TheFurTrapper's Manitoba Trapline Journal

Day 1 & 2
Well, i've done ADC pretty well all summer on one of Manitoba's most populated fur bearers, the beaver. And now that the colder weather and shorter days have come around the fur has primed up quite nicely. I got a call the other night from the RM (Rural Municipality (Same as a County) asking me to go and remove some beavers that had established a run across the road and we're knocking all the rock in to the swamp. So when I went to check it out and set traps here's what I found.


As you can see here, the beaver are pulling all the rock and gravel off the road as they cross over. Near the top of the photo you can see deeper, darker water.

Other side, with the run heading back to the lodge which is shown below.

But there's the lodge (above) with a muskrat house to it's left.

So I set the traps up that night, just a couple simple dive sets in the channels. Went back to check the following night and had 2 beavers in the sets.




Day 3 Coming Tomorrow

Oh sweet keep er comin

good job are you skinning those

snostorm - i'm skinning the bigger beavers right now.

snostorm - i'm skinning the bigger beavers right now.

Well don't you have school
Any pics of the put up

Yes I do have school. And there is another back post yet to come.

Day 3

So I left the first check on day 2 with two beaver in two 330's. I re set the same traps in the same place, and left them till the next night.

With mother working in the hospital there was something that went on that prevented her from getting home sooner and giving me a ride, so I got out there a little later then I should have on the 3rd check. And as well all know, playing with 330's in the dark isn't a good idea. But anyways, here's the 3rd check at about -2 Celsius:



and #2



And now i'm skinning and removing the castor on them. Don't have any pictures of it as of right now. But I'll throw some up tonight with entry #4 ( Day 4 )

nice do you get paied a bounty.

Yes, bounty is 50.00 for every beaver tail I bring in.

nice your making money do you get money from the fur to.

Ya I also get 50.00 for each beaver
Good job do they have big castors also do you have waders

nwt trapper - Yes I get money from the fur also
snostorm - The castors aren't huge, but they aren't bad.
And no I don't have waders.

oh so you must get very wet you should get some they are very helpful
ya seems like we can never get any big castors unless you get them in late winter but every ounce counts

Thanks for the tip, and I don't get wet at all. I don't need to go very deep to make good sets.
Your correct, and I trap beaver in late winter aswell.

what type of knife do you flesh with

i love how clear your water looks

I think its cause they have a shale bottom

I use a Dexter Russell Round Point 6" and flesh over my knee, going to try out a Necker 600 this year and flesh a few on the beam.

and countrysmith - thats only because the beavers are dragging all that rock off the road. You look 15 feet in front of that and it's black as mud.

how does your the dexter knife work I fleshed most of a beaver from with a pelter in some areas I couldnt get some of the flesh of of the face and rear area so I put him in a bag and in to the freezer and will flesh when I get a proper knife

It works pretty darn good, gotta keep it sharp though. If it's sharp it fleshes the whole beaver with out any problems.

ok thanks for the advice
what did you average on you beavers last year?

snowstorm i showed you last year how to flesh over your knee that way with a knife

Ya I know but I don't have a fleshing knife

I'm not up there with you guys, but maybe a couple pics of fleshing over your knee, ive never seen that done before

lay the hide over your knee
and just start slicing the flesh off

what works for me is using a very thin curved blade and making fast cuts, i slowly change the pitch of the blade as i cut to make sure i only cut the flesh and not the hide.
i only use this for the hard area on coons or around the face of critters

yep nothing special about it

I can post pictures of fleshing as soon as I have them. There isn't much to it, just like countrysmith stated.
Just make sure also if your wearing jeans or anything that can bunch up that the material stays smooth on your knee, one little bump of bunched fabric will cut the hide.

Further Into The Season:

Well, due to being busy with other things in life, I haven't really set anymore traps, since my last post I had two 330 conibears stolen, and the third one was thrown into the weeds. My guess is who ever stole them took the two traps with beaver and got mad because the third one was empty.
So I pulled the one remaining trap out while it was still there, the same night someone jack lighted a deer so I know it was poachers. Which is quite alright, because enough people have complained that they are out poaching that our local Natural Resources office has brought out a "task force" from Winnipeg. We currently have 50 more DNR officers out in the area right now, aswell as 2 Cessna planes and a helicopter. The RCMP have also teamed up with the DNR due to the sudden increase in robberies in the area.

On a better note, in the few traps i've had out I have picked up two skunks, a beaver and a muskrat. Also shot a coon up a tree 10 feet from my set. I know it's not much but I don't have much set.


and there was another skunk besides this guy that I didn't get a picture of. Both we're caught in Bridger 220's with sardines for bait. One in a wooden cubby box, the other in a 5 gallon plastic pail.

Mr.Raccoon:


And the beaver and muskrat. The beaver is caught in an LDL 330 conibear on a dam cross over. The rat in a den entrance.




In the inbetween trap checks I took the tractor and brush mower out and cleaned the ski-doo trail up on a couple mile stretch of what I will be trapping this year, about 1 3/4 of a mile of it is the only land splitting a very large swamp, which is FULL of muskrat and of course beavers. It has a great little approach to the swamp and I will take pictures on my next trip out there to look at things.

The remaining trapping season opened up here yesterday (Nov. 1) and now i'd like some ice and a couple inches of snow to get the trapline moving well. Got all my traps ready to go aside from the 6 MB-750's I just got which need the 6 feet of chain and drag added aswell as a swivel on each. So thing's are pretty well good to go. Going to make up a good supply of Power Snare replacement snares tomorrow night. All is well up here. How is your season going?


But I guess this weekend i'm off hunting deer with some friends. Muzzle loader season now, and rifle opens up the 14th of Nov.

I couldn't agree more!

Curious did the skunk let go when he was caught in a coni?

Nope, I find if you keep your springs strong they don't often spray if you catch them around the neck * shoulder area. Had a few spray but neither one of these two did.

Did you skin them?

Yes, I skinned both of them, only because they had very nice white stripes. I don't have forming boards for them though, I will need to get some of those.

you going to nafa open house?
you can pick them up there.
do you store you furs in a freezer?

SnoStorm - yea I go to the NAFA open house, and i've picked up forming boards from there before.

Depending on what it is, yea it gets frozen until I take it in. If I get an over abundance of fur sitting around I just take it to a local fur salesman out here, that or we have a pick up route from FHA that comes through.

November 19,2011:

First of all, sorry I haven't posted for so long. It's been a bit un eventful around here for the last couple weeks. But heres the update:

Went around investigating a beaver colony with the neighbor, this particular colony has been left in a swamp on my property for about 3 years now. I've never even attempted to trap it. But we went for a walk out there the other day and counted 6 beaver at once, some in the water, some on the ice. There are two lodges on site, and one very large feed pile. I didn't have my camera with me unfortunatly, but the neighbor did. How great the pictures turned out I don't know. But if I get my hands on them i'll be sure to post.

So since the last post we've gotten a fair bit of snow on the ground and about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch of ice on most of the water ways here. The forecast is calling for snow still every other day so it's starting to add up. Temperatures are well below 0 C, this morning as I write this it is -18 C ( 3F ) and it's very good that it's freezing things up first before we get too much snow.

Here's the first weasel of the season in a cubby with a few good gobs of beaver meat as bait:


Also did some exploring of another beaver colony in which I ADC trapped a bit this summer, here too is a large dam (down the road) and two lodge's:



and here's the smaller of the two lodges on this particular colony:


Also earlier before the snow started I brush mowed a 3/4 mile long trail on the split of two swamps. You'll see more pictures this season from the snowmobile, but here's the very start of the trail:




And to end of the post, it's currently General Rifle season for deer here in Manitoba. And I ended up seeing 2 little 3 points yesterday at two different places on my own property... and no rifle either time. This guy stopped on the road right in front of the truck and then slowly walked in to the field...




Also fired up the snowmobile the other night, so that's good to go when we get a couple more inches of snow.

*Post's will be closer together now that there is snow and it's easier to trap*

November 26 - 29 2011:

Well, we've had some mixed cold weather and snow and some mixed above 0 weather here. It's not that great! It's melted 80% of the snow on me again. On the bright side its going to be a good season for muskrats! I set a few traps a few nights ago in some houses because of the warmer weather right now, and was walking on about 1 3/4" to 2 inches of ice.
Here's a shot off of the one small side of a swamp I trap, quite a few rat houses and a beaver lodge.

Also put up some pelts, Snostorm@home had mentioned wanting to see some put up pictures. And I am by NO means a professional fur handler




And the next night went back to check the couple rat traps I had set and pulled out a half decent muskrat, and shot a squirrel on the way home.


Got them on the stretchers and the squirrel is shown above, the rat will most likely be in the next post when it's done. Got a call to remove some beaver tonight, so I went out and set a 330 under ice, never thought to snap a picture. But the trap is between the lodge and the feedbed in the main run. So I should have good luck!
On the way home also set a trap for mink, and caught the following.

A big muskrat, it didn't go down and drown which isn't un common, so I pulled him out and he met my shovel.



and another red squirrel, this one in a live trap at the neighbors. There outdoor cat ended up eating it when I went inside, but needless to say he won't be giving them any more problems!


But, now that we have got alot of good ice up here, I wouldn't mind about 6 inches of snow to start the snowmobile trapping! It'll come one day I suppose!

I've forgot to mention that I also have a YouTube channel in which I upload almost all of my trapping videos too. If there was video that goes along with the post I will now post the link at the bottom. Here's the muskrat video:


And a bit of video on the squirrel


And a little video of the few pelts I sent to Fur Harvesters yesterday

Really good put ups do you use wire strechers for muskrats

Thanks, the most common animal i've put up is what you see there. So they probably look alot better then a coon would!
But anyways, yes I use #1 wire stretchers for muskrat. I leave a bit of the tail on them to hook the stretcher clips too. I use forming board for every other species.

how many traps and for what do you have out right now?
also how long is your chain/wire on your muskrat traps

I have a few non producing power snares set, a couple mink sets and 2 beaver sets out right now.

On my drowning set rat traps it's the full length of chain that comes with the trap, plus about 10" of wire. The wire is wrapped up about 2 inches worth to the stake and about an inch worth to the trap chain.

Early December:

Unfortuantly were still stuck with basically no snow here in Manitoba. We're having some cold weather how ever which is helping to freeze up the ice. I'm told that the ice fisherman are laying nets 2 1/2 miles out on Lake Manitoba.
Here was the temperature December 4, around 10:00 pm.



Don't have much for pictures this time around. But if the weather stays nice as it has I will set a few dozen rat houses on Sunday. This Saturday (tomorrow) is the open house at NAFA in Winnipeg. So my day will consist of talking with other trappers and watching demo's to add to my knowledge of trapping and fur handling (sounds pretty terrible eh!)

The beaver lodge in which I caught this beaver in was well.... uh. For lack of a better explanation the farmer was nice enough to grab my trap before COMPLETELY leveling the lodge with the ice. . . How ever he let me in on where another good sized house was, which I will be setting some traps in soon.


Here's the other lodge with the feed pile out front. The lodge it's self is only about 2 feet off the edge of this dug outs side. :



More Beavers...
took a walk out on another slough the other day and looked at another nice beaver house from a distance. Hope the photo worked out well for here.
someone else also tried snowmobiling on this slough already and it didn't work so well for them.

Lodge is the small dark thing right below the clump of tree's. Looks small from here but it's quite large lodge in reality.


Was out walking around and found this mink trail through the reeds on a frozen up beaver run.



As I said not alot of pictures this week and not alot of stuff to tell you, unless for some odd reason your wanting to know that my neighbor is my new bus driver

Will take a bunch of pictures Sunday, and i'm not sure if I can post pictures from the NAFA open house tomorrow or not. Last year there was a lock on the picture taking deal.

