You upper midwest guys getting all excited to get out there?

Excited to trap a worthless critter? Not exactly. Sure there's value-added outlets, but most guys aren't going to go through the work to flesh, ship, wait and market a tanned hide when most Americans are tightening ourselves strings because they don't know when their next paycheck will be. Not to mention rumors of castor prices going down the toilet. I was still thinking of going after them for a long weekend with a friend, but only if I can get $80 or so for castor to make it worth my time since GFW isn't buying beaver and who knows what will happen with FHA.

So, no excitent here for me at least.

Depends on if you enjoy it for what it is. Being out there watching the geese fly and begin mating, hearing the sound of running water , some early crickets, and a few warmer days with everything coming alive again, might be enough for some. You can't enjoy it all when you're gone. I'm certain everyone here gets that

The financial incentive would have mainly been the castor market of course.....

Been hitting a few spots I started out just looking for a few for cat bait but just set another place today, not sure why our castor is mostly shells no matter how big they are.

I think trappers should hold out a couple years let whats on the market clear out and let the prices rise but I know most guys are not out to make a buck and just do it for fun.

I'm looking forward to it but am still driving full size pickup out on the ice perch fishing today. Spring beaver seems a bit distant in these conditions.

Like danvee just enough for bait for next year. Yotes, Fisher,bobcats. Castors and tails for formulating my bait and lure. Will quit when the freezer is full. lol

I never did any beaver trapping in my life .But I have spent some time trapping fox that sold for a dollar before drumming fees and commision . That left me with less than .40 cents each .I like making at least a little money for my efforts But as you said "You can't enjoy it when your gone" But there is a point where the effort is not worth the rate of return . When all is set and done I hope to trap as long as I live . Even if it pains me almost as much as it makes me happy

If I don't keep trapping my beaver areas there will be no Forest or.possibly no beaver. I don't just trap for fun, I trap to help control population some. Not sure what the prices are doing right now but a couple months ago I got about 35 bucks per beaver for hide and Castor and a lot of predator bait. I thought no I will continue doing what I have been.