trapping state land

[bhugo]

Hi all,

I was going to try and set a line of traps on some state land in Genesee county. I put a call in to the DNR officer in the area to make sure it is legal. As long as it is legal....What advice can anyone give. I am worried about stolen traps an such. I figure to trap in spots most people wouldnt walk very often as long as others are not trapping there already. Is this a stupid idea?

Thanks for your time

[ottertrapper]

Trapping state land is legal! When I trap state or federal land I trap way off the roads this will help reduce stolen traps and unwanted pets in your traps. I get away and since I started doing that I have never had any problems with stolen traps and people finding my traps. State land can be great but it can be crowded it all depends on where you are at. Good luck!

[gregostrom]

I have seen videos that have trappers trapping culverts and road right-of-ways? Is this legal in Michigan?????????????

:help:

[alexsalmon]

Culverts can produce well but I would stay off the right of ways!

[snowman11]

try to keep out of the open with anything that is going to be visible

that means, by no means should anyone be abel to see a fox in a foothold

nor should they wonder under a bridge and see a mink in a drowner set

it's just bad PR for the trapping community

gotta remember, there are a lot of people out there that cant handle the fact that meat, leather and fur comes from animals...and forcing the issue on them is bad politics. As much as we shouldn't have to, in order to defend this sport, we have to play politics.

I'll give you an example...I know of a few places up north where I KNOW, with my very limited knowledge, I could connect with a coyote within one week.

Problem...it travels a VERY WELL TRAVELLED orv trail. I would have to set with a foothold and a drag (and I'm not even sure if a drag is legal on state land, I'd have to look it up). I would have to HOPE that the drag was taken far enough out of the way, so that the coyote would not be seen by bypassers. "Oh look, a big dog...what does it have on it's foot?" I would legally be OK (again, if drags are legal)....but it's just bad PR.

[gilgetter]

bhugo. I trap alot of state land here in the south of michigan. it is legal. I trapped from 1 nov to jan 20 with out loosing a trap. that was due in large part to my fellow trappers.everyone was outstanding. trapping culverts is a crap shoot at any time. I try to get up stream or down,about 20-30 yards. do your best to avoid pets.I wont set a spot if I think Ill get a pet.I usally water trap so that is not a big problem. most guys dont ware hip boots to hunt,coon hunters do but thats about it.so get as far from the bank as you can. you want to stake in deep water any way. if I mark a location at all it is not obvious, I dont use colored stakes or flaging. my water traps are put away for this season. if, thats a big if. I can find some beaver Ill set for them its getting kinda late but you have time for one more check good luck gil

[bhugo]

Thanks all. I have some private land to try for fox and coyote right now. I sure have logged some miles on state land for the last week or so. A few wet feet too! I found a nice state land creek to trap next year. It is about 500-600 yards from the road and real swampy. You need hippers to walk it. I am real hopeful for next year. Thanks Again!!

[hunt4life44]

personally i will NEVER trap state land again. I had a line set up on some state land in new haven or how ever you spell it, and i would come back to check my traps and one would be gone, next day same, this went on for a few days and i finially got sick of it and left. (my set were not out in the open by any means)

[soggybtmboys]

We had two of ours snatched this year, that were very close to a dike. Most of the traps I run are way out of the way and not visible to the majority of people or happers-by. Nothing wrong with trapping state land and it is very legal. Most fellow trappers are always willing to talk and keep an eye on each others sets. I however would not trap along ditches on public roads, or very easily accessible areas that get a lot of traffic. There are a lot of unscrupulous folks who would take something just to take it, and there are the others who really dislike the idea of trapping and would go out of their way to remove your traps. Just all in all, keep your things away from the general public and you should be fine. ;)

[solohunter]

personally i will NEVER trap state land again. I had a line set up on some state land in new haven or how ever you spell it, and i would come back to check my traps and one would be gone, next day same, this went on for a few days and i finially got sick of it and left. (my set were not out in the open by any means)
i have tried to yote hunt that area and see it is way over hunted,, guys i work with claim they here yotes all the time out there, nothing in the snow to support them,, good luck with the traps

[One Eye]

personally i will NEVER trap state land again. I had a line set up on some state land in new haven or how ever you spell it, and i would come back to check my traps and one would be gone, next day same, this went on for a few days and i finially got sick of it and left. (my set were not out in the open by any means)
If I let that behavior stop me, I would have to quit hunting also. I have had tons of treestands stolen as well as even a nice buck from the back of my truck.

My point is not let the scumbags deter you from enjoying yourself. When I scout hunting and trapping spots, 1/2 of my scouting is to ensure that I minimize HUMAN encounters.

Dan