Looks Like its Time to Pick Up

After 30 days of skunk trapping with no baits or lures that produced 8 skunks, 7 little ones and mom, it was time to pick up, job completed with no non-targets.

Likewise, after 36 days of groundhog trapping it was time to give it a rest.  The last stretch had gone about two weeks before the last catch.  The total was 6 chucks and one opossum.  Four of the chucks were big ones, the last of which the biggest of the bunch taken on the last day, day 36.  Hanging in there proved to be profitable for the trapper and worthwhile for the client, again all taken without using any baits or lures.

New York State Trappers Convention, Herkimer, Labor Day Weekend / Bobcat Traps

Judy and I will be set up in the center of the main building where we have been in past years.   I will be giving a demo on Saturday at 1:00 on Cages and Cage Trapping.

This is the first year that we have taller wire trigger, powered door bobcat/fox traps.  Over the winter we made some single and a number of double door traps in a new angled powered ring door design and also came up with a bi-fold door bobcat trap.  The angled ring door traps can be made to order in both height and width in many combinations to suit.  Though we have made some nesting sets of single and double door bi-fold door traps, we are working on simplification to make them easier to produce.  The bi-fold door design has received a positive response as this is the first cage trap that has neither a door that sticks up high above the body of the trap nor a door that protrudes in front of the trap, making the traps easier both to conceal and also to cover to keep them out of rough weather, snow and or ice.  The powered door means fast closing, while the unique double lock at middle and bottom means your catch will be there when you arrive.  With no pan to clog or freeze down, this trigger will work as well in a few inches of snow as it does on bare ground.

Look forward to seeing everyone at the show.  

More Patience

It's now been 21 days since the skunk location with all the little ones was set.  We picked up one skunk the first night and pulled the traps as we were going out to town.  About 6 days later we dropped the traps back in place, in front of the den and in a pathway.  At present all sets are in pathways, 2 next to the den.  The total is now 8 skunks, the last caught just this morning.  At least we know our "bait" is effective, since we don't use any.  We will continue until the catching ceases to catch whatever is there.

Testimonial on Groundhogs and Comstock Cages

"The traps that I have are seeing a lot of use.  They are performing well and we really do like them.  Let Jim know that I took a lot of his advice to heart, and we are racking-up the groundhogs!"

Scott, Michigan

Of course we offer great traps, but something not found many places today, one on one assistance.  We are more than happy to help at any time with suggestions coming from not only our experiences, but the collective experience of many who use our gear.

Patience, The Key Ingredient for Successful Trapping

Recently I set a couple of traps for woodchucks that had eaten a section of a flower garden.  I set two positive sets, double door 9x11 Comstock Cages in two intermittently used den hole openings under the house.  For 12 days there was no activity, nothing.  Day 13 produced a small chuck, indicating there were likely several more young as litters of 4 are common.  With another non productive stretch, day 19 produced two more, this time a large and a small one.  Day 21 was good for another large chuck.  Again, day 23 was another winner, a slammer big chuck.  Total for 23 days, 5 chucks, 3 big chucks and 2 small.

Chucks and skunks are dispersing, finding new territory.  The young are big enough to move around on their own.  I have been working on a skunk location simultaneously and the total now is 7 small ones.  Skunks can have large litters, 5-9 common, so this should be about the end of the little guys.

All of these 12 animals, as usual, were taken either in den openings or in travel ways near the den, positive and trail sets, without bait or lure.  Better yet, there have been no non-targetted animals captured.  Additionally, the traps required no maintenance.  Once the prime location is set, it's just a function of time until the animals return, patience with the confidence in knowing what you doing is spot on.  

Chipmunk Catch

The other day I went out to the shop and noticed I had caught a chipmunk in a swing panel trap.  Not unusual, except that though the trap had a peanut in it, left over from a job, the trap had been left unset.  With the angled doors closed and bait inside, the chipmunk had forced his way in even with spring tension.  This has happened before to others, but the first time it happened to me.  The door tension can be varied by either size of the spring or where it is fastened to the door, a quick change.  With light tension it is possible that multiple catches could be made as long as there is still some bait present after the first catch is made.

National Trappers Convention / New York Convention

Judy and I just returned from the National Trappers Convention near Buffalo in Hamburg, N.Y.  Even with a light turnout for the show, primarily due to low fur prices, by the evening of the first day we had sold out just about everything, including a dozen beaver traps, the large 12x18x39.  We only returned with a few prototype traps so that we could duplicate them.
 
There was very good interest in the bifold door bobcat trap that folds up against the roof of the trap with no external components.  We have made the bifold in both single and double door models in various sizes, even nesting sets of 3.  The bifold door stays neatly out of the way and does not stick up above the trap like a guillotine door or  hang out in front like a drop door.  With power, like all of the traps we make, it fires, closes and locks at both middle and bottom.

We have also made a Type 2 bobcat trap with angled powered ring doors, using a similar design to produce single and double door traps in 8x8, 10x10, 10x11, and 12x12.

Hope to see everyone in Herkimer at the New York State Convention.