Blsum's 2015/2016 rookie season

[Blsum]

Well I was one of those new trappers that took the class on Dec 5th. Since then things have been a bit busy. I've been looking for materials to build traps and found some material at work that the boss man said I could have. I ordered the conibear dogs and triggers last night, along with a few other things. So hopefully next week I will start building some traps.

Thanks to some very nice people I was able to get my hands on some beaver meat for bait. Also I was able to borrow 2 15x15x36 swing door cage traps from a friend. Well today I set my first trap. I was only able to set one of the two traps because I only had a little bit of light after work. Made my set about 150 yards from were I got this guy on the camera 2 different times

[winslow]

Well I was one of those new trappers that took the class on Dec 5th. Since then things have been a bit busy. I've been looking for materials to build traps and found some material at work that the boss man said I could have. I ordered the conibear dogs and triggers last night, along with a few other things. So hopefully next week I will start building some traps.

Thanks to some very nice people I was able to get my hands on some beaver meat for bait. Also I was able to borrow 2 15x15x36 swing door cage traps from a friend. Well today I set my first trap. I was only able to set one of the two traps because I only had a little bit of light after work. Made my set about 150 yards from were I got this guy on the camera 2 different times

No better sign than the animal itself! Get 'em!

Great to have you here, Blsum, and good luck.

[Blsum]

So twice in the last year I've seen a bobcat cross the road in front of me while out scouting for deer. Planning on putting the second trap in that area.

[Blsum]

Well looks like I've learned my first lesson in trapping. Took the second trap out and got it set. This one's a little further from the house. So I figured I would just pull in and check the first one on my way home. Get there and the door is still up. But I noticed that some of the branches seamed to have been moved off the top of the trap. Cover the trap back up and decide to look in to make sure there is still bait. Nope  looks like something or someone stole my bait last night. Stuck my face in there and noticed a slight skunky odor. I'm thinking perhaps a civet cat came in and robbed me. Lesson learned. Always bring enough bait with you to re bait if need be.  Now I get to drive all the way back out there to re bait the trap.

[Cultusman]

You will run out of bait feeding a Civet.
If ya don't catch the Civet it or them will eat your bait every night.

[ouchfoss]

You will run out of bait feeding a Civet.
If ya don't catch the Civet it or them will eat your bait every night.

[Humptulips]

You will run out of bait feeding a Civet.
If ya don't catch the Civet it or them will eat your bait every night.

Agree 100%!
Can you set a small trap and be able to get it to water to drown the civet? If you can, go this route. maybe a tub that a small trap will fit in and pack water to drown it.
If you shoot it you will ruin it so you must figure a way to kill it without shooting. I use CO2.
Last year undamaged civets brought $14 at NAFA, skulls are worth $3. If you catch one ask me about skinning.

[Blsum]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have a 7x7x24 havaheart trap that I will take out and set next to it tomorrow. There is water near by that I can take it to to drown it if need be. Just not sure if that trap would be big enough to let the little bugger spray.

[Machias]

Wrap the trap, cardboard or a small piece of tarp.  Of course you know he'll go straight into the bigger trap first. 

[Humptulips]

I have moved civets in cage traps to water without spraying. My method: Get yourself an old quilt or heavier blanket. Hold it spread out in front of you and up high. Slowly approach the trap and slowly lower it over cage and cover cage. Then you can pick up the whole works and move it to water.
The key here is slowly and gently. Stand off a way before you start and let the civet get used to you helps too. Worst case it sprays it hits the blanket instead of you.

[Blsum]

Thanks for the tips guys. I actually caught my first critter today. It was a small possum.  Decided to let it go. Couple quick questions though. First off I thought I read somewhere that once you catch a possum you need to boil it to rid the trap of their stink cause nothing else will go in after that. Is there any truth to that? Also my other trap (the one the bait was stolen out of the other day) had nothing left but a bone from the bait. Curious to know if the mice I saw on it last night could of stripped the meat from the bone or if there was something else chewing on it that didn't trip the trap. Think I'm gonna have to set a trail camera on this trap to see what might be going on.

Oh if I do catch another possum. Can I use it for bait and will anything actually go for possum bait?

[Humptulips]

I would not bother to treat your trap. It should be fine.

As for the bone I suspect you might have encountered your first civet

"Possum, no good for bait. Best to give it to Granny so she can make Jethro some 'possum pie.

[Blsum]

Thanks bruce. The trap that had just the bone left in it was the same trap that had the bait stolen out of it the other night. (The one i suspected might of been a civet cat). I didn't end up setting a smaller trap because I'm going out of town for a few days and won't be able to check them. Closed the doors on both of them today so nothing can get in there. I got my trap building supplies yesterday and will start those next week. I will post pics of the build. 

[jasnt]

Tagging along

[Blsum]

Things have been a bit slow. Got back last Sunday and reset the world traps. Set the smaller trap up next to the trap that was getting robbed and nothing came in to visit either of them until today. Of course the bait was gone out of the cat trap but the door was closed on the small trap. Wasn't a civet though it was another damn possum. So rebaited both and we will see what happens.