Basic Trapping Tactics

Basic Trapping Tactics

By Jacob Dean

I remember those days. Thirty years ago, everyone was trapping. It was a way of life, a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Every morning, I’d wake up with a sense of anticipation. The thrill of the chase, the excitement of the unknown. Would I have fooled an animal? Would I find a prize in my trap?

I’d bundle up against the cold, the biting wind whipping through my hair. The woods were silent, save for the crunch of my boots on the frozen ground. I’d approach each trap with a mix of hope and trepidation. If the trap had deployed, I’d examine it carefully. Was the bait untouched? Had the animal been spooked?
Every miss was a lesson. I’d adjust my technique, try a different bait, or move the trap to a more promising location. It was a constant process of learning and adapting. But the rewards were worth it. The feeling of satisfaction when I pulled a furbearer from the trap was indescribable. It was a testament to my skill, my patience, and my understanding of the animal’s behavior.

Why Trap?
Originally, trapping was a good way to earn some income. As a kid, that money meant a lot. I would get up early, check traps. Hopefully, I would have traps full of coyotes, racoons, or muskrat. This meant I had some work ahead of me to flesh and tan the hides. Today, however, the prices of furs are considerably less and a lot of trappers have foregone the tradition. There are still guys the trap religiously every year, as it is so much more than about making some money.

Trapping is a crucial component of wildlife management and conservation, providing several benefits to the hunting community. First of all, trapping helps regulate populations, and this is particularly helpful when an animal becomes a nuisance. You will soon find, that you won’t wipe out a coyote or racoon population. They keep coming back and filling in the vacated territory. However, you can help support a healthy population by trapping. This will help keep the population in check and discourage some of the diseases that comes from too high of predator numbers. Trapping can be used to control predators that threaten endangered or vulnerable species. In short, trapping – just like hunting, is part of conservation.

Learn the Basics
The key to successful trapping is understanding your target animal’s behavior and habitat. That may sound a lot easier than it actually is. One of my favorite parts of trapping is the woodmanship skills you learn. Lean how and why specific animals travel in certain areas. Learn their mannerisms, and this will help you succeed in hunting and trapping. Trapping teaches you how to move through the timbers, creeks, and open fields. You begin to learn how all the animals interact and the habitat they prefer. Learn from the animals, observe their behavior and adjust your sets accordingly.

Muskrat Trapping Tips
Experiment with bait and lure. Different animals respond to different scents. Practice proper trap placement. A well-placed trap is more likely to catch your target. You will learn from misses about how you need to cover and camouflage your trap.

As a kid, one of the first animals I learned to trap were muskrat. This is where woodsmanship skills come to play. They’re still one of my favorite animals to trap. To find muskrats, look for signs along the water’s edge. Overhanging grass and undercut banks often provide safe havens for muskrats. Place traps near these areas to increase your chances of a successful catch. I also look for where they’re entering and exiting the water. This can be tricky to find.

Marshes and sloughs are another prime location for muskrat trapping. Muskrats build huts in these areas, and usually you can wade out and set your traps. The shallows provide easy access for trappers. Simply place a trap underwater near the base of the hut to catch them as they enter and exit.
I’ve also had great success trapping muskrats at underwater den entrances. Look for areas where muskrats have been observed diving into the water. Set a trap at the entrance to the den, ensuring the jaws are just inside.

Raccoon Trapping Tips
Raccoons might be the most commonly trapped animal. This is part due to their curious nature, and partly because there are so many of them. There are tons of different traps you can use, from live traps, to conibears traps. How you trap is up to you. However, be sure to stake your traps firmly, as raccoons can be surprisingly strong. Conibear type traps or traps designed to kill instantly work pretty well. I also use a dog proof trap. They are a type of trap that a raccoon has to reach into with its front paws to get the bait out. When they reach in to get the bait, they trip the trigger and get caught. They’re curious animals and this seems to work well for raccoons.

When it comes to trapping coons along water, pockets set, smear sets or PVC sets can all work equally well at these locations. I prefer strong #11 double jaws. For bait, I like to use fish oil. Early in the season carp, bluegill, or any fish will work well but tend to dry out quickly as the temps drop. I’ve had good success with bullheads later in the season. Keep your bait fresh!

Coyote Trapping Tips
Ok, coyotes are pretty tough, they’re crazy smart too. This makes them difficult to trap. When it comes to coyote trapping, you need to put in some time scouting for them. Coyotes are intelligent and adaptable animals that follow predictable patterns. They tend to stay close to cover, such as edges of fields or pastures. Identifying these travel routes is essential. You will also notice a shift in their behavior this time of year as the crops come out. In fact, that is one of my favorite places to trap them, in a freshly combined field edge. When scouting for coyotes, look for areas where they are likely to travel, such as along field edges or in areas with taller grass or brush. These locations provide natural cover and opportunities for snare placement.

Snares are a popular tool for coyote trapping. I prefer using aircraft cable with a swivel, support collar, and a washer lock. Attach an extension with a swivel to the snare, ensuring it meets local regulations for deer safety. Use stakes or a kill pole to secure the snare in place. Be sure if you trap a coyote that they will fight the snare. Make sure your snare is well staked.

One other thing, make sure you, your traps, and everything you touch is as scent-free as possible. A coyote will not tolerate much human scent left behind. If you see them skirting your traps, you have likely left too much of your scent on the traps, or the area.

Coyotes are tricky to trap, but with some scouting, attention to detail, and perseverance, they can be trapped. My final piece of advice is to join a trapping association. This helps connect you with experienced trappers and learn from their knowledge.