Trapping for meat In inflationary times

[Cathode]

Anyone trapping for meat on the forum? Seems to be the best way to get reliable meat off grid. Got these American conibear traps and foothold traps, but can only really use them for rabbits. They seem to last a long time, each trap could bring in a tonnage of meat before they are flogged out. Very cheap considering the amount of meat they provide.
If I set traps anywhere else other than at rabbit warrens, I would only catch lizards or some endangered critter.

I can’t imagine the trapping to be had in Europe or America with all the useful critters over there. Beavers and raccoons would return your investment in one snap.

 

[Reynolds]

Anyone trapping for meat on the forum? Seems to be the best way to get reliable meat off grid. Got these American conibear traps and foothold traps, but can only really use them for rabbits. They seem to last a long time, each trap could bring in a tonnage of meat before they are flogged out. Very cheap considering the amount of meat they provide.
If I set traps anywhere else other than at rabbit warrens, I would only catch lizards or some endangered critter.

I can’t imagine the trapping to be had in Europe or America with all the useful critters over there. Beavers and raccoons would return your investment in one snap.

Some years I run a trap line. I mainly trap Yotes. Don't eat them though. Rabbits are fun to trap. My kids won't let me kill them. A rabbit gravy is some more good eating.

 

[Cathode]

Some years I run a trap line. I mainly trap Yotes. Don't eat them though. Rabbits are fun to trap. My kids won't let me kill them. A rabbit gravy is some more good eating.

We casserole them with root vegetables and bacon lining top and bottom. The meat stays moist and falls off the bone. The bacon flavour goes right through the meat and vegetables.

 

[Cathode]

You can buy these by the dozen fairly cheap. The good thing about them is they are kill traps, so there’s no squealing and carryon to attract the foxes and cats.

 

[Reynolds]

You can buy these by the dozen fairly cheap. The good thing about them is they are kill traps, so there’s no squealing and carryon to attract the foxes and cats.

I have some of those, 16" I think, for water sets.

 

[Cathode]

I have some of those, 16" I think, for water sets.

Apparently good for muskrat, we don’t have any creatures like that here, not that are good for eating anyway.
Are you in a muskrat area?

 

[Reynolds]

Apparently good for muskrat, we don’t have any creatures like that here, not that are good for eating anyway.
Are you in a muskrat area?

No. Don't have them. Beavers, bobcats, coon, possum, skunks, Yotes, neighbors dogs, etc.

 

[Cathode]

No. Don't have them. Beavers, bobcats, coon, possum, skunks, Yotes, neighbors dogs, etc.

What do you have that’s worth trapping? We’ve got pigs, Roos in a survival emergency, perhaps bandicoots if we had too. But most native critters here are protected and you spent 500 years in prison if you trap one.

 

[Reynolds]

What do you have that’s worth trapping? We’ve got pigs, Roos in a survival emergency, perhaps bandicoots if we had too. But most native critters here are protected and you spent 500 years in prison if you trap one.

We have hogs. I shoot them instead of trapping them. Deer and beR, but can't trap them. For food, Coons, Rabbits, Hogs, possums. I don't eat possum, but my grandaddy did.

 

[kyredneck]

Got these American conibear traps and foothold traps, but can only really use them for rabbits.

Why only rabbits, the law? Around here cottontail rabbit is the best tasting wild red meat to be had, venison included, imo of course. You all still overrun with rabbits? For some reason I'm thinking Australia had solved the rabbit problem.

Trapping was a source of income for me growing up, but I also caught a lot of rabbits for eating when there were plenty to be had. Coyotes and farmers with bushhogs have done a number on the cottontail population here.

 

[OnlyaSinner]

I have some of those, 16" I think, for water sets.

Those 330s could break one's arm, but they're the medicine for beaver. (Though a trapper friend still likes fooling those big rodents with a drowning set using footholds and aspen sticks as bait.)

