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Any Hunters or Trappers out there?

mmdragons

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Anyone else enjoy the outdoors this way? Hunting or trapping? I am a trapper. Removing over populated Raccoons, muskrats and beaver off of farms for the farmers. Really enjoy both hobbies trapping and reptile keeping. Anyone else?
 
I'm a hunter. Deer and waterfowl. I don't hunt anything that I do not eat though, not that I'm necessarily against it, just a personal thing for me. I think that trapping is somewhat intriguing and if the SHTF, I would def take up trapping.
 
i feel the same way I've never waisted anything. Muskrats get used as bait, beaver bait or eaten, Muskrats are good too. And the fur and glands get used.
 
Anyone else enjoy the outdoors this way? Hunting or trapping? I am a trapper. Removing over populated Raccoons, muskrats and beaver off of farms for the farmers. Really enjoy both hobbies trapping and reptile keeping. Anyone else?

I don't trap although I have taken the time to learn basics on sets, lures etc..

It is very important part of self sufficiency to keep in mind. I find that most people or ignorant when it comes to trapping today. Modern trapping is much different. The fact that animals are now trapped with no physical harm in foot hold traps that do no damage if you want or need to release.

Benefit- Can be dispatched or let go. If SHTF scenario ever took place, live food never spoils.

I have no experience accept on paper. Brain tanning, How to make and use tallow. Soap, candles, grease lamps, greasing, etc.. All skill sets lost by the majority of population.
 
I am glad you said that Dennis I was hesitant to post about this because alot of people think its cruel. Being there and releasing Kit raccoons or small possums Ive never had one with any foot damage. They always run off as if nothing happened. Most of the time when I arrive each morning to check The animal is laying down comfortably. Had a raccoon this morning beautiful male he was on his back sunning himself without a care in the world. I agree that its good knowledge to have when the SHTF, minimal effort for food and fur, but from a sporting stand point if you arent doing it right you wont catch a thing. I will try and post some pictures of sets and catches.
 
I am glad you said that Dennis I was hesitant to post about this because alot of people think its cruel. Being there and releasing Kit raccoons or small possums Ive never had one with any foot damage. They always run off as if nothing happened. Most of the time when I arrive each morning to check The animal is laying down comfortably. Had a raccoon this morning beautiful male he was on his back sunning himself without a care in the world. I agree that its good knowledge to have when the SHTF, minimal effort for food and fur, but from a sporting stand point if you arent doing it right you wont catch a thing. I will try and post some pictures of sets and catches.
 
I've never trapped, but have hunted pretty much all my life. Had a deer rifle long before I had a driver's license.

Maybe this year will be the year I finally get my falconry license. :rolleyes: I've always wanted to hunt upland game birds with a raptor.
 
I am glad you said that Dennis I was hesitant to post about this because alot of people think its cruel.

No problem. I'm really worried about the mentality of a lot of people. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people state how hunting is cruel followed by why don't you go buy your meat at the grocery store.

It just boggles the mind. Like the meat in the store is on some higher level. Please.

We seem to be a nation in the regulating mood so I have a new one to purpose. We like to put warnings on everything to try and protect the lowest common denominator in society. So, butchers need to be required to put on all beef packages "This was a cow. It went moo! We killed it, skinned it and chopped it up for your consumption. Yes, that is really blood. Please, if the stores don't open one day, don't sit in a cow pasture waiting on them to poop out wrapped packages of hamburgers. "
 
I hunt pa and md. Harvested a few whitetail this year. Nothing more satisfying then eating meat you put on the table. Im raising a few beef steers up for that reason right now
 
I watch survivalist-style trapping videos on youtube religously and practice in my backyard. I think it's a good thing to practice. I also use the caged, harmless traps to remove feral cats and opossums.

I use to go to fur trades as a kid and loved the atmosphere.
 
I hunt and used to trap. I trapped Beaver and mink in Michigans upper peninsula near Lake Superior for several years. I had a friend who was raised in a "tarpaper" shack on federal land back in the 50-60's and he showed me areas that seldom see a human footprint. Streams loaded with brooktrout, beaver dams that were decades old, bear dens, old homesteads etc...I still have graphic memories of snowshoeing in several miles through cedar swamps and virgin forrest to find areas totally untouched by human hand. Unaccessible until a hard freeze. He knew the area like I know my backyard, he was 60, I was 35 and I could barely keep up with him. For me it was never about taking fur, it was about learning about nature..Watching an otter crawl up on the ice with a fish, finding a tree all scratched by the local bobcat, finding the breath hole on an active bear den etc....Donald (Duck) Besaw:thumbsup:
 
I hunt and used to trap. I trapped Beaver and mink in Michigans upper peninsula near Lake Superior for several years. I had a friend who was raised in a "tarpaper" shack on federal land back in the 50-60's and he showed me areas that seldom see a human footprint. Streams loaded with brooktrout, beaver dams that were decades old, bear dens, old homesteads etc...I still have graphic memories of snowshoeing in several miles through cedar swamps and virgin forrest to find areas totally untouched by human hand. Unaccessible until a hard freeze. He knew the area like I know my backyard, he was 60, I was 35 and I could barely keep up with him. For me it was never about taking fur, it was about learning about nature..Watching an otter crawl up on the ice with a fish, finding a tree all scratched by the local bobcat, finding the breath hole on an active bear den etc....Donald (Duck) Besaw:thumbsup:[/QUOTE:eek:
that's awesome! This will be my first year going for a beaver. Have a golf course that wants one gone. I assume you did that on state land? What part of the UP?
 
Mostly Hiawatha National Forest, near Munising/Shinglton. I hope you have someone to show you how to take care of the beaver, Duck could skin 1 in 15 minutes, took me an hr+.
 
Well trapped an opossum out of the shed last night. Dropped her off in nice secluded wooded area this morning. Damn buck scared the bejesus outta me in the dark. Took off running when I opened trap. Pitch black so didnt see it, lol.
 
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