trapping

Raccoon Calling 101

Raccoon Calling 101: Sounds, Setups, and Strategies Several years ago, when I was dating my now husband, Nathan, he asked me if I wanted to go raccoon calling with him. We loved being outdoors, and most of our time spent together revolved around fishing, target shooting, and hunting. When he asked about raccoon calling, I […]

Basic Trapping Tactics

Basic Trapping Tactics 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 […]

Preparing for Trapping Season

Preparing for Trapping Season 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 upcoming trapping season. […]

Fur Market Struggles During Uncertain World Events

Fur Market Struggles During Uncertain World Events Covid 19 shutdowns in China, Russia’s savage invasion of Ukraine, oversupply and limited demand have all created the perfect storm to leave the fur market struggling to see an optimistic future this year. Uncertainty is the best word to describe current conditions on the global stage. Covid 19 […]

Getting Started Trapping

Getting Started Trapping The coyote traps went in the ground last year about ten days into November. After seeing lots of sign, and capturing pictures on the trail camera of multiple coyotes traveling through. I finally had a spot that looked promising. A flat set and two dirt hole sets scattered about 40 feet apart […]

Summer Prep for Trapping Season Success

Summer Prep for Trapping Season Success 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 lots of hours […]

2021-22 Fur Market Report

2021-22 Fur Market Report 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 dirt hole sets. […]

The History of the Fur Trade in Iowa: Part Two

The History of the Fur Trade in Iowa: Part Two Last month we chronicled the early beginnings of the first fur traders to enter Iowa lands in the late 1600’s and the development of the fur trade from then until after the Revolutionary War. In this month’s edition we move forward from the year 1800 […]

The History of the Fur Trade in Iowa: Part One

The History of the Fur Trade in Iowa: Part One Picture it in your imagination if you possibly can? The year is 1685 and after painstakingly securing supplies and food your trek began in Montreal. Once ready, you managed to navigate the waters of the Ottawa River until it opened wide into the cold waters […]