raccoon

Finish Your Trapline Strong
Finish Your Trapline Strong By JD Rogge Trapping season in Iowa begins each year on the first Saturday of November at 8AM, and runs through until the last day of January. On opening day trappers take to the fields, creeks, and ditches in numbers, excitement is high, and trappers are working hard to fill their […]
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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 […]
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The Basics of Trapping
The Basics of Trapping By Mike Sells With the recent rise in the price for raw fur, many of you may be considering starting a trap line. It is an excellent way to keep active in the outdoors and generate some extra income. In this article I will explain the basic skills required to catch […]
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Cold Weather Raccoon Water Trapping
Cold Weather Raccoon Water Trapping By Chris Pohl Trapping in the late part of the season most generally means much colder temperatures along with frozen ground and lots of ice for most of Iowa. A lot of folks choose to pull their trap lines and pursue other interests when the weather takes a down turn, […]
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Preparing for Trapping Season
Preparing for Trapping Season By Troy Hoepker When October rolls around and that cool fall air begins to hit it always instills the insatiable desire to hunt and trap. With only a few hunting seasons open in Iowa, one of the best ways to try and scratch the itch is beginning the preparations for the […]
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10 Tips to a Successful Snareline
10 Tips to a Successful Snareline By JD Rogge I began my trapping career in the fall of 1984 at age ten, while growing up in a small town in Cherokee county Iowa. I could be found each morning after the first Saturday of November with a large tattered backpack on my back, stuffed full […]
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Summer Prep for Trapping Season Success
Summer Prep for Trapping Season Success By Dan Turner A successful trapper never stops learning or pursuing to be more successful. And a successful trapper is an efficient trapper. As I think about some of my first years trapping, I remember putting down a bunch of traps, driving a bunch of miles, and using up […]
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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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2021-22 Fur Market Report
2021-22 Fur Market Report By Troy Hoepker As my pickup rolled to a stop I detected movement a quarter-mile away near the creek crossing in my pasture. A quick glance through the binoculars confirmed a fox desperately engaged in a tug-of-war with the chain attached to the trap gripping his leg at one of my […]
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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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