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Trapping With A Deluxe Package
I was recently in Texas and taught some really good people how to trap. We set up on a small farm of 67 acres. We took a typical Deluxe Package of traps and set up on the ranch. (See The Deluxe Trapping Package) My main concern was to show people how to use the traps. The area had raccoon, beaver, armadillos, but, no rabbits or squirrels.
We set 1 - # 330 conibear for beaver. We put it in a small dry drainage coming off the main stream, where the beaver were climbing up to feed on trees. (See Bridger Conibear Traps) (See Duke Conibear Traps) We set 4 - #220 conibears. 3 were over holes and 1 was over a baited hole.
We set 6 small game snares to show people how to use them for rabbits. (See Snares) Then 10 medium size snares for raccoons and coyotes. We set the last 6 - #110 conibears for rabbits and squirrels. There was very little rabbit and squirrel sign. My thought was more on teaching then actually catching animals. I wanted a good prime location to show how to use the traps. How to spot trails and read the land to find where the animals would normally be on a given terrain.
The class was to be held on Saturday morning, so we set up on Thursday and finished setting the traps on Friday. The goal was to make sure we had as much information as possible and to cover the different sets. On Friday we caught 1 - 50 pound beaver and an armadillo. The day of the class things went really well. We caught a 15 pound raccoon in a #220 conibear at the baited hole set. We also, caught another beaver, about 35 pounds and snared a 20 pound raccoon.
So in two days of checking traps, we caught 85 pounds of beaver, 35 pounds of raccoons and a 10 pounds of armadillo. That made for a rough weight of about 130 pounds of meat, fur, and bait. So, with just two days of trapping the deluxe kit was paid for. After that all the animals caught from the traps and snares would be free, as far as cost of the Deluxe Pack. What a great investment.
The funny part was neither the owner or the guy that help me knew the beavers were there. That was a lot of fur and meat that were not even considered because the people didn't know their area, or even consider that there might be beaver or raccoons around. The really interesting thing was the gentleman helping me came up with 5 reasons why trapping is so important.
5 Reasons Why Trapping Is Very Important
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1.) A valuable skill to provide food and fur for yourself and your family. |
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2.) The tools needed to protect your garden from night raiding animals. |
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3.) The tools and knowledge to protect your chickens and other livestock. |
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4.) A skill to learn and make cash for protecting other people's livestock. Or trapping nuisance animals for profit - going rate is $40.00 an animal. |
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5.) The fur can be tanned and processed into fur clothes (hats, mittens, liners for a vest and coats) - another way to make a profit. Some folks are making a good living doing this. |
Let's Take A Look At Each Reason
Just by running traps you can stretch your food budget and provide added meat and fur. How much is 85 pounds of beaver worth to you ? Some folks that just started trapping e-mailed and told me they like eating beaver better than venison.
If you are growing a garden, how are you going to work all day and stay up all night protecting your garden from the animals raiding it ? Raccoons, possums, skunks, ground hogs, gophers and moles will be raiding your garden and if you are depending on your crops you have to have a way to stop the raiding animals. (See Mole Traps) (See Gopher Traps) There is no better way then with traps working for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
If you are raising chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep or cattle, how are you going to protect them from predators ? Fox, coyotes, weasels, raccoons, skunks, possums, etc... will raid your livestock. Are you going to spend every minute guarding them ? You can't and still get work done. The only way you can protect them is with traps and snares. Predators don't care that you are depending on the food. You have to have a plan to stop them. I have trapped on farms where the farmers left 12 chickens outside overnight. The next day they had 2 left. The Coyotes came in the night and got them. In one night 10 chickens were gone.
Neighbors and other people will have the same problems. So, it is a very valuable skill to have to make a profit protecting their garden and livestock.
Last thing, fur garments. There is nothing in the world that lasts and keeps you warm as real fur does. The old trappers knew that store bought cotton clothes wear out in the bush. So, they made buckskins and fur coats, fur hats, and fur mittens. How much is a hat, gloves, or coat worth that will keep you warm in the harsh weather for years to come ? What a valuable skill to have and profit from.
One point that was proved to everyone was that the conibears produced the most fur and meat. I showed everyone a 20 year old # 110 conibear that I had bought back in the late 70's. (See BMI Conibear Traps) (See Bridger Conibear Traps) (See Duke Conibear Traps) The trap was still working and catching fur to this day. Talk about getting your money's worth out of equipment ! Plus, the #110 conibear, I feel is one of the best muskrat and mink traps ever made.
Just remember that you have to check the game laws in your state. Some states require a special license for nuisance control work.
The #220 conibear is the homestead trap. This is the perfect trap to protect your garden from all the raiding animals. Raccoons, opossum, skunks, and ground hogs all will be flattened using this trap. I would not be without this valuable trap to protect my garden.
With the #330 conibear a lot of people ask, "What do I need this big trap for ?" Well, just like the beginning of this article the owner didn't know the beavers were there ? Wouldn't you hate to have not bought the traps then find out there is a nice population of beaver and you can't trap them ? What about protecting your pond from otters ? Otters can and do come into fish ponds and eat several pounds a fish in one night. How are you going to protect them ? The #330 conibear is the perfect answer.
My videos have been reviewed by many people and all love the thought of getting 25 years of trapping experience to show you how to use the traps. (See Videos) These videos will greatly reduce your learning curve and give you a chance to place the traps out with confidence.
Buckshot
