Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Trapping What firearm do you carry on the trapline?

When I was a kid I just carried an army shovel in my pack basket. I haven't trapped since I was 14 or so but I think I'd carry my Bearcat these days. I mostly trapped for muskrats and did well. Back then they sold for as much as 6 or 7 bucks a hide if they were skinned right. The good old days!
Mike
Mike

When I trapped dogs, I just used my Browning Buckmark 22 pistol to shoot them. I carried a 243 in the truck.

nice page here , hope it works well an long , set that steel

I carried a Bearcat in AK, and usually a 22 Hornet for shots at WHATEVER.

Assuming someone doesn't buy it, I will carry my 25/20 with me this time around.

The most important thing I carried was a small axe. I couldn't trap without it.

.22 rifle

RO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

S&W Mdl. 422 .22LR

m94/22

Before I sold it last year, I always carried around my Bushmaster M4 carbine. I'll be packing a Marlin .22 bolt-action this year, though.

Carried a Ruger Mark I and spent a lot of time reloading magazines! Once had a fox get real excited at my approach and pull out of the trap. Had the pistol holstered with the loaded magazine in my shirt pocket.

I drew the pistol, slid in the mag and cycled it before shooting from the hip. The fox had taken two big leaps and was just coming up for the third when the bullet caught him exactly at the base of the skull. My witness stood there wide-eyed as I unloaded and reholstered the pistol.

Managed to pull it off for a couple hours, until I was faced with a beaver in the willows, just feet away. Managed to empty the rest of the magazine all around him without cutting hair! He finally got bored and swam away...

When I was trapping with my father he usually carried a Savage 24 in .22LR/20ga with the up/down firing pin selector (rather than the rotating style) and remember his displeasure at mistakenly dispatching a trapped fox with a 20gauge mere inches off the muzzle, and shooting 22LR at flushing grouse...
art

Great story Art!

I have never been so scared of an animal as I was when a marten took a leap at me. Those dang otters can be pretty scary also.....

Had me grinnin w/that one Sitka.
coons can be tough to make dead.
Mushrats can be ferocious lil bazturds too!

I read in the AK hunting regs that you can not use a laser sight but after reading the trapping regs the laser sight is not listed in the restrictions?
[img][image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/375matt/PB070003.jpg[/img][/image]

I was reading the AK hunting regs and they say a laser sight in not allowed but in the trapping regs the laser sight is not listed as a restriction so I assume it is allowed?
[img][image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/375matt/PB070003.jpg[/img][/image]

I assume you must use a REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY long extension cord on that when you take it afield? It is plugged in, right...........

The freezer is plugged in and I leave that at home as it is not attached to the rifle yet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
The only wiring on the AR is from the battery operated laser to the pressure switch on the grip. No cord needed, it's not an electric weed wacker but with the right clip may serve well as one!!!

Steelhead,
I carried a Husdons Bay 2 1/2 lb axe in my packbasket too. I trapped in the suburbs just outside an airport but I was always ready to "winter over" if necessary! Every trip was an adventure.

Mike

Back in the '70's when I'd spend 2 or 3 weeks in the mountains with my lines, I'd have a .25/06 ADL in camp but carried a .44mag SBH and/or an S & W mod 17 .22. Down on the flats, the .22 was the usual WOC but since I wasn't the best shot with a handgun, I sometimes carried a single shot stevens model 15 .22 rifle if I was also hunting rabbits which I sometimes did while trapping. Later, I found an over/under .22/.410 take-down I wish I would have had back then. It was imported by Firearms International (Wash D.C.) and I believe it was called a Garcia Bronco. Steve

I carry my well worn Ruger single six 22 lr......and occasionally a model 67 win single shot.

Joseph

Years ago I did a lot of live trapping for various ecological research projects. I carried a firearm in plain view most of the time, but not to kill animals-- it was for protection against certain people I met out there in the boonies. Usually I carried a 4" S&W M19, but sometimes a 1911. Thankfully, I never had to use them. But, especially on a couple of occasions while I was doing field work in Florida, I am certain that just having a firearm visible kept me out of some bad trouble. In the Florida backcountry some people pronounce the word "unarmed" like we say "victim." For the animals a syringe full of Ketamine HCl was all that we ever found necessary for "self defense." Except for armadillos-- those I frequently shot.

