Hello All! As a new member, this is my first post. (Actually the first forum I have joined.)
I have been doing some homework since early this year, and plan on setting my first trap line next season. I have looked at a lot of posts in this forum, and there is a lot of experience, and great information! Do any of you have any suggested reading, or any other tips for a brand new trapper? What would you tell yourself to do, (and not to do) if you could give yourself advice before you started trapping? I plan on attending a trapper education course, and I have established a relationship with a local, successful trapper, in hopes of learning. Thanks in advance!

the internet can be your best friend. this site has alot of good trappers and knowledge. trapperman is also good. as far as first year advice just get all the knowledge you can and keep it simple. also start small as this hobby is not cheap so make sure you enjoy it first. hope this helps. good luck

The trapper ed course and working with a local trapper are great ideas.

www.trapperman.com is a great resource. Check the archives for the "best of the best" posts. There is lots of good reading there.

Here is a link to the archives:
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/category/3/Archive

Here is one of my posts in the archives showing my Dog proof trap setup for coon.

http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4006412/1

There are lots of great DVDs and books for sale which can cut year off the learning curve.

I would start small with a few traps, a few coyote/fox traps (#2 or larger) and some water traps (#1.5's are great) and maybe some dog proof coon traps.

The "banks of the Wabash" is a great place to trap!

Good luck!!

As a 1st year trapper myself, I agree w/ all the above posts. I spent hours reading the trapperman archives. Awesome!!

For me the rubber met the road when I put what I knew (read) with what I do (put out traps). Learn something about every time out.

I would suggest NOT waiting until next year. Right now is a great time to scout, learn animal movements/patterns, places to put sets next year. Take a pen paper and write down travel patterns etc....

One of the best things I bought was the Hoosier Trapper Supply kit. Has everything you need and a great dvd: http://www.hoosiertrappersupply.com...ails/tabid/69/ProductID/672/Default.aspx

Don't wait. Get out there.

All Good advice here. I agree on getting about 6 good footholds some dp coon traps and maybe some 110's. Keep it simple at first. Trapping is alot of work and you do not want to burn yourself out setting lots of traps at first. You can catch every k-9 within a couple miles with only 6 traps if you set them in the right places. (Which I do not) Get on youtube and there is a ton of good videos on there. Just know there is no wrong or right way to setting traps. Find out what works and what doesn't and then have confidence in your sets. They do not have to be picture perfect sets either. Get out there and enjoy!!!

Hoosier Trapper Supply puts some great videos on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HoosierTrapperSupply

They go to Arkansas every winter to trap coyotes and bobcats and show this footage as well as some other Indiana trapping footage

Welcome Cornfed! This is good group of trappers, and good guys! Everybody here is more than willing to help out. So, don't be afraid to ask anything!!! All the advice above is spot on. Just like in anything else, we all have our own ways of doing things to get the same end result. That's where we learn from each other.

Thanks for all the replies and advice, everybody! It is appreciated! Lots of fresh snow coming in tonight and tomorrow. Should be interesting to see what critters are coming and going.

Another couple ideas for you (and others)

1.) Plan on attending the Fur Takers Rendezvous at Hoosier Trapper in September 2014. It is a day long of hands on demos and seminars about trapping. And it's free.

2.) Also, the trappers conventions next fall are great places to learn from some top trappers in seminars and demos

http://www.indianatrappers.org/

http://www.nationaltrappers.com/

Great places to pick up gear at great prices and save on shipping costs as well

I attended the Fur Takers rendezvous this year at hoosier trapper supply. Indeed there were some really good demos. These guys hang around after their demo is over and you can pick their brain and ask all the questions you want. Indeed trappers are a different breed willing to help each other out. It's like trappers have this bred in oath to be good sportsman and are just all around good people.

The Rendezvous is always the weekend of the youth season, for deer. Would like to go BUT.... Wish they had it the weekend before or after.