My first Otter

[Machias]

I hope you report it to fish and game, they should open an investigation into this one.  I bet it was kids.....

[onetrapper]

What is with some young hunters that everything is fair game...definitely a problem with these cages so large expensive and visible.  They definitely don't replace the conibears or leg hold. Sorry to hear about the loss..know what it feels like. bought one last year and had it stolen the first check >:(think it was a trapper

[Trapper John]

Here is one thing that you have to plan on every trapping season.  You are going to lose a few traps from trap thieves or high water flooding or missed place.  I hate trap thieves just like everybody else, but it happens.  I know the feeling to well.  I had a ADC/WCO Business for 26 years and just sold it last year.  I use to chain most of my traps down so those thieves wouldn't take them.  What they did was if they couldn't take them them would crush them  by jumping on them smashing them to the ground.  I have had "Hancock Beaver Traps chained and they would cut the chain-link with bolt cutters, release the springs so the beaver would get out, pry the pan off of the trap.    I have had several Hancock traps stolen, If they want them; yes, they will take them or brake them.  Sorry to hear this but I would recommend to you to contact the department of fish & Wildlife and report it.  Who knows maybe they will run into these guys that did this to you.
JC

[Moss Back]

UPDATE***  with only 3 traps to my name I think I had a pretty good catch . I know now that Bob cats like otter meat. my third trap had a 6-inch hole in the side of it. this big bore out here might just be un trappable. the Comstock was no match for him . luckily I was able to do a field repair and keep the thing trapping . the cat is a 28 pound Tom pretty decent belly very spotty on the legs .

[lokidog]

Wow, nice job on the otters and cat!  Too bad those SOBs messed with your stuff.  I hope you reported it as mentioned.  Is there anywhere to set up trailcams to catch these pigs?

What did you use for bait in the otter traps?  Of course, since I purchased my license this year, the eight or so I saw a month ago haven't come back by the dock.

[Turner89]

Right on Nice looking cat

[-Trap_addicT-]

Good catches. That stuff makes me sick to my stomach. Someone tripped every trap on our second line. 5 cat traps and 4 ermine boxes. I truly don't understand it. Sorry to hear that you got ripped off. Let's hope karma does it's job.

[Moss Back]

**UPDATE**
                I had pulled traps for awhile do to time. I put in my only 3 sets yesterday,and wham! got this beast. The scale said 39#15oz. I'm calling it 40#.

[Machias]

VERY nice!!!

[Humptulips]

For those that don't know that is huge. 

[UrbanTrapper]

40 lbs IS Huge! Congrats.  I want to hear the story that taught you bobcats like otter.  I had heard before that NOTHING will eat an otter.

[Moss Back]

  Well i ran outta beaver meat so i chopped off a leg of the otter. the thing was a little ripe. I was desperate.... Oh and i dumped 25 year old potske eggs all over it..

[Smossy]

Super cool to hear, What size are the traps your using?

[Moss Back]

   One trap is a comstock beaver/bobcat trap. not sure on the size. it's expensive. i bought it for a chinese blue print, cause the other two i got out are homemade versions.

[Hawgdawg]

Sweet, I would do a coffee table shadow box with a fish in his mouth and river rock, drift wood  etc

Looks like some damage on the first female. Can you dispatch them legally by drowning or gassing them? I allegedly know of a guy in my neighborhood who has a gas chamber. Hook it into the truck exhaust and the skunks don't spray. allegedly....