Trapping Today

I'm back on the trapline resetting marten and fisher traps after a long illness.  Feeling like a new man and super excited to be back trapping again!  I recorded this episode on the drive back out of the woods after setting traps all day.  Enjoy!

In this episode, Cole Porter and I talk trapping after getting done tending and pulling (for now) my marten and fisher trapline.  Enjoy! Check out Kaatz Bros. Lures, sponsors of the podcast. If you're interested in picking up some of my Long Distance Call lure we mention in the podcast, click here.

In this episode, I discuss what my truck looks like geared up for tomorrow's marten and fisher trapping season opener.  I go over the use of lure and bait, other associated gear, and the fact that I can't help but get out there despite a bit of a health setback.  I answer a couple of listener questions, give a shout out to a couple of great listener stories, and draw the name of the Kaatz Bros. T-...

In this episode, it's the eve of the early muskrat trapping season opener, I'm over extended in work and life, fur prices remain in the tank, and I still can't help but love to talk trapping!  I give a shout out to Kris Pope, who recently started his "Coyote Trapping School" podcast, talk muskrat trapping with HagZ spring clips, mention the legend W.A. Gibbs of the muskrat swamps, my recent purcha...

In this episode I discuss what delayed this week's podcast, answer a question about beaver trapping in flooding conditions, and ramble on a bit about my fur shed and what I'd like to see in the ideal fur/trapping shed.  Feel free to comment on what the ideal fur shed would look like to you.  Enjoy!  

In this episode, I discuss the idea of "trapping like a kid".  It's an interesting mindset that I think can help make us all more effective trappers.  I read through, and comment on, an article I wrote here on Trapping Today about trapping like a kid.  Hope this gets you thinking more about how you approach your trapping this fall.  Also, Kaatz Bros Lures, sponsor of the podcast, is looking for gl...

In this episode, Cole Porter and I finish up our discussion during our trip to put out marten and fisher boxes on the trapline and do a little fishing.  Enjoy!  

In this episode, Cole Porter and I talk marten and fisher trapping as we head out to set boxes out on my line.  We discuss plans for the upcoming season, marten/fisher interactions, and habitat types we look for when setting traps.  Enjoy!    

In this episode, I discuss the dream I've always had of going into the Alaskan wilderness and being a trapper-homesteader.  The topic is fresh in my mind after reading Stan Zuray's book, "Carry On".  Stan was a star in the Discovery Channel's hit show "Yukon Men", which featured people from the Alaskan village of Tanana.  Stan has an interesting story, growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, and movi...

In this episode, I catch up on listener questions, including: -waxing footholds for water sets -importance of where you get dirt to make wax dirt -how we as trappers can help educate and grow our base -finding proper location for coyote sets -fire ants in dirthole sets -creating a business to make a better market for wild fur -gear I use for winter water trapping As always, you can send questions...

In this episode, I discuss my recent order with Kaatz Bros. Lures, and the fact that now is a great opportunity for trappers to stock up on traps, lure and supplies.  Prices are going up across the board for various reasons, and now's the chance to get what you need before the big price increases hit. I discuss a recent change to the bear trapping rules in Maine, which caught trappers off guard re...

In this episode, I sit down with Noah Frost, a young marten trapper from northern Maine.  We discuss getting into trapping, trapper education, setting up a marten trapline for the first time, and thoughts on running a trapline in an area with complex regulations and competition from other trappers. We recorded this episode from a camp in the woods, and I forgot my voice recorder, so had to use a p...

In this episode, Cole Porter and I discuss our experiences at Neil Olson's 42nd annual New England Trappers Weekend in Bethel, Maine.  The episode is recorded on the car ride home, so you'll notice some background noise and a few distractions, but I think we had a great conversation about what we picked up from the event. In my mind, there are three aspects to a trapper's convention: 1) the people...

In this episode, I introduce Kaatz Bros. Lures as a new sponsor of the show. Since we're in the swing of trapping convention season, I talk about the benefit of conventions, and the upcoming convention near me, Neil Olson's New England Trappers Weekend. I bring up other trapping podcasts, including mentioning Clint Locklear's recent podcast interview with legend Tom Miranda, and the new podcast fr...

After touching on some listener emails, fur prices and trapping news, I go into detail on Charles Dobbins' book, "Evaluation of Lures, Baits and Urines".  Lure testing is an often overlooked topic in the trapping world, but being a professional trapper, Dobbins took it very seriously.  In this book, he described how he put lures through extensive testing to determine their effectiveness and how an...

Looking to unload some of your old traps and make room for more inventory?  How about another source of income working on something you enjoy?  In this episode, I discuss my experiences and lessons learned from a decade of selling traps on Ebay.  

In this episode I discuss the different options for fastening traps, and go through the evolution of stakes and drags throughout trapping history, as well as the current products available on the market.  Enjoy! Show notes: Fur Real website i mentioned early in the show Why Use Trap Drags? A Review of Trap Drags  

In this episode, I discuss the need for, and process of getting permission to trap on private land.  Trappers are held to a high standard when it comes to landowner permission, and gaining permission is critical to our success on the trapline.  I wrote a blog post about this a while back, and I read through that post and provide additional thoughts and commentary. I also mention the Trappers World...

In this episode, I finish up the marten/fisher/mast discussion, go over listener emails, discuss the preliminary results of the NAFA July fur auction, and a few other odds and ends.  I'm a bit tired and it was a bit rough, but I hope it turned out okay.  Enjoy!

In this episode I discuss my absolute lack of bobcat trapping experience, but provide some information and suggestions for a new trapper looking to trap bobcats for the first time.  There are a lot of DVD's available with good bobcat trapping information.  I suggest one or two from a trapper in your general area/habitat type.  If you find bobcat habitat, travelways and sign, all there is to do is...

In this episode I discuss the difference between a bait and a lure, and the different types of lures, primarily food, call and gland lures.  I then discuss what a lure 'base' is, what a base does, and the different types of bases most lures are made of. If you're enjoying the podcast or would like other topics discussed, shoot me a message, I'd love to hear from you.  Also, the best way to support...

In this episode, I discuss various aspects of drumming or tumbling fur, including an overview of the process, situations where it's done, and benefits trappers can achieve through proper fur treatment.  I then discuss Responsive Management survey data on public views on trapping and how that affects how we as trappers get our message across in public. Here are some links to things I mentioned in t...

In this episode I discuss my first published magazine article, an overview of trapping magazines, and making and using beaver tail oil as a predator trapping lure.  Enjoy!

In this episode, I go over some news items and discuss trap treatment options for trappers.  Enjoy!   Note: Click here for an article I wrote last year on dyeing with cold dip.  There are some great comments on the post as well.

In this episode I discuss some news, go over the results of this week's Fur Harvesters Auction, review a Herb Lenon book, and discuss trap modification.  Specifically, I go into detail on modifying old or less-than-desirable new foothold traps to make them suitable for coyote trapping.