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Stake Puller Failure

Stake Pullers

Stake pullers are tools that enhance one’s ability to remove stakes and/or earth anchors from the soil. Trappers, wildlife control operators (WCO) and others use stakes and earth anchors to secure traps and other equipment to the ground. Sometimes, getting the stakes or anchors out of the ground can be quite a challenge, particularly when the soil is dense (such as clay) or frozen.

Stake puller, disassembled. Left object is the rocker to pull the stake. The Blue item is the handle and the silver ring is used for pulling earth anchors.
Metal bender modified into a stake puller. The stake puller (pictured in disassembled form) shows the rocker to pull stakes (left). The grooved portion is for your foot. The blue item is the handle and the silver ring is used for pulling earth anchors.

My Need for the Tool

Due to a back injury, I have to be careful about how much effort I exert when pulling. So I became quite interested in stake pullers as they would allow me to pull stakes with less effort and thereby save my back. The challenge with stake pullers is they are awkward, heavy, and take up lots of valuable space. And anyone who understands the complexities of WCO work knows that truck space is at a premium. Would it be possible to have a stake puller that would both work and not take up much space?

Stake Puller Design

Stake puller failure as noted by the bent hooks.
Stake puller failure as noted by the bent hooks.

I contacted a local welder and discussed my need for a stake puller. He came up with an ingenious idea. He modified a pipe bender. It could be used to pull stakes and earth anchors. It could be disassembled and was relatively light weight. I had some made and brought them to the Fur Takers of America Trapper’s College in Indiana to have the trappers there test them out.

I gave them to the expert class of trappers and asked the instructor to give them a good try out. He was keen on doing so. After a few days of trapping, he returned the pullers and said they didn’t do that well. I was disappointed but knew that before I began selling this item that I wanted to be sure it could pass muster. I should note that the testing took place in September, when the ground was not frozen. So I suspect the product would not do as well with stakes in frozen ground.

Bottom Line

Is the stake puller useless? No. It is just not capable of handling heavy duty work. Could it be used in a pinch, certainly. But to have something that would last years on the trapline, this product, unfortunately isn’t it.

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 (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). 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.

 

 

 

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Weasel Box Holes

Though weasels, also known as ermine when they turn white, adorned the royal robes in Europe, its für doesn’t carry the same exclusivity today. Nevertheless, weasels are still trapped in the United States. When trappers are targeting weasels, many will use a weasel box. Weasel boxes are designed to hold and protect the traps used to capture weasels. The box protects the bait from the weather and larger animals that might steal the bait or otherwise interfere with the trap. The question is, what diameter should be used for the weasel box hole?

Weasel box hole
Weasel box with hole in view. Different trappers use different size holes. What hole size is best?

Weasel Box Hole Sizes

Different trappers use different hole sizes. Some weasel trappers prefer holes 2 inches in diameter. Other trappers like their weasel box holes to be 1.5 inches in diameter.

Why Different Hole Sizes?

Is it because weasels in northern latitudes are larger and thus require a larger hole? While more southerly weasels are smaller and only require a smaller diameter hole? If that is not the issue, then do hole sizes make a difference in capture rates both in weasel captures and avoidance of non-target captures?

Bottom Line

I would love to know the answer to this if there is one. I’ll keep an eye out for any info. But if you have some insights on the proper sizing of weasel box holes do let us know.

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 (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). 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.

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Montana Ballot 2016 Initiative 177

Montana Ballot 2016 Initiative 177

I thought I would publish this letter from the Montana Trapper’s Association regarding the effort by Footloose Montana to ban trapping on public land by non-government personnel.

Feedback is welcomed.

