Trapping gun

[Kyle]

I was planning on using my .22 pellet rifle this season, but am re-thinking that now. It shoots ok groups at 40yds, and I'm not sure I want to mess around with skunks up close. I saw a guy on youtube that uses a .17hmr or a .22mag on lynx and pretty much anything thats not dead. I realize most of the animals I trap I will be able to walk up on, or at least thats what I've heard. I would like to carry something that I can reach out and touch skunks with at longer distance if need be. On top of it, my pellet rifle is really heavy...Good excuse to get something new maybe. Oh, and a pistol is out of the question because I'm not going to a permit to carry as I will be trapping on public lands as well as private.

What's your trapping gun of choice, and what do you think about my situation?

[K_Josh87]

a 17. hmr is a good critter getter gun... but shot selection may be needed for smaller critters to not blow them apart...

[swamptiger]

Quote:

Oh, and a pistol is out of the question because I'm not going to a permit to carry as I will be trapping on public lands as well as private.

You don't need a permit to carry if you're using it for trapping, as long as you keep it unloaded and in a case when you're driving.

But any light .22 will work.

[Random guy]

I use the good old .22, often with the low power rounds or "quite" loads. I have one that looks like it has been through a war, then drug back home for in the trapping boat. For dry land I carry a 10/22 ruger and love it. I even use it for the large K9's with a heart shot. Small hole in the hide, no exit and vey light. In fact I have been eyeballing the Rossi single shot youth .22...in pink so I do not lose it.

[Kyle]

I'm pretty sure you have to have a permit to carry any pistol on public lands...Unless there is special rules for trappers. If you know about this please elaborate. Thanks.

[Random guy]

I never leave the house without a a side arm on me and I no longer us it for trapping. With all the flopping, crawling, crouching and scrambling we do as trappers that short barrel tends to end up pointed at all kinds of bad stuff; such as feet or equipment. Not to mention a pistol in a trapping pack is just scary. I like the safety have having a longer barrel that is easier to control.

[swamptiger]

Quote:

I'm pretty sure you have to have a permit to carry any pistol on public lands...Unless there is special rules for trappers. If you know about this please elaborate. Thanks.

Quote:

Subd. 9.Carrying pistols about one's premises or for purposes of repair, target practice.

A permit to carry is not required of a person:

(1) to keep or carry about the person's place of business, dwelling house, premises or on land possessed by the person a pistol;

(2) to carry a pistol from a place of purchase to the person's dwelling house or place of business, or from the person's dwelling house or place of business to or from a place where repairing is done, to have the pistol repaired;

(3) to carry a pistol between the person's dwelling house and place of business;

(4) to carry a pistol in the woods or fields or upon the waters of this state for the purpose of hunting or of target shooting in a safe area; or

(5) to transport a pistol in a motor vehicle, snowmobile or boat if the pistol is unloaded, contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, or securely tied package.

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?year=2011&id=624.714#stat.624.714

But as Jonny said, I normally prefer to carry a lightweight .22 rifle, or just a good hardwood stick works too.

[Kyle]

Thanks for clearing on the pistol issue.

Does anyone think a .17hmr is too much?

The accuracy of the .17hmr is so inviting... .22LR's just have never excited me on the basis of accuracy..

[The Grebe]

Okay, things may have changed, since it's been a long while since I trapped, but I don't think it has changed that much. I used to use an old Stevens .22 bolt action single shot, a really lightweight gun that can get beat up on the trapline and still works just fine. Had a clothesline sling.

I would shoot CB caps, a little .22 bullet with less power then a short. I would walk up to a fox, coon, coyote, badger, and at about 2-3 feet I would draw an imaginary X between the ears and the eyes and 'pop', end of story.

On skunks I would stay a bit further away, maybe 10-15 feet, draw a bead and 'pop' end of skunk. Doesn't matter what you shoot a skunk with, or where you shoot him, he's gonna let loose some stink. If you drill him a good head shot, it usually will be retained in a real small area.

No exit holes with the CB caps, low noise, inexpensive, less power means it won't travel to far with a miss.