Pennsylvania Game News - January 2024 - 27

One thing that I've found works to attract
the attention of predators in such
places is to give them something diff erent
to look at. The standard dirt-hole set
usually will have a small torn-up area
around it. So as an alternative, I may
brush away the leaves for several feet
around my set to give it more eye appeal.
This has the added benefi t of helping to
deal with all the fallen leaves that can
drown a standard dirt-hole presentation
if the wind picks up.
At other times, structure will be waiting
for you.
One example, commonly found along
most roads on state game lands or state
forests, are runoff areas leading from culvert
pipes. The ditch on the downhill side
is usually no more than 15 or 20 yards
long, but I guarantee you, any predator
traveling through the area is going
to check the pipe for food. They might
also hunt the ditch for a short piece before
turning back to the road. A set here
is quick to put in and easy to check.
OPPORTUNITY & CHALLENGE
Beyond that, woodlands often off er
opportunity when other would-be trapping
locations are locked up by winter.
Pine thickets are the top pick for me,
as snow depths under the trees often are
far less than in surrounding areas.
Spring seeps also are productive, especially
if there's water deep enough to
put in a set. Such sets aren't the norm,
but that's just what sometimes makes
them so eff ective at taking wily coyotes
and foxes.
Other potential trapping spots within
the woods will reveal themselves if you
take the time to look and really see. While
hiking a creek-bottom trail, looking for a
place to set for coyotes, you might fi nd
a downed tree crossing the water that's
JANUARY 2024
covered in raccoon droppings. A set on
either end of the tree is sure to produce
fur. Large rock outcroppings draw furbearers,
as well.
Now, all that said, there are challenges
to trapping the woods, to be sure.
Many forests are publicly owned and,
as a result, are busy every month of the
year. So when you're scouting for predators,
take some time to scout people, too.
Steer clear of any high-use areas you
discover to avoid unwanted confl icts.
You have the same right to use the area
as others do, but who wants to encounter
sprung traps or caught dogs?
Instead, keep your traps out of sight
to minimize the curiosity of others and
increase your target catch rate.
It's also best to avoid trapping during
times of peak activity.
Maybe this means holding off in a
particular location until after the fi rearms
deer season. Maybe it means trapping
through the week rather than on weekends,
setting on Monday and pulling
your traps on a Friday.
Be aware, too, that trapping forests,
especially late in the season, can be hard
work. Just reaching your spots can be
tough if there's lots of snow.
But the tradeoff s make forest trapping
worth it.
Public land can be accessed without
permission. Game is plentiful, often offering
up just as many furbearers as in
more broken country. And the quality of
fur can be better, relatively free of burrs.
In today's fur market, that can make a
sizable diff erence in your fur check.
So yes, Penn's Woods hold lots of potential
for the would-be trapper.
Try trapping where trees dominate the
landscape and you will learn far more
about the land than just how to catch a
fox in a patch of pines.
27
Pennsylvania Game News - January 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - January 2024