Anti trapping billboard by Trap Free Montana
Anti trapping billboard by Trap Free Montana placed in East Helena, Montana. Photo taken in September, 2018.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE
Update. Nov 2019. Even though Initiative 177 failed to pass, the billboard at the right shows that the animal rights protest industry activists never give up.
Dear Fellow Outdoorsman,
In Montana, for the past two centuries we have had the privilege  of enjoying our trapping activities largely unfettered by unnecessary regulation and threat to our pursuit.  We are now threatened with the loss of trapping on public land by the threat of Ballot Initiative I-177 which will be voted on this November.
We need your help.
We are now threatened by the most vicious, callous, and ruthless opponent that we have ever seen before.  There are Animal Rights Activists, temporarily based in Missoula but funded by out-of-state sources, that are hell bent on taking away our trapping heritage.  Their self-stated goal is to go after trapping, then hunting with hounds, then bear hunting, then all hunting, and then fishing.  They will wear us down, and if we don’t act NOW our grandchildren will likely never know the joys that we have experienced in the outdoors.
We need to put up a firewall NOW and stop these anti’s in their tracks.  If we lose our privilege to trap on public land in Montana then we will certainly lose our ability to trap on ALL land in Montana altogether.  And other states will soon follow.
That’s why I am asking you to donate $56 to the Montana Trappers Association to help fight this threat.  That’s just $1 for every county in our state.
And I know that some folks will be unable to make a contribution at this time, but if you can help with any donation, whether it be $25, $50, $100 or more, we’d be sincerely grateful for your generous donation.  The fact of the matter is, we need the funds right NOW because the election is on November 8th and coming at us fast.  We need to get the word out to all of the people who don’t necessarily oppose trapping, but might be easily swayed by the emotional attack ads and information generated by the Animal Rights Extremists.  Again, that’s just $56 for a crucial victory on Election Day that will mean everything to our trapping culture.
The President of the Montana Trappers Association tells us that Montanans are facing what may be the most important legal challenge to sportsmen’s rights in the history of our state. In November Montana citizens will be asked to vote whether the long standing tradition of trapping will continue on public lands. As a battle ground state, the outcome of this fight will affect sportsmen across the country and that’s why I’m writing to you.
Trapping has proven to be a necessary part of Montana’s wildlife management practices for decades. It is also a source of income for Montana families and predator control for ranchers and farmers who need it most. But that’s just the beginning.
Time spent with my uncle learning how to hunt and trap on public lands are my earliest childhood memories. Because we trapped and hunted together then I still yearn to be surrounded by nature now. And as I watch that outdoor passion growing in my own grandchildren’s eyes I can only think that all Montana children deserve days like these.
The fact is that Animal Rights activists are pushing their agenda onto Montanans.  I-177 is bad for wildlife, costly for cattle and sheep ranchers, bad for taxpayers, and even dangerous for pets and people. With so much public land in Montana it seems unreasonable to think that there isn’t enough room for everybody to share the landscape. There are many reasons to oppose I-177 but here are a few key points to know about I-177:
     I-177 would ban one of the most effective and essential methods for controlling wolves, coyotes, and other predators to protect Montana’s elk, moose and deer populations, as well as livestock.
I-177 will cost at least $422,000 in taxpayer money every year for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to do the same things that trappers currently buy a license to do at no cost.
Roughly 40% of all wolves harvested in Montana are taken by regulated trapping with nearly half taken on public lands. Imagine the wolf population without trapping!
I-177 is being pushed by the animal rights and anti-hunting lobby whose real agenda is to ban all trapping and all hunting.
I-177 is opposed by Montana’s major sportsmen’s organizations, cattle and sheep ranchers and wildlife management professionals.
I-177 would not allow any trapping until after damage or even a tragedy has occurred, and even then, not until non-lethal methods have been tried and documented to be unsuccessful for 30 days. Meanwhile, dangerous predator populations will continue to grow unchecked.
As a hunter, trapper and angler in Montana I don’t want to see unnecessary infringements on our outdoor heritage. A real threat to our outdoor legacy is happening and if there was ever a time to stand together, that time is now. The effort will be enormous but we must work together to preserve Montana’s outdoor legacy.
So please, we need you to make an urgent contribution of $56 or more to the Montana Trappers Association or the Montanans for Wildlife and Public Land Access.

