Coyote Trapping School Podcast

In this episode I review some of the recent state fur auctions and discuss how the dreaded Coronavirus is or may affect the market, its having global impacts that will likely go on for several months it looks like. Overall the fur market looks about the same as it has the last few years. I touch on several somewhat southern sales and the coyote prices compared to what we hear about the high coyote prices. In general though, I'm not worried about what the market is doing, I'm a trapper and I'm going to keep on trapping as long as I can.

If you're interested in a beavertail wallet or have some southern mink please email me at [email protected]

Also, be sure to support our sponsors, Kaatz Brothers Lures, www.kaatzbros.com

In this episode I look back over this past trapping season, they seem to take forever to get here yet pass by so quickly. Overall I didn't hit this season quite as hard as past seasons, but I had a few things going on too. I did make a trapping trip to west Texas, which was a blast. And for the home trapline I made great use of the Onx Hunt app, https://www.onxmaps.com/. I also changed up a few of my trapline methods after reading and watching some of Clint Locklear's videos, here's a link to a really good deal on a bundle pack, https://wolfernation.com/pcgstore2/index.php?route=product/product&path=64&product_id=97.

As always be sure to stock up on your bait, lure, and other supplies from our sponsors, Kaatz Bros, www.kaatzbros.com. They've got quality products and get them shipped out quickly!

In this episode I discuss some of my recent thinking, in line with Clint Locklear's Mindset of a Professional book. While I'm working on growing a nuisance trapping business and trying to get my coyote catch numbers up, it really has hit home that you've got to have a different mindset than just hobby trapping. For one, as a nuisance trapper you've got to look and act like a professional. Pros aren't forgetting items and cobbling things together on the fly. They have an efficient system and all their tools and equipment lined out and in order.

Maybe next season I can show some success with this mindset, we'll see! As always be sure to support our sponsors Kaatz Bros Lures www.kaatzbros.com for all your trapping needs!

This is a quick episode but I think a valuable one, Kaatz Bros has a great page on their site detailing what glands they buy and how much they pay. Of course all prices are subject to change, but this is a great resource for trappers to quickly check and get an idea of if they think it would be worth it for them to save glands for their catch. In general I'd say if you are catching big numbers of a particular species, then it is likely worthwhile saving the glands to sell or trade with a trapping supply dealer.

Here is a link the the Kaatz Bros page - https://www.kaatzbros.com/reports/glands-essence-castor-and-carcasses-wanted/

Also be sure to check out their DVDs on how to get the most out of your catches particularly where glands are concerned - https://www.kaatzbros.com/product/glands-a-trappers-commodity-dvd-with-kyle-kaatz/

And finally here is a video I did showing how to remove coyote glands - https://youtu.be/_v4dEaTcC30

In looking through my analytics for the website and podcast I noticed that one of the most searched topics has been choosing the best coyote trap. In this podcast I discuss some of the different options and how one might go about picking the best trap. There are multiple good options out there, but in my opinion there are a few things that a new trapper can look for that might help their overall catch, especially early on. One of the most notable things in my opinion is a night latch, which can be invaluable for getting that pan set just right.

Of course, your local law may dictate how much trap you can use and that should always be referenced, here is a link to a page on my website. Simply click your state on the map and it will take you to your state's trapping regulations - https://www.coyotetrappingschool.com/resources/

In this episode I dig into a pretty detailed question I got in from a listener who is having issues with coyotes and fox consistently working his dirtholes from the sides, appearing to avoid the trap pattern. He lines out several ideas that he thinks may be possible causes and I address those and give my own opinions on what may be going on and some approaches to try and correct the issue. Using game cameras at your sets is a catch 22, it gives you a lot of insight into what the critters are actually doing, but most of the time that insight isn't what you want to see!

In this episode a post about pan covers sparks a discussion on how I think about things and how thinking from a different perspective can be beneficial. Also looking at the source of information and determining how credible or useful it might be. Specifically I'm talking about steel screen pan covers. Everyone has their own opinion and they vary widely, but I'm giving them a try, not necessarily because I'm not satisfied with the polyfil pan covers I've been using, but the potential additional benefits the steel screen could provide. Its going to take some time and experience to determine if there is a legitimate benefit but that is what trapping, and life, for that matter is all about. If you're curious about something, don't just take someone elses word for it, try it for yourself and see. That's the only way you can be really sure.

To me the potential additional benefits to steel screen aside from just acting as a pan cover is 1- increased kill area inside the jaws of the trap and 2- increase trap operability in wet weather situations. Both of these are yet to be determined but I'm anxious to try and see if either of these turns out to work as others say they do.

These heavy black steel screen pan covers can be order through O'Gorman Enterprises or Keg Creek Bait and Lure - http://stores.kegcreekbaits-lures.com/products.php?product=Heavy-Steel-Black-Coated-Screen

This is a short episode but this DVD with Randy Smith is definitely worth watching if you want to be a serious coyote trapper. There's nothing special that Randy does, just a simple system repeated over and over. One of the really impressive things he shows is how he skins coyotes on the trapline. He flat snatches the hide off!

This is an episode I recorded several months ago with Jeremiah Wood of Trappingtoday.com. We cover a wide variety of trapping topics and discuss the current season. Always good talking to fellow trappers! If you haven't listened to Jeremiah's podcast be sure to subscribe to the Trapping Today Podcast too.

In today's podcast my son "Chief" sits down with me and we talk a little about otter trapping. Chief always keeps things interesting, and sometimes makes me lose my train of thought, but he is never at a loss for words! This episode is a little bit shorter than usual but I hope you still get something out of it, its good entertainment if nothing else!

Be sure to support our sponsors Kaatz Bros Lures – www.kaatzbros.com Use the code pope5 at checkout for $5 off your order of $20 or more! (this deal is good through December 31, 2019)