Author Topic: chukkar hunters? (Read 729 times)

bobcat66 · « **on:** January 21, 2005, 04:57:46 AM »

I live in central nevada with lots of mountains and lots of chukkar, I trap for bobcats in these areas because they like to eat chukkar. I have a problem maybe someone can help me with. I seem to catch hunters dogs. Does anyone know how not to catch these dogs? I have to use a trail set or a walkthrough set because of our snow here, right now we have about 12-16 inches on the ground, and it is hard to keep a dirthole from freezing, or getting covered by blowing snow. Last year I lost 14 traps to chukkar hunters, this year I have lost 6. can anyone help?

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foxtail · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2005, 09:51:31 AM »

1/8" cable stakes.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2005, 11:03:24 AM »

You catch a hunters dog,you are going to lose traps--no ifs and or buts about it.
You are going to have to look into finding areas where hunters aren't.
Trappers share a lot of same territories as hunters,it is hard to blame them for taking a trap that catches their dog.
Look into finding some private land ,where you are king of the hill.
Tom

bobcat66 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2005, 11:19:25 AM »

the problem there lies that nevada is 85% public land, all the private land is on ranches in the valleys, where there arent cats. Thank you for the advice, I have tried to put my traps where they cant get to, but these hunters out here will walk for hours to shoot a few birds. This will probably be an ongoing fight forever, I guess as a trapper it is better to just lay low, and set new traps later, before we end up like California with no trapping at all.

foxtail · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2005, 11:23:11 AM »

Quote

it is hard to blame them for taking a trap that catches their dog.

I don't agree with that at all.
Trap theft is the same whether it is done by a hunter or by an AR fool.

If that hunter's dog chases my cat up a tree, that reasoning would make it ok for me to take his dog.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2005, 01:03:21 PM »

Foxtail, I wasn't looking for your ageement on my statement.
Catching a free roaming dog is one thing,catching a dog working with a hunter is another ball game altogether.
A hunter with his dog has as much right to public land as a trapper,I wouldn't waste time setting an area where my chances of catching a hunters dog is high.We need the hunting fraternities support---not fuel the fires for their resentment.
Tom

bobcat66 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2005, 01:20:21 AM »

Bogmaster,
I totally agree, so I guess we take the good of catching cats with the bad of catching a few dogs, I have talked to a few hunters this year, most of them agree that cat trapping is good for the chukkar population. I think there are just a few bad apples in every type of sport. I try to get along, the more support we have between hunter and trapper meens more support against antis. I have been told that if you use large guide sticks in front and back of your trap that this will help keep the dogs away, they say they will jump over the trap rather than step on the pan, as cats are picky about where they step they will still step on the pan?

Bogmaster · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2005, 06:24:51 AM »

Bob, keep on experimenting.I dont go north for our cat season ,so my area of expertise on bobcat foot placement is limited.
Good luck keeping the dogs out and the kitties where you want them.
Tom

jim-NE · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2005, 02:34:27 PM »

one tip that workes for me is to "activate" your traps just before dusk, then get in there before daylight, run your sets, and set off your traps as you go, covering them up. Then, come back again toward dusk and reactivate your sets...and basically just run your land sets at night when there are no bird hunters in the areas.
It takes a lot of extra work, but it gives you full controll of the night...and nocturnal animals, while they control the birds and other daytime animals.
Just a thought...

bobcat66 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2005, 04:27:16 AM »

Jim, THanks for the advice, but it would almost be impossible, I have out about 60 traps and a 125 mile round trip on one line and about a 50 mile round trip on a second line. That keeps me too busy already. Thanks again for the advice.

lynx/cat-trapper · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2005, 01:17:28 PM »

The solution is "fairly" simple...I trap the same type of terrain that you do. Keep you sets ON the rim and within a few feet of the edge...use HEAVY guide sticks...AND heavy brush blocking..AND flagging tape AT the set and apx 100' each side....most chucker hunters hunt OFF the rim at least 50yds or so...that is where the birds are....use blind sets...NO bait...NO lure...your loss's are cut dramatically.
later
lynx