Hello, I am unemployed and don't have any prospects on the horizon. I am an experienced hunter and fisherman and have dabbled in trapping. What advice, experiences or ideas can you share with me in regards to getting started from ground zero in the ADC game? I am willing to soak up info on licenses, insurance, techniques etc...basically anything and everything! I really appreciate anything you can share. thanks,

JR

When you say you dabbled in trapping what does that mean? 1 year 10 years?

about 8 years ago I ran a small line and cought maybe 10 coon and 10 possum out of bucket sets. Tried k9 trappin never had any luck. Gave it up after 1 year and now I'm back this year. I'm going after rats and mink with another short line. I've live trapped squirrels and rabitts before.

I would get some instruction.From a fur trapper and or a ADC guy. I trapped 32 years and in my buisness I still scratch my head.You never stop learning. Maybe trappers college. Theres alot of difference in ADC trapping compared to fur trapping.

Your really asking a very big question. Besides the insurance thing.

An ADVANCED SEARCH for “starting” on the ADC Forum will bring up more than 200 posts on that subject. Among them are-
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthrea...html#Post729333
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthrea...nt.html#Post210

thanks LAtrapper. i'm new to the site and it's functions.

Mike McMillan has a great video out on ADC work. If you want his phone # I can give it to ya. I was in the fur shed thinkin of your post and I apoligize if I was harsh. This is a great web sight with tons of knowledgeable trappers on it waiting to help you out. If I can be any help my # is 865-724-4569 Paul Antczak

if you are in more of an urban environment you will have better luck with covering your startup cost (which is very high if you don't have any equipment). If you are in a rural area it is a harder sell. I called every agency that people with animal problems could possibly call ( wildlife agency, pest control companies, biologist) to see what demand i was starting with. My first year i found out quick that people have to be able to find you. Most of my clients at first said it took forever to finally find someone. Advertizing will vary a lot based on your area, here the internet has proven itself to be a waste of my money but it may be different for you. I run adds in newspapers, yellow pages, give out a lot of business cards to individuals and businesses such as pest control, send out proposals to prospective clients. Well, you get the idea.
NWCOA has a website, you should check them out maybe go to some of their seminars, like Paul said one on one personal instruction is almost priceless from the right person. NWCOA also has the most affordable insurance i've found.
This is obviously just scratching the surface but maybe a start.
Good luck to you in your pursuit.

How I started

1. Bought a video on beaver trapping and a book
2. purchased 12 Duke 330's and 6 #5 size traps/wire and blocks
3. set traps

Once people found out I trapped for hire, coon/other calls started trickling in, and i thought...Hummmm this is easy,,,So I decided to market myself...The end..

I would say that it is a "Tighter" marker that when I first began, meaning harder to get started

There are over 18,000 minutes of podcasts featuring many of the adc professionals on this forum . Just find a topic, download and listen or burn a cd and listen in your truck and its all for free.

Topics like beaver control,bat removal, squirrel control, attic restoration(you get the idea). Sunday night we will do a special on rat and mouse control and you won't want to miss it.

http://talkshoe.com/tc/16456/

We have been doing shows since Mar 2008 every Thursday and Sunday (except Holidays) at 8 PM EST.

Phone number to call in and participate

1-724-444-7444 call id# 16456 use 1# as your pin

Need help marketing yourself I can help.