Just a question. Why doesn't anyone use the .17Mach2? Is it the price of ammo? I'm thinking that a .17" hole is that much smaller than a .22" one. Or doesn't that hold true?


SS

Winchester Trapper .357 Magnum

223 AR-15, the only way to fly for abusive winter travle

In reality nearly all dispatch is carried out sans firearm. Toe catches being the only exception. For plinking loose critters the mdl. 422 is not my #1 choice - although I did make a fairly impressive head shot on a red fox with it while out hunting with Big Sky a while back.

On my hip is a S&W 617 and on my back is a Ruger mini-30.

Smith & Wesson Air lite .22 revolver. Light enough to make you check your pocket to be sure it's still there, 11.5 ounces.

A S&W 617 and either a mini-30 or a 9422 mag The best rifle I ever used that got traded was a plain old .222 w/50gr horn spt. I think that every time that was yanked out of the scabbord some fur went on the board.

My favorite trapline companion was a 6" S&W K-22

Used my Ruger bearcat 22 or a old axe handle

Ruger Single Six.

todd

I don't carry a firearm on the trap line as I don't want any bloodshot foxes. If I were to target wolverine, lynx or wolf, I might consider carrying a .22

Iver Johnson 22 pistol. Cheap, reliable, and not to worried about being beat up. perfect trapping pistol.

Henry AR-7 22 LR and a Marlin Bolt in 22 Mag. I've had enough pull-outs that I shoot as soon as I can.

In my opinion, the 17 HMR is about a half a step ahead of worthless! That's why I don't use one. Yep, I owned one of 'em! 22WMR kicks it's butt!! 'Course, that's just my opinion!

Very well used Rugar Single Six pistol in 22 Mag. with a 17 HRM in the scabbard on the 4 wheeler.

It's been quite a while since I've done much trapping, but usually carried an "Old Model" Ruger Single-Six with 6 1/2" barrel and fixed sights. Sometimes I carried a Winchester 62A .22 pump, instead, when looking to pop a cottontail or two along the way.

This is a great discussion for me to ask this question.

Anyone here ever use the 25 Stevens? If not would any of you be interested in using it? Its a 25 cal rimfire that is about the same size as a 22 mag, so it shoots a heavier piece of lead a little slower. I know I've read it was real popular with trappers when it was around. Hit hard, yet didn't blast the heck out of the pelts.

Any thoughts would be great.

That's a good and bad idea. The 25 Stevens would be a great choice for a trapline gun but you can't find ammo for it. At least I can't. Do you have a source of ammo that I'm not aware of?

From what I've read, years ago trappers in the north carried a Savage Mod 99 in .250-3000. The regular factory load was adequate for big game and they had a chamber sleave so they could shoot a .25 auto pistol bullet in the rifle to dispatch trapped game and also take small game for meat.

The .22 is still the trappers go to gun. Cheap, simple and reliable.

RO

SAA .32-20 WCF, 115 gr. cast LRNFP hand loaded to 700 fps. Don't use it unless I have to, but very accurate, and has accounted for several deer with close head or neck shots while trapping during deer season. (Something you're NOT supposed to do with a .22!).

Ruger Mark II w/5.5" bull barrel and adj sights was my choice when I trapped in Alaska. Great little piece to down a Wolf, Wolverine or lynx in the trap. Also great for knocking a grouse of a limb.

300 Win Mag with 9mm High Power makes a nice combo.

300 Win Mag with a 9MM High Power makes a nice combo.

Ruger Single Six most of the time Sometimes a Marlin 39A if I feel I might need a long shot at something. Duriijng deer season I carry a Win. Mod 94 in 32Sp.

Normally I use my ax or a catch pole then crush the rib cage with my foot.

BL-22

S&W 617 in the pocket, Les Baer Super Varmint in the truck

S&W 617 in the pocket; Les Baer Super Varmint .223 in the truck or Colt HBAR .223 if on the quad

When I was a teen my Bearcat went with me. Then I used a Model 65 S&W - both are .22RF's of course.

