1Shooter Trapping 2010

[1Shooter]

My first non-live trap was this big 'ol possum in a #220 bucket set. I'm from ND and haven't seen or heard of any possum around there, so I think it's neat to see my first trap in SD had a possum in it. Tuna and bacon/hamburger grease did him in. Does a guy skin these out and try to sell them at the furbuyer or are they kind of a garbage fur?

[Jerry Hunsley]

Generally they are in the Eastern and Southeastern part of the State. Just in the last 5yrs. or so, we are seeing more all the time out here in Centrall S.D. I'm guessing in a few more years you will be seeing them in all of S.D.

[bucksnbears]

good catch shooter. i hear there bringing big $$$ this year. call Dusty at the fur shed

[lyonch]

Some guys skin them, but i think most toss them. I personally want nothing to do with those ugly things. That is a great predator to take out because they are so hard on nesting birds. There are a 100 million opinions out there when it comes to trigger placement on a conibear, but i personally bend them so each one points at the bottom corner of the trap and looks like a upside down V. Congrats on the first kill!! Now another addiction begins

[LeviM]

LOL

Nice catch

[1Shooter]

I called the Fur Shed and it doesn't sound like possums are worth much. I'll probably skin it out anyway to get some more practice at fleshing though. Blizzarding out today, so I've got a good excuse to be in the garage away from the wind I don't have a fleshing beam at the moment. Would it be better to freeze the pelt after skinning and wait until I get a fleshing beam or would it be worth my time trying to flesh it on a piece of cardboard laid out on the garage floor?

[1Shooter]

Yesterday afternoon my fiance and I set out 2 snares and 2 conibears targeting a beaver I've seen around. Found some trails and holes that looked like it had been using to get back to the water. Made one bucket set with a #220 and set another #220 over a hole away from the water. I wired a corn cob at the back of the bucket for bait and found this coon in my bucket set this afternoon. Nice average size boar.

[Daryl]

Nice work bud..

[bucksnbears]

good for you shooter. glad to see your still at it. how does that rifle shoot.

[1Shooter]

Thanks guys It shoots really well when I can shake the coyote fever I had a shot at one this last Saturday when Daryl and I went out but I must have been too excited to keep the crosshairs on it I brought my Dad's reloading equipment back to school with me. He hasn't used it in probably 20-30 years but everything should still work, just need to get a .22-250 die, some powder, primers and some insight to get me started and I should be able to work up a good load for it.

[LeviM]

Nice work on the raccoon, how long is coon season open for you where your at? Just curious, here in MN it closed March 15th

[Prairie Ghost]

Way to go on the coon. Coyote Fever is a good thing when you quit getting excited is when it's time to worry.

[1Shooter]

Levi, here in SD I can trap fox, badger, raccoon, skunk, opossum, jackrabbit and coyote year-round, statewide.

[RandyRoede]

1shooter, we have some restrictions near water you may want to check that out.

[1Shooter]

Do you mean the "if the jaw spread is 8" or greater then the lower jaws have to be fully submerged in the water" reg.? I looked it up and it says the Duke #220 conibears have a 7" jaw spread. Isn't this alright or am I missing something? I don't want to make a bad name for myself and other trappers, so please tell me if I did/do something wrong! Here's a link to the Duke Traps website with jaw spread listings for body-grip traps: http://www.duketraps.com/4body/bodytrap.html