Scouting the Area

Pre-season scouting is important to a successful trapping season and should be a top priority after receiving permission to use a landowner’s property.

• You will save time and effort and also increase your overall success during trapping season by scouting before the season to:
  • Determine what species of wildlife are using the area.
  • Estimate population abundance.
  • Resolve any issues with problem locations.
  • Ensure optimal cable device placement.
• While scouting, you should:
  • Take notes on signs and sightings of furbearers.
  • Determine the approximate number of sets the area might require and any special equipment (extensions, stakes, etc.) that you might need.
  • Locate trails and identify set locations.
  • Consider creating “brush fences” to direct target furbearers to your set location.
    • Creative use of cut brush will help to move animals into the best location for your set, but these should be established well in advance of the trapping season so that animals will have time to acclimate to them.
    • Always remember to ask landowner permission before cutting brush or other vegetation on private land. Note that it is illegal to cut brush or trees on public lands in Pennsylvania.