 

[Reynolds]

Those 330s could break one's arm, but they're the medicine for beaver. (Though a trapper friend still likes fooling those big rodents with a drowning set using footholds and aspen sticks as bait.)

I have never used snares. Always wanted to learn. You are correct, the big traps are dangerous. They are pretty safe when you use a set tool. They can be set without a set tool, but it takes a braver man than me to do it.

 

[JonC]

I trap meat in the grocery cart, if that counts.

 

[kyredneck]

I trap meat in the grocery cart, if that counts.

Lol, I had a 13 lb ribeye roast @ 6.99 lb cornered at SavaLot today, was tempted, but decided to have mercy and let it go...

 

[Cathode]

I have never used snares. Always wanted to learn. You are correct, the big traps are dangerous. They are pretty safe when you use a set tool. They can be set without a set tool, but it takes a braver man than me to do it.

Rabbit snares are easy, just use thin gauge galvanised mono strand wire. Make a small loop at one end enough for the other end to pass through. I use a haywire twist and barrel roll to secure it. Like for shark traces.

Good thing about these easy mono wire sets is they remain rigid in place even in heavy wind and rain.

You want the haywire twist part to form the belly of the snare like this next image.

This will start to close immediately as the rabbit passes through.

The bottom of the snare should be 4 finger widths off the ground for rabbits, so karate chop the ground and your index finger should just touch the bottom wire. Fist sized loop and you are in business.

Hares 7 finger widths off the ground and palm sized open hand length diameter loop.
Look for trail runs under fences, in the bushes and grass.

 

[Reynolds]

Rabbit snares are easy, just use thin gauge galvanised mono strand wire. Make a small loop at one end enough for the other end to pass through. I use a haywire twist and barrel roll to secure it. Like for shark traces.

Good thing about these easy mono wire sets is they remain rigid in place even in heavy wind and rain.

You want the haywire twist part to form the belly of the snare like this next image.

This will start to close immediately as the rabbit passes through.

The bottom of the snare should be 4 finger widths off the ground for rabbits, so karate chop the ground and your index finger should just touch the bottom wire. Fist sized loop and you are in business.

Hares 7 finger widths off the ground and palm sized open hand length diameter loop.
Look for trail runs under fences, in the bushes and grass.

Thanks. I might have to try them for beaver. They are illegal for everything else in Ga.

 

[Cathode]

I trap meat in the grocery cart, if that counts.

Yellow flag my friend that’s well beyond the line of scrimmage.

 

[Cathode]

Lol, I had a 13 lb ribeye roast @ 6.99 lb cornered at SavaLot today, was tempted, but decided to have mercy and let it go...

That’s only $113, what a bargain for dinner.

 

[Cathode]

I trap meat in the grocery cart, if that counts.

Actually, what is your cheapest type of meat over there.?

 

[AustinC]

Anyone trapping for meat on the forum? Seems to be the best way to get reliable meat off grid. Got these American conibear traps and foothold traps, but can only really use them for rabbits. They seem to last a long time, each trap could bring in a tonnage of meat before they are flogged out. Very cheap considering the amount of meat they provide.
If I set traps anywhere else other than at rabbit warrens, I would only catch lizards or some endangered critter.

I can’t imagine the trapping to be had in Europe or America with all the useful critters over there. Beavers and raccoons would return your investment in one snap.

First, you have to make sure it's legal. You can't just kill anything at any time. That is called poaching and you get fined or sent to jail for doing so.
Second, have you ever tried to eat beaver or musk rat? You better have no taste buds or a whole lot of spices to change the taste.
Third, most people in the US are city dwellers or prairie farmers. Fresh, wild game is not available to most people.

But, hey, if you live in remote areas where there are more wild animals than humans, feel free to run a trap line, skin up what you catch, and eat it. Come early July you can start gathering raspberries, blueberries, chokecherries and other edibles. Just watch out for the bears doing the same thing.