Trapping

The Poor Man’s Bucket List

The Poor Man’s Bucket List By Earl Taylor It is easy to get all juiced up about hunting out west after watching a half hour hunting show where a celebrity hunter whacks a monster bull, buck or ram. Just as in ancient mythology where the Sirens called out to Oedipus to come to their beautiful […]

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Plan an Entire Trapping Season for Success

Plan an Entire Trapping Season for Success Trapping like most other outdoor endeavors takes planning, effort, and yes money. However, it is one of the few outdoor endeavors if done correctly a person can actually absorb expenses such as fuel cost, trapping supplies, and with hard work can even leave the trapper with some spending […]

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Short Line vs Long Line Trapping

Short Line vs Long Line Trapping By J.D. Rogge When i was growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s during a time of high fur prices known as the “Fur Boom,” it seemed that everyone was a trapper, with varying levels of participation. Coons were worth $20-$30, mink would bring you $40, and […]

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Thinking Small

Thinking Small Hunting in Iowa has changed significantly during my lifetime. Four decades ago wild turkey and deer were scarce or non-existent in much of the state. Most hunters started out shooting squirrels and rabbits before moving on to pheasants and/or waterfowl. Only then did they graduate to larger game, if they had access to […]

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Setting Yourself up for Trapline Success

Setting Yourself up for Trapline Success By JD Rogge One factor most successful trappers have in common is their dedication to pre-season preparation and scouting. Pre-season prep can be the difference between meeting your season’s goals and falling woefully short of your expectations. I’ve known many trappers who prior to season claim to be ready […]

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Whitetails 365: Septembers – Setting The Trap

Whitetails 365: Septembers – Setting The Trap By Tom Peplinski I’ve always wanted to be a trapper; running the trap line on vast amounts of acreage. The anticipation or waiting game after setting the trap…what could be waiting for me around the next bend as my set comes into view would be exhilarating! Well, maybe […]

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Summertime Coyotes

Summertime Coyotes Does anyone miss hunting yet now that most of our favorite game seasons have been closed for quite some time? It seems that as soon as a hunting season ends for the year we are already dreaming of opening morning of the next season’s first march through the fields to bag another rooster, […]

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Survival: Stacking the odds in your favor

Survival: Stacking the odds in your favor By Ryan Woythaler Uh-Oh. There probably isn’t two more uttered words in the English language that have meant the end to more outdoor adventures than those two seemingly innocent syllables. Sometimes it’s as simple as forgetting to pack the ketchup for the burgers during a cookout at the […]

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Hunting Snapping Turtles Not for the Faint of Heart

Hunting Snapping Turtles Not for the Faint of Heart By Steve Weisman When many people hear the words snapping turtle, they cringe thinking about what that sharp, hook-shaped mouth could do to an unsuspecting finger! Yet there are individuals who relish the opportunity and the challenge of catching, cleaning and eating snapping turtles. At the […]

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Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund and its Impact on Iowa’s Natural Resources

Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund and its Impact on Iowa’s Natural Resources By Steve Weisman “Your License Dollars-YOUR LEGACY.” This statement sums up the impact that fishing, hunting and trapping license sales have for outdoor enthusiasts in Iowa. That’s right, 100 percent of license fees goes directly to the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, which […]

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