If I went again I would get one of those J-Frame S&W 357's with the 3" barrel.

siskiyous6. I think you were thinking or mistyped. the 65 is a 357. I'm guessing you meant the model 63 a nice little J frame 22RF. The new Bearcats are nice too

Ruger Singal Six , with both cylinders..

Usually a S&W M63, but sometimes a NAA mini 22. Depends on the animals I expect. The NAA is fine up to fox. Coyotes and cat I don't care to get within inches to make the shot.

Ruger single six stainless

I carry a lightweight 308 for everything. Carry it with reduced loads for furbearers at medium ranges. Little fur damage if velocity is kept down.

Squib loads (like 2 grains of Clays and light lead bullets) for close range stuff (grouse, ptarmagin, etc., a trapped animal, if needed) and "normal" loads for any other event. Works well for me.

I carry a lightweight 308 becasue I find a lot of different shooting opportunites while out.

I carry the rifle loaded with reduced loads which work well out to 150 or so yards and don't damage the fur too much.

Squib loads (like 2 grains of clays) and a light lead bullet for birds and bigger trapped animals if needed (e.g. wolves).

"Normal" loads for any long range shots that come up.

22lr, C.I.L. 180 or my Stevens Favorite.
Both have irons.
Occasionally I will take a heavy rifle, but not too ofteen, as I doo most of on my brother's line after big game seeason, and besides, if we did drop a deer or moose we wouldn't be abble to finish what we were doing as far as the trapping went!

99% of the time of the time the 22 is only used to shoot stuff in snares. unless it is spring beaver time.

Then I use a variety of small CF 22's ( k hornet, 218 be, 222Rem.) that are loaded down.
My kid Bro uses a 22mag for beavers.

Cat

I carry a Ruger MKI semi auto .22 unless I am in Griz country in the fall then I carry my SKS with a 30 round clip. Trapping beaver just south of Yellowstone can get exciting.

Also carry my K-22. but as I get older it is getting heavier?
BEAR

I started with a little Ithaca single shot .22 lever action. Man, I killed a lot of coons, foxes and unlucky squirrels, and rabbits with that beat up little gun. My first big investment with my trapline money was a stainless Ruger Single Six, and I just can't imagine that there's a much better trapline gun out there. 'Have strung the steel in way too many years, but think I might start again this fall.

Hey yeah the 17 cal is a great gun for doing trapping i have found the in some cases you don't find and exit hole which is a plus.

I used to use a ruger mk1 & a H&R 22/22mag revolver but I think the perfect one now is a north american arms 22 , the tiny little revolver. It is as small as it gets and unless you are looking to pot the occasional coyote you jump there is no need for anything but a 22. There are some places where you might need something bigger like in Alaska but for most the 22 is perfect. Might as well go with the smallest lightest you can get...all the more room for more traps.

ruger bearcat

.22 Ruger single 6.

I killed a wolf caught in a foothold trap a couple years ago with the back of an axe. I distracted him first with a 2" thick poplar pole, which he bit in half. Twice. I'd use a .22 next time for sure!

ruger single six with 9and a half inch barrel good as a rifle easier to pack

I have a ruger bear cat it used to be my dads. My mom saved her money when they first came out. she said it took a year. my dad was in the navy then only bringing home close to 50 bucks a month. So the little revolver means a lot to me.I am by no means a serious trapper but I plan to do some more of it.

Sitka, why do yu carry an unloaded pistol? I also carry a MarkI but it is always loaded with one in the chamber and the safty on. When I am trapping up around yellowstone in griz country I carry my SKS.

I use a $160 heritage rough rider, that came with the mag cylinder. Its a great little fun gun, and if it gets beat up a bit, no big deal. You can get those just about anywhere.

joe

Mr grandpa taught me to trap in the late '50's using a wooden box with a nail in it. Bait was a piece of glass. Lots of raccoons went south that way. He normally used an axe but sometimes (with a big boar) would blast the 'coons with his Colt Woodsman. I still treasure that Woodsman today.

I carry a Tarus stainless .22.

please elaborate on the "wooden box with a nail...piece of glass for bait" as I am confused and very curious.

Dave