NjHunter85

guys im new to trapping I posted another thread earlier about any info to help me out, but now I wanna see if anyone can help me out with the tools, fleshing, boards, knives etc that ill need to get started. Mostly raccoon, beaver, fox/coyote. Where can I get the stuff I need, or anyone wanna tell me what I do need. thanks

Nomercy448

I've gotten a lot of stuff from Minnesota Trapline Products, anything from knives to traps and snares. I don't buy fleshing boards, just too easy to cut your own. If you don't have a jig saw or sawzal, MTP has fleshing boards too.

Sheridan

Nomercy has a lot more to add to this subject; so I'll just grease the skids.................


Take a look here also - takes a certain breed; so you know.


http://www.trapperman.com/


http://www.minntrapprod.com/Trapping...partments/378/


http://varmintal.com/ahunt.htm



http://www.bear-tracker.com/



Good luck and have fun !!!

Nomercy448

C'mon man, trying to take out of your book and keep my answers short for once!

What a guy needs for trapping and fur handling depends on what he hunts, what his fur buyers want, and how invested he wants to be in it. I, for one, hate fleshing, salting, and drying coyotes, then getting $10 for them, when I could get $5 for them as green pelt.

Trapping for coon, beaver, or fox/coyote are very different games, and a lot to tackle all at once. Not insurmountable, but if you're getting after all 3 or 4, then focus in on them separately and study the proper tactics and equipment for each.

Best thing you can do would be find a local trapper and spend some time handling his tools, learning techniques (both field and fur handling), and evaluating your own needs and interests.

Best advice I can give about fur handling is 1) learn how to sharpen blades VERY well, and 2) have a multiple blades of each that you'll use so you can swap out when one gets dull.

If you have a buddy that can harden steel, a scab of 4"-6" pipe makes a dang nice head for a fleshing tool cheaper than buying one. A used/scrap chainsaw bar also makes a nice scraping blade.

NjHunter85

Trapping is not a very big thing here in south jersey or up in mountains of north jersey, but it is starting to come on more and more each year. Its not like Alaska over here. There is plenty of land, farms, lakes, rolling hills etc in jersey as most people might not know haha. Where I live in jersey it is nothing but farm land and woods for the most part. The main thing out here to trap is coyote/fox and raccoon/beaver. I am looking to basically start with 1-2 animals and focus on them just to learn the basics. There is a guy in our hunting club who lives and dies by trapping and I will be "apprenticing" under him basically. I have read about all the stuff involved with fleshing and skinning etc. I am willing to put in 110% effort to learn it all. Once I take the class I guess ill save a few bucks and start picking up some stuff from the sites you guys gave me.

NjHunter85

I would assume its safe to say the most important thing other than the snares/traps is the knives.

Nomercy448

It's the Indian, not the arrow...

If that's too convoluted, then plainly: 'the most important thing' is technique, no bought tool can make up for lacking technique.

Trapping takes quite a bit of kit, fur handling takes even more.

For trapping itself, beyond your traps, your method/gear for how you carry your kit afield makes a big difference, and what kit you use to build your sets makes a big difference in how much time you spend at the trap set, and how much scent you lay there.

For fur handling, your knives and ability to sharpen them properly is what I see as most important. Your ability with a needle and thread is also critical. Any old stretching boards, wires, and brushes will work.

Here's my take on fur handling knives: There are TONS of different knives out there meant for fur handling, once you figure out your personal technique, you will probably only use two or three types. I recommend having 2 or 3 of each of these 2 or 3 types. For example, I use a 'normal' fixed blade skinning/detail knife, a T handled scraper, and a rounded draw knife. I have other knives, but can't remember the last time I've used them. Try to find some used ones, or borrow from your master trapper, and experiment with different tools to find which knives work best for you.

For example, I like a very specific knife blade shape for my skinning/detail knife. My old man uses a different shape. Both of us can peel a dozen coon in an hour, so both work. I use a rounded draw knife (like a woodworkers version) for fleshing, my uncle uses a straight handled fleshing knife. Both work. Find your stride.

NjHunter85

thanks a lot man that was a perfect explanation. I completely agree with everything you said and as I go and I find my style I will get whatever fits my needs.