Trap Clean Up And Repair After Season

Trap Clean Up And Repairs After Season

By Robert Vermillion II

By now this past trapping season is long over and but a mere memory. I hope your season was fun, productive and memorable.

But now is the time when I say the work really starts. The work that needs done now is neither glamorous nor very much fun, for that matter.

The reason I say this is because the days of excitement, and anticipation of the season to start, are long gone, as well as the excitement, and sleepless nights anticipating the next day’s catch.

The great joy of just being outdoors running traps, not knowing what the next trap around the bend in the creek or river has caught for you, is now a memory. As is wondering what’s in your next trap down the end of the farm lane in the back field.

Now is the time to get to work, and I mean work, not to mention the nitty-gritty, tedious, painstaking business end of the monstrous task of cleaning up and making the needed repairs to your traps and equipment.

Are you exhausted yet? I am and all I’ve done is start writing this article.

Well let’s get to work. I’ll be your coach and let you know where to start and lead you step by step as to what to do next so we can get through this together. We’ll be each other’s moral support. Sound good?

Pressure Washing

Now let’s get started. First off get the pressure washer out, or if you don’t have a pressure washer load all of your dirty traps and equipment up from the bed of your truck and drive to the car wash and pressure wash your equipment.

Word of caution: be sure the car wash owner doesn’t mind you spraying mud all around the establishment, and if he doesn’t mind it might be a good idea to spray the floor down before you leave.

Besides, you might want to use the car wash next year too. Be polite and responsible and don’t give trappers a black eye by being a slob and leaving mud strewn all over the car wash. Do this so the next guy behind you, in his Mercedes, doesn’t have to drive through the mud and get out and wade in it to wash his car, giving him something nasty to say about trappers.

Sorting Equipment

So after you have pressure washed everything, next unload all your stuff into different piles, traps of the same makes and sizes in their own piles, shovels, trowels, buckets, tools and equipment of that nature in their own pile. Unload all your trap stakes and trap stands into separate bunches.

Snares/Trap Stakes

and Stands

Check your stakes and see if any of them need washers or nuts replaced. Also, see if any of your trap stands need any welding done to them. Separate those that need repairs from the pile.

Next take the good trap stakes, traps stands and pack them away in buckets, boxes or whatever you prefer and like the most and put them away. Coil your snares up, (which should already be done) if you take your snares down the same as I do I coil them up as I take them down on my line.

That way there’s not a tangled maze of snares. Then hang them up in your fur shed or pack in buckets, what ever you prefer.

Conibears Traps

Let’s start with conibears. Check all the traps individually, first by checking trap chains, making sure they are in good shape and still attached to the trap well. Check and make sure you have a trap tag on your conibear and it is secured well, if not, replace or put one on at this time.

Make sure your springs are strong and fast enough to do a good job. Check both end rivets and make sure they are still in place. Check the trigger and make sure it’s not broken or missing. Separate the conibears needing repairs and make a list of parts needed for repairs.

Leg Hold Traps

Next are your leg hold traps. Start by checking each trap one by one. Check the chain and all swivels to make sure they are all in working order and attached well. Then check your trap tag and make sure it’s attached and fine, if not replace or put one on.

Next order of business is to check the springs of your trap, making sure they’re strong and in good shape. Check the lever’s, check the pan and mounting accessories, the nuts and bolt’s, last but not least the dog of the trap, what kind of shape is it in?

Does it need replacing? Put all leg holds that need parts and repairs in a separate pile, all along making a list of parts needed for repairs.

Cage Traps

Take all your cage traps and go over them, making sure your wire mesh on the outside is in good shape, and making note of any repairs that need done. Check the treadle inside the cage and make sure it’s in fine working order. Make sure the mechanics of the cage are in good shape. Check your trap tags and the cage handle.

Digging Equipment

Inspect your shovel and trowel handles and make note of the ones that need replacing. Check the steel on the blades of your digging equipment, and if the edges are blunt and dull you will want to take a file or grinder and put an edge back on them all the way around the cutting edge until they’re nice and sharp, then wipe them down with some oil and put them away.

Making Repairs

Now that you have the list of all the parts you need for repairs call a trap supply house/ trap dealer and order your parts, unless you plan on attending a trapping convention. A trapping convention is an excellent place to get supplies, shop for a bargain and to get good advice on how to make repairs. If you haven’t been to a convention I would highly recommend it.

Dye and Wax

After you have your parts, make your repairs. Last thing is to dye the traps that need dying and wax the ones that need waxing and put them up till next season. You will be glad you have this done and out of the way. And on the same note you will be that much closer and ready for next season.

Let’s get one thing straight and understood -- my way is not the only way of doing things, and if you have a different style or way of doing things that you like and you’re comfortable with that, then by all means do it that way. The same goes if you hear of a better style or way, then by all means do so.

Keep the smells of the lure dancing in your head and may you keep your stretcher’s full. Good luck and good trapping.