School me on trapping

[SNIPERBBB]

Side note on FFG. I've trapped within a couple miles of the home of the man, AR Harding,who created FFG anf within a couple of former editor of FFG, Hal Sullivan

 

[Horn]

How do you prepare bobcat? If it's decent to eat that gives me reason to get after them. We have very limited hunting opportunities for then but I happen to live where it's allowed

 

[SNIPERBBB]

How do you prepare bobcat? If it's decent to eat that gives me reason to get after them. We have very limited hunting opportunities for then but I happen to live where it's allowed

Cook the backstraps like pork loins

 

[SNIPERBBB]

I'm trapping for fur not for food. I've had coon over the open flame at a campfire. If we didn't char it would have probably been better. The Lewis & Clark Expedition feasted heavily on beaver meat due to its high fat content. Contrary to popular belief, a lot of their "going up the Missouri" river was portaging those huge boats with loads of gear........ they worked their butts off and needed high fat content meat readily available. Beaver fit the bill. Personally, I've never tried it but both Beaver and Muskrat seem like the most tender meat you could ever eat. Most of the beaver meat looks and feels like a big billet of filet mignon.

Don't know how either could look like filet mignon. I've always compared beaver at least the way I do it in the smoker as like brisket. Mostly the hind quarters and backstraps. I cook and eat the front let's like chicken wings

 

[SNIPERBBB]

Another great resource is Trappingradio2.com

There's roughly 400 hours of podcasts there.

 

[SNIPERBBB]

Another thing, find out where and when your state trapper conventions are. Best groups of guys you'll ever run across. Dealers from all over the country hit as many as they can.

Nearly every dealer comes to the FTA, Wisconsin this year end of June, national. Even bigger is the NTA national convention, end of July in Escanaba Michigan. NTA also hosts some regional conventions that are well worth it if you're closer.

 

[Samcirrus]

How do you prepare bobcat? If it's decent to eat that gives me reason to get after them. We have very limited hunting opportunities for then but I happen to live where it's allowed

Mix beaver and bobcat, the ground meat is really good!

 

[Samcirrus]

Bemidji

That's very generous! I'm a hundred or so miles farther than that unfortunately. Maybe we can do a Twin Ports meetup at some point this season.

Oh absolutely! Let me know in advance when you'll be visiting and we'll arrange something for sure!

 

[SNIPERBBB]

Another thing about trapping...you see more wildlife than you'd ever see doing anything else . You can really torture the hard core deer and turkey hunters with pictures and the fact you just walked up on a couple big bucks or toms just down the road.

 

[Ckwilli]

Typically your state trapping booklet that you get when you attend a trapping course has a breakdown of each furbearer and pictures or drawings of their scat and tracks.

Are you required to take a trapping course in your state before you can trap? You’re in NY aren’t you? We are required to take a class if we use cable restraints but that’s it.

 

[woodsdog2]

Are you required to take a trapping course in your state before you can trap? You’re in NY aren’t you? We are required to take a class if we use cable restraints but that’s it.

Yes there is no minimum age but you must take the course and pass the written exam. Still not allowed to use cable restraints except for beaver and only if you have a NWCO or are operating under a special beaver nuisance permit but you must have taken the cable restraint certification which is above and beyond the normal trapping course. But it’s not a long course or anything it’s only like 2 hours. The regular trapper course is 8 hours here in People’s Republic of NY better known as the United Soviet Socialist State of NY. Ok I’ll quit now!!! Sorry!!

 

[woodsdog2]

In fairness most of the ECO’s are hunters too and do not like what is going on in NY!! Do not move here until there is a major regime change.

 

[Horn]

Yes there is no minimum age but you must take the course and pass the written exam. Still not allowed to use cable restraints except for beaver and only if you have a NWCO or are operating under a special beaver nuisance permit but you must have taken the cable restraint certification which is above and beyond the normal trapping course. But it’s not a long course or anything it’s only like 2 hours. The regular trapper course is 8 hours here in People’s Republic of NY better known as the United Soviet Socialist State of NY. Ok I’ll quit now!!! Sorry!!

Out of curiosity do trapper classes transfer states? Or do I need to be a resident to get certified in NYS? I'm sure if I tried I could make it happen here in the Mitten. Not curious enough to go all way to you guys for trapping either lol

 

[woodsdog2]

I’m not 100% sure on reciprocity of trapping certificates but I do believe as long as you produce a certificate from a state, not a license, but a certificate….. that would enable you to get a license in your state. That’s typically how it works for hunting as well. Previous licenses mean nothing nowadays, most states must have proof of your hunter training certificate.

 

[Horn]

That is my understanding too, the certificate that you did take/pass the course

 

[woodsdog2]

That is my understanding too, the certificate that you did take/pass the course

Yes

 

[Iron_llama]

Dont think the meat would be rank unless you killed it on a day over 40* and didn't skin it promptly. Canines and cats have a thin belly wall and spoils quickly.

Their anal glands are quite rank though or if they have lice it's not pleasant.

I've been a bit leery on the idea of eating trapped animals. Because I have no way to tell how long the animal has been dead before I process the meat. Yes, running water on a beaver set should keep it cool... but cool enough? What's the rule of thumb on eating warm-weather catches?

 

[SNIPERBBB]

I've been a bit leery on the idea of eating trapped animals. Because I have no way to tell how long the animal has been dead before I process the meat. Yes, running water on a beaver set should keep it cool... but cool enough? What's the rule of thumb on eating warm-weather catches?

If it's warm weather, I try to live catch anything I want to each . By warm weather im talking water temps above 50*. Even at that temp I wouldn't worry at all on beaver if you can skin them on site or within a few hours. You could probably even gonna day but I just prefer to be safer. Muskrats I would only keep em for eating during the sub 40*.

 

[Samcirrus]

I've been a bit leery on the idea of eating trapped animals. Because I have no way to tell how long the animal has been dead before I process the meat. Yes, running water on a beaver set should keep it cool... but cool enough? What's the rule of thumb on eating warm-weather catches?

I've had no problem on beavers caught up here in mid May even after knowing it was trapped an hour after I set it (trail cam) and I couldn't check it till the second day. Our water is so cold even by May, that it keeps it fresh, IMO. (May 15 is the end of season)!

 

[woodsdog2]

I've been a bit leery on the idea of eating trapped animals. Because I have no way to tell how long the animal has been dead before I process the meat. Yes, running water on a beaver set should keep it cool... but cool enough? What's the rule of thumb on eating warm-weather catches?

We have a 24 hour check requirement in my state but you should still be getting it pelted pretty soon after catch if you’re going to consume.