Headed to Union Co. for a scouting trip the end of May. I have read the DNR reg book front to back several times and have a pretty good grasp on all the do's and don'ts. Trip scheduled Jan 2, 09 till Jan 14-15.

1. Do i need to buy a hunting license if i buy a trapping license. Some states require both, but here in WV my trapping is in with my hunting license. Just curious.

2. I am looking for some more private land to trap in the Union Co. area. I know the Nat'l Forest is around the area so I've checked that out. I would be trapping Jan 2, 2009 till Jan. 14 or 15. Looking for Coyotes and Coons. If anyone can hook me up with a place or two that would be great. We will be staying in the Cobden area, so anything within 45 minutes would be great.

Thanks
Matt

Welcome Matt. Sounds like a great oppertunity for some folks to get some free extermination done.:cool:

hey i live south of carbondale 30 min for the cob, i have 120 of private let me know if you would be interested. and might be able to get more for you also

Welcome Matt!!! Keep hanging out here..and you'll find a dozen more reason's besides the song dogs to come to SILO! :)

Dude 50 in 14 days is a big goal but it looks like if anybody could do it it would be you.That more than three animals a day. You are going to be busy. Good luck and keep us posted.:)

we have a lot of animals around here so you could reach your goal if all of your sets are located in a centralized area. I think the key would be not to have to spend too much road time running around. And having your sets where you can get to them from your truck and back in the least amount of time.You won't have anytime sight seeing thats for sure.:) I got to thinking about what I just posted so I'm going to have to edit a little. The other way to look at it is if you get them to centralized other animals won't move into fill the void you will be creating. They won't realize they can spread out till after your 2 weeks are up and you go back home. So its going to be a balancing act as to spreading them out but not getting to spread out. I hope you have wireless and you can log on and get help from locals. You are always welcome to PM me.

BCM

Have you ever tried anything like a Fur FindR at your trap locations and if so did you have any luck with it ?

Bobcatmatt, I am not sure how familiar you are with Illinois but since you have some questions I will assume that you have not hunted in Illinois before or are a resident.

Illinois does have a rough digest and a new one should be out prior to your hunt. Here is what you need to obtain- http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/Digest/Digest.pdf

In this digest it explains many items such as your photo #2.
"Bobcat and River Otter Protected
It is unlawful to take bobcat or river otter
at any time." Page 24 of IDNR hunting Digest.

Since your planning to hunt in 2009 I would highly recommend attendance of a Trapper Education Class since the Digest has some areas that can be to interpretation.

Non-Resident trapping license appears to be $175.50 for 5 day, $250.50 regular (again the interpretation thing).

Dont forget you will probably need a Habitat stamp.

At the bottom of the following link is the Trapper Education Course Manual. It identifies the licenses needed for trapping however again that interpretation thing comes into play.

http://dnr.state.il.us/orc/wildlife/trapper_edu.htm

Is a hunting license required? Well if your afield with a gun and have one dead furbearing animal in your possession that does not have identifying marks from being in a trap then IDNR Wardens could make the assumption it was hunted and not trapped. If the animal is hunted then you will need a Hunting license. This is a tough situation since as a non-resident it is a costly gamble but for those of us who are residents we carry a pocket full of IDNR Paper (and stamps).

The hunting license is nothing but a scrapbook page to hold the stamps.

Well I for one hope Matt gets all the kinks worked out and is able to come and enjoy a nice couple of weeks in the woods. Matt, Southern Illinois needs you. We have a problem and I think you have the solution.:)

Thanks a million for all the replies. To give you all alittle background on what is going on here. My father bowhunts in Union Co. in the fall with a few landowners, in return the landowners come to West Virginia to turkey hunt. They actually just got here this evening to hunt opening week this week. I wouldn't be coming in totally blind so to speak, I already have some ground secured thru those individuals. I'l get a chance in the next day or two to sit down with them and talk shop.

As far as the trapping license go, the price for me is 175 and change plus the habitat stamp. I will probably go ahead and buy the hunting permit since that just may be 50.00 well spent. Better than a fine I'm sure. I won't have to do anything with the trapping ed deal b/c my license from my home state includes a trapping license and that will do for a trapping ed cert.

It's gonna come around before you know it, that is why i'm starting my research and question asking now. Hopefully that will make this into an awesome trip with as few mishaps as possible.

Thanks again guy

Matt

Anyone else
arogance won't get you any points... so stop it NOW.:)

By no means was i being arrogant, atleast it was not intended to be that at all. Just wanted to see if there was anyone else out there that may be willing to help out as i could try and help out with some coyote removal.

Again sorry if that came across wrong, not my intentions at all.

Thanks
Matt

Nanny Rips Baby Girl From Jaws of Coyote in California Sandbox (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354054,00.html)

CA is a whole nother ballgame, I don't think trapping is allowed other than cages. I would think it would be tough to get a wiley coyote in a cage trap.
It is def. a sad story, but something needs done in that state IMO.

Is Tom and Mike gonna help ya pack em out? :D

LOL, I am sure they will have more important thing to do than to help drag out stinkin old coyotes. That kinda wierded me out alittle so have someone call them by name. LOL Oh well.....I've only met Tom and Tom's dad, nicest guys you ever wanna meet. Can't wait for the scouting trip the end of the month.

By no means was i being arrogant, atleast it was not intended to be that at all. Just wanted to see if there was anyone else out there that may be willing to help out as i could try and help out with some coyote removal.

Again sorry if that came across wrong, not my intentions at all.

Thanks
Matt
Hey Matt I'm sorry I just seen my post today. I had to many windows open I posted that by mistake. I thought I was PMing my wife...:o Sorry.:o

Not a problem, I won't lie it did open my eyes when i read it, basically caught me off guard. Oh well, no harm no foul. LOL

Nice Guys!!! That's not the Tom and Tom's dad that I know LOL

LOL, well it must be a pretty good front they put on LOL I bet they got tired of seeing dad and I on their turkey trip.

Tom say anything about our little 4-wheeler ride? LOL