Take this year to learn

[redneck]

With the fur prices down this is the year to trap to learn.

 

We have a new tool.  we have old tools.  This is the year to go back to basics and re-group and make yourself a better trapper.

Many years ago maybe 1981 or there abouts I was at a convention sitting at the booth with Bud Boda talking about whatever we was, I can't remember but I do remember a statement he said to me. He said,  Ron Every 5 years I go back to basics.  No matter how good I am doing or how good I think I am doing I take the 5th year and go back to basics.  I remember asking him WHY?  He said in that time frame the critters will have changed a little in habits and behaviors just because of population densities up or down, land changes both manmade and natural. and many other factors. He said I take this year to study the critters again.  But the most important is he proceeded to say is that I have picked up bad or unproductive habits  without knowing it or have fallen into a form of rut trapping that affects my productivity.  I remember asking do you see you catch less? That why you do this? He said no I see I am not catching more!!!!!!!

 

That conversation stayed with me for a few years with not much impact.  I was doing a wildlife control show and Pete Askins was on the other side of the room with the Woodstream booth. I Knew Pete from the many shows we did together, so when time was slow I would go over to him or vise versa.  My wife would say you two talk like old ladies LOL  Anyway back to the right rabbit trail, I was asking him something about a problem I was having with what I can't remember, but I do remember his statement to me.  The statement was Ron I can't tell you what you're doing wrong but if you go back to basics you will figure it out that is for sure!!!!!!!!

 

You know ever since then Every 5 years or so, that is what I do, I go back to basics.    Most of you are lucky in that the fur check is not your source of income, it is not a make or break issue, it is a time of enjoyment fun and time in the woods, But for me, my livelihood is based on not what I THINK I KNOW, but in fact what I really get done.   No catch, no solving the problem, no pay. So I look at this with a little more intensity than most of you LOL  But with that being said The lessons I have learned from doing this going back to basics can still help you the fur trapper. 

 

So this year take the time and go after learning rather than numbers.

 

1.  At every set before you set the trap whatever tool you are using, ask yourself, when will this set make a catch?  the answer on time is not important, but if the answer is I wonder if it will make a catch, you need to look into the why you are making that set!!!  Is it to learn something? or is it just because you want to set it there?  you may learn that sets like that is a waste of time and tools in seasons when productivity is needed.

 

2.   Are You picking location based on the method you like, or are you picking method based on location the critters are at?    Many trappers find a method that works and that is what they do. Nothing wrong with that.  By using only one or two methods speed and effectiveness is achieved But learning stops.  This is what we call Rut trapping.  Sure the trapper may be catching numbers, but they are limiting themself. how much more productive can they be by using the methods based on location rather than location based on method.

 

3. Study the critters.   Now is the time to just sit back and watch. with the trail cameras the new trapper has an advantage I didn't have way back when. take a set and put the camera on vid mode and watch a set see what is really happening.  see how they react to the tool and baits and lure strategies. By doing this many years ago I would watch coon and critters working cages this is how I came up with my baiting strategies.  I get calls every week from all over the country asking me how to do this or do that ?  I always ask the person what is the critter telling you to do?

 

4. Experiment and break rules in these times of low prices!!!!!!    Yeah I can hear you perfectionist now LOL  That's right I said break rules!!!!!  I think you may find that a lot of the so called rules was made by folks that are trapping in a Rut rather than the rule being made by the critter.  I catch more critters in a year than most of you will in 5 fur seasons  and I break more golden rules than you can think of LOL  and I will be showing this tomorrow and Sunday in the Advanced trapping school.  They are animals  not GOD's  If you make one smart so what they pay the same for the dumb as the smart use the smart to teach you.

 

5. HAVE FUN AND LEARN    There is a reason that a Good trapper in the top elite of the outdoorsmen and women.  they have to see everything and know the critters inside and out. not only the targets but the non targets so they can avoid them.   Never Come to the place where you think you know it. you DON'T  I have been trapping for 46 years now wildlife control for 36 years now and every day I learn something.  and always look to learn.

 

so take this challenge from me this year go back to basic's

 

There is a very fine line between a good trapper and a real good trapper the good trap does what needs to be done when they see they need to do it!!!!!  the real good trapper does what they need to do before they see they need to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited November 21, 2015 by redneck

[rgw]

great post

[rgw]

by the way is their a , place on line where I can order some of your lures and baits

[Haskell_Hunter]

Awesome post!

 

 

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[Kype]

i heard that this year was going to be bad. thats a shame, but fur market fluctuates like everything else. great post redneck. this is definitely a year for learning. once again, good luck to all trappers heading out with year. best of luck. kype 

[redneck]

rgw my web has a lot of the stuff on it minus the calls. most folks call me and place a order, some email me for a email catalog and then order by e mail or call. I like to have folks call as we can talk I can find out what the person wants or needs but most importantly get to know the folks for better service. Thanks for the kind words.

[Silver Belly62]

Great post Redneck, always time to learn something new 

Edited November 21, 2015 by Silver Belly62