Bruces Trapline

[trapperguy22]

Way to go Bruce! Put up looks great also!!!

[saylean]

Cool pics Bruce. 

[Humptulips]

Well, I was kicking myself today. Had some good picture material and forgot the camera. I had a live otter today. Most of my sets are under water but I had one dryland otter set I've been checking. Really a great spot in years past. I can't count the number of otter I've taken there over the years. I haven't trapped there since 99 though.
Here's the trap I took it out of. As you can see it's damaged pretty bad but quite patchable. I'm thinking for dryland sets 1x2 wire is not going to cut the mustard. need some 1x1.



The guy on the right is the culprit. Want to guess which one is bigger?

[WSU]

I'm curious what rivers you trap otters in?  I see them fairly regularly fishing out your way and am curious if you trap them in bigger rivers?  Would info on where I see them be helpful?

[Humptulips]

I'm curious what rivers you trap otters in?  I see them fairly regularly fishing out your way and am curious if you trap them in bigger rivers?  Would info on where I see them be helpful?

Always nice to hear where people see otter but I think they are pretty well distributed. More of them near tidewater I would say.
I trap close to home mostly now. Humptulips, Quinault, Copalis and some of the smaller streams that run direct into saltwater but all north of Grays harbor.
Farthest north I ever got was the Hoh but that was before cage traps. I'm still relearning my line after a 12 year hiatus because of I-713. probably won't get to all that I used to trap.
One thing I have noticed with the cage traps is how much more time consuming it is. I have a hard time taking care of much more then 12 traps in a day. I started out with 7 cat sets out and I had to give up on all but a couple because I just don't have the time. Right now I have 33 swimthroughs out and  2 cat sets.
Beaver are scarse as hens teeth so I'm mostly am setting for otter.

[WSU]

Sounds good.  I will shoot you a PM when I see some.  I've seen them on the lower Hump, the Satsop, and the Nooch.  Like you said, it seems like there are some everywhere.

[Humptulips]

I've been catching something every day but with the water dropping the water line went dead today. Someone up there must be looking out for me though because my two dryland sets came through for me. Caught these two today. The cat is a female and not very good color but I'll take it.
I need to remember to take the camera with me. I keep forgetting it at home.

[Machias]

        Camera Bruce!!  Congrats you are kicking butt this year!

[onetrapper]

Nice Bruce,
I have one cat set out..and two swim throughs out. The one was sprung so I may have to file the knotch a bit.  Still didn't find the one trap.  Jim built a trap using common rat trap...I think it will definetely work for civits or muskrats. 
Darryl

[TheHunt]

Man, you are really doing well. 

[Humptulips]

Nice Bruce,
I have one cat set out..and two swim throughs out. The one was sprung so I may have to file the knotch a bit.  Still didn't find the one trap.  Jim built a trap using common rat trap...I think it will definetely work for civits or muskrats. 
Darryl

Hey, I have been getting a few sprung too. My diagnosis is two causes, first one is setting in too swift of water. Last year I was more selective with my sets because I didn't have many traps. This year I've been sticking some in some swifter water to get them out. Some have been sprung. Found a few with a stick in them so that is self explanatory. Second thing I have noticed where animals have crawled over them. Last time out for sure a beaver went over one and sprung it because he cut some sticks off to get through. My advice is to make sure the trap is well covered so they are not tempted to climb over.

Been turning a fish or two loose out of them every day also. I think this will get better once the salmon are done coming up which should be soon.

[bearpaw]

I really like reading your topic Bruce... 

[Humptulips]

Water line really sucks about now. It is supposed to rain and I think that will perk things up, at least I hope so.
I did catch this gal today. Yep, another female but at least this one is a little more spotty than the last one. Still the typical coastal casty bellied cat. Hey, have to be happy with what you have. 



Here's a better picture of the cat plus a couple other cats in the days catch.



Here's the rest of my catch for the day. I really wanted to get a picture of him swimming away when I turned him out of the trap but he was too fast for me. Honest, I turned it loose. I had a hamburger for dinner.

[Carp Commander]

Bruce,

What size is your bobcat traps? I am thinkng about putting a couple out this month.

[Humptulips]

I have various sizes. That one is one of Mercer Lawings traps. I only have one of them. Without measuring it I think it is 12x19x 36. That is the first cat I have caught in it. I have 8 or 9 that I made that are 12x18x30 and a duke I bought that is 15x15x36. Kind of guessing as I can't measure the duke. It is out in the woods.

This is a really good discussion subject. I think I'll start a thread on it.