Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Trapping => Topic started by: Kit Carson on January 19, 2016, 11:14:58 PM

Title: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on January 19, 2016, 11:14:58 PM: First time trapper here....not really going for anything but Bobcats :tup:
Big ups to Jakeland for teaching me his ways and hooking me up with the necessities! Also, thanks to all the other guys who have answered my PMs. Coming in the season a little late, I've been trying to pick up on as much knowledge as possible in a very short time. Initially got 3 sets out with the help of the o'l bike and baby trailer... I've been spending my time on old forest roads; all around creeks, ponds, and in thick timber ;)

So far only 3 possums :chuckle: (all released)

I included a few pics of where trapping has taken me so far....Very excited to see where this ends up!

Any additional tips/suggestions are always welcome!

Please comment on the scat and track pics at the bottom (still unsure about those)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fnew%2520whip.jpg&hash=31932c2ec2201f96ff50fad39b1a5e91a968a8d8) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/new%20whip.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Findex-galina%2520.jpg&hash=6012fb08b78f42afe2e5043585254a30e5996514) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/index-galina%20.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Ftrap%25201.jpg&hash=feafe38444e5178081303ef1278a60fa9b6415bd) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/trap%201.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Freiter%2520pond.jpg&hash=d5aa71190d8177c0cea5f2c9447077c6937886c6) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/reiter%20pond.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fbeaver%2520tree.jpg&hash=0de22c0956623e3719a86aeadad91dbedb1b6a06) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/beaver%20tree.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Ftrap%25202.jpg&hash=81bceed2d05083346ec6673eb75ce2f435745622) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/trap%202.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fpossum%25201.jpg&hash=a5289b99ef7ffaa60b97523e95fdd36ed3e13dfd) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/possum%201.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fpossum%25202.jpg&hash=2544066038af19f401efbfd0d0810a6e903c6476) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/possum%202.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fcat%2520track.jpg&hash=e2362e372e105bac00dc8d4246cf33c30218c500) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/cat%20track.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fcat%2520scat.jpeg&hash=4d0f268b57884f9b16d13557caa7497a561620dd) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/cat%20scat.jpeg.html)
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: ouchfoss on January 20, 2016, 12:13:38 AM: Glad to see your getting animals with those Cages! believe it or not but possum is actually darn good eating. Unfortunately, I think their furs are almost worthless with the market now. I could be wrong (I'm sure some of the veteran trappers would know) but aren't they one of those animals like a skunk who will never stop coming back after you release it so you either have to kill it or move your trap?
Only critique I would have on your sets would be to spend time and make the floor of the cage very firm and covered with dirt, leaves and moss from around there so it blends in with the rest of the forest floor and that way it's easier on their feet when they walk in then cage. Ive heard from several people that cats will not like the feel of the hard metal cage on their toes and they will avoid going in all the way. I bet possums would walk on broken glass to get food from what Ive heard about them. :chuckle:
That track looks like a yote to me. I believe you can see the claws for each toe.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: jasnt on January 20, 2016, 08:38:12 AM: Def a coyote track. Could be coyote scat too
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Turner89 on January 20, 2016, 09:11:27 PM: I know where your trapping KC :chuckle: (both spots) I agree with ouch on the floor, and the possums. Good luck, shouldn't be long before your posting a pic of a cat. I'm sure ill run into you out there eventually. :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Cultusman on January 20, 2016, 11:36:20 PM: Just a little advice, you might want to put some heavier brush on and around those traps, first time the wind blows those ferns will be gone. Make sure you put a lot of brush behind those traps so the cat isn't messing around with that bait from the outside.

Have fun and Good Luck.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on January 21, 2016, 05:40:55 PM: I appreciate the tips! Going to start doing a more thorough job camouflaging my sets.

Got my first Cat today! A nice Tom! I was so excited I forgot to get a pic of him in the cage :chuckle:
Took one as I was heading out....layin on the beach towel 8)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fcatttttt_1.jpg&hash=a6823a485fba279b9fac3f8f5d224fc8b0f1c7be) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/catttttt_1.jpg.html)

This is the set he went in (started leaning a log across the trap to stabilize both the trap itself, and the ferns/moss on top)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fcat%2520trap%25201.png&hash=0387745db6eff9980d7da75b0e34ff630f7188cb) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/cat%20trap%201.png.html)

Left the set that produced. Moved my others to new areas that I feel pretty confident about.