7th Annual North American Fur Auctions Open House in Winnipeg:

Well here's the pictures I am able to post from the 7th Annual NAFA open house today.

The day included pelting demonstrations, aswell as using Ram Power Snares for raccoon, fisher and coyote. Youth muskrat skinning demonstrations went on nearly all day with Myself and Another Man. There was also a relatively detailed presentation on Wolf Trapping and Predator Calling from two different people.
Here's a picture from the wolf demo showing how he makes his dirt hole sets using 750s.


and a picture from the Power Snare demos (top is coyote bottom is fisher and coon)






a photo of a youth skinning a rat (couldn't show many of this because the face of them is in most of them and I don't have full permission to post the kids. So here's one I cropped.


and some beaver stretching using an Electric Air Nailer.



and to give you one last picture for this post:

You Know Your a Redneck When (your car has these)



I'll be going out tomorrow to set some muskrat traps and a beaver set or two. Will take some good pictures for you all.

Cheers

Good see some pictures. I called Dave today when you guys were chowing down on lunch (10:30 my time) Dave was really pleased with the turn out, demonstration program, and the enthusiasm of the group. Bet those kids had fun with the muskrats, that would be one of the highlights for sure.

Yes, Dave is an extremely nice guy, and was definatly in the fur fashion today (beaver fur vest).

The kids most definatly enjoyed the muskrats, some much more then others!

Like the horns
How are you setting you beaver traps are you gonna use any snares

Snostorm - i'm setting 330s. I don't set snares till later in winter.

Where is the snow? Let's make those sets realistic.
Thanks for helping the young guys!

The snow? haha yea right. The most snow we have is about 8" right by Lake Manitoba!
The snow is still holding off. It's a bit irratating actually, your right. None of these set are realistic. I'm currently trapping like a Southerner.

No, your a teacher for trapping, and that IS important.

haha thanks! Feels good to see a kid you showed to skin a rat one year mess up badly and see him the next year putting up great looking fur.

Sunday December 11,2011:


Well like I said, went out and set a few traps today. How ever today was a little rougher then usual... if your interested keep reading.

Got out there today, and figured i'd follow the mink trail through the reeds, see if I could find an open hole to set by. So I tootled around all the little curves and found where the mink had gone around by a rat house tore in to the rat house and then 30 feet further found where he was snacking on a pool if minnows:


I will add video yet of that open hole showing where the mink had chewed up the fish. But continuing on, heres the hole in the side of the rat house:


I put in a couple sets for mink, which you will see next entry (hopefully with a catch)
and then went on to set for muskrats. For those of you that don't know, here's the inside dome of an average sized rat house:


and inside a push up (I basically cut the whole top off the ice becaue the inside is all water)



Walked over to this here beaver house and had a look at the runs and feed bed:




So the rough part of the trip can be summed up in these short word: Bloody Fingers, Sharp Knives, Barbed Wire Fence and a Hurt Knee.

While I was making a rat set, the stopper on my pocket knife gave out, slid around and sliced my finger up pretty good. Enough to nauseate me enough to puke. So back to the vehicle we went to break out the First Aid kit... first time i've had to use it on the trapline, so I guess I owe it to the mentors that have taught me who handed them out at Trapper Workshops here.

So after I was all bundled up, he climbed over a barbed wire fence, barb caught his boot laces and he fell over and seriously damaged his left knee.
My trapping partner is also my bus driver, so his response to his own fall was as follows:
Son of a that hurt! Your just lucky our bus isn't a standard!


Anyways thanks for reading this entry.


Videos:

looks good
you have a lot of good locations

Yes, the rat houses on that swamp there are unlimited! And beaver are close at hand aswell.

Are those K9 tracks in the snow over that beaver run ?

yep, good eye and thanks for looking white.
That'd be coyote.

Well it's December 18th and the Christmas tree is up! Which is one load off of the shoulders. Went out today and had a look at a 2 armed lake on my property. The definition of lake in my area is a swamp with an open body of water. Just to let you know ahead of time.
Located 7 beaver lodges on the 2 arms and all 7 were dead due to low water.
Here's one with a furry creature nesting inside. Right at the entrance the creature is urinating often. Whats your best guess as to what it is?


Then went over to another swamp to these two very active lodges. During the start of freeze up there was 5 or 6 beaver here at once. Here's the two of them together.


The smaller house with the feed bed:


Here you can see blood in the snow. It's from a mink going in the hole and bringing up minnows and eating them there.


Then I took the bike around through a poachers brush trail, which lead up to a long beaver dam, in the middle of the trail was dam over flow and a few fallen trees. So that stopped all poaching in there, so I scaled the dam around a circle. And found the lodge.
I noticed multiple open mink holes along side the dam. Here's one.


but before getting to lodge, I decided to take a better look at this mink hole, so I paced down the dam 10 or 15 feet and tried to walk across and found that the dam spillage was somewhere below the ice line very quickly. Because between the animals swimming through and the water running there was only about a half inch of ice.
Needless to say, curiosity drown the trapper:


once I dried off in the snow. I walked towards the house. Fairly large lodge and a good feed pile.


so I guess the last picture is a tad depressing. Even out here in the brambles, people STILL manage to litter. Here's 3 ~ 50 gallon oil drums frozen in to the ice on this pond.


and heres the short video I took in the bush today.

Great pictures your hole in the beaver house appears to be otter from what I see

i'll include the animal in my next post otterman.

lots of good area wish i lived up there
get those mink NAFA says they will be in better demand than the last few years

That area is HORRID to acess unless your doing it with a helicopter. I will be back at some point this winter for both beaver and mink. Perhaps on Christmas holidays.

cool
I also have a lot of areas that are great for mink and beaver only problem is you cant get there without a helicopter like you said might make some trails to get there with the snowmobile next winter

Yes, in this case your going through waist deep water in summer to cut down brush though.

December 19,2011

Put out a couple of fox/coyote/fisher sets tonight. Snapped a few pictures for the sake of it.

Here's a box set at the edge of a field, with some cow bones not far off. Show's that there are both coyote and fox coming to the bones.
220 Belisle and Some wrotten Partridge for bait




and here's the cow bones that the fur bearers are attending


so there is no lure at that box. Just the bait. But the coyotes go over a ditch bank behind that regularly aswell as sign of a fisher. So I tied a stinky striped skunk up in a tree a few hundred feet down the trail and set a #3 soft catch with a drag on the trail.
Probably didn't need it, but I put a few drops of Caven's Gusto on a tree a few feet behind the skunk just to try out that smelly stuff.

Pictures of any catches will be here.

Good luck!

December 23,2011:

Well two days until Christmas time. Went out today for a 5 1/2 hour trip on to one arm of a large swamp I trap. Was disappointed in the number of rat houses on that arm of the slough, but the other arm is usually better for rats anyways. Didn't count, but maybe 30 rat houses and pushups on that arm.

Main thing I was looking for was beavers as well as fisher and marten. Well, in the end of the first arm I counted 20 beaver lodges. 15 of which were still live. Most lodges were loaners, there was a few double lodge scenarios and one triple lodge scenario.
Keep in mind this is all in about 2 1/2 - 3 miles of slough.

Managed to dump the back end of the bike through some thin ice at un seen springs a couple times and managed to have alot of fun in the cold. Will check out the other arm another day with a full tank of gasoline.
Here's a few pictures of what was out there today:




Even managed to put the bike through the ice on a spring (above)

more lodges




Here's one of the largest lodges on this arm of the slough:



So once I got to the big lodge above, I turned on to the Sleeve Lake Wildlife Management Area cut line, went down about 300 yards toward my best marten and fisher territory and saw something horrible.
Flag tape with a 220 Belisle in a cubby below it!
I wanted to check out further down the trail so I kept going and found 3 or 4 more boxes. One holding a weasel. Was a bit disappointed that the are was taken. But unlike certain people I know the trappers sets are the way they left them. So I made a left on the management line and found this.
Two beaver lodges, not much more then a 100 feet from eachother. Dead square in the middle of the trail.
The feed bed on the first one is the largest I have ever seen.



The feed bed does not look nearly as big in the picture.

But anyways, alot of the houses I won't be able to trap because it's too long to drive by ATV after school. I will how ever get a bunch of beaver snares made up to hit the closer houses pretty hard.

Your probably all sick of seeing stuff about beavers but, there is not shortage. Catch pictures soon ( I pray )

Thanks for looking

thats to bad about the traps you found
looking forward to seeing your catches

Yea well, other people have to trap as well I guess.
First competition i've had around here.

I'm looking forward to pulling some catches up.

Do you have a good population of Marten around there?

Scootermac - we have a few. Most of which are way out in the middle of no where. My best marten/fisher area was taken as stated above.


Whats the best place to look for marten sign? I know the sets to catch them just not much about finding them.

Look for tracks in the forest along the edge of swamps. Do you have a large area of coniferous trees close by?

Not sure how old you are, but since the fire of 1989 here we don't have many spruce trees left. And the ones we do aren't in big bluffs really.

December 24,2011 (Christmas Eve):

Went for a trip to the bush today to set up some beaver and mink traps at the large lodge and dam from a couple posts back. When I got to the end of the trail where I have to walk, I looked up in the opposite direction and noticed another smaller beaver lodge through the bush. Now keep in mind, this is only a hundred yard or hundred-fifty yards north of the other lodge.

I walked over and couldn't help but notice all the mink tracks in the snow, leading up to a hole in the top of the house.


they come from 3 different directions up to this hole. I placed a 120 over the hole in hopes for the best.

Then I noticed something strange along side the mink trails. Some large slightly un clear tracks in the snow. At first I thought it was a fisher, then closer inspection showed that it was no fisher, no coyote and definatly no wolf. Now the only other thing it could be is a wolverine, In high hopes I took a picture of the tracks and shared with the rest of Trapperman and got positive remarks. That it was most definatly a wolverine:


But anyways I was walking away thinking to myself:
There's no way it could be a wolverine here?....

You must understand, though I am further north then some of you I don't have wolverine and lynx. This is the first wolverine sign I have ever found, and I see the odd bit of sign from a passing lynx.

But I walked back to the trail and over to my original destination which was the large beaver colony, got over and put a set in by the feed pile. There was no sign of a run underneath the ice in this pool of ice so I walked over to where I thought looked good for a set, one swing with the axe and it went through and all the air from underneath the ice shot water out for a minute or so.

Snostorm@home requested pictures

Here's one of my favorite beaver sets, a 330 set up on a long pole in the run, with some green poplar peeled a bit and wired to the lower jaw:


and this picture isn't the best, but the top of my hand represents where the ice is, and my jacket blends the trap in some, but thats how far I place my trap below the ice:



and this is what the finished set up looks like, I like to use a pretty long stick so if we ever get a good snow storm it's still poking out above all:


so after that was in I saw a bunch more of the weird tracks on the ice that turned out to be that of a wolverine. So here's my poor attempt on a natural cubby with a 330 and muskrat/squirrel for bait. All I had with me.




and yes I know that a wolverine will probably just tear this cubby apart, but when I was out there all I knew was that I had to try something in case he happend to be back that night.
It is illegal to trap wolverine in Manitoba this season in my area. For that reason I will not be targeting the wolverine and this above set has also been removed

and put in a few more mink sets, and example of a hole in the ice from mink with a new present hanging there for them tomorrow morning


and on the way home I put a few weasel boxes in aswell as another beaver set:

This set is just another way of suspending the 330 in the run, if the water is deeper you can turn this into a ladder set by adding a second trap and nailing sticks between each pole to make it look like a ladder.
Once again, green poplar peeled a bit and wired on. The trap is about 8 inches below the ice here in 6 feet of water:

and the finished set is below ( I fill the hole with snow so it doesn't freeze as hard )


that concludes the trapping for this post. Thanks for viewing.


Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Looks like you had a exciting day! Good looking sets! Looking forward to see what you connect with!

Oh yes! Always do have an exciting day!

thanks for the pictures
hope you get that wolverine
do you get better results when the conibear is at the bottom near the mud or up high near the ice

Beaver trapping looks like a lot of fun. Lord help me if ever run into a beaver lodge this far north.

If it's a set with two trap I put one nearer the bottom and one nearer the top.
If it's a single trap I like to have it about 'center' where I think the beavers will be swimming when they come out of the lodge. Regardless if they spot the partly peeled stick they usually work the set pretty good.

Remember if you disturb anything under there the beavers may not come out of the house for a few days.
Leave the trap checks to atleast 2 days, longer is better though.

Yea under ice beaver is alot of fun!

New Years Eve:

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and good luck in 2012.

Today's trap check produced a rat and a bait thieving weasel.

No picture of the rat tonight but I will update:



Happy New Year and Stay Safe!

what did you catch the weasel in?

A weasel box baited with some grouse feathers and Caven's "Just Mice"

January 1 - 5 2012:

Well, 2012 is here now. Everyone ready to die next December? (Kidding)

So the first few days of 2012 were non productive, ended up setting a dozen or so rat huts, and got freezing cold temperatures for the next 3 days afterwards which does a number on the huts no matter how good I seal them. So on the 3rd day I checked the sets irregardless of the temperature outside which is still warm for this time of the year by the way. And pulled up 1 lone muskrat out of the 12 sets, and had 3 houses frozen, that was January 1. January 3rd I checked again because I was in the area, no more frozen houses. But I had a pesky mink take care of 1 rat completely and then he drug another one till the chain was tight under the ice, and chewed the back end up on him. No pictures of that for you tonight.

January 4 was a great day, checked another line I have set, and got a weasel which I didn't take a close up picture of because of how close he got to the bloody bait before expiring, and then went over to the beaver lodge, and pulled up a real nice beaver. Probably i'd say a 35 pounder, but you tell me what you think he weighs.
Caught in a 330, in the set shown below with a green piece of poplar wired to the lower jaws:


here's the beaver:




But we continued on, past that beaver pond a whole 500 yards across a swamp to another place I suspected to have a house, and sure enough there was a half decent sized lodge (with double feed bed) and a dam in the bush.



and one of two feed beds (remember the position my dog is walking in for next part)


Alright, so because I knew there was breach in the dam and water was running we never brought the bike and sled on to the ice till we knew it was safe to walk, I take my dog with me trapping and as soon as we got on the ice he started sniffing around and suddenly he basically B-Lined it for a clump of cat tails right beside the running water.(he is shown above with the tail straight out) I heard a few barks from him then a bunch of growling, and he steps back out of the water, and out rolls this little raccoon.

and seeing the little guy just sitting there made me kick in to over drive! I got my partner to grab a "kill stick" off the dam while I took a picture.
He dispatched that coon, and a few seconds later two more came running out in different directions. My dog circled one and tree'd it.

and #3


So anyway, after he dispatched the first coon, it rolled over in to the running water, and I held it there upside down to wash the blood off.
And he went back to get the bike and sled, while he was gone, the coon the dog tree'd tried to come down. I chased it back up, and when I heard the bike get hung up on something and the throttle go up I turned around.
When I turned back the coon was coming down the tree again, I yelled my dogs name, and he jumped up and put his paws on the tree and started barking, the coon bit him on the top of the nose, and I saw some blood drip down his face, so I guess you could say my "motherly insticts" kicked in, and I dispatched that coon with more force then was probably needed..

The bite was just a slight flesh wound, so I washed it out and let him take it easy for awhile.
as for the 3rd coon he crawled down the tree and ran off. Which is alright, i'll get him in traps next time I go out.

So here was the fur from the end of that day.


The weasel is in rough shape, but the beaver and coon have AWESOME pelts on them. Mounted the fleshing beam today in a better position so i'm ready to go. Thanks for reading this post.

Congrats on the critters! Sounds like you had a blast!

Good post and very nice pictures. Looks like fun time there.

Having a blast doesn't sum that day up! haha I love trapping.

Thanks guys.


Here's the video to go with the fun above:

January 8 2012 (back post):

Went out and checked the lines today, ended up with a nice fisher and a small beaver. The fisher being only the 2nd one i've caught in my life time.

I caught him in a 220 Belisle in a cubby box on the ground, for bait I used fresh beaver meat and grouse feathers.



Once we got to another beaver pond and set a trap up there (same place the raccoons were) I thought we would go a little further past across some tall weeds and when we did we found 6 new beaver lodges on one side of this small lake.
Lake was oddly shaped and keep in mind I use the term lake pretty flex, it was a swamp with out reeds in the middle.
The water was running all along the edge of it on one side.


Also, there are side ponds on this lake, with beaver lodges on them too:



the three houses side by side and these two above are all with in 700 yards of eachother.... and our DNR here says we don't have a high population of beaver! LOL

on the way home nailed this young beaver in a 330 right at the house.



So that's all for this post.

Very cool!

thanks!

Awesome job on the fisher
What type of are were you in were you caught the fisher

Congrats on the critters! Pretty fisher!

Thanks HFT!

Snostorm - I'm still not sure how to answer your question, guessing your missing a word or two in there?

sorry I meant what type of habitat did you catch the fisher in

Right under a tall tree, the only one of its kind. Everything else surrounded by willows. And a swamp 500 feet away

Saaaweeeeet.

Great post Fur trapper! You have great insight to the trapping game for your age and can look forward to a long, enjoyable career as a successful fur harvester! I also admire your literary skills and computer savvy. My fur hat is off to you!

Thank's, I enjoy reading comments such as yours immensely. As for my literary skills, I just know that I can't stand to try and read something and words aren't spelled correct, grammar is put into places it should never be and stuff like that. So I try my best to keep my posts in good condition. Typing with out capitals is one thing, typing lik dis all da time 'bout trappen and stuf IS A COMPLETELY different thing.
I hope to keep trapping successfully for a while anyways. Thank you very much for your comment of kind comments.

January 11 and ----- 2012:

Well looks like mother nature has finally delivered us a bit of cold weather here. It's about -25 Celsius here right now. With a 30 km/h wind. Were not supposed to get any snow till Friday and when we get it, not supposed to be a whole lot. Last year this time we had close anywhere between 3-4 feet of snow in most places. Deeper in others, and right now (I measure) we have just a hair over 3 inches in the deep spots....

What gives?

Global warming is in affect

haha oh yes for sure! Won't be posting, gotta go save the Polar Bears! haha

January 13,2012:

Ended up with a weasel and a shrew on tonight's trap check. Pulled the traps on that line, going to set on my main line now in the next couple days.





all for this post. Insulating a roof tomorrow and adding a few new lights in the fur shed. Hopefully will be done and then go and set like crazy on Sunday.

good luck on sunday how many sets aare you putting out and what for

Great stuff! Keep it up!

What do you streatch a shrew on?

snostorm - mostly beaver. But will put sets out for fisher, marten, mink and weasel I hope. No guarantee on how many sets, as there is no guarantee on the amount of animal sign.

Alaska Viking- I normally stretch them on an split shrew stretcher (constructed out of two Popsicle sticks). But if i'm out I put them on a solid (2 popsicle stick) board. But then I end up having to add the tooth pick belly board.

Great posts FurTrapper, Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed your video. I think I may start carrying the camera also. Awesome job young man and keep it up.

Yea, carrying a camera saves alot of good memories, and can help give pointers to alot of people.

Alaska Viking- I normally stretch them on an split shrew stretcher (constructed out of two Popsicle sticks). But if i'm out I put them on a solid (2 popsicle stick) board. But then I end up having to add the tooth pick belly board. [/quote]LOL

January 14, 2012:

Has been an interesting day, worked on insulating the fur shed all day. And should have it finished. The joys of fiberglass insulation on bare skin!

Had to go and feed some cattle a few bales of hay, happened to come across a couple coyotes in the bush. They couldn't care that I was there. I had a .22 magnum in the tractor. So I shut it off, stepped out of the tractor. And plucked the first one, it dropped in it's tracks.
The larger one made a pathetic run for a thicket 50 yards away. Didn't expect to get him. So I unloaded the gun, got back in. By the time I passed where he was, he ran on to the trail in front of me a short ways. And then stopped dead center in the trail and watched me.
So just to humor myself I got out with the gun, stepped down off the tractor. Walked to the very front of it, and rested on the top of the grapple, and shot him as well. Believe I harvested two of THE dumbest coyotes in the bush today. But irregardless, they have a nice hide!



Providing I finish the insulating tomorrow I should be able to go out and check my main trapline. Don't know how much more setting of traps will get done tomorrow with the possible lack of time. Will update tomorrow evening anyways.

Nice shootin!

i'd like to think so anyways. But it wasn't a long shot, and the target wasn't exactly a terrorist with a hostage in hand! LOL

nice looking yotes

Doesn't matter. Nice work!

Haha well thanks! Will give me a couple dollars extra anyway.

That doesn't happen often, very cool!

No, thats why I said, just to humor myself I got out of the tractor and walked all the way to the front end. That coyote should have been long gone after I dropped it's buddy.

committed yote suicide. the cold got to them and they just thought this was one way to put an end to the misery.

Nice look'n fur.

LOL! Yea I guess that must have been it.

December 15, 2012:

Once again beaver meat and grouse feathers proves to be a deadly weasel bait/attractant.




Didn't have the day light today too set crazy like I had hoped. Always next weekend I guess.

Congrats on the yotes! Pretty looking ermine!

thanks!
Yea those little ermine are alot of fun to trap.

Overall Catches so Far This Season:

did a quick tally this morning of my catches from this season and heres the results:

Open water beaver: 4
Under ice Beaver: 3
Muskrat: 2
Weasel: 5
Shrews/Mice: 1
Squirrel: 2
Skunk: 4
Raccoon: 3
Fisher: 1
Coyotes: 2

January 22, 2012:

I went out on the trapline today, with what seems to be the last time by ATV. The snow is piling up and will start to move around with the snowmobile. Went out today at the crack of dawn to check sets and look over the rest of my main line (looking at sign) and the first catch of the day was a muskrat in a 330 beaver set:


then went onward on the line, pulled up a few sets in places I would not be returning too and wasn't having luck at. Rolled up on a weasel box and had a long tail caught. I didn't take a catch photo of it because of the state I found it in, it was too close to the bait unfortunately and then a mouse chewed the leg up sometime not long after death. Fur is in rough shape but will still bring a buck or two.
Went on too the last few sets, and nabbed this real nice long tail in a rat trap. Grouse Feathers, Beaver Meat, and a bit of Caven's "Just Mice" for bait. Biggest and Best Looking Weasel this season.


and finally got over to Fur Trappers Lake. Snapped a few pictures of some lodges along the way aswell:



and today's total:

Congrats on the critters!

thanks. I'm just going to set a couple more traps every day after school now starting Tuesday evening.

Here is my latest YouTube video, it's taken a long time to get up but it has the fisher trapping and a few others in it.

Was out for the first time (of the year) with the snowmobile to Fur Trappers Lake this evening. Set a few more sets out, but all I can say is.
How can anyone say this isn't beautiful?

Very nice photo! Keep it coming!

Thanks! And I will keep it coming!

January 27, 2012:

I know it's a little off topic for Trapperman. But a pretty good friend of mine committed suicide by hanging last night in her home... by the time EMS arrived there was no chance of revival. First time dealing with a friend doing something like this, so I may not have posts for a couple days... I'm not sure if I can handle going to the bush tomorrow. Just thought i'd let people know.

Thanks.

