Used to trap hard, loved it, but would get burnt out by Jan. Trapping was another job that helped pay lots of bills in a new family. I was on a large ranch, and a small amount of trap checking could be done while doing daily work. Otherwise, lines were ran after dark.
I stayed almost exclusively on two track roads, to make the most of my time and cover the biggest area. Fortunately here, that also coincides with travel routes for critters. Almost all sets were coyote sets, as well as the largest percentage of catch by far. I caught occasional cats, foxes, badgers, in what is essentially a semi-desert environment. 90% of it was deeded ground and I had exclusive rights, so I used it.
I ran one line as soon as I was done for the evening. Usually running a spotlight all that time till I got back to the house Usually by 9;30. Picked up quite a few critters doing so. Would skin them then, fresh skinning is so much easier! Had a dedicated freezer to put them in, till washed (also an old washing machine), stretched, dried, and cared for properly. A BIG thing about trapping to me was properly handled fur!
My two oldest boys were able to go with me a lot of nights on the trapline. They loved it and I loved taking them! So many memories we have of those days!
However the elitist coloradans voted (I believe in 98?) to put a ban on trapping, snaring, unless you were allowed a need and then only for 30 days. The fur market had taken a dump at that time, but me and the boys went out and set a trapline anyway, just for old times sake. #1 son caught a bobcat, kinda a neat memory for all of us!
New Years Eve 2000, we went calling. #1 son shot at a called coyote but missed, two minutes before midnite. #2 shot a jackrabbit 1 minute after midnite. I like to think of those shots possibly being the last shot fired at a critter in that century, and the first of the 21st century? #3 got a shot or two off later as well. he was pretty young at that time.
Guard your rights, and make good memories for those who carry on!
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