Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 29

A Gun for the Trapline
By James J. Corsetti Jr.
UNS ARE TOOLS we like to use. I think that anyone who hunts, traps or competitively shoots would agree with that statement. Guns are tools, and are used for a variety of purposes, some of them quite specific, some generic. Shotguns are probably the most generic of all, and if you needed just one gun, the shotgun would be it, because it can handle everything from small game to deer and bear (with slugs, of course). Rifles are definitely more specific, hence if you are a rifle aficianado you may have a small caliber (such as a .22-250) for varmint duty, a medium caliber (.30-30 or .30-06) for deer size animals, and a heavy duty caliber for the biggest game out there. Handguns can be used for target, hunting and self-defense, and are versatile for that reason. But, no matter how you slice it, as much as we love certain firearms, they are just tools, but ones we like to use. Several years ago, when I decided to take up trapping, I knew that I’d have to pick up a gun to handle dispatch duties on the line. The nature of trapping that I remembered my friends practicing in the ’70s was different from the trapping of the 21st century. Back then, the muskrat was king, and they were found any place that held water. Most of the kids back then used Frank Conibear’s little invention, setting up body gripping traps at every slide, underwater trail and bank hole. The little 110s (unlike their larger brethren) were easy to set up and killed the catch on the spot. Now there aren’t as many muskrats. One friend of mine, who has been trapMARCH 2011

G

ping since the 1950s, caught only 30 or so muskrats recently, when in the ’70s he could catch a thousand or so. Raccoons and foxes are popular with trappers today, and for these critters you need a gun to dispatch them. When it comes to cable restraints, a gun is a must. At any rate, my trapping would require me to use a gun of some sort for dispatch, but which gun did I want to use? Pennsylvania law requires that while trapping during deer season, trappers are limited to a manually operated 22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or handgun to dispatch animals. With that in mind, I wanted a gun that could use .22 Long Rifle or Short ammunition. While also permitted to use .17 rimfire ammo or .22 Magnum ammunition, the stuff is cost prohibitive. The .22 is the cheap option, and keeping costs down is important, as trapping is also a business venture (allegedly). If you think of it, the .22 is the perfect caliber for the line, as it puts a tiny hole in the animal and does not create any damage to the fur. Damage equals lost dollars, and the .22 kills the animal humanely without damaging the fur. So, you can’t ask for more. Next, I had to decide if I wanted a handgun or rifle. Most of my trapping acquaintances use a handgun to take care of business, usually a Ruger Single-Six single-action revolver. I have one too, and they are a fun, reliable gun to use. I also have access to
29



Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011

Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011
Myths & Legends of the Whitetail
Contents
A Grandfather’s Pride
Turkey Hunting Safety
Man’s Best Friend (Or Not)
With Woodcock in Mind
Thundering Gobblers
Hunter and Pap’s Best Day
Clairmont Camp Bear
A Gun for the Trapline
Field Notes
Conservation News
Off the Wire
Another View
The Naturalist’s Eye
Straight from the Bowstring
Fun Game
Lock, Stock & Barrel
Crossings
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Myths & Legends of the Whitetail
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Contents
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - A Grandfather’s Pride
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 4
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 5
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Turkey Hunting Safety
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 7
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 8
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Man’s Best Friend (Or Not)
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 10
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 11
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 12
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - With Woodcock in Mind
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 14
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 15
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 16
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 17
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 18
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Thundering Gobblers
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 20
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 21
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Hunter and Pap’s Best Day
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 23
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 24
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 25
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Clairmont Camp Bear
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 27
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 28
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - A Gun for the Trapline
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 30
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 31
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 32
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 33
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Field Notes
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 35
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 36
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 37
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 38
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Conservation News
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 40
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 41
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 42
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 43
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 44
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 45
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 46
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 47
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Off the Wire
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Another View
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 50
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 51
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - The Naturalist’s Eye
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 53
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 54
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 55
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Straight from the Bowstring
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 57
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 58
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Fun Game
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Lock, Stock & Barrel
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 61
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 62
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - 63
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Crossings
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Insert1
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Insert2
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2011 - Cover4
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