Between equipment failures, and a family trip to The South, I'm only about 2 months behind on trapping. Now that life has normalized after the travel, we're back at work, the kids start back in school next week, and I've managed to finally get out on the line!

I wanted to the change the gear oil in the VK, but on that model year the driver nearest the drain plug, which is located in the tunnel, has a tendency to move over restricting what access there is to the plug. Me and Pop got figured, and I'll keep an eye on that driver.

While I had the undercarriage out I figured I'd service the bogies and bearings. There are TOO DANG many captive bearings that can't be serviced, the whole bogie assembly has to be replaced on some. I've whittled away at those, and have them all changed to serviceable bogies except for the top little bogies on the shock. Going to have to get spares of those dang things.


While waiting on back ordered parts me and the kids built a trapping box!


I did finally get some baits out and snares set, and got my first ever lynx double!



Living the dream!


My wife had some Instant Pot moose brisket waiting when I got home. Oh, my, goodness!


I got my hands on an old Citation as my children will need their own machines soon. I ride it the most, the thing's a hoot!


I did find a hole it couldn't clime out of though. Still, it was very easy to get it on the nearby hard pack and drive off, no tools required!


The kids have almost as much fun tooling around on the old machines as I do.



Be safe out there!

WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO a double on cats !!!


Brisket makes me drool

Man, I been putting alot on the bait pile that really, really, really should go in the cook pot.

You can have a BBQ after the season closes

That double on the lynx is pretty cool! I need to start adding snares or more traps to my lynx sets. Those older sleds are perfect for getting the young-ins into riding, easy for them to control and light enough for us adults to get them unstuck easily.

Good deal on the double! Glad to see your finally out and at it

Bait on “bahby!”

It sure is different on a machine I’m not scared to get stuck.

Thanks John! I needed out, and my wife needed it too!

Lots of fun and enjoying life in freedom . Good kids too. Thank you for the share

I snared another cat this last go round! I believe this one, and the one that got ate on a bit, were young of the year of the bigger one, that did the eating. I'll have to take a closer look, but given their size that's what it seems like.


Brush clearing never ends. People that denigrate us trappers as lazy haven't a clue.


A friend invited my daughter and I for a dogsled ride and to pet some reindeer!


It was a hoot!



Be safe out there!

Lots of fun, Temple !

Seeing animals up close and moving are learning experiences that kids never forget. It makes a big impression on them at an early age. And if they have any of the potential biologist/ illustrator in them , those experiences will bring the desire right out to pursue as careers.

There is a website that monitors the Auroras every winter all over the world, and at times I see video , in Lapland, I believe, of reindeer milling calmly in the midnight hours with the lights ablaze overhead. Makes a nice backdrop.

Good job on the lynx! There always seems to be trail to clear somewhere or new trail to make. Kinda a love hate relationship for me.

Good job on the kitty! Your a musher now Love seeing the kids being outdoors!

Doubled on squirrels in a cat set last go round, but I cleared more brush and got trail broke over the ridge into the next valley to complete a loop. Now to try to reach the end of the trail and clear more of it.

There's some marten sign, but with such long stretches between such light dustings of snow it's hard to tell how frequent the tracks really are. I did set a few marten poles, this one with a lynx snare cubby under it.


Howler likely does this several times a year, but this was the first time I've had to chop a 9 out of over flow. I moved it to a different pee post further up the hill.


Good thing that didn't geyser when I put my bunny boot into it up to the ankle.


I'm digging this trapping box! Extra winter gear, a few tools, oil, go in there, but mostly it's a great place to hang crap on the outside!


My daughter and nephew have been helping Pop and me build a loft in the shop.


She can almost work the crank. She snuck over there for the picture, but we didn't let them hang out under anything hanging.


It's not that high, but I still didn't like being up there.


Two days of babysitting and construction and the deck is partially nailed down! Need to finish fastening it, build some stairs, and figure a rail. It's going to be a bunk/office/craft area I guess.



Here's the latest Vlog, be safe out there!

I know many don’t care for the fat to be left on moose for packaging. I am a fan of having fat and bones. Makes for amazing flavor.

I am now too! It literally took DAYS of processing time.

Good job on the wolf!

Thanks! That was last year, but I'm hoping to get one of his relatives.

Fat is everything on meat. We save it if xtra amount on moose and caribou and add to lean animals or just keep in freezer and eat the raw chunks whenever you want. Could never figure people trim all the fat off. Like trimming all the fat off a pork roast and wondering what the problem is after. That brisket is either off a cow or a bull before rut.

Young bull in mid September. My oldest's first long hunt! We've trimmed caribou and moose fat before, and added it to grind. We haven't had a bad experience yet, but I've heard it can spoil in the freezer if it's in there too long.

The kids are going to pull the couch out from under the loft and jump down on to it when you have your back turned.
Busy kids make for good adults. Keep up the good work.