Ryan if you can get some T22 or target loads, they are much more accurate and do not blow them apart. 300m/sec and 40 grains, they should cycle in any clean 22 semi and there is not any head space jump when the lead is chambered so the barrels last longer..

Is it not fork lore that the muskrat dove down and brought up the land to start life over again after a flood.

Good looking rats! How do you prepare them?

For eating we skin and gut ASAP. Remove the glands. I think there’s 6. Then the tails are cut so two can be attached together. They are hung outside for two days or smoked. Then they mostly cook them by roasting or boiling.

22 short is pretty good. Maybe I’ll try the ones you mention sometime. I’ve heard the legend you mentioned before

Yeah I stayed in Ak! didn't get a pile of Rats like Ryan though. Wanted to go hunting but it is -2 and snowing today. Nearly got stuck in Mackenzie ice the other day.

Years ago, 1980 to be exact, me and 2 other guys spent spring break up on the Selawik river in NW Alaska. We hauled in, by dog team, wood slats, canvas, and paint. Before things started to thaw too much we each made a canvas canoe and painted it. This area was flatland with lots of pothole type lakes. Once the thaw began we started paddling around, shooting rats and beaver. Maybe an otter or 2 as well. Also popped a few caribou for meat when they ran right through our camp.
Don't remember how many rats we got. I had mine tanned and they actually ended up as a fur jacket for my mom. Some years later the bellies became a Parkie for my daughter.
Memorable time in my life.

I know a few guys that prefer longs. Rats are tough little critters. I like the short hollow points myself

Took the kids out last night through a short little chain of lakes. Bobby was pretty sure he could stay up all night. He fell asleep when we had three and woke up when we had 12.

After the first rat bobby said “1 down 1800 to go”
I like that he sets his sights high.

Great pic Ryan.

Geese for supper. My hunting partner is servicing the boat and motor and then we’ll be on our way out ratting. Planning to put some miles in this weekend.

Piled ice on Mackenzie when Me and the two Jays (James and Jayden) did the last weekend rat hunt out by my camp couple week ago. This pile was about 70 feet high just above the big jam that held up delta travel for a week to ten days. Took way longer to get there due to ice jams that made us backtrack so we pretty much lost out on Friday night and just managed one good hunt Saturday night.

I skinned the ones with dry fur right away when we got to town and let the rest dry for a day until after work on Monday. I sure love that rat hunting. Lots of work after the hunt is over but it’s all good. I’ll save my time off for rat hunting one of these years and see how many I can trap, shoot and skin when I put my mind to it.

My dads house was knocked off the blocking by moving ice and high water.

It would be a lot worst if the spring camps were insulated. This way It’s just a matter of cleaning up. My house was all good and so was the boat.



I’ve been busy thawing the skins and stretching. Keeping the fire and fans going around the clock. Can’t wait until my boy is ready for the endurance hunts like serious ratting and bear hunting but for now he’s good company on shorter hunts and in the warehouses. He should be ready next year. Makes me laugh all the time and that’s the best medicine. Now to wait for mid august, dark nights and fat bulls.

Thank you for the pictures and the story to go with them ! I'm glad that the ice and high water wasn't any worse than it was .
That's a darn not certain collection of muskrats and it's as always heart warming to see how quickly your kids are growing up and out enjoying your hunting and trapping adventures for what it's worth keep up the good job !

By the way how's that big bear hide coming along & what's your plans for it ?
Enjoy your day and Stay Safe out there even if you don't want to ha ha !
Allan

Ryan its good to see the flooding didn't hit you all too badly. Darn rivers always making life a challenge. Nice work on the muskrats!

Bear hide is getting shipped out tomorrow. Getting a rug made and the skull bleached.

Thanks for the ride Ryan ! What is your favorite ratting 22 ?That boy is sure sprouting up .
1

Either My old Remington 572 or Rossi stainless steel pump. I carry both

Finished up the rats and the last wolf. Didn’t get any pictures of skinning the feet or fleshing but it’s sure nice to work on fur at a relaxed pace. I did the wolf hide this past Saturday. Nice relaxing evening with my son. Now he’s out at husky lake with my parents and I just turned the big dog over.





Washed






Now there isn’t much to do so I’ll make a parts list for my machines and start getting ready for fall activities. Rest up and fatten up for winter. Lol.

Bobby and Charlotte both went out to the lake until Friday. Just Morgan is home with us and man is it quiet in the house.

Ryan my 572 has forearm problems ,metal sleeves inside the wood has disappeared .discontinued ,I might have to put something completely over the top to hold it up .It is my fav because of the weight (more like a centerfire weight ) Any glitches with yours ?

Nice work on that dog Ryan. I expect to be able to take a few in the next 10 years, if they open it up here. About the time I'll want to quit, lol.