Again, Big ups to Jakeland & the others who have helped me!
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: JakeLand on January 21, 2016, 05:47:50 PM: :tup: good looking cat for sure ! Next ones gotta get some pics in the trap
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: ouchfoss on January 21, 2016, 06:04:33 PM: :IBCOOL: AWESOME!!!!!!!
Pretty good start for a rookie!!!!!
Congrats.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Blsum on January 21, 2016, 06:49:31 PM: Congratulations. Your lucky to have a mentor. Im still looking for my first cat. Going solo and trying to learn as much as I can in the process. What are your plans for your first cat?
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on January 21, 2016, 07:13:11 PM: Quote from: Blsum on January 21, 2016, 06:49:31 PM
What are your plans for your first cat?

Going to have it tanned and keep it forever
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Turner89 on January 21, 2016, 11:28:57 PM: Right on :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Duckslayer89 on January 21, 2016, 11:31:42 PM: Congrats on the cat! Do you ever get coyotes hitting your traps? Are they legal to take? I'd be reallllly interested in thinning those out up where I deer hunt.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: redi on January 21, 2016, 11:34:50 PM: Congrats on a great cat.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Humptulips on January 21, 2016, 11:45:19 PM: Quote from: Duckslayer89 on January 21, 2016, 11:31:42 PM
Congrats on the cat! Do you ever get coyotes hitting your traps? Are they legal to take? I'd be reallllly interested in thinning those out up where I deer hunt.

Legal yes but virtually impossible to catch in cage traps.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Turner89 on January 22, 2016, 12:08:33 AM: Quote from: Humptulips on January 21, 2016, 11:45:19 PM
Quote from: Duckslayer89 on January 21, 2016, 11:31:42 PM
Congrats on the cat! Do you ever get coyotes hitting your traps? Are they legal to take? I'd be reallllly interested in thinning those out up where I deer hunt.

Legal yes but virtually impossible to catch in cage traps.
I've had them digging all around trap. I wonder if its legal to bait coyote? :dunno: (to shoot them)
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Norman89 on January 22, 2016, 03:18:35 AM: Duckslayer IV been doing my part here in orting I hunt the coyotes hard got six this year so far and see them all the time but haven't designed a trap big enough for one yet but planning on it someday! Congrats on the cat btw that's a real good color for a mounted one!
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Triplej on January 22, 2016, 07:07:56 AM: Nice work!!
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: jasnt on January 22, 2016, 07:11:25 AM: Congrats kc
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Machias on January 22, 2016, 01:50:06 PM: Nice cat, congrats!
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: big wood on January 22, 2016, 07:24:51 PM: congrats, looks like a cat track to me and looks kinda like otter scat?
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: jasnt on January 22, 2016, 08:06:56 PM: Hope this helps
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi407.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp157%2Fjasen_photos%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fimage_49.jpeg&hash=fe0525fd85fa97cb9c841c30e8c30bb2bd98f407) (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/jasen_photos/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_49.jpeg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi407.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp157%2Fjasen_photos%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fimage_50.jpeg&hash=e04e71c864d64b5880b71645f47443c23dee2e83) (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/jasen_photos/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_50.jpeg.html)

This is how I tell the difference my self. Took me a while to get good at telling the difference between k9's and felines tracks till an old timer taught me that. He called it an old Indian trick :chuckle:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on January 22, 2016, 09:18:09 PM: Thanks everyone!

Got one last pic before skinning last night....

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2F1st%2520Cat.jpg&hash=d50f15ea8343000a8af9ce07867b426878097e70) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/1st%20Cat.jpg.html)

I'll keep ya'll updated :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: JakeLand on January 23, 2016, 08:22:05 AM: Skinned with claws and everything ready to be tanned(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160123%2F31784c7ef114ebb367d865c0aadf6030.jpg&hash=1297ce023eb65f99b7f012c3e7873cfa0da11aa2)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: MADMAX on January 23, 2016, 08:33:14 AM: Nice job
Are you planning to tan it yourself ?
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on January 23, 2016, 11:10:14 AM: Quote from: MADMAX on January 23, 2016, 08:33:14 AM
Nice job
Are you planning to tan it yourself ?

Taking it in to a taxidermist as soon as WDFW will seal it
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Humptulips on January 23, 2016, 07:56:04 PM: You should check out Moyles or Tubari's prices before you go to the Taxidermist. If it is fleshed properly it should only cost you about $30 to get it tanned.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: redi on January 24, 2016, 01:33:46 AM: Congrats on a great cat.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: UrbanTrapper on January 24, 2016, 10:27:56 AM: Congrats!
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on January 31, 2016, 02:42:56 PM: Got a mink today

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F20160131_093058.jpg&hash=9949e7bd6b39c9949811ae97c40c08ccae0e3a98) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160131_093058.jpg.html)