I'm not trying to make this out to be any kind of sob story, but, unfortunately bullying has taken it's tole, I just found out she was bullied quite a bit by a few select students in my school. That with a mix of abuse at home led to the death of a simple girl who just loved her family and friends.


Rest In Peace and Good Luck Where Ever You Are Now.

My dad did the same when I was 5 years old. I feel your pain, so many unansawred questions. Stay focused on the good times and the person they were. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

thank you very much.

Decided that i'll head out to the bush today, get my mind off of things and enjoy the scenery a bit. Will be accompanied by the girlfriend so things won't be so bad, pictures when I get back tonight

Sorry to hear about your friend, take care and be safe.

Good luck, be safe out there!

Very sorry to hear about your friend FurTrapper. Remember to celebrate her life and to dwell on the loss. My condolences to her family and friends.

Thanks guys.

Didn't catch anything today unfortunatly but it was still a nice trip out there.

My condolences ...Its a rough go. I have been through it in my own family .

Our sincere condolences. One of my best friends did the same when we were just out of school. Its never easy for sure.

Would like to send out a BIG thank you to everyone who has given nice words here as well as in Private Message.

As hard as death is, life must go on. The way she committed suicide, was to say the least one of the worst parts of it all.. she showed no emotion that anything was bothering her, was just her usual Shy Yet happy-go-lucky self. Then one night everything suddenly changed..


But once again, Thank you all very much!

February 2 2012:

Look's like Manitoba's groundhog is predicting spring to be on the way.
Which I can understand but dislike, we haven't seen winter here yet.

Things should start to perk up for trapline photo's. My friends funeral was today, it was tough for sure... especially since her step dad had beaten her before she committed suicide. But the worst is over, stay tuned for pictures.

Good luck! Thoughts and prayers.

thank you.

TheFurTrapper- My Condolences to you and her family. Keep your chin up during the rough times.

Thank you.

I think I will do a run on the trapline today. It's -2 Celsius and it frosted hard last night, will be a beautiful day:

February 3 2012:

Today proved to be a great day! It got up to +1 Celsius.

Ran the trapline with the partner, I must say it's sure beautiful looking at all the frosty tree's along the narrow bush trails. Punched in a few more fisher sets along the way like this one below.
Trap is set about 8" of the ground with Caven's Gusto as bait, with some bad squirrel meat and chunks of fur for some "add to"


Then continued on about checking set, when I turned off to pull a coon set that had been sitting empty for a couple of weeks. When I got up to what should have been an empty set I saw that the bucket cubby was facing the opposite way, and at the end of the chain in a big bowl something with dark fur was poking up. I was waiting for the partner to reach me on the other machine first before walking to it. When he arrived I told him we caught another fisher. I couldn't see anymore then some dark guard hairs and assumed thats what it was. To my surprise it was a little pine marten.
Caught in a 160, plastic pail with Sardines as bait.

Yea I know it's not a huge marten. But it's my first one so I think it's awesome!




that concludes this entry. It was a nice first day back out on the line after all this drama.

very nice marten
who cares if its big or small or light or dark you cant help that
conrats on your first

Thank's!
How many marten have you caught?

Hey Kyle, comb your hair before you take any pics of yourself lol. Is that the can of sardines caught in the trap with the Marten? lol

Yes the can got smooshed with the trap! LOL

Hey, give me a break! I was sweating so took my fur hat off! Not my fault I was born a "wild child"

LMAO!!

no I havent

Way to go!

Thanks Aknative.

Congrats!

Congratulations! Nice Marten!!

Yea, I like the color on them alot!

February 11,2012:

Been a slow couple of weeks... but today it seems I have discovered the need to pay better attention. Just noticed this massive beaver lodge just off the trail a few hundred feet from where I turn around on the end of my trapline.


clearly visible breather holes on top:



then there was this hole in the ice in front of the lodge:



Then caught this little weasel in a 160 in a pail.
Of course he wouldn't commit to the same bait/lure in a weasel box 100 feet away, instead just run around it.

Squirrel Meat and Grouse Feather - Caven's Just Mice.

Had a look at these two little beaver huts while out for a joy ride.


There was a mound of dirt, or an old collapsed beaver house on the edge of the swamp. Something is living inside.
Scratch marks on sticks entering the hole and it's big enough around for a fat house cat or a small fisher to enter the hole.

My guess is mink on that hole
I would say set a trap but mink season is over so that's not an option

Furtrapper I just finished your entire journal. I am very impressed. You and snostorm@home will accomplish more before you guys are 20 years old than most young people I know around here will accomplish in an entre lifetime. Keep it up young man! I am very sorry to read about your friend and I will add you and her family to my prayer list. God Bless you and stay safe. Thanks for posting your adventures.

Snostorm - I was thinking the same thing, just wanted other opinions.

Flyman41- Thank you kindly! Trapping is a big part of both of our lives, and I for one do not intend on quitting for any reason short of a request from above..

February 19,2012: It Begins:

Today was -1 Celsius and BEAUTIFUL! Left the house at 9:30 this morning on the ski-doo and headed to the swamp for some muskrat trapping.
Managed to get around 20 sets out today, not alot. But alot of huts were covered over by snow as they were built along the edges.
Here's a green reed I pulled out of a push up:


and look, look there! Another beaver hut...


Finished set all flagged, only thing left to do was drive away!



Do I need to add another caption for this?


Someone had dumped this deer carcass here earlier in the season, not alot left now:


and unfortunately, someone didn't collect a cow this fall. As I found it's remains on the ice today...
If it's not a cow, tell me what deer, elk or moose has black and white hide..



But, the most interesting part of today's trip is this.
I found it on the edge of a field, what ever it was many years ago it got the rocks VERY hot as they are snow white and crumbling to dust. Maybe an outdoor stove or an old kiln or something similar? There was a grown in trench leading away from it about 30 feet long and a foot across, can anyone teach me something about this?

All thanks to my curiosity:


Should have taken more pictures, maybe a video. But if i'm there again I will.

Thanks for looking, check traps Wednesday after school. Hope to catch something....

February 22, 2012:

Today's trapline check produced 7 nice muskrats out of the close to 20 sets out on the lake.






Even got a bit of a smile in this one! LOL



Was a good day, had a couple of front feet in the traps. A rat by both front feet in the house, one in a 110 caught real nice by the neck. Gotta check them again Saturday and will really cover the houses well with snow as cold weather is here again Sunday..

Congrats!!

Was definatly a good first check. See what Saturday turns up with!

nice job! i wish there were more muskrats around here. a few people have told me they used to get them but i have never seen one.

They don't like super deep water and don't like wide open water for denning.
Around here anyways.

I'm attending the 2012 Manitoba Trapper's AGM this weekend. It's over tonight, will throw some pictures up tomorrow most likely, will be a late night tonight.

March 2nd & 3rd, 2012: Manitoba Trappers Association AGM & Convention:

This weekend was the 2012 MTA AGM and Convention in Eriksdale. I would say the event was a very good turn out, I went down to the convention center at 9:00 on Friday, and gave a hand to multiple people to set up there booth's and displays. And the local schools showed up there around 1:00 to tour the convention. Helped to set up the Whiteshell Trapper's Council fur bearer Museum and ended up doing an educational demonstration for the school with it. Here's a few pictures.








all Animals were of course dead, but were only semi-frozen so they were set up in to positions to make them look as life like or natural as possible.

Like this mangy coyote positioned to look like it was going back to gnaw on the bad case of sarcoptic mange on the back.


The School Showed Up, and Showed Some Great Interest:


Afterwards there was a series of Skinning Demonstrations for Coyote, Mink, Fisher and Beaver:








Youth Squirrel Skinning:




Whiteshell Trapper's Council also brought in there "White Beaver"




Followed by Live Auction:


and our local fur council drew the winner of the fur bearing statue of a man:



Then North American Fur Auctions put on a "Fur Fashion Show" right after dinner, I video'd most of it, but here are my pictures:



Pictured With Dave Bewick (Vice President of NAFA)


That concludes our 2012 Annual General Meeting and Convention. Hope you enjoyed the picture's!

Very cool! Looks like it was a very educational event, good to see youngsters participating!

Always!

I love these types of events!

very cool to bad I couldn't make it. I will be going next year though for sure lots of good stuff by the looks of it.

Snostorm - not sure where the AGM is next year, it was here 2 or possibly 3 years ago.

Thanks for sharing!

No problem! Just can't wait for Spring Beaver and Muskrat!

Cool, santa wears fur. Happy birthday bud!

Thank you for sharing the pictures. Looks like another successful convention. I see that I will have to tease Dave a bit for posing with all those pretty ladies.

Ron - haha yea copy the picture and bring it with him!

it is supposed to be in flin flon next year

March 6, 2012:

Had a good snow storm last night, and i'm using the term loosely.. it dropeed a few inches of snow on us. So the highways were bad, in turn no school.

Good day to do some furs up.



The mink was given to me at the AGM & Convention as well as a dozen+ squirrels. Not all of which are that great of condition. Frozen too long.

But the mink was nice, let me know how my put up is.

Put up a few rats too today. Will take some pictures when they are all off of the boards.
Here's the mink pelt fur side out:



Got Squirrels?

the only thing that could be improved on the mink is pin the back legs to the tail side other than that it looks great

Thanks snostorm - someone else said that too. But I have never done many mink in my life.

Keep on doing those squirrels. When they have been in the freezer the tail dries , so you should flex the tail back and forth several times before you try to stipe them off.
Sorry about the bad weather last weekend and not getting to your areas sponsoring the Annual meeting of the Manitoba trappers Association. Hear you guys feed 150 people for dinner.
I did up 20 weasel boxes to be nailed together, so sorry could not make it.
Get out there and go after those rats now with this warm weather.

Yes it was a great turn out at the AGM.

Thank's for making the boxes, perhaps save them for the NAFA open house?

Spring Muskrat and Beaver Trapping is just around the corner. The water is running here in Manitoba due to the highs of +13 Celsius in the day time and lows of -1 Celsius at night. Crazy March weather, the Canada Geese are already back as well.

Yes I can't wait for spring beaver and rats they should be running around by next week if this weather keeps up

Yea, weather permitting I assume in 2 weeks they should be going for sure.

PUMPED!

March 15, 2012:

Went out to pull a couple under ice beaver sets today, and the ice has surface water........ everywhere!

Pulled this trap up and had a young beaver in it. It's the first one of spring. I have set a personal goal of 50 beaver in 3 weeks once they start moving alot. They aren't quite in the ditches yet. But I'm expecting with in the next week I will start seeing rats anyways.

saw a muskrat today here
how many traps are you running for your goal?

Not sure, a little over 10 I guess.

March 28,2012:

Rats are moving slowly up here, same with beaver. But only in the swamps.
Set a few rats sets today.

Otherwise it's been pretty crappy.

Awesome pics and stories. Keep it up, it is a very enjoyable hobby.

Thank's much. And I have no intention of stopping trapping.

March 29,2012:

Had to take some carcass's to the bush today, so checked the few rat traps I had set.
Big score today!

Well better then nothing anyways.


Trapped him in a #1 Stoploss Vic, must have been having a bad day he looked pretty down in the dumps.

March 30, 2012:

2 more rats today, 1 in a den entrance with a 110 and another on a drowning line.

Set a couple more traps too.

March 31, 2012:

4 More Rats Today, 2 in 110s at den entrances and 2 in leg traps (1 on a float - 1 on a "poop set")



110 Rats:


Days Catch:
Excuse my habit of looking away from the camera:



But now i'm heading out to put out some more rat sets and probably a couple beaver sets.

Have a good day.

looks like a canoe would come in handy there!

Yea it probably would! An investment to save for over summer!

April 1, 2012:

3 rats on the check today and 1 ring out.

Had one big guy a live at a toilet set, and had to dispatch him. Coyotes and Foxes make catch circles, but so do rats! Lol


And here's the 3 rats from today, different size range too!

