Here's a novel idea, if it's within the regs, why don't the social media guys buy a trapping license and hit the WMA's etc during furbearer season and run a line for nest predators ? Then promote that idea, publish it. Maybe some followers will take it up and do the same. Combine it into a scouting/trapping trip to add personal value. A side benefit, is that increased license sales and trapping equipment sales leads to increased P-R funds available to the states.
I'm seeing more private lands guys wanting to learn trapping and start setting steel. You're not going to make any money doing it, but every brood that is successfully hatched gives at least a small chance that there's one or two gobbling birds make it. As recruitment expands so does hunting opportunity.
Maybe the state should allow us to trap on WMA during turkey season. It’s open state wide on coons and coyotes and would be taking them out at the perfect time. Right now you have to stop Feb 28 which makes no sense and very few people do it.
I'm on board with that (I thought it was extended until March 6 in Alabama) along with getting some organizations to put together some sort of initiative to motivate more trapping.
No it’s Feb 28 on Skyline and you have to get special permit from area manager. She told me that there isn’t any interest in trapping and rarely gets a request for a permit. The place is too big and rough to go out in the off season and run a few DP traps. If you could put a dozen out during turkey season and check them on the way in or out “turkey season “ I believe a sizable dent could be made in coon population. There’s not much on a WMA as hunter that you can do as a hunter to help. I’ll go to my grave believing the legalization of decoys “2005” was the beginning of the decline. I personally think there’s less pressure on Skyline than there was 20-30 years ago due to the lack of turkeys. I also believe TSS has been bad for the sport because a lot of these newcomers will take a 60-80 yd poke at a hung up bird in a heartbeat. They most often don’t get the gobbler but common sense tells you that birds catching some shot. I use it because it allows me to hunt with 410 but still stick to reasonable ranges.
"The Heavens declare the glory of God;and the firmament sheweth his handiwork" Pslam 19:1
