2024/2025 Trapping thread

[Scottyboy]

I started pulling traps in my harder to get to areas and non active areas.

I saw a female coyote day walking between 2 sets.

I’m going to set new traps in that area I saw coyote and will focus my night calling there.

I’m thinking my current sets are known to them or stale or the soil is trashed currently.

I think my traps are muddy and rusting and known by animals this time.

Ok, I gotta ask. And I will preface by saying I know jack shit about trapping (but am thoroughly enjoying this thread). What gives with the number of opossums you have got this year? I can count on 1 hand the number I’ve seen in my 43years, you are seemingly overrun with them. (Yes I’m not necessarily looking for them at night, or in general). Is it ‘normal’ for the average Joe to get this many in a season or is it your locale that is unique for whatever reason? Really dumb questions/comments, I know…I’m moreso questioning why you havent moved being surrounded by those god awful looking creatures

 

[Nine Banger]

Ok, I gotta ask. What gives with the number of opossums you have got this year?

I got 62 last year. I imagine it's regional how common they are.

Other theories I have:
- I'm surrounded by equestrians who may be spilling feed or leaving it out
- Lots of migratory birds come here that they can eat and raid the nests of
- We are in a wet area (frogs, tadpoles, crayfish)
- We are in a tidal area (twice daily refreshing of food)
- I apply prescribed fire often, more aggressively than most

There are a few things the land already has going for it and some we have improved that all lead to increased carrying capacity.

I thermal hunted another property 2 hours away on Saturday night with much dryer conditions and saw about as many opossums as I saw armadillos and lots of each...no coons tho!

 

[Nine Banger]

Night 60.

I caught a big male pit bull last night and transferred him to law enforcement.

No chip. Not totally feral looking but not a couch potato for sure. Junk yard dog.

 

[Reddish]

Night 60.

I caught a big male pit bull last night and transferred him to law enforcement.

No chip. Not totally feral looking but not a couch potato for sure. Junk yard dog.

Not your coyote, but almost.

 

[Nine Banger]

Not your coyote, but almost.

Biologically and for land management it’s probably a superior catch.

 

[Nine Banger]

Looks like a simple fix.

This works.

While making the mod I couldn’t help but wonder if this is really our responsibility….Bridger?

Thanks again for digging this up. Pun intended.

 

[Nine Banger]

Don’t be like me.

Got hit effing around with the free Bridgers.

Hurt more than I’d like it to but less than the time I dropped a log splitter on a 2 5/16” trailer ball with my thumb in the middle.

 

[Wheels]

This works.

While making the mod I couldn’t help but wonder if this is really our responsibility….Bridger?

Thanks again for digging this up. Pun intended. View attachment 841984

It’s kind of like having to bend the dogs on another brand of trap to set the pan tension, you’d think that they could make them ready to go.

 

[pirogue]

Biologically and for land management it’s probably a superior catch.

Depends on what’s done with it after handing it over to the LE. Any stray dog trapped on my property gets **** and handed over to the yotes and buzzards.

 

[Nine Banger]

Night 62.

I’m thinking roaming male. Haven’t trapped a female raccoon or opossum in a while.

Box trap and my kids half eaten beaver burger did it on a cold wet night.