I had a terrible day setting beaver sets today... I had to set most sets in waist deep water. I will only have 2 days for checks then more rain and high water. I found that my physical conditions will not permit me to go after anything except maybe a couple muskrats. Don't think I will do anymore after this 2 day run. had to walk about1/3 of mile each way pulling small sled loaded down with traps and other equipment. I have lost most of the last 4 discs in lower back and still having headaches from my fall a couple of weeks ago. When I got back to the car my heart rate was at 128 and stayed above 120 for almost 2 hours after I got home. My whole spine felt like it was on fire and head felt someone had hit me with a hammer.

Come spring, I think I am going to sell most all of my traps, to take away any further temptations to want to trap. I might consider trapping the one golf course where there are only a few rats left, and they let me use a cart.

I am really dreading the next 2 checks.

Trapping partner … tits on a boar hog.

Garry-

I hate to see anyone quit, but if your body is telling you to don’t push your luck. You might have loads of fun mentoring a kid and watching him do the hard work. Take care of yourself and good luck.

Actor can you find a young guy to mentor? Let him do the work and you just stand there looking pretty?

I sympathize. I had to quit trapping for health reasons six years ago.

Judging by your symptoms, you should probably see a good neurologist.

Jim

First post ...

Mentoring is one of the most honorable, valuable and personally satisfying things a person can do.

Beaver trapping can be pretty challenging physically. I'm boat trapping and at the end of the day I'm feeling it. And I'm only 62.

I've been telling myself that when I can no longer set 330's by hand I'll give it up.

Good luck Actor. The idea of passing it on through mentorship has merit, does it not?

I would like to strongly urge you to : PASS IT ON !

wish you were closer,i'd love someone to go along and trap or just b.s..

yes find a younger person to teach how to trap an then when your ready sell him or her your stuff

Sad to hear Actor!

Yes Beaverin" is tough, as you know.

Theres no shame in taking care of ones body

I wish you Good health and blessings

Garry, I bet there are trappers near you that would enjoy your company and helpful tips on ride alongs.

Probably have a concussion from busting your face on that rock.

Very sorry to hear that Garry. If I may suggest from personal experience, switch gears and don't stop. Beaverin is very physical and like you said, you can run some rat traps, you could run a small DP line too. The main thing is not sitting still, if ya rest, ya rust. You could mentor like mentioned, you could give a demo at your local trapper workshops, a lot of things to keep ya busy. Also, otis very well may be right, take care of yourself and be safe on your checks.

X2

*** Your never to old to Vote ***

Beaver trapping is rather brutal, period. I figure when the going gets real bad I will road trap for mink, muskrat and fisher. Easier work. Going from beaver trapping to mink trapping is like going from playing pro football to playing chess. Or at least close! LOL (Yes yes yes I know. Fossil and others pound hard after the water weasel. Just sort of kidding and sort of telling the truth.)

One fall when I was messed up bad. I talked with my farmers and had all my traps two steps out the truck door..My brother took a day off work helped me get set out first day..Pretty hard to do that with any kind of water line. Maybe time to switch it up and do a land line some type..
I always say do what you can do.. I know that when it's not enjoyable it just becomes drudgery and work. So I think I understand how ya feel..
Wishing you the best with what ever you decide.

Mac

I can only hope for your sake that you don't catch too many beaver. Then it gets really physical. Take care of your self first and good luck with your health in the future.

Sorry to hear, but don't just quit, switch to something easier to trap and like others have said help out a young trapper by being a mentor. Trash panda's are easy and fun and also fun for a young person that you are teaching. Good luck!

I do appreciate all of the encouragement... My biggest problem is my back. I can't walk more 8 to 10 step in my waders and heavy cloth without pain and having to stop. I saw a bone specialist a couple of years ago... his diagnosis was that the only thing that could be done was surgery and bone fusing. At my age it would be a gamble at no more than a 50% chance of it helping, plus I would lose any place for 40 to 60% of the mobility of turning, bending etc. My way of thinking... those were pretty poor odds and not something I was willing to take.

About finding someone to mentor... I tried several years ago and couldn't find anyone interested. I even went to the people at the 4-H, they have a program on the books for trapping, and they called me back about a month later and said they couldn't find any youth that was interested. I found one guy, but he was about 40 and worked 12 hour days. I don't even drive at night any more and have given up a bunch of stuff because of that.

I have began to write some again and have sold one article to Trappers Post and have another one waiting for approval at FFG. So I am hoping that I can spread some of my many years experience doing this. I have about 50 tanned muskrats that I want to make into hats and other things and have (in back of my mind) wanted to go to the Seniors program and get one of the ladies there teach me how to sew on a regular sewing machine. I have used a Bonus machine before, but don't have the money to buy one of them.

I have loved trapping since my first year in 1947. I have a very high tolerance for pain and can take more than a lot of people. MY back hurts me 24/7, but much of it I can tolerate, but the extreme physical actions required in trapping, I can't tolerate, especially when I get 2 bones rubbing against each other. I also refuse to take any narcotic pain killer. So, that leaves me with things like Tylenol, which doesn't help much while trying to beaver trap and climbing up and down banks. I know after this year, I eventually will end up laying out someplace, for God only knows how long. And that is unacceptable.

If I don't liquidate my traps, the temptation will be there... and that temptation must be eliminated.

Two more days to go...

Garry-

When the body won’t go it’s time to cutback but do what you can and keep moving. The other day I was junk deep in snow wondering if it was time to call it quits for the year the next check I could drive closer to my sets and walk on the crust to it was way easier.

I always say I’d rather die on the line then in a nursing home, that day I was thinking maybe I picked the day. LOL