My first full Season

[Gun]

Just a report of my first trapping season on my own.

About 4 years ago I met a trapper who showed me how to catch coyotes. I was interested in thinning them out on some of my hunting spots so spring fawns would have a better chance of survival. Over the next couple of seasons we averaged between 15-22 coyotes on 3 of my hunting spots.

I grew up in Wisconsin and used to trap Racoons and Muskrats after school in the 60's. Back then I would get $5-6 for a large coon if I skinned and stretched it. I would get another $1.00 for the carcass but I had to leave the feet on. My Grandmother worked in a sewing factory and the African/American ladies she worked with would pay me for the carcasses but they wanted to make sure that it wasn't a dog or cat they were getting. Every once in a while I would catch a Possum in a set. I would get a$1 for their hide and $2 for that carcass.

[Gun]

Spring of 2017 I took Trapper Gord's course so I could go on my own.

I hurt my shoulder and neck at work in August last year and was forced into early retirement at the end of November.

I got some snares, bait, and gear together by mid December. I got permission on 4 spots plus one close to home. My route covered about 60km round trip and the other spot close by I would alternate.

I couldn't skin them my self because of the damage to my right hand and was able to find someone to process my fur for a reasonable fee.

I had quite a few triple days but I was hoping for more.....

[Gun]

I was hoping for a day that I would catch more than 3. Then one day I had these....

[Gun]

I quit after the snow got too deep for my Frontier. I walked in the half mile to pull my last sets on February 2nd. I ended up with 3 more under a blanket of snow.

[Gun]

Here is a pix of some of my catch just before they went for Auction on friday.
Thanks for looking

[bushbug]

Nice looking dogs goodjob

[sage 13]

Originally Posted by Gun

Here is a pix of some of my catch just before they went for Auction on friday.
Thanks for looking

Great picture, congrats on your season.

[Shooty]

Nice story and good write. On the left side of top row it looks like a really big yote to me.

[Gun]

Thanks everyone. Its fun! Brought back a lot of fun childhood memories.

Thanks Phil for getting me started.

Also Kurt for some good tips and taking me out on your line.

Gerald and Brian for teaching me a bit about fur quality.

Shooty, I had a couple of big Males and Females. (At least it seemed to what I averaged) I weighed one at just under 40#. That may be him. Not sure how big coyotes get in Alberta. I was following a trapping thread of a guy in West Virginia that is snaring some in the mid to upper 40# range.

I learned a lot and tried out a few ideas I thought of.