Daily Trapping Log by Stephen M. Vantassel
When you trap, do you keep a daily trapping log as a record of your activities? Keeping a daily trapping log or written record of your trapping activities is essential for remembering your sets and what you caught but also provides an important way to see which techniques and baits garnered the greatest success. Too often people rely on their memories. But research has shown that we often remember imperfectly. In fact, we tend to remember what happened recently thereby overweighting or over-emphasizing more recent information. This is known as “recency bias”. It means that if you used set or bait x and it caught an animal two days ago, you are more likely to remember that bait as being “effective” than other baits that were more effective but were used 3 weeks ago.
I read an article by Tony Howard in Trapper’s Post (Jan/Feb 2010) in which he wrote about keeping records and data about fur trapping success and practices. I thought it would be helpful to create a form based on his work that would be available for trappers and researchers to download and use in their own trapping efforts.

It’s in PDF format. I hope you find it useful. Vantassel’s Daily Trap LogStephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.