Predator Control Poll ?
 

To increase ground nesting birds nesting success would you support extending Trapping Season's four weeks ?
Delta Waterfowl has seen large increases in Waterfowl nesting success in the Dakota's where they had a Predator Control in Place.
I believe Iowa could benefit from this also for our Waterfowl, Pheasant's & Quail.
I don't feel we will ever see a Million bird Pheasant harvest again, but what we have today is not even close to once we once had.
I also feel Iowa would have a significant increase in early season Waterfowl numbers.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

Adding 4 weeks to trapping season won’t do you much if any good. I’ve trapped most of my life. When the water is hard the traps are pulled. You won’t find but a few guys that have enough energy to run another 4 weeks. With these temps coon are dened up. Skunks are probably the biggest nest robbers out there but very few trappers target them. And again when temps are this low the movemt is very slow and not really worth a trappers time. If your going after k9’s then trap them yotes year round. You are also getting into mating season. Hides will be roughed up which brings value down. With it being mating season, well sometimes Mother Nature should just be left alone.
Trapping is a dying sport. If you want to see a difference, get the youth involved. Take a group of high schoolers to the state conventions. Nothing use to get me more fired up about tapping than the state convention. In the Credar Rapids/Iowa city area we use to have 4 or 5 trapping demonstrations every year. These are the thing that will get the youth interested.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

It'll do absolutely nothing. I haven't trapped in recent years due to my job, but 90% of guys hit it hard the first week or two and are done. There's only one thing that will change that. A fur boom equivalent to that of the 70s.

Trapping is a very dedicated sport and without a monetary incentive it'll be hard to encourage people too trap longer and harder. It also makes it hard to get youth hooked on trapping.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

seasons don't matter. fur price does. even 10 years ago I was getting 25 bucks a coon. killing every possum and skunk I caught. getting my traps stolen, blah, blah, blah. now I don't even make a single set. although I bet there aren't too many trap thieves anymore. I have a few buddies that stuck it out and even they are now thinking about hanging it up.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

We have slowed trapping down a bit, since it froze up, but by no means are all the coons denned. We have been catching 1 or 2 coon every couple days in snares and footholds for what winter we have had so far. We have been catching opossum and coys too. You old boys just need to get after it, dont give up just cause of a little cold/snow. Animals gotta eat too.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

I agree with the guys above. If there's nobody out trapping, extended seasons will do no good. The only thing that will change is fur prices going up.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

I have no issue with trapping whatsoever, but just because Delta's study shows nesting improvement, that doesn't correlate to a statewide improvement with increased trapping. Now if you take your 80 acres and trap the shit out of it, yes, you can replicate the results if you have the habitat. Other studies actually show that leaving the medium-sized predators (coyote, etc) was more beneficial as they ran off many more nest eaters than people do. Food for thought. Habitat and weather are king - only one of those can be controlled.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

A half a dozen skins in a weeks time is far from being worth it. The cold isn’t what stops me, it’s the money/time spent for just a few skins. I’m set up to run mostly rivers. With numbers that low I would rather waste my time working OT, training the dog, or just spending time with the family.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

Maybe we need to legalize shooting predators at night with the aid of light with a Rimfire rifle. A lot of Southern States allow this.
Maybe this could help with the skunks & possum's.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

You will not see any different results extending the season any longer than it already is for many reasons. Water guys are pretty much done when freeze up happens. This time of year fur really starts to get to no value due to rubbing from breeding season. And most importantly fur isn't with much the last couple years. Most trappers aren't out there to try and reduce populations to increase game populations. Most are out there for the tradition and to make money. Like it has been mentioned above trapping is a dying tradition especially with all the antis pressing at it. You want to start reducing the number of predators... Better start having huge predator contests every weekend with large payouts to get guys interested. Thinking about getting one going for the eastern part of the state next year.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

I'm going to agree with many before me, an extended season isn't goi g to do it. Just my opinion here but it's going to take increased fur prices (and reduced antis rants) or bounties.

I used to run a reasonable line but if I can't make it break even it gets tough to justify.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

I trap regardless of money, so I'd benefit, but I am in a very small minority.

I am looking forward to getting the boat back on the river next week to collect a few more beaver pelts before I move on to chasing turkeys.

Re: Predator Control Poll ?
 

I'd also be in favor of allowing artificial light for the taking of coyotes. It would make night hunting on minimal moon nights accessible to more than just those who can afford NV.