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Iroquois?
Aug 23, 2014 9:20:08 GMT -5
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Post by arrowsmith on Aug 23, 2014 9:20:08 GMT -5
I've been driving around the Iroquois refuge all morning. Beautiful place. Have seen rats, beavers, deer, eagles, ducks, turtles, rabbits, etc. Anyone on forum trap here? I spoke to gal last week about regs. Seems pretty straight forward.
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austinp
#3 Newhouse
the next fur season is never far from our minds :)
Posts: 3,008
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Post by austinp on Aug 23, 2014 11:06:05 GMT -5
It gets a lot of traffic during water season... and you'll meet a guy up there named Danny Frye. He's one of the top trappers in the U.S. when it comes to catch numbers and skill level. If you trap the Iroquis complex, you'll meet him. Super-nice guy, talkative too
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Post by mikespring on Aug 23, 2014 12:10:37 GMT -5
That dude sure can rack up the #s of any species...Like Austin said hes a heck of a good guy too.
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Iroquois?
Aug 23, 2014 12:20:02 GMT -5
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Post by arrowsmith on Aug 23, 2014 12:20:02 GMT -5
Wow. He must really be good. I was told 25 traps per trapper only on refuge, and season usually does not open till December.
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austinp
#3 Newhouse
the next fur season is never far from our minds :)
Posts: 3,008
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Post by austinp on Aug 23, 2014 12:51:07 GMT -5
Wow. He must really be good. I was told 25 traps per trapper only on refuge, and season usually does not open till December. He traps there and all over the place in that area, too. Also up north in the general area I do. Back a couple years ago he was over 2,000 rats when I talked to him in March, pile of beavers in his truck at the time when we crossed paths. Catches a lot of whatever he targets... coon, canines, rats, beaver... whatever.
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Post by trappermac on Aug 23, 2014 13:21:48 GMT -5
Wow. He must really be good. I was told 25 traps per trapper only on refuge, and season usually does not open till December. Trapped there heavy in the 70's, then on and off 80's and 90's before there were trap number limits. Yep, 25 trap limit per trapper, you gotta get tags at the refuge office or by mail. And keep a log which must be turned in whether you set a trap or not. And they open the season in December after the regular deer season. Make sure you scout before the season in case it freezes up by opener. Gets plenty of guys, the ones who roll those 25 traps all season long do well. Opening morning you'll see guys parked on the road all over prior to daybreak claiming their "spots".
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Post by arrowsmith on Aug 23, 2014 13:22:56 GMT -5
Austin, kinda figured that after I typed the comment about 25 traps per person. My plan is to put out my 25 there and another 25 across the road and stay in the general area for about a week. I've made the commitment to devote two weeks to the water line this year with one being in the southern tier (Little Valley area), and the next week, weather permitting, to the refuge when it opens. I live smack halfway between the two. The target is 100 rats in two weeks. We'll see....
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Post by arrowsmith on Aug 23, 2014 13:28:06 GMT -5
I figured it must get a little traffic being so easily accessable. I read the regs about flagging or claiming spots and it specifically states no one may do so in any way before the opener. I figure opening day could probably get a little crazy, but, from what I saw today, there is a lot of water there. Also, the regs say 50 permits only and then it gets shut off. Even if there were 50 cars there, I'm sure to find a little ground if I get my permit.
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Post by trappermac on Aug 23, 2014 13:42:04 GMT -5
Most guys want to concentrate on the dikes as well as on the small pond areas on 77 and ditch road, walk in a bit instead and you'll find plenty of ground. Especially on the Tonawanda WMA, if you walk in a bit you'll find nice areas. Remember that you can only have a total of 25 tagged traps on all three areas, TWMA, Oak Orchard WMA, and Iroqouis.
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Iroquois?
Aug 23, 2014 14:47:21 GMT -5
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Post by ratlvr on Aug 23, 2014 14:47:21 GMT -5
First off,they usually open a week apart.so you would be trapping the Fed side for a bit over a week before you can set your other 25 on State side. You better be fast or guys will speed right in front of you while your setting . Not sure of your rat experience ,but if your new ,in that first week you would be lucky to break 25 rats.
