Furtaker Intelligence Feed
Trapping & Predator News
Allegheny River (Warren)
5100 CFS
Land Trapping: Canines & Raccoons
Coyote: The Dirt Hole Set
Set: Dig a 2-3" hole at a 45° angle at the base of a "backing". Bed a #1.75 or #2 coil-spring 9" in front. Use a heavy gland lure and sheep wool with bait. Scent control is critical—wear clean gloves.
Fox: The Flat Set
Set: Ideal for field edges. Find a natural object (rock/tuft). Bed trap and conceal with sifted dirt. Use a "post" scent (urine) on the object. Fox require precise pan tension to avoid firing on small rodents.
Raccoon: DP (Dog Proof) Sets
Set: Anchor DP traps near water-to-woods transitions. Bait with marshmallows or fish pellets. DPs virtually eliminate non-target catches and are highly efficient for high-volume lines.
Raccoon: Water Blind Sets
Set: Place a #1.5 coil-spring in 2" of water where a high bank meets a shallow run. Raccoons naturally travel the water's edge. No bait needed—rely on their natural pathing.
High-Country Elite (Triple Crown)
Fisher: Running Pole
Lean a 4" log at 45° against a tree. Mount a #160 body-grip. Bait the top with beaver meat and skunk musk. Keeps fur clean and avoids non-targets.
Bobcat: The Visual Set
Use a "V" rock-set. Hang a white feather or CD above the set. Bobcats hunt by sight; the movement pulls them off the trail into the trap bed.
Otter: Latrine/Slide Set
Use #330 body-grippers in narrow water runs below bank slides. Submerge the trap 2" to ensure the otter doesn't swim over it.
Beaver: Advanced Open Water & Ice
Mound Set (Open Water): Create an artificial castor mound on the bank. Place a #4 coil-spring or #330 in the run.
Bait Pile (Open Water): Stake fresh poplar/aspen sticks in shallow water to mimic a feed cache; trap the approach.
Under-Ice: Mount a #330 on a poplar pole pushed into the mud through the ice.
Advanced Calling & Pursuit
Coyote Stand Sequence
Lone howls followed by rabbit distress. Switch to female whimpers or challenge barks in Feb. Always cover your downwind side!
Working the Hounds
Blueticks/Walkers for pursuit. Decoy curs for "tolling" coyotes. GPS collars are essential for recovery in the ANF.
Aquatic & Farmstead
Mink & Muskrat
Pocket sets for mink (salted fish bait). Colony traps for high-volume muskrat in narrow runs/ditches.
Weasel/Skunk/Possum
Weasel boxes with rat traps. Cage traps with marshmallows for skunks to minimize non-target cat catches.
2026 Fur Price Index
| Species | Avg | High |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | $84.00 | $125.00 |
| Fisher | $52.33 | $64.00 |
| Coyote | $21.05 | $30.00 |
| Beaver | $31.46 | $39.00 |
| Fox Gray | $26.70 | $28.00 |
| Mink | $18.22 | $19.50 |
| Raccoon | $3.95 | $7.00 |