Fred Bear once quipped, “The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind.” He never knew how right he was. Just 18 years after our hunting world’s light was diminished by his passing, archaeologists discovered arrowheads in northeastern South Africa’s Sibudu Caves. Scientists believe the heads to be over 60,000 years old — dating back to the Paleolithic Era. That said, and as close as Bear might have been, he wasn’t entirely accurate. Trapping might be a tad older than hunting; after all, before the stick and string, there were spears and pitfall traps. Even before weapons, creatures of the two-legged kind needed hides from their four-legged neighbors.

Trapping continue to enjoy widespread popularity today, especially in rural or altogether off-the-grid locales. And, thanks to television, modern Americans in every clime and place are blessed with some level of exposure to trapping’s benefits for those living completely self-sufficient lives. In terms of conservation, trapping is a necessary tool. Whether outdoor enthusiasts are trapping furbearing predators or invasive species like feral hogs and nutria, agencies in various areas offer bounties on pelts, tails, etc. In some cases around the nation, we find ourselves in an outright war, and trapping definitely helps. No matter what draws, or forces, folks to trap, more people are getting in the game. This means more sales for retailers willing to clear a little shelf space and stock up. That said, here are 10 great products sure to snare trapping gear sales.

Redneck Convent Coyote Trapping Starter Kit

Perhaps the best way to snare new trappers is with a starter kit. The Redneck Convent Coyote Trapping Starter Kit fills this bill nicely. While its name suggest coyotes, this starter kit is perfectly suited for other predators, too, including foxes, bobcats and a variety of other like-sized animals found coast to coast. The Redneck Convent Coyote Trapping Starter Kit includes six off-set jaw traps, 12 cable stakes, 12 J-hooks, 24 pan covers, a dirt sifter, a narrow-blade trowel, T-top driver, two-pound trap line hammer, a pint of bait, an 8-ounce bottle of red fox urine and a couple of one-ounce lures. www.redneckconvent.com

Redneck Convent Versatile Snare Wires

Today’s snare wires are certainly a nod to one of trapping’s early, primitive techniques. Even better for cost-conscious trappers, snares are exceptionally affordable while advances in manufacturing and materials make wires ultra-reliable and ridiculously strong. All Redneck Convent Versatile Snare Wires are constructed of 3/32-inch cable with 9-gauge HD end swivels, polyethylene collars and 12-inch loop limits with optional deer stops to protect against deer trapping. Packs include 12 snare wires, perfect for a diverse array of varmints and prey, from raccoons to coyotes, and take up a negligible amount of shelf space. Placed properly and strategically, snare wires have proven to be incredibly effective, and in the cheaper-by-the-dozen pack, your customers leave with plenty of traps to set. 

Minnesota Chain Stakes

Captain Obvious here… trapping would be pointless if you can’t keep traps and trapped animals from disappearing. Chain stakes are as necessary as the traps they hold down, and Minnesota Trapping Products delivers them in batches of 12. Minnesota Trapping Products’ chain stakes are composed of Fox Hollow Super Stakes, 16-inch No. 2 linked chain and closed-loop hooks. Chain stakes are easy for your customers to use — they simply attach the trap to the chain with a No.6 J-hook and swivel and they will never lose another trap. www.minntrapprod.com

Minnesota Sod Buster Hammer

At four pounds, it won’t be the lightest tool in your trapper’s bag, but behind traps and anchors, it just might be the most important. The Minnesota Sod Buster Hammer is truly a multi-tool. While the handle is constructed of fiberglass and features a non-slip grip, the head is designed for a dual trapping role. One end boasts a three-pound hammer, ideal for driving stakes, and the other end, a chisel, perfect for digging out trap beds. Just as any outdoorsman appreciates having a good knife, the Sod Buster Hammer is a must-have for all of your trapping customers. 

Wildlife Research Center Coyote Urine

Sure, setting traps on trails and in front of dens is one way to catch critters, but some, like coyotes and other predators, are a bit less predictable. If your customers are after furbearing predators, a surefire way to help them up their odds is urine. From personal experience, I can attest that Wildlife Research Center’s Coyote Urine is quite effective in luring song dogs into trap areas by playing to their competitive nature. Wildlife Research Center Coyote Urine’s strong odor also makes a great masking scent. www.wildlife.com

Bridger #5 Coilspring Offset Laminated Trap

Bridger traps rank among the industry’s most popular, and in that vein, coil-spring, offset jaw models reign supreme. Narrowing down offset jaw traps, the Bridger #5 Laminated is a top seller. The Bridger #5 Coilspring Offset Jaw Trap is great for catching a variety of animals, small to large, including otters, beavers, coyotes, wolves and cougars. Bridger #5 traps boast an inside jaw spread of 7 1/2 inches, top-to-bottom spread of 7 11/16 inches, outside jaw spread of 7 3/8 inches and a pan dimension of 3 x 3¾ inches. For a more reliable yet more humane trap hold, the Bridger #5 includes laminated jaws that increase surface-area jaw contact with the animal while providing a straight, rather than toothed, jaw edge. The trap also includes 8½ inches of linked No. 5 chain. Overall chain length with swivels is 12 inches, and the trap weighs 3.7 pounds. www.bridgertraps.com

Duke #155 BT Body Trap

Unlike jaw traps, body traps are designed to kill target critters. Most often these traps are used for smaller waterway animals like otters and minks; however, they can be used for raccoons and opossums, too. As its name implies, a body trap works by closing on and compressing an animal’s body cavity, often the neck and chest area. Among body-gripping traps, the Duke #155 BT Body Trap’s size, great for a variety of animals, makes it a perfect choice for most sets. The #155 BT’s jaw spread of 5 inches is compatible with fishers, weasels, minks, muskrats, martens, groundhogs, raccoons and other similarly-sized critters. As a side note here for your beaver-trapping customers, Duke #280 and #330 BT body traps are endorsed by many DNR agencies as “effective and humane traps for beaver population control.” www.duketraps.com

Duke DP Coon Trap

Just like laminate edges of jaw traps, some trapping systems are designed to mitigate injury to captured animals or to animals we do not intend to catch — case in point, the Duke DP Coon Trap. True to DP, this coon trap is dog-proof but can be quite a nightmare for little masked bandits. The DP Coon Trap is safe to set without tools, and it’s easy to anchor at a 45-degree angle using the chain and included straight-spade stake. It features a sensitive pull-type trigger.  

Duke Body Trap Set Tool

While body traps are popular trapping tools, setting larger traps isn’t as much fun. Traps like Duke’s #220 or #330 BT models are set with quite a bit of tension, so a little help is always appreciated. The Duke Body Trap Set Tool is the perfect solution for safer, easier, leveraged compression of heavy springs, and it is a must-have in any body-gripping trapper’s bag.

Legget’s Deluxe Trapping Bag

When it comes to increased sales, accessorizing is an important strategy. Fortunately, you get a little help closing those sales from trappers who have an aversion to lugging everything out to their trap lines in hands and arms and over shoulders — backpacks work, too, but are not necessarily ideal to tote heavier, oddly-shaped traps and tools with sharp or jagged edges. These issues were the premise behind the Leggett’s Deluxe Trapper’s Bag design. Leggett’s Deluxe Trapper’s Bag is ready to handle the rough stuff, with 1,000 denier nylon and wood-bottom insert. For organization, this trapper’s bag includes a roomy main compartment, side-panel pouch, two end pouches and carrying handles for easy carry. www.trapleggetts.com