The season is officially in the books. While it’s tempting to just toss your gear in a pile and forget about it until next fall, a little "trapline hygiene" now will save you hundreds of dollars in overly rusted gear, curse words come fall, and possibly lost fur later!

Here is your end-of-season checklist to ensure your equipment is ready to go the moment the weather breaks next year.

1. The Great Retrieval: Managing Earth Anchors

Don't leave your money in the ground. When you pull your sets, make sure you're properly knocking out those earth anchors.

• Pro Tip: Use a dedicated puller or a heavy-duty stake puller to avoid straining your back or snapping your chain. If an anchor is truly stuck, sometimes it’s better to cut the cable than to ruin a trap frame trying to force it.

2. The Deep Clean: Pressure Washing

Your traps have been through the mud, blood, and salt. They need a reset.

• The Process: Take your traps to a car wash or use a pressure washer at home. You wan

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The best defense is a good offense! So we want to share with you the top 10 things you MUST DO before you start trapping this season! 

RPA's Top 10 Pre-Season Must-Do's! (click this link for a free download of our checklist)

When something is worth doing, it's worth doing well. And there is no better way to be ready for your trapping season than to make sure your ducks are in a row well before your season opener! The easiest way to let the predators on your property slip away is to not be prepared. 

The NUMBER ONE task we strongly recommend you complete prior to the trapping opener in your state is: GET LEGAL. This consists of acquiring all appropriate licenses and tags as well as diligently reviewing all current rules and regulations in your area. Confidently staying in good legal standing is the best way to make sure your season is a positive one. This will also help keep this pursuit alive and well for generations to come - and that's what it's all about! 

For the rest of our Pr...