April 1, 2012 (2):

This is apparently the 200th post on this Journal! Let's party!




Wow that was fun, so anyways here's some put up fur. Let me know what you think.

This rat was pretty big, wire stretcher hooks just about to the max. This is the one on the very left in the picture from the last post.







Have 17 so far to go in to NAFA, gotta have them at the drop off point tomorrow morning in town. Hoping to do pretty good on the rats.

Nice pelts

Thanks

Lucky you! I can't seem to find the rats anywhere around here.

Jordan, it was like that here too! And then all of a sudden there were rat toilets here and there. And now rats daily!

I'm still checking ponds here, but nothing. They were there in the fall, but now it seems like they're gone.

Oh well.

Your weasel lost his tail.

Must be a short tail

Woo hoo!

Yea it's a short tail. I normally manage to save the tails on them! lol

April 2, 2012:

One at a toilet set, the other on a float both along rat runs to the shore.
One snapped 110 too.

the rat put ups look good
looks like your rats didnt freeze out ours did a guy that traps here was running 200 traps (I think) and only caught two

We had quite a few freeze. Normally twice this many rats on that swamp Snostorm.
But alot lived, which is very good.

Thanks for the feed back on my put up.

April 3, 2012:

2 Muskrats today, going to set some more traps over the course of the next few days. Hope to get a few more before the next sale.

Only got a picture of one, the other was in too dark of water to snap a picture of.



And also seen my first garter snake of the year, was two of them but wasn't quick enough to get the other guys picture!

good job
I also saw a gartar snake yesterday.

Well we know spring is definatly here now! Forecast isn't calling for much more below 0 temperatures here either.
You getting many more rats? Will have to check your journal tonight, how about beaver?

nope nothing tons froze out the creeks are loaded with dead fish and minnows

Not alot of minnows around here this year either. Haven't seen dead ones but haven't seen many live ones either.

April 4, 2012:

3 Rats today and a small beaver at a toilet set.

So I come up on the last trap and the stake was gone. Couldn't see it anywhere, then all of a sudden something brown moves under a patch of reeds. It was too large to be a rat and I automatically assumed it was a beaver. Catching a beaver in a stoploss and holding it isn't un heard of. So I grabbed the gun, got around to him and shot him from 4 feet away.
Pulled him out of the water and then pulled the trap up with him. Didn't even bother to try and chew the stake!



One of the rats

Right on!

10-4 on that!
Probably worth about the same as the rats though! lol!

April 5, 2012:


5 rats today and put a 330 in that beaver run. No more beaver in muskrat traps if I can help it!

No good pictures of the rat's, just this one.

That's it! I'm coming up there to trap some rats lol

Probably not worth your gas! lol!
They are getting bitten up now quite a bit!

I was talking to a couple guys at NAFA today. They said Beavers and Muskrats are still looking good. No bite marks at all.

Well that's the rats they have in the auction house. Come look at a bunch of these caught rats.

Lol no they were talking about the animals they were catching lately.

But maybe they are getting lucky? Who knows

Must be, if you'd like I can post some photo proof of biting in rats! ahah

Out of the last 30-40 rats I've got In the last week or two 4 have been bittin hope they don't keep it up

If anything it will get worse as the vie for territories and females.

Yes, not expecting it to get better by any means. But like i've said elsewhere, a rat with a few bites in it is worth more then no rat at all.

April 6, 2012:
2 Muskrats today and put another half dozen sets out for rats just because I can.

No pictures really worth taking but,
Will be putting a video out in a day or so on all of the rat catches since I started this spring.

April 7,2012:

2 Muskrats Only Today, set 3 beaver sets and a couple more rat sets anyways.
Hoping for the best.



And here's a link to a bunch of video on rat trapping this spring. (Video to match these posts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDmQA3xeT...p;feature=inbox

Well, the rain showers we were having turned themselves in to snow...

April 8, 2012:

Happy Easter folks.

Today got only 4 rats. But here's a few pictures.



Got 38 so far out of the swamp. I think alot of them must have froze out early in the winter, normally there are alot more rats moving around this time of year.
Only able to run a dozen or so traps, then I run out of places to set.
Having fun doing it though.

April 9, 2012:

Only caught one rat yesterday as were getting a thin layer of ice on the swamp and they don't have to go in the water quite as much. I was dissapointed to find mink crap and tracks right next to a muskrat set. Shame I couldn't trap it this time of year... will do damage to my rats if he finds any.

And took a beaver in the channel set I had made to stop any more "Stoploss Beaver". Fairly half decent sized male.



Notice the nice big leech on his lip, yum yum!

Here is my YouTube video of that beaver:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvyQuFmzss8

Have also had a nice share of wood ticks on me in the last week. I'd say probably about 10 just from walking around out there.

Try to clean up and dig deeper areas around you rock catch area, and the rats will sink and be out of sight and the next none will not bite them for sweet justice. Just a little showing is all it takes.
Get those clothes pins on the sides of the stretchers.
You should look at changing so you can pin on those stretchers,with some add-on ply wood and plumers strapping.
Keep on them once this weather warms up there will be a big movement.

I was ready to pull trap's next check. Only 1 muskrat today.
I like the wire stretchers for the rats that aren't bit up. Anything with bites goes on a wood board.

too windy and cold at night laterly...give them another week...you are probly only catching migratingmale so you are not hurting the pop.

OK, but I will keep them out for a little while yet.

April 15, 2012:Nearing the End:

Pulled all of my muskrat sets yesterday as i've been getting nothing for the last couple trips out there. Seen a cow moose while I was on my way out there which isn't something we normally see around this area. Beautiful animal, couldn't care less that I was there.

Hope she smartens up before the poachers start heading out there again.

I trap beaver all summer long for the RM (Rural Municipality - Same thing as a County) and keep busy with that when i'm not after pelts. And for now, If I see the odd rat or beaver in the ditch I guess i'll lay a trap for him.


Anyhow, thank's for reading my journal this season. And I hope you continue to read through the "off season" and right into the 2012- 2013 trapping season.

Well I didn't have such a bad season. Better then last winter anyway, didn't do so well on the rats because of cold weather early in the winter which froze many houses out. But here's what I can remember of this seasons totals:

Beaver: 13
Muskrat: 43 in Spring Season and 12 from the Fall 55 total
Raccoon: 3
Skunk: 4
Squirrel: 8
Weasel: 8
Coyote: 4
Fisher: 1
Marten: 1
Mink: 2 (One given & one found dead)
Total: Roughly 96 Animals Were Harvested
Special thank you's to all of those that shot me some tips and tricks, to those who supported me when my friend passed, to those who told me it was definatly a wolverine that walked through my trap line. And to those who will continue to watch my posts.


I'll be heading down to the National Trapper's Convention in Owatonna, Mn this August, hope to pick up a bunch of good traps that won't be as expensive as they are up here so I can expand my line better this winter.

Thank you all.

man you did good I cant wait to see your journal pop up next winter looks like you should have a good season next winter
now lets pray that manitoba gets snow this winter

Yes, i'm wanting to pick up 4 or so dozen more traps to expand my line next winter.
You didn't have a bad season yourself.

Had 1 more muskrat today in a couple sets by my house. So I guess 55 Total..

April 23, 2012:

Went out and set a half dozen beaver sets today at the dam in the bush with that big lodge and dam featured here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWSjgIgehmo

But on the way out there, I was pulling a couple sets and caught one of my trap shy beaver. It's clear that they are fighting now and unfortunately this beaver pelt will not go for sale. How ever, i'll still take castors and tail. Aswell as cut the pelt up into strips for marten,fisher and weasel this winter.
The meat will go for bait. I like to waste as little as possible.




and this was basically what all the sets looked like, some under a bit more water then others, some on a steeper cross over, etc.:


All are lured with Beaver Barnes. It works like a charm.

April 25, 2012:
2 Beavers today, one big female and one smaller male.
Fur is starting to slip on them, so fur trapping is officially over for the year. Going in tomorrow to hopefully get signed up for the beaver removal program.
Easy money really.



Once again, thanks to everyone who followed this season. And I will post pictures of animal removal pictures over the summer.

April 27, 2012:

Caught 2 beaver yesterday and had internet problems couldn't post.

April 27, 2012:

2 More beavers in 330s today. Haven't yet taken one small beaver out of that pond. Makes you wonder how long that colony has been there.



I took a side shot of the beavers to give you an idea of the average size i'm pulling out of this lodge:

nice journal you have put together, and good season, congrats!

that could be an old lime kiln if it's near fields.

My first thought on it was that it was a kiln, but it wasn't very tall and had no roof as you can see? And yes it was on the edge of a field, it's swampy now but 60 years ago it wouldn't have been wet.

The farmer I work with made hay on that lake I trap muskrats on 35 years ago.

February 28, 2012:

2 Beavers Today, ended up tearing a fuel line on the bike and had quite the fun time to get it home. The full story I will not share.




And here's a family photo from the last few days. (not including today's beavers)



In other news

Some moron decided to go and light some grass on fire, and it has escalated so bad that the water bombers as well as a special fire team of some kind from up north has been called in. As well as Fire Trucks from 2 townships and possibly 3.
Not positive but someone told us that they had D6 caterpillars building up a dirt to try and fence the fire in. As far as I know this is the biggest fire in the area since the province was on fire in 1989.
As of now, the fire is burning 3 miles from town and has burned to the point where it is with in a 10 mile radius of my home, and if it's not out soon it will be burning on my trapping territory. The town is with out question more important, but I would just love to get my hands on the person that lit this fire.


Water bomber heading for landing at CFB Shiloh


Helicopter

More of the Bombers:




Here's my little piece of video. I'm going to take the quad in today and see how close it's really gotten (if all goes well)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp4KCMi2qZg&feature=share

Hopefully the fire doesn't spread much farther. Hope it does't affect your trapping this coming season as well, really enjoy the stories and pictures.

No, i'm hoping it doesn't either.
But i'm much more concerned about my property and my neighbors property then I am about that section of trapline.
I don't think it will burn much more then the edge of it now that I think about it.

But fire crews were fighting at 6:30 this morning.

Also... I enjoy posting these trips to the trapline no matter what happens on them. Thanks for reading them and giving me feed back.
I saw a nice little black bear yesterday as well, couldn't get a picture fast enough.

Quite often the spring fires are mostly confined to ground fires with the odd flare up into the trees (canadling). These fires can move quite briskly as it the grass and understory is quite dry, has not yet had time to "green up" Those early fires quite often do more good than harm. Observing your pictures it appears to me that it is mostly a ground fire.

They are good practice for the air tankers for when it really gets hot and the hazard gets way up there.

April 29, 2012:

Today was most definatly a good day. Started the day by pulling 2 more beavers from the water and then heading for a nice long and rough ride over the country side towards the fire. When we got there, all we saw was some burnt off grass and a couple toppled tree's. This was the very edge of the fire.





On the way home we seen a sow and 2 cubs in a small clearing.



From there myself and my trapping partner went into this little clearing and started one of two bait piles for this winter. Here's the clearing:


and here's the start of the bait pile:
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE BEAVER ARE NOT SKINNED BECAUSE THERE UNDERFUR IS FALLING OUT, I DO NOT WASTE PELTS. MANY WILL BE CUT TO STRIPS FOR BAITING BOXES THIS WINTER.

Do you have a bounty on beavers there? Why not skin em out?

Yes we have bounty on beaver here, that's why I'm harvesting them.
And the pelts lost there prime early, the under fur is either falling or fallen out.

very interesting

Interesting enough anyways!

I would think the bears would have that cleaned up pretty quick!

Not bears right in that area and if they do. I start hunting bears there!

I was thinking the same thing!