Donations can be made through the MTA website: http://montanatrappers.org/donations.htm  

Don’t let it be known that the Great State of Montana lost the battle to preserve our trapping culture against the Animal Rights Extremists!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Rader
Montana Trappers Association, montanatrappers.org
p.s. To those of you who have already contributed to our cause in defeating Ballot Initiative I-177, please don’t disregard this message.  Instead, please forward this message on to all the folks in your email address book who are sympathetic to this cause.  This includes bowhunters, houndsmen, fishermen, boaters and any other outdoors person you can think of.  We have to stop the anti’s at the Montana border before it gets to YOUR state!!!  I know some of you have extensive email address lists that would be beneficial to our cause, please circulate this!!  And THANK YOU in advance!
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 (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). 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.

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Winter Trapping Tips

Winter Trapping Tips

Each season brings its own challenges to the WCO and winter is no different. Here are a few tips to maximize your results when Mother Nature tries to slow you down.
1. Choose the right glue board. I am not a big fan of glue boards but sometimes they are needed. In cold weather, choose the freezer-style glue boards as they stay tacky even down to freezing temperatures.

Board used to protect a cage trap from snow. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Board used to protect a cage trap from snow. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

2. Protect your cage traps from snow. Snow can conceal your bait and bury your traps making it ineffective. Worse yet, you have to dig out your traps later. Protect your traps in advance by setting them under an evergreen tree, under an eave, on the lee side of a tree or building, or place a sheet of plywood on top.
3. Improve your baiting technique. Bait won’t volatize as easily in cold weather so don’t think that your bait will have the same draw as it does in the summer. Thus you need to pay more attention to locating your traps in the best location. But since that may not be possible (see point 2) think about using trailing lures to help guide the animal to the trap.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a Certified Wildlife Control Operator (CWCP®) who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. He has written the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition. Reach him at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot 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.

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Coexisting with Furbearers

Coexisting with Local Furbearers. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Coexisting with Local Furbearers. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Book Review: Coexisting with Local Furbearers: Good Practices in Management and Intervention by Gaétan Fournier. Quebec, Canada: Fédération des Trappeurs Gestionnaires du Québec, 2014. 248 pp.

Canada has had a long fur trapping tradition and coexisting with furbearers. With about 1/10th the population of the U.S. and about twice the land area, it’s a veritable trapping paradise. But even Canadians encounter conflicts with wildlife which need to be resolved.
This text is designed to train fur trappers in how to prevent and manage the conflicts caused by fur bearers. The guiding principle behind the book is to reduce the killing of valuable furbearing species outside the trapping season through the use of non-lethal techniques and targeted removals.
The book has 8 chapters: Introduction, managing human/wildlife conflicts, mandatory steps for professional operations, managing nuisance furbearing animals, the dilemma of translocation, repellents and their limitations, disposing of animal remains, and conclusion. , the bulk of the book falls under Chapter 4, managing nuisance furbearing animals. There readers will find detailed information on the biology, non-lethal control methods, lethal control methods, diseases, and other concerns, for beaver, muskrat, river otter, mink, squirrels, weasels, raccoon, skunk, red fox, coyote, wolf, and black bear. Note the information tends to center on damage issues affecting rural, livestock, infrastructure, and non-building settings. If you are looking for instructions on running a business in Columbus, OH, this is not the book for you.

Fournier included several appendices to cover important topics, such as diseases, selective trapping, attractants (i.e. baits/lures), and specialist equipment. Appendices contain important information that may not be expected given their placement in the appendices.
I had the privilege and pleasure to be a technical editor for this publication, so forgive me if I gush a bit about this book. It is smartly illustrated with beautiful color images and superb line drawings. Trappers interested in research-based wildlife control should get a copy of this text. I am confident that readers will improve their understanding of wildlife biology and techniques used to manage their damage.

To obtain a copy, send an e-mail containing your complete address, quantity desired to: ftgq@ftgq.qc.ca. FTGQ will send a PayPal invoice that will inform you about the price of the book and the shipping fees (all in Canadian dollars).

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP®
https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com

About Stephen M. Vantassel

Stephen M. Vantassel, MNI, CNI, CWCP, ACP, ACE Stephen M. Vantassel's Bio Stephen M. Vantassel is the Vertebrate Pest Specialist for the Montana Department of Agriculture (2015-present). Formerly, Stephen M. Vantassel was the Program Coordinator of Distance Education-Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources from 2004-2014. Stephen filled … Learn More

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