Trap Thief in Ludlow/Sandy Shore Lake Area

[winslow]

I should have known better than to set cage traps on public access land during archery deer season (not all bowhunters are felons, but all felon hunters are bowhunters...), but I took a chance and got burned.

Brand new Mercer Lawing bobcat trap gone. Was cabled to a tree with a very tight quick link. Would have required a tool to remove. At least he missed the next one down the line.

Be careful out there, guys.

In other news, I had a couple kind-of doubles and some other interesting stuff happen last week. http://www.huntgatherbrew.com/a-day-on-the-trapline/

Winslow

[jdw2825]

Bummer.  Sorry bout that. Gotta pic of it or something that might stand out about it? I'll keep an eye out on Craigslist. 

[billythekidrock]

Not really fair to assume it was an archer without pics of archers in the area. Lots of different user groups on public land at this time of year.

[pnwmtnmn]

call the game warden report it stolen get a case number all that stuff. The chance of getting it back are miniscule. The report is to cover your butt in case the trap is found set somewhere it shouldn't be.

[lokidog]

I've thought about this before... luckily I think I'm not in a spot where this will happen.

How about "branding" your traps?  Take a 1/8" wire and bend it into a recognizable and repeatable shape and weld it onto the side or top of your trap.  If it is removed, it will leave grind marks or damage the cage so it's not usable by someone else.

[3nails]

 That sucks. Odds are that the next person who steals one of mine is going to get there pic plastered all over the internet. Getting creative with my cams.

[JimmyHoffa]

It probably had an animal in it.  Seems that is how most trap thieves find a lot of them.  Especially if near a road or trail.  I see lots of horse sign on those roads.  Possible it was an animal hugger, but they usually just release the animal and then destroy the trap.

[winslow]

Not really fair to assume it was an archer without pics of archers in the area. Lots of different user groups on public land at this time of year.

True enough, billy. The multiple deer carcasses at the entrances, the lost arrows laying around, and the general demeanor and mindest of the archery hunters I've encountered there colored my opinion, but I have no proof. I was reaching because I was angry.

Could easily have been an angler, an anti (though I have no idea why they would have come across the trap), or anyone else who was wandering the deep underbrush and deer trails at the spot.

Unfortunately, I tagged the trap but did not engrave my WILD ID under the paint. That's my plan now. It was primer gray, looks just like the attached pic.

[winslow]

call the game warden report it stolen get a case number all that stuff. The chance of getting it back are miniscule. The report is to cover your butt in case the trap is found set somewhere it shouldn't be.

good idea - will do.

[winslow]

I've thought about this before... luckily I think I'm not in a spot where this will happen.

How about "branding" your traps?  Take a 1/8" wire and bend it into a recognizable and repeatable shape and weld it onto the side or top of your trap.  If it is removed, it will leave grind marks or damage the cage so it's not usable by someone else.

yup, that's my plan. Engraved WILD ID under the paint. Also, I've got some anchors coming and am going to permanently secure each trap to an anchor that will mean it has to be destroyed to be taken.

These are the anchors: http://www.minntrapprod.com/MB-Chain-Stakes-Original-dozen/productinfo/CSORIG-12/

The #2 chain will be welded to a bar inside the trap that spans the length of it. Should deter most attempts.

[winslow]

It probably had an animal in it.  Seems that is how most trap thieves find a lot of them.  Especially if near a road or trail.  I see lots of horse sign on those roads.  Possible it was an animal hugger, but they usually just release the animal and then destroy the trap.

I agree, and I think that's what happened. The trap was visible from one small, particular spot on the road by the parking area if you used binoculars, but if there was a pretty little bobcat doing turns in it and the sun was in the right spot, it might pop out if you looked right at it.

Live and learn, right?

[Humptulips]

I kind of have to disagree about it being found because something was in it. Most land sets are found because of a dog IMO. More likely it was a dog walker then an archery hunter IMO.

In OR it is required to brand your traps with your trapper ID. That being said I have had a few stolen and never saw them again. Pretty much a waste of time to go to a lot of trouble I think.

When you get a trap stolen it will make you incredibly mad but if you hold onto that all it will do is give you high blood pressure. If you are going to trap you had better reconcile yourself to a stolen trap occasionally.

[Machias]

You guys consider using one of the disposable trap stakes....like a wolf fang, or do you think they would just damage your traps?  A disposable trap stake will practically pull the bumper off your truck.  You could always attach one to the back of your trap on one of the bars and drive it in.  You're not getting it out without pliers....just a thought.

[winslow]

You guys consider using one of the disposable trap stakes....like a wolf fang, or do you think they would just damage your traps?  A disposable trap stake will practically pull the bumper off your truck.  You could always attach one to the back of your trap on one of the bars and drive it in.  You're not getting it out without pliers....just a thought.

Yeah, besides waiting until after archery season, that's my plan. The cat cages I have are frameless except for the front edge, so I either have to attach there or put a bar inside and attach the anchor through the wire to both ends of it, which would mean a lot of cutting/trap damage to steal, rendering the act both more difficult and rather pointless.

[Humptulips]

You guys consider using one of the disposable trap stakes....like a wolf fang, or do you think they would just damage your traps?  A disposable trap stake will practically pull the bumper off your truck.  You could always attach one to the back of your trap on one of the bars and drive it in.  You're not getting it out without pliers....just a thought.

I once had a trap stolen that was disposable staked. There was a perfect imprint of the base of a high lift jack left for me.
Had the cable cut and also the trap destroyed. I mean if you can't steal it, smash it.

I'm sure the disposables did deter some would be thieves though.