April 29,May 1, 2012:

Caught beavers #12,13 and 14 yesterday and today. Getting smaller ones now so i'm thinking that i'm probably starting to get down to the last few in that colony.

wackin and stackin

16 so far this spring.

By the looks of those beaver I would say your throwing away some money there.

And why is that? The under fur is falling out heavily and i'm being paid bounty for removing them, aswell as money for castor.

Those beaver would average 30 to 35 dollars at auction in todays market.

Spring beaver always have a bit of loose hair and fur. With last auction prices on the rise that would be my opinion also. Looking at the size of them my guess would be minimum $25 average.

Please explain to me how a beaver with bald patches all over the pelt would average that? The underfur comes out then then the guard hairs all slip in different areas so it's nothing but leather.

And also, i've caught a few that get a white puss comes out of the mouth and nose? I haven't touched it but is it something I should worry about? Or something I should talk to the DNR officer about?

Sounds like you have a bunch of sick beaver if they are in that condition in April. Maybe talk to MNR about it. Fur should not come out like that.

No I said the same thing when I saw the puss around the mouth, i'll see if I can get a picture of it with any of these last beaver I got at home and take that to DNR.
I have trapped and skun many spring beaver before and this year every colony i'm trapping in the fur is falling out like crazy.
April 30th last year I was pulling prime beaver up.

Maybe it has to do with the very early spring break up this year?

When does the fur season for beaver close where you are?

It doesn't. Open season basically on beaver, coons, coyote and timber wolf

Nice stuff! I've got some starting to lose some fur as well, starting to get bit up and the odd bald patch. Its getting to be that time here as well I think.

Like I've mentioned before these have a lot of bald patches, there is basically no good pelt left to salvage.

May 5, 2012:

Next check out i'll be pulling beaver sets out of that big colony. Had a little otter in a beaver set today and no sign of beavers anywhere else around.
15 out of the house is the most yet I have pulled out of one colony, and the quickest too.

Do you have an otter season? I don't think I've ever asked you.

Yes there is a season all fur bearing species.

Preparation for the NTA Convention:

I've mentioned before that were heading down to the NTA convention in Owatonna this August. I put together a supplies list on what i'll be purchasing to bring home which includes:
2 doz. Belisle 120
1 doz. Belisle 220
6 Belisle 160
2 Dozen Stoploss Traps
2 Dozen 110s
10 330s

Me and Art went out with the ATV yesterday and had a good look over the trail that were adding to our trapline this coming season. Looks promising. So far looking like alot of higher ground with some swamp at the far end which we did not attempt yesterday (started to run low on fuel).
He is doing a longer distance school bus route today so won't be home for a little while yet, but were heading out from there to pull up beaver sets in the big pond where we've been trapping. Will post pictures if we happen to have a final catch or two, although I don't count on it anything is possible!

Made up a Google Earth video on what were trapping this coming season, check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMBEWegyt_Y&feature=share

Is that area a Registered Trapline or open trapping ground ? If open ground what if someone else decides to trap there also ?

Trapper Ron - it's OA.
And i'm not worried about anyone trapping there. People don't skidoo out that way much in winter. Too rough of country and there aren't many trapper's around here anyways.
I can name 4 in the entire area off hand.

Well great you found such an area to trap. Go get em next season, we be watching for your successes.

Yes, as soon as I know the fur should be prime i'll set traps. Got a good running quad now so I don't have to wait for snow!

Computer is out of commission right now. So I can't post pictures at this time.

Dinner and Lunch?

Dead and Deader unfortunately.
Was gone all weekend and came home and the neighbor said they had passed.
What can you do I guess... real shame though.

looks like good area for beaver trapping is there alot of otter around?

The otter are around. You don't normally see sign of them until you catch them.
Or maybe i'm just not looking for the right stuff?

Lots of Rain in the last little while, beavers moving in from everywhere. Off I go to set traps!

Pictures to soon follow.

you should try using colony traps in those trails and den entrances, you can get multiple catches when they're moving good like that!

Something to think about for next season.

Have to say I am tired of seeing that beaver. ;0)

Yea 18 times is about 16 too many lol.

Had hoped you didn't notice.
Sorry gotta make it look like we had a beaver problem here! Guess the secrets out!

If only that were the case... The only beaver you've seen the same picture of numerous times in the same trap is the one in my signature!

they're real easy to make too! and cheap, made 8 for about 20$ just get a roll of 1x1 wire at the length of your choice, a ten foot roll makes 4 plus some spare parts for the future, some J clips, and you can use a pliers to bend them. If you want more info on how to make them pm me! I can also send you a picture of one if you want.

Ya we know that. Hint Hint

That is why Boco and I commented on it.
You have a lot of very good photos and video in your thread.

But seeing that same beaver photo does nothing but distract from good thread it is. Just my opinion.

Family Trapper - thanks for your opinion.

Eric B - I might just do that.

Did you get your fur statement Monday. How was that wind storm last week,, lots of up-rooted trees

Yep got my info from NAFA. Didn't do terrible.

Windstorm came through here, did nothing here but turned to a mini tornado further north.

July 15, 2012:

Just thought i'd throw a quick update on here. It's been a very busy summer so far this year. I'm employed at a different farm operation, and with poorer crops then usual we have been haying non stop. I have made as many bales in the last 6 days as I would have in 2 weeks last summer. Been very busy. Just waiting now for 6 days vacation for the National Trapper's Convention!


On the side I've been doing a little nuisance beaver removal on, and on the edge of my property. Got asked by a landowner to remove some more tonight, checked things out and there is two big dams and a lot of water. No pictures of that yet, but check out this big male I took in a 330 the other night. The picture doesn't do his size justice.

Don't get any ideas in smuggling that beaver tail
to the Minn winter convention.......

What? haha, i'm not sure I understand squirrelchaser.

At the winter Minnesota Trapper's Association meeting they have a contest for biggest beaver tail

Oh, okay. Well no plans of that now! And I think I could find a bigger tail somewhere anyways!

That tail don't compare to the ones I've seen there!

Seen where?

hello again

i was just checking your posts again to see if you figured out what the stone formation was, and saw where your from. turns out that my only trip to manitoba was this same area! i hired a guide from poplarfield and hunted the area near stewart lake. my mind is slipping some, but i remember them calling it something of an indian name? very nice area and we crossed alot of beaver dams. i asked about trapping and he told me of the bounty, 25 dollars at that time. he was a trapper but had slowed because of guiding, time just wasn't there as before he said.

you had quite the season, full of the highest of highs and lowest of lows. thanks for taking us along for the ride! every year i think of coming back for another hunt, i loved the place.

thanks again! hippie

Super neat story! If you can arrange the time to come up here, I'd love to set you up for some bear or deer in the area. And take as many beaver as you like! I'm sure there is quite a few more since you were last here. And the lake has changed very little. Other then more water.

Thank's for sharing!

that is a very neat story!

To the people with different restrictions then my area of Manitoba. Here are the basic trap restrictions here.
I am in an Open Area Zone, not RTL (Registered Trapline)

Hope you have packed your bags for the Nationals, and on the road tommorrow?

Was a 10 hour drive, but we got to Owatonna around 6:30.
When are you coming through?

August 1, 2012:

Well there were a few minor bumps in the road to get here. But 10 hours after the start we arrived for the NTA.



Will post little updates as I can.

August 2, 2012:

Purchased around 107 new and used traps today.
Going to pick up another dozen or two yet tomorrow.

That wont even settle the springs down on the truck. Keep on loading them up.
Where are the best deals...are they taking Canadian at par...he he

Best deals are just everywhere. Stoploss appear to be non existent at a good price. Got 10 at a good price and the rest I will purchase from Kris back in Canada.

August 3, Convention Day 2, 2012:

Went to a couple demonstrations today at NTA, bought a couple more traps, some dye, wax etc. and went through what life would have somewhat been like in the mid to late 1800's for the little town of Owatonna when we visited "The Village of YesterYear"

Some of it wasn't bad, but our tour guide was kind of... well not the best.

The village included (to name a few)
Black Smith Shop
General Store
Cabins
School
Fire Hall
and of course the shop of horrors (Dentist, Barber, Doctor)

August 4, Final Convention Day, 2012:

Today was the last day of the convention for me, tomorrow is just a few trap sales and what not.

All I can say is Wow, I sure am glad I went to the convention. I'm told today, that it was the biggest National Convention since a previous one in Wisconsin. Someone had said including the dealers and tailgaters there was around 10,000 in attendance.

Ended up coming out of it all with
4 dozen 110's
a few 330's
8 different muskrat traps (#1 jump, #1, #1 coil etc.)
dozen Victor Rat Traps for weasel
2 dozen Belisle 120 Super X
1 dozen Belisle 220 Super X
1/2 dozen Belisle 160 Super X
3 dozen under ice beaver snares
1/2 dozen colony traps (will make more)
10 stoploss (could not find any worth buying or any for a good price)
and some various forming boards, lures and bait and other odds and ends.
Will post pictures and probably a little video when I get back to Manitoba and get things sorted out.

Approx. 137 traps total, and then the snares. So bring on Trapping Season!


Watched a few demo's the rest of the day and had a good time, despite the heat!





Definatly recommend you check out the NTA convention if it's near you!

August 7,2012; The Day After:

Well today is the day after we got home from Minnesota (at 12:00 am). And here's a little video I uploaded showing all of the stuff I purchased down there.

That blue Chicago cutlery knife is great

I skun a beaver with it tonight, and was really surprised how long it stayed sharp. I remember you had mentioned it before and that's the reason I bought it.
The black one is a piece of garbage compared to this.

Looks like you got some good supplies. It was good to sit in a couple of demo's with you.
TOO BAD YOU FORGOT THE TMAN FEED but you at least meet the Boss of this forum.

Yea I can't believe I forgot about the feed either!


Yes it was good to meet Paul finally.

August 22, 2012:

I'm currently on a 7 day vacation in Drumheller, Alta for a family reunion. Went for a drive today (well I was a passenger) over to Bass Pro Shops near Airdrie, Alta and picked up a new Remington 870 for a bit cheaper then what I can get in Winnipeg at Cabelas. But then what isn't expensive at Cabelas.



Goose and duck season is quickly approaching.

Nice!!
Have fun

Thank's!

September 1, 2012:

Today marks the opening of youth duck and goose hunting. Couldn't get at any geese this morning but managed to get a few ducks with the new 870.

Looks like you had a good Opening Day of the Youth hunt. Did you see many Sand hill cranes?
Nice molting woodies

Yes there are a ton of sand hills out there. I'm going out for them tomorrow morning.

Good luck on the cranes. They can detect movement long away.

September 2, 2012:

Crane hunt this morning went pretty well i'd say. Between the 4 of us we took down 9 birds.



Gonna go dump the remains in the bait pile now, and have a look at some geese and ducks for another day's hunt.

On windy days like this they will not soar but fly back and forth to fields. Just find their flight paths and wait one flock will follow another. The brown birds are the young of the year and the most tender to eat

There was absolutely no wind here this morning at all.

September 5,2012:

Starting to cool down nice at night here already. Thank goodness. Now to just add a minus in front of that number.

The minus would be nice

Don't confuse those that use to the Fahrenheit scale.... in Minnesota you could walk on water with that reading.
40 more days till ratting

Yea that's Celsius! haha

Oh yeah your in canada... So about 57 degrees Fahrenheit? Ah not bad...

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/harrison-id/83833/weather-forecast/332666

46 degrees here tonight...

I love this time of year, will love it even more when the puddles start to ice over at night..

September 7,2012:

It's a whole +7 Celsius (44 F)

Loving this.

It's quite lovely outside today!

It was really windy today here.

September 8, 2012:

Went out to have a look for geese tonight, so I could hunt tomorrow morning. Saw none unfortunately. Guess I gotta wait for the rest to come from the north.