Also got a few cages out in fresh locations. Trying some new things: Cavens Gusto lure, feathers on the floor of the traps and feathers on fishing line up above.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F20160131_123833.jpg&hash=cb536cca4d91cab4a48f9dbf61afc5ad2734bd5e) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160131_123833.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F20160131_103526.jpg&hash=3343e97f8fd5e8a357796d9567314548c8d780ff) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160131_103526.jpg.html)
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: jasnt on January 31, 2016, 03:03:06 PM: Looks good :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: JakeLand on January 31, 2016, 06:26:08 PM: :tup: well done good looking mink
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Trapper John on February 01, 2016, 09:58:02 AM: :tup: nice looking mink
JC.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on February 02, 2016, 09:02:07 PM: Female today

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F20160202_111752.jpg&hash=a903956f5e45b42cb624a1bd5ec539d90b7fa057) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160202_111752.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F20160202_111807.jpg&hash=2f32b4849898a84840f6b5b985d9d059b0743fd8) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160202_111807.jpg.html)

Put another cage out, up on a nice bench overlooking a creek :tup:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F20160202_105414.jpg&hash=66aa3d42ce77b1f29f606b005d62a74924e70db6) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160202_105414.jpg.html)
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: ouchfoss on February 02, 2016, 09:20:44 PM: Congrats! Your stacking them up now. :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: bear hunter on February 02, 2016, 09:52:58 PM: Nice work
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Turner89 on February 03, 2016, 12:08:20 AM: Nice job :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: redi on February 03, 2016, 12:29:47 AM: Cool
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Machias on February 03, 2016, 05:36:22 AM: She's very ticked off, NICE!
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Blsum on February 03, 2016, 06:19:06 AM: Sweet deal man. :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: jasnt on February 03, 2016, 07:21:51 AM: Congrats.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on February 27, 2016, 09:06:11 PM: Got a nice Tom this morning. Wanna once again say thanks to those of you who have helped me make this a successful rookie season. You know who you are :tup:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2F20160227_112308.jpg&hash=2d60a055490991b33b04204fff6ce4507270d172) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/20160227_112308.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2F20160227_112830.jpg&hash=0da60cd6452403d75ab4c4871ff74937274ea70a) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/20160227_112830.jpg.html)
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Humptulips on February 27, 2016, 09:12:56 PM: Nice color!
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: ouchfoss on February 27, 2016, 09:13:27 PM: Wow! Your really setting the bar high for your first year of trapping! Congrats!! Nice to see my cages are working so good for you. Looks like a pretty good size cat too. :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: jasnt on February 27, 2016, 09:32:33 PM: Heck ya KC. That's awesome
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Cultusman on February 27, 2016, 10:08:43 PM: Nice Cat :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Machias on February 28, 2016, 05:59:15 AM: Beautiful cat, congrats!!!!
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: JakeLand on February 28, 2016, 07:22:13 AM: Nice tom :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: bear hunter on February 28, 2016, 10:09:40 AM: :tup: congrats
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Blsum on February 28, 2016, 05:34:04 PM: :drool: keep it up man :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on March 16, 2016, 10:59:26 PM: Night check with the headlamp turned out to be a success :tup:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi306.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn273%2Fvictoryballer%2Fimage.jpeg&hash=722ee4d6e59a4d6906409363b681f3457fd90e14) (http://s306.photobucket.com/user/victoryballer/media/image.jpeg.html)
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: jasnt on March 16, 2016, 11:12:35 PM: Nice looking cat bud. :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Turner89 on March 16, 2016, 11:20:51 PM: Right on :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: TVHunts on March 17, 2016, 03:45:24 AM: I don't know a thing about trapping but, your sure making it look easy! I'm pretty sure it's not though. Congrats
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: bearpaw on March 17, 2016, 04:06:44 AM: Congrats on a great first year, I really enjoy reading the trapping topics! :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: JakeLand on March 17, 2016, 05:46:41 AM: Good job ! You've added 2 more cats since you were going to be done and a nice female too :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: bear hunter on March 17, 2016, 07:45:28 AM: :tup: You turned i to a cat master :drool: for sure Good job Devin.
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: ouchfoss on March 17, 2016, 07:56:00 AM: Wow! Your stacking up the fur! Congrats. That is a nice looking cat too! :tup:
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: TVHunts on March 17, 2016, 03:11:34 PM: I don't know a thing about trapping but, your sure making it look easy! I'm pretty sure it's not though. Congrats
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: baker5150 on March 17, 2016, 04:01:47 PM: So can you keep Male and Female cats? Or do you release the females?
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Kit Carson on March 17, 2016, 04:21:57 PM: Thanks everyone!

Quote from: baker5150 on March 17, 2016, 04:01:47 PM
So can you keep Male and Female cats? Or do you release the females?

We can keep males and females
Title: Re: KC's 2016 Rookie Cat Line
Post by: Cylvertip on March 17, 2016, 10:24:25 PM: Kill them grinners. Don't let them perpetuate any more than we have to. Pretty sure they are on the invasive species list.