Trap theft

[cat daddy]

Ran my line yesterday morning and had 10 colony traps stolen. Some one went right down the ditch bank and stole every trap I had flagged. If any of you guys on the east side hear of used colonies for sale, please contact me. Thanks

[Jonathan_S]

Sorry man, but as far as flagging traps goes... 

It's a hard lesson to learn.  I had a trap stolen and later caught that rat bastage stealing one of my swim through beaver traps...

it got heated and I got my trap back   

[Turner89]

Ran my line yesterday morning and had 10 colony traps stolen. Some one went right down the ditch bank and stole every trap I had flagged. If any of you guys on the east side hear of used colonies for sale, please contact me. Thanks

Sorry that happened, I hate thieves.     Why do you flag your traps? I'm guessing so that you can remember where they are?

[3nails]

 I feel your pain. I've had several stolen over the past few years and most had to have been by fellow trappers. I know who stole a colony trap from me this year and I'd love to out him, but.......
 
 Sometimes you don't have a choice to flag when you are putting out dozens of traps. No way you'll remember where they all are otherwise.

[zike]

A GPS won't work.

[rasbo]

that really sucks,I feel for ya..A gps is going to be your best bet.Or set a trap for the thief..

[Machias]

Set some flagging up and then put a trail camera in a strategic place and see who searches for your traps that aren't there.

[JODakota]

A GPS won't work.

Why won't a GPS work? I generally mark a few traps in each area on my GPS and remember the rest around those ones.

[trophyhunt]

A GPS won't work.

Why won't a GPS work? I generally mark a few traps in each area on my GPS and remember the rest around those ones.

i believe that was a statement more than a question.  GPS sounds like one answer.

[jackmaster]

Set some flagging up and then put a trail camera in a strategic place and see who searches for your traps that aren't there.

it wont take long thats for sure, it will end up being someone you know or someone you have seen around

[TeacherMan]

I know its been said but never flag traps  I was out last week hunting on a late moose hunt and was running down a guys trapping line up here and he had flagged every trap he had out and someone had taken out several marten in his sets. Traps just laying there.

I cable all my traps with 1/8" cable and farrels so they are hard to take. Most guys cant cut cable with their cheap little Leatherman. I've had several sets I could tell someone tried and gave up. I know in WA I would be using cable on all my bigger box traps. To spendy to let walk away... I know that wouldn't work most the time with colony's.

[ouchfoss]

That really sucks! Flagging isn't the best idea but if you have a whole bunch in one area, then I understand. There's a few times last year that I had to think real hard where a couple unaccounted for traps were sitting. I'm sure flagging would have made that easier.

[ouchfoss]

I guess be glad they were just rat colony traps and not the bigger and spendier beaver/otter cages. Still sucks that there is that many people out where who don't have a problem taking stuff that isn't theirs. More than likely they are sportsman too.

[mulehunter]

7 million people in Wa that explains a lot, They all are VERY Busy in wood in those days.  very sorry.

[Humptulips]

I do not flag as a rule. I do keep a log book. When all you have are a few traps it almost seems incomprehensible that you could forget one but it can happen with a longer line. That I why I started keeping a log. Perhaps that might be a way to keep from flagging.
I have had to flag when trapping a marsh, lot of traps in a small area and everything looks the same.

I have had very few stolen over the years. All non-trappers, not sure there is much you can do about it.