Need help with colony sets

[Boss .300 winmag]

What price you getting for them things, do you have to skin them?

[3nails]

Well I'd take 11 any day of the week! Are you setting them in runs or in front of den holes? I'm struggling with the rats right now.

[Carp Commander]

Yeah, "Boss .300 winmag" they all get skinned, fleshed, stretched and dried for the fur market.

I have sets in den holes, runs at pinch points and a couple of blind culverts. The producers were all at den holes. The dens are relatively hard to find because of a very silty bottom and undercut bank with heavy over lapping grass. If I can dial in on more dens and get to a 40% to 50% ratio of traps catching fur, this canal could be a big producer.

Either way I'm happy with 11 muskrats just wish I had more traps catching.

I'm thinking about trying bait on a bench or flat rock and covering all the entrances with colonies or building some of those floating deals with the holes cut in the middle. I've only used floats with 110's but we all no that going to happen.

[Humptulips]

I recently read about an Association fur sale in Michigan where the rats went for $17. Hard to believe and I don't know how many sold at that price but if they come even close to that you best stick with the rats and forget about the beaver. Wish I had some rats. 11 in 16 traps sounds pretty good to me.

[Blue]

Hey, I live in Kennewick. My son and I trap rats and beaver and so on. I didn't think there was anyone around here that trapped anymore. It's good to see that there is. If you need any help with colony traps just let me know. 
Thanks,  Scott

[Machias]

Hey, I live in Kennewick. My son and I trap rats and beaver and so on. I didn't think there was anyone around here that trapped anymore. It's good to see that there is. If you need any help with colony traps just let me know. 
Thanks,  Scott

Nice, welcome aboard!!

[Carp Commander]

Sounds like there is a few of us here in the Tri-Cities. Maybe we should start a support group and examine why we still do it!

Just kidding! Thanks to everyone for helping the new kid in Washington get started again. Ran the line this morning and had 6 more rats. Made some adjustments and tried a bait set with the colonies that just looks ridiculous but it's killing me to see if it works.

Happy Trapping!

[trapperguy22]

Good job!!!

[Humptulips]

Hey, I live in Kennewick. My son and I trap rats and beaver and so on. I didn't think there was anyone around here that trapped anymore. It's good to see that there is. If you need any help with colony traps just let me know. 
Thanks,  Scott

More trappers out there then you think. We have 441 members in the Washington State Trappers Association

[Carp Commander]

Not sure if anyone else has seen this release yet. Thought it was interesting enough to share. I was checking fur market trends today and came across this North American Fur Auctions, press release from December 20, 2012.

Sounds like good news and made the decision to stick with muskrats and raccoon's easier to make. I will leave the beaver alone for now.

More Money Than Last Year? 
By Herman Jansen, Managing Director

December 20, 2012

Yes, the cold weather in China and Russia has resulted in a very strong retail season opening. Our wish has come true. We all know that weather is one of the most important factors in our business.

The December major auctions of mink and fox in Scandinavia have created higher prices than last year, with the main buying from China. We strongly believe that this will also be the case for nearly all of our wild fur.

Muskrats will again be exceptionally strong, selling 100% at prices most likely higher than last February. Raccoon, which are in very strong demand, could potentially see substantial price increases. Trimming articles like Coyote and Red Fox are now expected to sell 100% for all desirable goods at higher prices than last February. The Sable/Marten sale recently held in Russia showed price increases over last year and this also will be true for our Can/Am Sable/Marten. Other articles like Fisher, Lynx, and Lynx Cat are all in strong demand.

Chinese and Russian visa application requests are well ahead of last year at this time and buyer hotel reservations for our February sale are in full swing. We expect to exceed last year’s record breaking attendance of 500.

Market conditions are definitely in favour of our producers and you can expect another well deserved, strong February sale with nearly all articles selling at higher prices than last year, with 100% clearances. Truly a Christmas wish come true.

Our very best wishes for Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[pnwmtnmn]

HOT DAMN!!!!!!

[70sdiver]

I think were in for some good prices.Ive got 5 coyotes hope they hit the 60.00 mark.I got close last year with my 3 good ones bringing a 53.25 avg.had 4 late season dogs that were really ratty that I still averages 19.00 on.

[Carp Commander]

I certainly hope we get good prices. I am putting a ton of effort into fur preparation with all my rats. That first group of eleven I got in my colonies all averaged XXL with 2 at XXXL, so they should take high end. One of them measured 20 inches!

I am not planning on quitting my day job but it will go a long way towards the purchase of MORE TRAPS!

[Blue]

How many rats are you up to now? Do you have any mink or beaver?

[Carp Commander]

I got 18 in three days out of my colony line. I'm not trying for beaver just muskrat, coon and mink. Haven't connected on any mink yet. The farm cats keep getting into them. My line is pulled right now until this evening. I will trap through Monday and I have made some floaters for mink, hoping that will keep the cats out. Looks like the weather is going to warm up a little next week so I will put some effort into coon sets as well.