... I want to keep this a fun hobby, learn from our mistakes, and enjoy ourselves; I don't want to turn this into too much of a job.
