trapping

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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Bobcat Trapping

Bobcat Trapping By Larry Sills Catching a bobcat in a foot hold trap in Iowa involves unique methods. It allows the trapper to use his/her imagination more than any other land type set. Also if you want big dollars for your one cat Iowa limit, hold off on setting your traps until after December 20th […]

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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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Bridge Hopping for Spring Beaver

Bridge Hopping for Spring Beaver By JD Rogge Late January brings an end of season for the majority of Iowa’s fur bearers; the lone outlier is beaver. Beaver provide opportunities for the motivated trapper to take fur well into April. Spring beaver trapping not only provides trappers with more outdoor opportunities, but helps secure permission […]

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Snaring Coyotes on Edges & Points

Snaring Coyotes on Edges & Points By Joshua Jones It was January 2nd, 2008. My trapping partner, Justin Garrison, was riding with me headed toward a new farm we had just acquired to trap on and we knew it held coyotes. We turned onto the paved road that lead to the property and did what […]

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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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Fur Market Struggles During Uncertain World Events

Fur Market Struggles During Uncertain World Events By Troy Hoepker 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 […]

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Getting Started Trapping

Getting Started Trapping By Troy Hoepker 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 had a spot that looked promising. A flat set and two dirt hole sets scattered about 40 […]

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