1st ever traps set

[ironman]

Well, for as long as I can remember I've wanted to trap. Nobody in my family ever trapped...nobody I knew trapped. Except for a buddy of mine who I met a year ago..although he doesn't currently trap. Well, went to fleet farm today and bought and watched a trapping dvd, went back to ff and purchased four #1 cs's. Made four river bank sets for mink..hopefully and maybe rats. No bait just along some travel routes against steep narrow banks. We will see...I'm pretty stoked. Wish me luck. I'm pretty sure I'm picking up a new addiction.

[Andrewsdad]

Best of luck to you. I used to trap when I was in high school and a little bit in college Then I moved up to the cities, got a job and didn't have the time to do it anymore. It is a ton of fun and someday I will get back into it. Be sure to post how you are doing. What area are you trapping in?

[ironman]

Well, at 34 I'm not getting any younger although I feel confindent physically to really enjoy it so I felt it was no time like the present. I live in Mahtomedi, but I decided to try a stretch of the Rum river for my first try. I found this spot earlier this year fishing for smallies and saw an abundance of sign along the banks. It is a bit of a drive but then it seems everything I do outdoors..hunting, fishing, etc. is better the further away from home i get unfortunately.

I'll definetely post a report and hopefully maybe a pic of four mink in four sets....yeah right!!

[fishermann222]

Glad you are picking it up, we need more trappers out there who do it for the enjoyment of the sport, and to pass it on to the younger generation.

Did you dye and wax your traps?

[troutmaster]

also if your looking for more info, try the trapperman HSOforum, tons of good info from experienced trappers on there.

[chucker34]

Good luck! Be sure to post what you get.

[ironman]

well, checked em out today...zilch. I let them sit another night. Didn't see much in the way of new sign, so I hope they just havn't come down that way yet and didn't go around or something like that. Tried to sweetin the deal alittle today...kicked up a clam and baited the sites. If nothing tomorrow time to pick up and try some other spots out.

[walleye101]

If you are setting for mink you may want to be a little more patient. They can make a pretty wide loop and especially the males may not be back through the same area for a few days. If there is sign there I would give them 4-5 days for sure.

Good luck.

[ironman]

I checked them again tonight and nothing...I would have left them but I wont be around for a few days thanks to the holidays so I pulled em. If I read the regs right you are supposed to check footholds everyday, correct? Anyways, turkey day is in Fargo for me and I've already planned to either hunt or ice fish...depending on ice of course around Detroit Lakes. So I'm going to study some maps and set a few traps on Thursday morning on our way to Fargo when I run through the area I plan to hunt/fish. That way when I go back on Friday after my outing I'll check and pull traps before the ride home. Going to need a bit of luck but..what the heck...cant catch anything if you dont set traps somewhere right? Have a good Thanksgiving.

[walleye101]

correct on the check times for footholds. Nice to see you are starting out right. Hope you have some good luck soon, but don't get discouraged.

[psegriz]

You are right on the footholds unless they are set up to drown them then it's every 2 days and if underneath the ice then 3 days.