Dang trapping is fun! Because I was trapping for fur and enjoying an incredible “NON” winter this past winter at my camp, I was feeling like a kid again. 

Also, because last winter was not so great for what I usually do after the deer season closes, my attitude did have to change. To background, for several decades I could be found snug in my darkhouse decoying pike into my spear’s path. Most recently, however, I actually got back into cross-country skiing, after a 20-year absence, believe it or not. But, the ice sucked and the snow well, was missing, so like any good Northlander who loves the outdoors, I transitioned.

I still had some trail cameras out, though, that renewed a passion I have not had the time to pursue since I was a kid—setting traps for muskrats and racoons. I was getting pics on a regular basis of wolves, coyotes, and bobcats, so, I decided to go for it. I was going trapping.

I like expanding my camp adventures beyond just deer hunting. And, given my camp is a little over an hour from my home, checking traps daily would not be feasible for me. However, by law, a trapper can check kill sets every three days. Based on that, I decided to target fisher, marten, and bobcat. All of which can be trapped using a very similar set designed to make a quick kill that I can legally check every three days. Basically, I would use a “cubby” set, which is a #220 conibear in a bucket or a box. These furbearers also have short season that would allow me to light my fire and not bite off more than I could chew, to use long-lasting sayings. 

As for results, I caught a marten on my first check! It was my very first marten ever. I was thrilled. Long story short, in spite of capturing pics of bobcats, I never caught one nor saw a single track. I later heard that a non-winter is not really ideal for bobcat trapping. They are and were just not that hungry. Unfortunately for the snowshoe hares, hiding in the brush is not very effective without snow. I kind of felt sorry for them, sitting so still, but sticking out like a jug of milk. Yep, I see you there. The cats were probably having a great time. The good news was, however, that bobcat trapping actually introduced me to my new favorite winter pursuit. 

As I approached one of my bobcat pail sets the #220 conibear was not visible. Figuring I missed a cat, I was bumming. As I picked up the triggered trap laying in front of the pail set, low and behold, a weasel was frozen stiff, clutched in the jaws of my trap. Hiking farther along my trap line, I caught another! After sharing my success with more knowledgeable trapping buddies, they informed me I needed to place some weasel boxes at every bobcat set. This apparently is standard procedure.

So off to a lumber store I went to pick up a bunch of green-treated picket fence boards, which are about three bucks each. I also learned from several YouTube trapping channels that one 6-foot board makes a perfect weasel box. Consequently, I swung by the rodent trap aisle and loaded up on Victor Rat Traps. Again a few bucks each. Let the fun begin. 

Besides placing one box at my five bobcat sets, I laid a line of boxes along the frozen beaver channels flowing through the cattails and sedges amongst the beaver ponds on and around my camp. I could pull a small jet sled with a half a dozen boxes easily sliding on the ice and minimal snow. Weasel tracks were abundant as well as the occasional mink. I placed boxes wherever I found a cluster of tracks tucked on top of a high spot amongst the cattails. I threw a little meat scrap my butcher buddy saves for me in the back of the trap. Venison scraps from processing your deer would also be perfect or even set some mouse traps and catch some bait. Simply put, set and lay the rat trap with the pan under the entrance hole. The best traps have a pan as opposed to just a trigger. If you cannot find that kind, you can slide a piece of stiff cardboard on the trigger. The idea is to create a place for the weasel to step on in order to trigger the trap. These traps will kill quickly. Using a twig, rub a little swab of lure on or under the roof above the hole and then toss the stick in the box. Additionally, make a little disturbance in front of the box for good eye appeal.

That is it, if there are weasels around you will catch them. When you come back to check the traps I hope, like me, you giggle like a little kid when you see that black-tipped tail hanging out the box hole.

As a side note, weasels are very abundant and prolific breeders. In fact, there is no limit or season on weasels. But, of course, it is best to catch them in their prime white coats. The very best part is I was able to simply freeze them whole and sell them to a fur buyer. I received five bucks a piece for weasels! No skinning, no fleshing, no drying, just a very easy way to get into trapping.  

So, get some fence boards, some rat traps, and recruit maybe a kid or two. Head to your deer shack or even your local cattail swamp or any brushy country and catch yourself some fur. It just might become your favorite winter pursuit!