Summer Trapping pictures

Jellyhead · 10-10-2003, 10:47 AM

A while back we had some discussion on trapping here. With the fur trapping season coming up, I thought I would post a few pictures of the damage control trapping I did this summer. Hopefully these will spark some intrest in trapping and maybe some good discussion on it too.

Here are some nutria that were burrowing in a roadside and caving it in.

Here are some beaver that were putting the hurt on a guys cottonwood trees and damming his irrigation ditches, got one big nute in there too.

And lastly here are a pair of coyotes that were killing barn cats.

The beaver were all taken on a state issued damage permit, the nutes and coyotes do not require a permit to control.

Gotta go boil and wax some traps for now, and hopefully get some fishing in this weekend. Anyone else getting their stuff together for trapping?

Aaron

Jellyhead · 10-10-2003, 12:24 PM

To prepare traps (especially for land animals) I prefer to boil them in a dye, to remove human odors and color them black. Then they are dipped in wax to help keep them from rusting, and the wax lubricates the working parts of trap, keeping it working fast.

I don't wax most of my water traps, Just a good wire brushing is all you really need. No real human scent problems either when the trap is submerged.

Aaron

Norm · 10-10-2003, 12:54 PM

MMMM...., roasted beaver tail :grin: . I moose hunted with a old trapper in Northern Alberta. He said the pelt prices were pretty low thanks to PETA and they make almost as much from the oil in scent gland thats used as a perfume base(although it smelled nothing like perfume to me :blush: ). Just curious, do you sell the hides? We bought a couple tanned beaver hides from him for the kids, they make pretty cool throw rugs.

Jellyhead · 10-10-2003, 01:09 PM

Norm,

Fur prices are definitly down now. I'm lucky, if I can break even fur trapping. I do it mostly because I enjoy it, and I find it rewarding. I look at it this way....I could fish all year and spend a ton of money doing it, and all I would get in return would be a few fish dinners.

With fur trapping, you get to be outdoors, doing something I enjoy, and I get a little something back for my hard work, plus it really does keep alot of furbearers from becoming problems.

Unfortunatly, all of the animals shown above were disposed of. The state will not allow you to sell any damage trapped animals. I feel that this is a waste of a good resource. Even though the fur is not prime on those animals it could be sold to fly tiers, crafters, and the skulls claws, scent glands and meat are of value too.

But in the case of the problem animals above, they were an immediate nuicense that needed delt with promptly before they caused more problems.
Live trapping is usually not an option, because nobody wants you to transplant a nuicense animal on thier property.

Aaron

sliverpicker · 10-10-2003, 02:25 PM

Hey Aaron, long time no hear! Did you do any archery hunting this year?

Looks like you're having fun chasing beaver! Ever catch a blue heron in your traps? You did say you liked to tie spey flies, right!?

Ron

Jellyhead · 10-10-2003, 02:59 PM

Ron,

I've been keeping busy this summer, and having alot of fun. Got married in August to Meg, and did the honeymoon thing :smile: I did do a little bow hunting for deer, Saw more elk at close bow range then I ever have (No tag, I got a Northside unit Rifle tag this year) Hoping the late blacktail season will pay off for me.

Did you do any good for elk this year?

Aaron

10-10-2003, 03:06 PM

Jelly,
If rats were back up to $8.00 each I'd be rich.
More mink and raccoon than twenty years ago too.

Chromaflage · 10-10-2003, 04:25 PM

No joke here - beaver meat makes EXCELLENT jerky!! Are you allowed to keep the meat from damage trapped critters?

ors

[ 10-10-2003, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: OregonRedside ]

SLEDDER · 10-10-2003, 05:32 PM

Jellyhead, I did some ADC work the last two winters here in Oregon. I still live in Oregon, but am a resident of Idaho. So I won't be trapping this year. Thanks for the pictures, makes me want to trap again!!

BlueWater · 10-10-2003, 11:42 PM

Jellyhead-
What do you mean by "waxing" ?

Just crurious.

Thanks,

BlueWater.

Ragnar · 10-10-2003, 11:57 PM

You know Rauly...Instead of shaving.....

Just kidding!
Waxing the traps I believe keeps them from rusting too terribly bad, but more importantly keeps the trap mechanism from freezing in cold weather. I believe also that it helps with human scent control? Not sure...
Am I correct on this Jellyhead?
Ragnar