Nick C
Active Trap Talker
Posts: 73
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Post by Nick C on Oct 5, 2013 15:55:00 GMT -6
Saw a gentlemen out today digging pockets at bridges. Just holes, no stakes or traps.
Anyone else do this?
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Post by rugersinglesix on Oct 5, 2013 16:32:02 GMT -6
Ive always done it the weekend before season opens, also ajust the bank with my tile spade for blind sets and crawdad hole sets or what ever i need. Realy sucks when u do all that work and some dirt bag comes and sets ur pocket before u get to it on opening day.
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calvin
Hyper-Active Trap Talker
Posts: 163
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Post by calvin on Oct 5, 2013 18:17:54 GMT -6
Well, no more so of a dirtbag move than a guy who digs pockets in advance, trying to claim an area. Of course not all that pre dig pockets are trying to claim an area but that sure is part of the intent of many who do pre dig along ROWs.
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Nick C
Active Trap Talker
Posts: 73
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Post by Nick C on Oct 5, 2013 18:51:10 GMT -6
I'm just happy someone came along and dug all these pockets for me!  |
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Post by blackhammer on Oct 5, 2013 18:54:20 GMT -6
If you have the extra time a few days before the season there is no harm. Weeks before is stupid.water level changes and I do like the attaction a fresh pocket has. I would say for a serious mink line if you wanted to dig pockets the five days before the season it isn't a bad idea. Basically bait and go on opening day. I would think anyone who sets your pockets on you ,that's just part of the game. He has every right to and in some places if someone takes up all the set area under a bridge I probably would set it up. First come, first served.
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Post by jim blakley aka Gadget on Oct 5, 2013 18:59:56 GMT -6
......Its taking a big risk digging this early , water levels can change a lot In 4 weeks. ..........
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Post by riverbandit on Oct 5, 2013 19:27:15 GMT -6
Well, no more so of a dirtbag move than a guy who digs pockets in advance, trying to claim an area. Of course not all that pre dig pockets are trying to claim an area but that sure is part of the intent of many who do pre dig along ROWs. How is a hard working guy a dirt bag? I pre dig mine, but if someone beats me to it on opening day I don't consider him a dirt bag. |
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Post by iowaminker on Oct 5, 2013 20:02:51 GMT -6
I would see guys doing this two weeks before season. I would just shake my head. The drainage ditches I trapped on would fluctuate on water levels so much in that time.
A few years I would pre-dig pockets. During opening week. I only used pockets for mink, so I would dig the pocket, then block it off/hide it with a rock, etc. I would trap that bridge a few days, knocking down most of the coon, then pull the rock, bait the pocket, and set it.
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calvin
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Posts: 163
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Post by calvin on Oct 6, 2013 3:35:19 GMT -6
riverbandit. I was just responding to Rugersix's reply (and term dirtbag). Probably too strong of a term for this situation but it was there...so I used it.
Our opinions probably don't differ as much as you thought...but as stated some guys dig them to call dibs on the best location on the ROW.
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Post by LLLTrapper on Oct 6, 2013 7:22:11 GMT -6
So is digging pockets and actually laying steel when legal being a dirtbag also. I start at 8:00 am October 19th in the row and I am claiming that spot. Guys often cross my cable with theirs later. Then there is a problem. I don't care for that because coon fight and bite each other. I usually leave a note or catch up with the guy and ask him to move his cable. Competition doesn't bother me because for most, traps are hanging in the barn and vacation is over by the second week anyway. LLL
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calvin
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Post by calvin on Oct 6, 2013 9:21:15 GMT -6
LLL, you actually stake traps and dig pockets a full 2 weeks before season? (if I/m reading your start date right)...interesting.
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Post by rugersinglesix on Oct 6, 2013 9:48:28 GMT -6
I dont pree dig oockets to keep a spot i do it to speed things up, when i said dirt bag i was actuall talking about a particular trapper that does it to me, the same guy that sets his 220's 3 feet from mine, sets snares on botb sides of my snares and forgets where half his traps are every year, i cant count how many dead coon ive found in the road ditch in his snares and legholds that have starved to death. I consider him a dirt bag. And yes ive called the game warden, he said he was to busy chasing deer hunters so i never called him again. I would never set someone else's pree dug pocket, i consider it being unethical. Id never try to profit off someone else's hard work weather its legal or not. I think its pretty sad guys r so cut throat over a few greasy coon.
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Post by iayogi17 on Oct 6, 2013 9:58:36 GMT -6
LLL, you actually stake traps and dig pockets a full 2 weeks before season? (if I/m reading your start date right)...interesting. I do |
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Post by LLLTrapper on Oct 6, 2013 12:26:41 GMT -6
I sure do. So does everyone else down here. My pockets I dig down here are not at water level and are for coon. I hope not to catch mink right away and I set for a back foot so my pockets don't have to have water in them. LLL
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Post by LLLTrapper on Oct 6, 2013 12:29:06 GMT -6
I will add that I will have all three of my water lines dug in before season starts and one will be fully up and running for the first night of season. "Wait" broke down the wagon. LLL
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calvin
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Posts: 163
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Post by calvin on Oct 6, 2013 15:06:14 GMT -6
We are unable to pre stake (MN). It was thought we couldn't even pre dig but the MTA asked the DNR and they stated (after a long pause) I guess you can. HOwever, not sure all the C/Os are on board with that (we have a new batch) as the law states you can not "pre empt" a site.
We are also not able to get within 50 ft of water the first 2 weeks (sometimes its one week) of coon season. So pre digging has less effect up here. Of course the hound guys can take coon in the water for 2 weeks before we, trappers, can.
More power to ya.
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Post by kleverbeaver on Oct 6, 2013 18:29:10 GMT -6
I will do the whole per staking thing not to claim a spot I do it so opening morning all I have to do is bait set oil gone down the road to the next spot just so I can get the most traps set that I can do and run in a day
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Post by LLLTrapper on Oct 6, 2013 19:29:01 GMT -6
We are unable to pre stake (MN). It was thought we couldn't even pre dig but the MTA asked the DNR and they stated (after a long pause) I guess you can. HOwever, not sure all the C/Os are on board with that (we have a new batch) as the law states you can not "pre empt" a site. We are also not able to get within 50 ft of water the first 2 weeks (sometimes its one week) of coon season. So pre digging has less effect up here. Of course the hound guys can take coon in the water for 2 weeks before we, trappers, can. More power to ya. Lots of goofy laws up there to deal with. Maybe some day they will get things straightened out and you can come down here. LLL |
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dewey
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Posts: 100
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Post by dewey on Oct 6, 2013 20:01:13 GMT -6
LLL- Just curious, but why not poke sets or smear sets if your not targeting the mink? Do the pockets keep the coon working there longer? And do you offset your trap or just set 12ish inches straight back from the hole? Thanks
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Post by LLLTrapper on Oct 6, 2013 20:05:51 GMT -6
I use big chunks of carp. They don't fit into pokes. I do target mink but not until they steal my fish. LLL
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Post by LLLTrapper on Oct 6, 2013 20:07:40 GMT -6
I set the trap to the right slightly. No particular reason though other than to avoid the cable. LLL
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