trapping

Whitetails 365: September – Setting the Trap for Success

Whitetails 365: September – Setting the Trap for Success 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 someday […]

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 […]

‘Rats and ‘Coons: Tried and True Sets

‘Rats and ‘Coons: Tried and True Sets As a long time trapper it is great to see a bit of resurgence in the sport over the last few years. While trapping took a hit during the late 80’s and all through the 90’s and 00’s it appears that many trappers are getting back into the […]

How to Trap Badgers: A Targeted Approach

How to Trap Badgers: A Targeted Approach Why Badgers are Rarely Targeted on Traplines I was sitting on the phones at work one day getting bored with no one answering the phone and having read every trapper magazine and book I could get my hands on, I got to thinking about writing some kind of […]

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 […]

Trapping Ol’ Bucktooth

Trapping Ol’ Bucktooth Beaver, by far, are some of my favorite animals to trap. For the most part, they aren’t that difficult to locate. They leave quite a bit of tell-tale signs. I have yet to have a farmer tell me that he didn’t want beaver removed from his property. So getting access to trap […]

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 […]

Mink Trapping Secrets: 5 Sets to Catch More Mink

The Elusive Mink Why is it that many trappers can catch truck loads full of coon but only a few mink? Is it because they make sets that aren’t attractive to a mink or is it the way the trap is set so they miss the short legged animal? The male mink can get up […]

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