07/29/2026
I had the honor of meeting and visiting with Joel Blackeslee at the NTA this past week. It was a privilege to spend time talking with someone who has earned the respect in the trapping community.
One topic we discussed in depth was travel paths—a subject that is often overlooked but can make one of the biggest differences in your success as a trapper.
Finding the high-traffic routes that predators naturally use can dramatically increase your catch numbers.
Predators travel much farther than most people realize. If you can identify where they’re consistently moving before season begins, you’ll already be one step ahead.
The key is simple: preseason scouting.
Don’t wait until opening day to start learning your ground. Invest the time now to scout, locate natural travel corridors, identify fresh sign, and mark productive locations. When the season opens, you’ll have a plan instead of starting from scratch.
The most successful seasons begin long before the first trap is ever set.