Trapline Journal Software

Many trappers keep a journal because we like to keep track of our line, watch for patterns that emerge, and keep notes on what works and what doesn’t. If you want to take your trapline organization to the next level, Mark Alexander of Arkansas has come up with an innovative computer program called Trapline Journal. This software looks like it could be a great help to professional ADC trappers as well as weekend hobby trappers, and everyone in between who likes to run an organized, thought-out trapline.



With this program you can track the location, status and success of each trap set. Other information, like the type of set, type of trap, anchoring system, lure and bait, etc., can also be tracked so you can get an overall view of what is working on your trapline. You can plot out future traplines, even mark your trapping locations on Google Earth, and enter unlimited, free-form notes for each trapset.  You can even print business cards with this software, which is a great feature for professional ADC trappers.

Here are a few screenshots to give you an idea of what this software can do:

The Trapline Screen lists all Planned, Active, Catch, Pulled (No Catch) or Missing trap sets. Highlight a set and press ENTER (or mouse-click) to change details. Buttons at the bottom are for making a new set, printing reports or exiting the program.

 
The Make A New Set Screen is used to enter new sets. Location, style, trap, anchor, lure and target are selected from a list (or create a new one on-the-fly). Specific details can be entered in the free-form text area. The Gang Set button is used to save the current set and create another one just like it.

 
The Check Trap Screen is used to update the status of an Active Trap Set. Mouse-click to move targets into the catch column, enter the number of remakes, optional notes and you're done. If remakes were made from this set, the Make A New Set Screen appears so any changes to the set can be entered.

 
The Locations, Styles, Traps, Anchors, Lures and Targets Screens are accessed by the Edit selection on the main menu. Each LSTALT Screen lists all entries with buttons at the bottom for creating a new entry, printing a report and closing the screen. To change an entry, highlight a row and press ENTER (or mouse-click). There is a separate edit screen for Locations, Styles, Traps, Anchors, Lures and Targets since each one has slightly different data requirements.

 
A Summary of Reports tracking any set of data, such as Planned Sets, Active Sets, Catch Sets, Pulled Sets, Missing Sets, Trap Set Totals by Location, Catch Totals by Location, etc., can be viewed and printed.

 
These screenshots give you a little idea of what this software can do, but over at Mark's website you can download a demo version and mess around with it yourself.  The demo version limits you to 15 sets, and you can only print out one business card at a time.  The full version costs $35, which is pretty reasonable for such a unique program with this many features.  You can see all the details here at Trapline Journal.
 
Mark Alexander is with the Arkansas Trappers Association and handles their website and message board administration.  He's a good guy that stands behind his product.  You can contact him at info@traplinejournal.com