Trap line pictures.

[Brandon Yuchasz]

Something a bit different then duck hunting. I spend a lot of time trapping in the fall. This year I plan to get after coons on the ponds I have nesting structures on but for now I have been targeting other fur.


I know how much you all like pictures so here are a few from the other day.

This guy had been sticking around this pond and escaped a few times. This time he had two friends along with him. They managed to get away but the leaders wasn't so lucky.

This is always a nice site when you get to the last trap on the line.

I will try to keep taking pictures for all of you stuck in the office throughout the season.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Brandon,

Nice beaver set. I hope that's one of the "newer" style 330's with the safety release clips on the spring eyes. Those are some powerful springs. Do you use a setting tool or just muscle them down when compressing each spring? I always just squeezed them by hand but some days were easier than others. Only got smacked once in a while. hehe

 

[Rutgers]

Nice pics brandon. You still have timberdoodles up there? What kind of numbers? None here.

 

[Brandon Yuchasz]

Dave,

Those are the 330's with the spring safety on them. Problem is I like to set mine with the trigger on the bottom which as you probably know means as soon as you set the trap in place the safety falls off and arms the trap. I use a safety device on it that clips on the jaw until you are done but I cant find it this year so I am playing with live traps while placing them !!!!

I dont use setters they always scare me like they will slip while I am trying to get the safety clips on. I use a piece of rope to power them down into place. Have you every set them that way. Nice and easy and the best part is the tool is light


Rutgers,

That was actually taken last week mid week. I did see several birds while in th woods but I have to think they all pushed out since then. I will let you know if I see any this week I plan to chase Pats atleast once this week. Have to check the regs on timberdoodles since I think they close soon or may have already.

 

[P.G. Ross]

Nice work on Mr. Bucky! My favorite set used to be the "scent mound". I'd cut the castor and oil glands out and dry them, then grind them up with some glycerin (from the drug store) and make a nice paste. Make a scent mound and put some of this goo on and funnel them into a partially submerged 330 (this was legal in Alabama) with a few logs and the local beavers would go crazy! Nearly every one I caught would be pushing mud, leaves or small sticks in an effort to cover up my mound and mark it as their own.

I had a trapper in Alabama show me how to set the 330's by hand using your thigh for leverage and putting both hands and your weight into compressing the spring. I have no idea how to articulate it correctly, but it's possible. I was working in areas with otters (which were a non-target since I was working for the Feds on beaver control), so I set triggers on top all the way to one side if any of the trap was above the water line. I'd only set triggers on the bottom for dive sets. Although, below water and upside down is the most dangerous way to set those traps. I have to admit, I finally went to snares on drowning sets. Cheaper, safer for me and easier to pack into a trapline. Whole new ballgame, but very rewarding when done correctly.

Keep it up and teach a youngster when you get a chance! PG

 

[Huntindave McCann]

I had a trapper in Alabama show me how to set the 330's by hand using your thigh for leverage and putting both hands and your weight into compressing the spring.

P.G. and Brandon,

Thats the method I used but some of mine still had the closed spring eyes. If you got "pinched" you were wearing the trap home unless you had a partner. If you were alone, you had better make dang sure you could always reach your cutters to cut the anchor wire or cable so you could go home.

 

[P.G. Ross]

Dave,

You're right about that! I used to keep a piece of rope in my pack just in case, but luckily never had to use it. All the 330's I used had the safety catch on the springs too like you describe. I don't get to trap any nowadays, but it's cool to talk about it with you guys!

PG

 

[Rutgers]

I talked to a guy at the NTA show a few years ago who was modifying some 330's by cutting them in half, and widening them by welding a piece in between. He was checking one in the shop and it fired on BOTH of his hands. Best I rember the story, he was able to urn on the bench grinder with his elbow, and cut it off. Said it was over a year before he got the feeling back in his fingers.

I've only managed to snap myself bad twice. Once in a 1 3/4 I 4 coiled with no 2 music wire springs, easy to get out of but left my fingertips stinging for a week and black and blue fingernails. The other was in a BMI 120. For a little trap, that thing HURT! Tried to pull out, nope! Ended up walking back to the truck to get the setters to get it off. Not much pain afterwards from that one.