Shot two skunks and some mallards though.




That time of the year they are starting to move around and I do not need any more in my yard then what there is.

It was windy here too

September 9, 2012:

Went to hunt some ducks today and came up on this big girl in a half drained beaver pond. Not alot of them around and this is the second one I've seen this year.

With those skunks take a loop of baler twine and make a cinch and put it on the back foot,put a nail through the back tendon, tie a stout stick 2 feet from the end, then throw another cord over a tree limb and hoist the skunk 6 feet above the ground.... close to the marten/fisher set youwant to make on season opener. The ground predators and ravins will leave it alone, and the decomposition will perfume the area as the best attractant you can get. Wear some skinning gloves for non-contact with possiable rabies. The dropping fly larvae will have the essence on and in them and their crawling on the ground, will keep many a predator interested.

Now you see the value of keeping a few beaver around, and a pond or two and the benifits of other wildlife.

Yea, I take a needle and syringe and take out the essence on the skunks. And yes, that is about the only good thing I have seen of those beaver. Unfortunately the moose probably will not survive for long, too many poachers here.

Use the whole carcuss and that will be a perminately perfumed site. Your sets go some 20 yards away so you do not walk through them and get "peppy la pue" on your boots.

September 14, 2012:

Haven't been able to post till late tonight. Finished the last of this years baling tonight. Thank goodness!

Got cold enough to frost last night! What a nice surprise this morning.

September 15, 2012:

Went out tonight, shot a couple grouse, A skunk and trapped a skunk.

September 16, 2012:

Boiled about 4 dozen traps today. They are ready to be dyed. (next weekend more then likely)

September 21, 2012:

Went out for a hunt tonight, shot two grouse, two ducks (not pictured) and a lone Canada.

September 22, 2012:

Tonight's hunt was nice, took mom out too.

September 22,2012-Sept. 23, 2012:

Few night's ago it was bang on 0 Celsius. At about 11:30 last night I had this temperature (all though digital it is very accurate)


and this morning at 9:30



Alot colder so far this year then it was in most of October last year. Hoping for a normal winter like usual. A few feet of snow and some -40!

September 25, 2012:

Today's hunt,
1 skunk, 1 squirrel, 2 honkers and a partridge in a pear tree

To say the least, dinner and lunch tomorrow will be mighty fine!

September 29, 2012:

Hauled a load of wood today, and started piling the winter supply.



Quite a bit more to come home yet, but this is my favorite time of year.
If only the last few mosquito's would die off already.

September 30, 2012:

Started this morning out at 5:45 for a goose hunt. Did not bad, between three shooters we knocked off 15 Canada's.

Then went and speed dipped the rest of the traps for the season.



Then went for a grouse hunt down a trail afterward's, the dog put this nice pine marten up the tree. Snapped a few quick pictures.



Here's a quick video, you can see him better there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0GeICwhgc4

That was interesting to see, and will hopefully see him in a Belisle again this winter!

October 4, 2012:

SNOW!

Okay not a lot, but it's a start right?

Lucky you. Havn't even had a nice and cold day here yet on the island

It's coming! I am quite enjoying the snow.

October 5, 2012:

Woke up this morning and it snowed a fair amount last night for this time of the year.

That time of year!

Heck yes!

October 6, 2012:


Quickest raccoon removal I've ever done.

Good job on the nuisance work. The fur on those will prob be a tad on the flat side.

Ron - it's definatly not peak prime but I was quite shocked on how well the pelts looked.

Those look pretty nice how much fat on them?

One of the little ones, quite a bit. The other little one, basically none. And the big one basically none.

October 7,2012:

Cut up and started to put together some tapered marten boxes today.



Also got the snowmobile loaded up, has a few minor things that need tune up before the snow flies. How ever, it started no problem like always.

How deep does your snow get?Ski skins really help in deep snow to keep the front of your machine up.

Last winter not deep, on a normal winter I'd be going through 4 feet in a lot of places. I asked the guy at the repair shop to put some ski skins on.

October 14, 2012:

Got up early this morning for muskrat opener and set I guess about 20 sets out. They aren't super far from home so I figured i'd give a quick check tonight and this is what I had.


Also went and had a look at a beaver colony in a ditch. This lodge and feed bed is new. Only had one 330 with me, so till tomorrow night just one good chance to take a beaver there.

Nice

October 15, 2012:

Checked traps tonight, had 7 rats and a skunk.

Woo hoo!

That's what I'm saying!
I'm putting a few more rat sets out here and there as I go but nothing crazy, one day soon the weather is gonna decide too get cold and when that day comes I will be pulling traps through ice. I don't mind 6 or so rats a day right now anyways.

October 16, 2012:

Checked traps tonight, 6 muskrats, a coyote and a nice beaver.


Snapped this picture too of a very irritated muskrat on a feed pile.


And here's something I have seen only once before.



Eventful trip too the line anyways.

Good catches! Hows the coyotes fur and leather looking?

The fur is so flat it isn't even funny. This guy was just removed from a farmers yard. Was coming into the yard and he was worried about losing barn cats. I am not trapping coyote's yet otherwise.

Well that sucks I was really hoping to start on yotes this weekend. The Oct. 27 weekend I will start. It will only be a few days earlier than I usually start. I gues I will focus on ducks, deer and rats this weekend. These next couple weeks will be some of the best mallard hunting we get all year. Its funny after the first few days of Nov. all the birds leave even thought there is still open water and lots of food. I see them migrate over, but they just keep going.

Yea, we all of a sudden have A LOT of green heads here! Time to get the 870 out I think.

And yea, even 10 days can make a difference in the primness of a pelt. But if you could leave it longer it won't get worse?

October 17, 2012:

9 rats today, one of which was badly chewed up by those nasty swamp beetles. That makes 28 rats in the last 4 days. Not terribly bad I don't think.


I'll call him chewy?
You can't see it well, but hes chewed apart all around the head, on 3 of 4 feet and over the back side of him.

October 18, 2012:

8 more rats tonight in the pouring rain. Supposed too dry up tomorrow though.

nice! your givin me the itch now, but i have a month to wait yet.

haha yea!

October 21,2012 (Back Post):

6 more from last night that I didn't get posted. That makes 42 of them since October 14th. Only had two that aren't market worthy because of those ugly little swamp beetles. For those who don't know what I am referring too they look like this:
I would rather jump into a pool of leeches and other water insects then into a pool with these little devils.





6 rats

Shudder!

Yea, they are called great diving beetles. Disgusting things.

Are they native?

The beetles? hahaha
I'm gonna pretend I don't understand that one...

I laughed for a second (minute) too, but i think he wants to know if they are an invasive species or not.

They've been here for as long as I've known, and if they weren't native too this area please direct me too the person who accidentally or not brought them in.
Perhaps the transporter and the beetles can meet up again..

Yes the beetles I don't get what's so funny haha but ok

October 26, 2012:
Had about an inch or so of snow fall here since 1:00 this afternoon. We normally get snow Oct. 31. The question is will this stay and keep piling up or melt in a few days? They are calling for high's of -2 Celsius so it should stick around for a few days.

Looks like you got a pretty good start going for the season! Keep stacking the rats!

Pulling rat sets tomorrow or the following day. Gonna take a few beaver before freeze up but other then that I'm pretty much done muskrat trapping till March.

October 27, 2012:

Pulled all rat sets today. 1/2" of ice that doesn't look like it's going anywhere too quickly was the sign too pull..

Caught three rats how ever. One died on land and then a weasel feasted on it..
That makes 51 this fall.

keep those subs going, you can really slay them in the runs., use some leaves on the ice to slow freezing down. Make sure you even process those chewed up ones they went for 5.50 $ in the last auction.

All rat sets are pulled up now.

October 30, 2012:
Felt like Christmas today, got my order from Trans Canada Trapline.

2 Bottles Gusto, 1 Bottle Hawbakers Marten Lure, Barnes All Call Bait, Forget Pro Coon and Forget Extreme #1.

Didn't really need so much XLDC lure (4 bottles now) but it was in replacement for Forgets XLDC lure which I wanted too try out.

November 3,2012:

The weather is deciding too stay relatively nice. I noticed a rat in the pond across the road, and ended up catching this fellow this morning.



Also, got a Step-by-Step video of Making those Tapered marten boxes up on YouTube. Not everyone knows where too get instruction so I did my best too make a really simple video.

Thanks for sharing!

your welcome!

November 7, 2012:

Put a few Power Snares out today for coyotes.
Can you spot the Ram?



Also went out and had a look at another beaver colony.

Can you ever have enough LDC? I use the heck out of it when it gets below 0 degrees.

There's a ram in that picture?
And great video demonstration!

Is it about a third of the way down, the two dark looking sticks by the dark spot in the grass?

Good point mtbadger, I will be using more then normal this winter!!
Snostorm - there sure is. And thank you.
HFT - Yes I believe your right.

Ram located:


The trail is not overly obvious in the photo.

I see it now!
Set up on a bait pile?

No these are all road side sets at a big farm operation.
The coyote's there are just crazy.

It's a good sign that they are around when you can drive down the road setting and see one 10 feet from gravel that was shot.

Yep that was the spot!

November 10, 2012:

It's total whiteout here in Manitoba right now.
We have about 6 inches of snow accumulated on the ground so far. Forecast is calling for all below 0 degree's for next week so this should hopefully stick around.



Here's a video of some fall rat trapping:

Great video! Keep up the good work.

Thank's.

November 10, 2012: (Post Two)

Just made some beaver stretcher's up.
Pattern is all stenciled on... now to add fur to it.




We ended up with just under a foot of snow today. Enough to snowmobile on, fingers crossed we get good ice again this year.

November 11, 2012:

Today is a Remembrance Day. I'd just like to say Lest We Forget all those who fought, died, survived and are still fighting for the freedom of us and others.

My grandpa who is since passed was a soldier in WWII. Thank you.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Since yesterday we have gotten another 5 or so inches of snow. Which is rougly about 16 inches on the ground. I am almost positive it's here to stay for the season now.

Caught a little ermine in a box today also.

Weasels this early?

Pelt couldn't get any primer.
Leather was white as could be. Pelt is fully turned.

See nice and white:

November 13, 2012:

Am hard at work right now hauling hay, and cutting wood for the garage at work:


Will be hauling wood out of the bush for myself this weekend with the work tractor. Quite a bit of snow, need the extra horse power to relocate some of it.



On another note, I had a weasel dig into a bag of bait on my back step. He had a mini-highway coming out from under my step:


Set traps like crazy for him last night, 4 of 5 traps were sprung with no weasel. Set #5 was a beautiful site.

Glad you got him!

Me to!

But man are they full of flea's this year!

Are the fleas grey?

No they are a reddish color.

I've had some with tons of grey ones but never red.

They are a pain no matter what way you look at it.

November 15, 2012:

Well... today school was great. Myself and POWER SNARER were able to construct Marten boxes while in our English Class.

Not to sure what is going on inside the minds of our teachers, but I am liking it.

Not a bad way to spend a class even if the drills were crap.

Definatley not!
Repeat process next week I think.

Yeah, I need 10 more 160 boxes plus whatever many you need.

I need 23 more for 120's.

November 17,2012:

Went this morning and got my snow machine from the repair shop. Checked the coyote snares on the way home.


Wasn't the best place for the snare to go off, but considering they were all covered with snow I won't complain.

Waiting for lunch now, then off to set some Marten and Fisher sets. Will post photos of that later on.

November 17, 2012 (continued):

On my way out to set marten sets, I checked a couple of weasel traps I had out. Ended up catching two of them. Making 4 in the last week.


And then went out trapping. Quite a bit of marten tracks in the woods. I am expecting good results when I go out to check. TONS of red squirrels and rabbit tracks also.

