I was thinking the same thing!

April 29,May 1, 2012:

Caught beavers #12,13 and 14 yesterday and today. Getting smaller ones now so i'm thinking that i'm probably starting to get down to the last few in that colony.

wackin and stackin

16 so far this spring.

By the looks of those beaver I would say your throwing away some money there.

And why is that? The under fur is falling out heavily and i'm being paid bounty for removing them, aswell as money for castor.

Those beaver would average 30 to 35 dollars at auction in todays market.

Spring beaver always have a bit of loose hair and fur. With last auction prices on the rise that would be my opinion also. Looking at the size of them my guess would be minimum $25 average.

Please explain to me how a beaver with bald patches all over the pelt would average that? The underfur comes out then then the guard hairs all slip in different areas so it's nothing but leather.

And also, i've caught a few that get a white puss comes out of the mouth and nose? I haven't touched it but is it something I should worry about? Or something I should talk to the DNR officer about?

Sounds like you have a bunch of sick beaver if they are in that condition in April. Maybe talk to MNR about it. Fur should not come out like that.

No I said the same thing when I saw the puss around the mouth, i'll see if I can get a picture of it with any of these last beaver I got at home and take that to DNR.
I have trapped and skun many spring beaver before and this year every colony i'm trapping in the fur is falling out like crazy.
April 30th last year I was pulling prime beaver up.

Maybe it has to do with the very early spring break up this year?

When does the fur season for beaver close where you are?

It doesn't. Open season basically on beaver, coons, coyote and timber wolf

Nice stuff! I've got some starting to lose some fur as well, starting to get bit up and the odd bald patch. Its getting to be that time here as well I think.

Like I've mentioned before these have a lot of bald patches, there is basically no good pelt left to salvage.

May 5, 2012:

Next check out i'll be pulling beaver sets out of that big colony. Had a little otter in a beaver set today and no sign of beavers anywhere else around.
15 out of the house is the most yet I have pulled out of one colony, and the quickest too.

Do you have an otter season? I don't think I've ever asked you.

Yes there is a season all fur bearing species.

Preparation for the NTA Convention:

I've mentioned before that were heading down to the NTA convention in Owatonna this August. I put together a supplies list on what i'll be purchasing to bring home which includes:
2 doz. Belisle 120
1 doz. Belisle 220
6 Belisle 160
2 Dozen Stoploss Traps
2 Dozen 110s
10 330s

Me and Art went out with the ATV yesterday and had a good look over the trail that were adding to our trapline this coming season. Looks promising. So far looking like alot of higher ground with some swamp at the far end which we did not attempt yesterday (started to run low on fuel).
He is doing a longer distance school bus route today so won't be home for a little while yet, but were heading out from there to pull up beaver sets in the big pond where we've been trapping. Will post pictures if we happen to have a final catch or two, although I don't count on it anything is possible!

Made up a Google Earth video on what were trapping this coming season, check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMBEWegyt_Y&feature=share