Trap marking

[68 Bronco]

As kid in Idaho, I had a beagle that I'd almost never see until a jackrabbit came through the sagebrush straight at me down the trail full bore. Dropped many with Marlin 39A that danged near ran over me.

Have also removed 2 dogs from unattended traps (well past season) here in the Mat valley. Both screamed bloody murder - I thought a bear was ripping the first one up.
I used to trap when I lived north of Fairbanks.......

 

[mark knapp]

That's all that I was suggesting, depending on terrain, even a good bird dog isn't ALWAYS in sight.

Right.

 

[mark knapp]

Speak of the devil, this just came in.

 

[AKBEE]

It would be great if they could hold another event in Anchorage or Matsu. The more knowledge, the better for everyone.

 

[SmokeRoss]

I held a class with our local outdoor club to teach members how to remove a conibear trap. We have run into traps set right along popular hiking trails. Slob trappers IMO. But it's up to us to look out for our dogs. I usually had mine carrying a pack or pulling a sled. That kept her on the trail with me. And before you flame me, I have taken the KNWR trappers course and have trapped on the Refuge. I would never even consider trapping next to an established trail. Those who do give all trappers a bad name.

 

[4merguide]

Speak of the devil, this just came in.

Ha! Perfect timing!

 

[extrema]

I would never even consider trapping next to an established trail. Those who do give all trappers a bad name.

There are many dog safe sets that trappers can use right next to trails albeit mostly for smaller animals but even some larger ones like water or under ice sets for beaver or otter. I make sets in trees right next to trails so that other trappers can easily see that the area is being trapped. I find that loose dogs run up to the first few (elevated) sets then don't bother after they've run off their initial burst of energy and things turn into a slog for them.
Even the kenai refuge allows small traps along roads etc. then anything goes further out. They say they have no conflicts and they want no warning signs because they don't want to alarm skiers..
So a smart trapper can still trap for certain critters right along busy trails using dog safe sets.

 

[SmokeRoss]

There are many dog safe sets that trappers can use right next to trails albeit mostly for smaller animals but even some larger ones like water or under ice sets for beaver or otter. I make sets in trees right next to trails so that other trappers can easily see that the area is being trapped. I find that loose dogs run up to the first few (elevated) sets then don't bother after they've run off their initial burst of energy and things turn into a slog for them.
Even the kenai refuge allows small traps along roads etc. then anything goes further out. They say they have no conflicts and they want no warning signs because they don't want to alarm skiers..
So a smart trapper can still trap for certain critters right along busy trails using dog safe sets.

I agree. Martin sets next to a hiking trail are okay. 330 Conibear should be a hard NO.

 

[mark knapp]

It would be great if they could hold another event in Anchorage or Matsu. The more knowledge, the better for everyone.

They do it all over the state, especially SC. They've even done special ones to remote locations for free, like Kodiak. Call them for future plans.

 

[mark knapp]

I held a class with our local outdoor club to teach members how to remove a conibear trap. We have run into traps set right along popular hiking trails. Slob trappers IMO. But it's up to us to look out for our dogs. I usually had mine carrying a pack or pulling a sled. That kept her on the trail with me. And before you flame me, I have taken the KNWR trappers course and have trapped on the Refuge. I would never even consider trapping next to an established trail. Those who do give all trappers a bad name.

I'm not flaming you, I respect what you say. Please just listen for a minute. Some times, when trappers walk off the trail, even quite a ways from the trail, other people go over there with a snow machine, like to the edge of the brush to see what they were doing. Now, there's a trail right next to the set. People will investigate every thing they see and follow every trail they see.

Not an excuse. Just letting you know that things are not just black and white.

 

[SmokeRoss]

I'm not flaming you, I respect what you say. Please just listen for a minute. Some times, when trappers walk off the trail, even quite a ways from the trail, other people go over there with a snow machine, like to the edge of the brush to see what they were doing. Now, there's a trail right next to the set. People will investigate every thing they see and follow every trail they see.

Not an excuse. Just letting you know that things are not just black and white.

I realize that as people would go right up to my snares miles out on the Refuge on snow machines. But to set right next to a popular hiking trail rubs me the wrong way. Especially lethal traps such as Conibears.

 

[extrema]

I agree with Ross regarding large body grip traps set on land in certain areas. However even 330's can be used in dog safe sets, for example under water or under ice.

