Nimzy I used to scrap. I may have got many things accomplished working with and through others. It takes a toll. Hard on the family. Because I was somewhat successful, because of tireless effort, guys used to call to try to drag me into their scraps. I turned them down. The last major effort I did was present the area biologist's biological information to board of game because he wanted me to. I think he was ordered not to? Most of the fence sitters that benefit from all your effort really don't deserve what you may accomplish anyway. I may be jaded; sitting here on my bar stool.

My advice, walk away and enjoy your life, unless you enjoy all the scrapping.

I think what Nimzy is trying to enjoy is the extra two weeks to trap rats he would gain if successful.

Most of the fence sitters won't get any benefits if he is successful.

Now why would I say that?

"Irony is i don't even fall trap. Working on behalf of all the road type workin fellas who cant trap till deer season. "

If you notice I used the word "most" and not all.

Geez Dirt that’s depressing. Unfortunately I understand your position.

49er you got it right. There is a bunch of really cool/productive trapping as the thaw kicks in. That Nafa grader said something along the lines of the best rats are the ones caught with clear leather that are still greasy. Greasy rats are fat. Once it opens up it’s almost shocking how fast the rats loose that weight.

It’s an overlooked period. Some states restrict individuals from witnessing it. And other states are so easy that guys just wait for open water.
Both cases loose. Mho

I’m really into the resource! It would take a book to explain it throughly.

Shoulda added “ like me “

Get busy writing, I'm not getting any younger and you're getting down right old.

Hay guys in Pa it closes in the second week in January. Next to us in NY it is in April and NJ is near there too......jk

Ya. That makes perfect sense. Harvest almost until they become most desirable. Wasn’t that long ago Wisconsin shared this idiocy. Thankfully we’re moving forward.

Pa got flush toilets yet?

Season length is a way to control harvest. The more trappers( or less resource) the shorter the seasons, generally.

To exclude the most trade desirable portion of the harvest is far from conservation. Or wise use.

I know.....” we “.....need access

I suppose they trap beaver till May tho? Somehow we convince ourselves that biologically a beavers reproduction dynamics and lifespans are more sustainable to harvest pressures. Lmao.

Of course it is a little hard to combo trap good coon, mink,and muskrats in feb and march.

Who mentioned anything about coon and mink? Just looking for an season extension on rats.

We are talking about pa short season. At least I was.

Ok why do they decide to stop in January? Before the product even reaches its full potential and is shearable. Fear of over harvest?

There is an even better story in a Canadian province where the season is open in fall and spring and closed in winter. Wildlife management analytics.

For as popular of a furbearer as a muskrat is, they are truly misunderstood.

You seem to always think the most profitable trapping is when each furbearer is at peak fur growth. Not always. Profit has to do with lots of variables. Muskrat trapping can be much more profitable when they are not at their best.

No, I understand how much easier/productive open water trapping can be. I also understand a percentage of trappers are either unwilling or uneducated in effective under ice methods. I certainly don’t want to restrict fall open water access.

What puzzles me is being denied the opportunity to partake in harvesting our best rats. In the case of PA, January. What kinda damage to the resources, though trapping, could possibly occur in January or February? Here in Wi it’s probably 1% of active trappers harvesting in late winter. Likely less. At least that was the reason given when they simplified our Regs and did away with our March 15 close on the old Winnebago block.

Nimzy, I caught a rat the other day in a 330. He looks pretty impressive on the stretcher.

I'm going to start trapping some rats either tomorrow or the next day.