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Post by arrowsmith on Aug 24, 2014 8:50:09 GMT -5
Not new to trapping, but have been away from it for awhile. Trapped alot during school years. I guess you could say "semi-pro rookie" LOL. I decided to set a few traps a few years ago, and then a few more last year. Had nothing to do with fur prices. I did not even sell a pelt, and last year when I wanted to step in a little heavier on the rats, we had the winter of winters and I decided not to drill ice holes. This is supposed to be relaxing hobby for me. I will not be running or setting fast to stay ahead of competition. If it truly is a "rat race" at Iriquois or Tonawanda this will be the only year I go there. I will give it a shot, but I do have alternatives including a swamp I own near Dansville. I am just trying to stay a little closer to home on the Fed and State management areas. Another question, I forgot to ask the folks at the State and Federal marsh. Can I stay on site in a camper if I choose to spend the week there? I know most state lands allow for camping for three days or so before you must move to another location, but not sure about these sites. Anyone?
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austinp
#3 Newhouse
the next fur season is never far from our minds :)
Posts: 3,008
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Post by austinp on Aug 24, 2014 9:28:55 GMT -5
it'll be a rat race anywhere on public water that is open to wade or float. Go ahead and pre-scout some areas deeper in from easy access, get yourself out there ahead of the 7am bell and set your traps along with everyone else. See how it goes from there.
as for your swamp near Dansville, leave that until later in the season unless trespass is an issue. If it's at all visible from any road, I've seen it before and so have other area trappers. A lot of guys comb the Dansville - Groveland region for rats.
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Iroquois?
Aug 24, 2014 10:07:02 GMT -5
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Post by ratlvr on Aug 24, 2014 10:07:02 GMT -5
IMO if you want to relax and it's just a hobby,I'd stick to your private swamp. Not trying to discourage you at all,but you get some ornery guys in them swamps
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Post by arrowsmith on Aug 24, 2014 10:07:27 GMT -5
Austin, was thinking just that way. I have a canoe and could use it to get off the dikes early, and then get my 25 out. As far as Dansville goes, yes it is visible, but friend lives next door and keeps a pretty tight wrap on it. We also duck hunt there regularly, and have it posted up pretty solid. I've never seen a trap or any evidence of trapping there, but I guess they could be going in unnoticed. Funny thing is, I've owned this place for about 5 years now, and have never trapped it. Maybe this year...
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Iroquois?
Aug 24, 2014 10:09:24 GMT -5
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Post by ratlvr on Aug 24, 2014 10:09:24 GMT -5
Even the private waters the last few years have had multiple guys trapping illegally.
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Post by arrowsmith on Aug 24, 2014 10:37:53 GMT -5
Definition of ornery (adj) Bing Dictionary or·ner·y[ áwrnəree ] irritable: uncooperative and irritable insufficient: meager, whether out of poverty or lack of generosity common: ordinary
Uncooperative and irratable! Trappers? Say it aint so! LOL
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austinp
#3 Newhouse
the next fur season is never far from our minds :)
Posts: 3,008
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Post by austinp on Aug 24, 2014 14:37:50 GMT -5
save your private water for later on... work the public water first. Go in there opening days for each section, do a little homework first, you'll get some traps in.
going to be the same madhouse on every piece of public water this year, with all fur prices dropped except for muskrats, everyone will be ganged up on them. Just the way it is this year.
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Post by trappermac on Aug 24, 2014 15:24:51 GMT -5
Don’t let ornery guys or anyone for that matter scare you off, you got the same rights as they do to be in the swamps and it doesn’t take a pro trapper to set on sign in this area, runs, feedbeds and bank dens with steady water levels being fairly shallow make it easy. I trapped there full time in the 70’s and never used a canoe. I highly advise you get some maps of the area and take plenty of walks in, you got to know the area, you’ll find that a canoe is not needed to get off the road into areas. Plenty of trails all over as well that allow you get back in. You should stop in at the headquarters on Casey rd and talk to the folks there, they’re very helpful. You can get maps there and find out about that camper. You do know that it will be Dec…and it doesn’t take that long to run 25 rat sets….long time spent in a camper.
It used to be that the Fed marsh ran their permits separately, you paid $50 for your permit and could run 25 traps there as well as 25 on the WMA’s under their permit system, so you could run 50 sets. I may be wrong, but I believe last year they went to the same permit system and you now have 25 tags to use for all three areas.
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Post by arrowsmith on Aug 24, 2014 16:22:28 GMT -5
Mac, my thinking exactly which is why I was also scouting and securing permission on other water in the area. I also have a good beagle and there are some bunnys in the area, so I'm thinking it could be a nice combo trapping hunting trip.
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