 

[mark knapp]

I realize that as people would go right up to my snares miles out on the Refuge on snow machines. But to set right next to a popular hiking trail rubs me the wrong way. Especially lethal traps such as Conibears.

You are right, some sets should not be put next to popular trails. I agree. People should use common sense.

Sometimes people put popular trails next to the set that wasn't put by a trail. Trails can become popular after a trapper traps it alone for years. You are right though, trappers do the wrong thing sometimes.

It does seam like though, no matter what happens, if a dog gets in a set it's seems to always be blamed on the trapper. Then he a careless trapper or a slob.

 

[SmokeRoss]

if a dog gets in a set it's seems to always be blamed on the trapper. Then he a careless trapper or a slob.

The trapper always blames the dog owner. "It should have been on a leash."

 

[mark knapp]

The trapper always blames the dog owner. "It should have been on a leash."

I think you are right, but I don't think we should have used the word "Always" in either case. I know of one case where a dog owner didn't blame the trapper.

I don't think that trappers should be making sets at popular places for dog walking ect. I also don't care for the use of killer traps either, for lots of reasons.

I think that, if a place is wild enough to set a trap, it's wild enough to hunt with loose dogs and let dogs run lose but if a dog owners chooses to do that (I do). The dog owner should also be willing to take responsibility for any of the dangers the dog might run into. (I do)

The kicker to me, is irresponsible trappers. We all know there are some. Just because it's legal to trap somewhere doesn't mean it's smart to trap there. But what is the definition of irresponsible? The law is on the side of the trapper with leash laws in boroughs, but that doesn't mean (to me) that every place is a right place to trap.

Outside of boroughs, I think that everyone should be aware of all of the dangers and take responsibility for them when encountered. There are just too many dangers out there.

Another problem we see is, trappers have been using wild places for a 100 years and people from urban places are expanding their ranges. They are going places that, until relatively lately, no one ever went except trappers. There's bound to be problems.

Trappers and other users will need to get along.

It is my opinion that, I am responsible for the welfare of my dog where ever I take her, because she's mine, and I brought her there, I'm the one with the brain and she's the dog. I have to take care of her. In most cases, I'm the only one that can do it so I have too. (unless I want to take a chance of loosing my dog, it don't matter who's fault it is.)

That may be just my opinion. I don't force my opinions on any one.

Take care, doing any ice fishing yet?

 

[SmokeRoss]

I think you are right, but I don't think we should have used the word "Always" in either case. I know of one case where a dog owner didn't blame the trapper.

I don't think that trappers should be making sets at popular places for dog walking ect. I also don't care for the use of killer traps either, for lots of reasons.

I think that, if a place is wild enough to set a trap, it's wild enough to hunt with loose dogs and let dogs run lose but if a dog owners chooses to do that (I do). The dog owner should also be willing to take responsibility for any of the dangers the dog might run into. (I do)

The kicker to me, is irresponsible trappers. We all know there are some. Just because it's legal to trap somewhere doesn't mean it's smart to trap there. But what is the definition of irresponsible? The law is on the side of the trapper with leash laws in boroughs, but that doesn't mean (to me) that every place is a right place to trap.

Outside of boroughs, I think that everyone should be aware of all of the dangers and take responsibility for them when encountered. There are just too many dangers out there.

Another problem we see is, trappers have been using wild places for a 100 years and people from urban places are expanding their ranges. They are going places that, until relatively lately, no one ever went except trappers. There's bound to be problems.

Trappers and other users will need to get along.

It is my opinion that, I am responsible for the welfare of my dog where ever I take her, because she's mine, and I brought her there, I'm the one with the brain and she's the dog. I have to take care of her. In most cases, I'm the only one that can do it so I have too. (unless I want to take a chance of loosing my dog, it don't matter who's fault it is.)

That may be just my opinion. I don't force my opinions on any one.

Take care, doing any ice fishing yet?

My son has been ice fishing for a month. They have caught a bunch in the 17-19 inch range.

 

[mark knapp]

My son has been ice fishing for a month. They have caught a bunch in the 17-19 inch range.

Very nice, We've put one house out and fished it once. Between the two of us we caught something like 75 fish and kept 3 between 18 and 20 inches. Two rainbow and one char. We'll put the big house out a day or two after Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.