Looks like there's a few tracks in the pictures, and there's tons of rabbits here this year also would be great bait.

I wouldn't use the meat for bait. Too tasty to pass up.

Never tried rabbit before.

Snare a few and roast. Good meat.

November 20, 2012:

With 5 days remaining of rifle season, I dropped a doe this morning at first light. Perfect heart shot, she ran maybe 200 yards.


Happy to also say that I get to fill my neighbors tag, so I still have 5 days left to take a buck that's in the area.
All the insides will make good coyote bait, much like what this bald eagle was snacking on this morning.



Off to process it I go.

JERKY!

Looks like your off to a good start TFT! Nice catches! I have an ermine in my porch that my wife forbids me to trap!

Nice Doe

Cheers

That's alot of jerky! But yea some of it will be jerky for sure!

Nunamiut, tell her you saw a mouse and it was big. Tell her your setting a trap for that

Thanks Onttrapper

She's all gutted, skun and now hanging. Should be some good meat! .243 really did it's job here.

With a 100 grain bullet from my .243 it went in well and did an impressive job once inside the deer.
Outside:


Inside:

Those deer are tough little critters! Hear about a lot of them running off with good hits!

November 20, 2012 (continued):

Just went out and checked my sets, dumped the deer left overs in the bush, and added a few marten/fisher sets around it.

Wasn't a bad check either, 1st off I caught weasel #5:

and then a much more exciting catch:

and lunch:


Inside's of deer dumped out, sets surrounding it.



Good day I'd say. Off to skin.

I love my .243 for deer... as long as the bears aren't around. Nice catches!

Why not when the bears are around?

The bears are bigger up north... would't go into bear country either with a 243.

What species of bears are we talking about?

There are some pretty darn big bears here.

congrats on a greatday.

This kind.... lol!


But if you are going to carry one while they are out it's a good idea to remove the scope and file off the front sight.

Are those two entire front quarters hanging?

Thanks scootermac.
And yea, when the bear is coming at you. I imagine a scope isn't a great plan lol.

Alaskaviking - no?

I think he means you should remove the scope and file the sites off so it hurts less when the bear shoves the gun up your [Please excuse my language... I'm an idiot].

Either way!
It's not a good idea for a charging bear!

[/quote]
I think he means you should remove the scope and file the sites off so it hurts less when the bear shoves the gun up your [Please excuse my language... I'm an idiot].
[/quote]

LMAO!!!

It makes the surgical extraction much more pleasant as well... lol! Seriously, some of the bears here have become conditioned to respond to the smell of a fresh gut pile and some folks believe they respond to the rifle shot as well. A lot of deer have been taken and several hunters mauled in the last ten years. It's a good idea to carry a little more umph and keep your head on a swivel here. I use my .243 on beach hunts primarily but carry it in bear country once in a while when hunting with backup. It is a deer slayer for sure.

November 21, 2012:

Went out today and checked sets, had a pretty big weasel (biggest of season) and another rabbit.
Rabbit's for lunch tomorrow!

We have Friday off school so I am planning to go and put a bunch of sets out, then some more Saturday. Will keep you posted.

Nice weasel! Butcherred mine trying to skin it, kinda clumsy!

Yea, you gotta kind of take it easy with them if you want them to turn out.
So far I caught 4 mediums, 1 small and this last one should be a large.
The marten also should grade out to a large.

Just baked the rabbits. They taste good so far.

Will have a good lunch tomorrow.

Wonder what the girls and chuckles will say when you are eating that in the multi?

Most of the girls are JV at Provincial's tomorrow.
And Chuckles will be as he normally is.

That's right, you picked a bad day to bring rabbit stew.

Those bunnies look tasty.....

They are tasty.

November 22, 2012:

Just a weasel and a flying squirrel tonight in weasel boxes.




Kind of cool out tonight as well.


Took a picture of finished marten. Nice and dark.

Very nice put ups!

Thanks

November 23, 2012:

Put some more marten, fisher and weasel sets out today.
A couple mink sets at a running ditch aswell. Hopefully it's a good check next time out. Probably a dozen sets out for the fisher and marten now.
Here's a fisher set on a downed spruce tree.


one of many squirrels in tree's.


Going to go out tomorrow and add some weasel boxes, will check at the same time. Hoping for the best.
Going to take some Power Snares to I think, the coyote trails are crazy. Have also seen sign of lynx and timber wolf.

Good luck on the coyotes. Nice looking put ups on the fur as well.

Thanks scootermac.

Not sure if it;s the picture but your marten looks a little wide and short. You may be loosing in length if the neck is too wide. What is your length measurement and width at the shoulders? It is a nice dark one alright.

Nose to Base of tail is 19"
Just over 4" (like 4 3/8") at the front shoulders.

I believe I probably could have gotten a little more length, but not enough to get it into the XL size. So I aimed to put it just into the large category.

If your marten board is 4 3\8 wide at the shoulder your board is too wide-It should be 3 at the shoulder and 3 3\4 at 24 in and 4 1\2 at 36 in(base)

OK, that board was purchased at NAFA in Winnipeg. I'll have to let them know. Thanks for letting me know.

November 24, 2012:

Caught the bait thief today.


Real nice longtail.

Will be setting a small line up for fisher/marten out west tomorrow. Put a couple coyote sets out today as well.

my boards from nafa have always been less than desirable. wonky and crooked. although never an inch out...

Yea this is the first notable problem I've had with mine, other then like you say crooked cuts etc.

Who is making them? Stu correct?

No. Mel

Mel haha, a true redneck! He makes the boards?

Yeppers. he gets his basswood really cheap from a Mennonite who he taught to trap mink and cuts em out ten at a time. thats why they are kinda wonky

Lovely.

Oh okay, I make all of mine myself, but that's cause I have all the tools. If I didn't have the tools I'd buy them.

I have all the tools aswell. Just need to find the right wood.

No Stu does not make the boards. Another individual does and he should stand behind his product and replace them with properly cut and dried boards, especially for the price he charges. Manitoba is not noted for good basswood production,
Good journal keep it up

When you are. Down for the OPEN HOUSE AT NAFA ask to check your stretcher against one of the cardboard cut outs for references

I will do that.

wow just looked at your whole journal..how long is that trapline you got..your luckey its hard to find a place to trap anymore in Vermont.impressed with your whole operation.

Thanks kindly 17HMR.

My Main Line where I caught the Fisher and Marten and the brunt of the beavers last year is
11 1/2 Miles once you get off of the road and into the bush.

Have a couple of other 3- 3 1/2 mile long traplines to trap this season.

Am looking at purchasing a new Honda for next spring.

Hopefully things go as planned.

That's a rubicon right?

That one is yes. Just the stock image that came up on google.
Thinking I wanna go with the Foreman or Fourtrax though.

Very reliable! Only thing I don't like about Honda's is the ground clearance.

Just like any bike, you have to watch where you drive is all.
The farm I work at. The farmers son who is to say the least a holy TERROR on all equipment. There 2010 Honda had managed to survive two years of abuse from him chasing cattle, hitting stumps, ramping beaver chewed stumps, etc.
Watch where you drive and you will be okay.

Get as big a tires as will fit. Will lift the bike up. our fourtrax with huge tires has great ground clearance

Get these lol

My neighbor has them, great for climbing anything and going through mud.

What brand tires are those Sno???

what size?

Was planning on MudLites or something similar.

November 25, 2012:

Went out today and did a check on a trapline I will be setting early September.
Now that I have ice enough to cross small sloughs with the snow machine I was able to get further then I was able to in Summer.

Cut numerous wolf tracks. As well as a few sets of Wolverine prints. Lots of Fisher/Marten and weasel sign. And am pleased to report I did not come across one beaver colony.


Upon nearing the end of the trail, I came upon a hunting cabin in the bush.


Did a quick trap check on the way back, had a weasel (#9).


And as I mentioned before, there was no ice I couldn't drive on today. Still will check certain places before driving though.

Got that on our quad they work pretty good.

Yes, the bikes at work have mudlites, bear claws and Swamplites I believe.
They go through mud well. But of course there is very little that will go through Loon*hit, once you start going down in that stuff you might as well quit while your ahead.

No beaver colony's?! What?!

Shocking isn't it!
Through 8 1/2 miles of ridges and swamps there was not one beaver colony.

X2 that loon crap sucks!

It sure does!

Makes you wonder how far down till you'd hit something hard??

Can you trap wolverine in your area? There can't be too many around.

Scootermac - saw the first sign last season. Not alot of em around, and no season on them here.

Alaskaviking - I would agree but the track in the hard pack snow on the trail said differently. Possibly more then one wolf?

November 28, 2012:

2nd last check before I switch traplines this Sunday.
Produced a flyer, a red squirrel and a nice marten.

Very nice!
You keeping the squirrels for our good friend John?

Do red squirrels sell at auction?

Cheers

yes, both NAFA and FHA sell red squirrels

Thanks

Cheers

Snostorm - the flyers yes I am holding them for John. He want's the flea's for a tax credit or something with the U of M studying them.

And yea there is a market for reds, not much of one though.

And another question Is that marten in a 120? If so with a pan?

Yes a Belisle 120 with a pan made up of corrugated plastic.
All of my marten traps will now have pans.

Look's like there's some warmer weather on the way. Not sure if that's good or bad.

It's freaking good

Not so much... won't freeze things up much more. I got enough ice to move around with the skidoo a bit. But not much.

More like last year would be good, like 4 feet haha.

For those of you in Manitoba who read my Journal.
The following is a demo schedule for the NAFA open house in Winnipeg Saturday December 8th

http://trapper.ca/cnta/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7014

Schedule is from Dave Bewick at NAFA

Hope to see you there.

December 1, 2012:

Well last check on the line today, pulled all the sets in preparation to set all marten/fisher sets on a longer line tomorrow.
Caught a marten, a weasel, a (#3) flying squirrel, and only the second mouse in a weasel box this year.




Gonna finish making up the last of the marten and fisher boxes this afternoon. Will post some picture either tonight or tomorrow of all of them.

December 2, 2012:

Went out today and got about 2 dozen sets out for Marten, Fisher and Weasel. Hoping for a good check on Wednesday.
Didn't take any photo's of sets, but here's one of us all packed up to go:


and a little owl who watched us pack up and get ready to go:



Got this from the neighbors yard this morning, #11:

Your whacking the weasels!
Sure was a beautiful day for setting traps!

It got colder here towards the end of the day with the wind.
Was nice day otherwise yes.

December 5,2012

Checked the East Line tonight, the 30 mile round trip proved to be worth it.

Season total's not counting the rats from the fall:
4 marten, 17 weasels, 2 red squirrels, 3 flying squirrels.

Congrats on the critters! Looks like you got some skinnin to do!

Yea just a little bit. Won't take long.

Off to the NAFA Open House we go, pic's to follow.

8th Annual North American Fur Auctions Open House in Winnipeg:


Well the Open House is over for another year.

Myself, Snostorm@home and POWER SNARER are going to do a write up type deal on the event so we will just add some pictures and a few captions here. Our plan is to send it to The Canadian Trapper, will most likely take the first edited copy and make a new post here.

Here's a look at our Youth Squirrel, Muskrat and Weasel Skinning area. Myself, Snostorm and POWER SNARER instructed, as well as Northof50.



all of us pictured here:


Some finished pelts:





also featured through out the day was Submarine Trap Building and Weasel Box Building. Demo's were given on pelting larger animals like fox, coyote and raccoon. As well as demo's like Muskrat Trapping(Wrangler Hamm),Wolf Trapping (Pete Wise).

December 9, 2012:

Marten #5, Skunk and 3 more weasels now (makes 20)

Woo hoo!

That's one way of putting it!

Congrats on the critters! I bet that is one prime skunk!

I am not sure he will be skinning it. he is sitting right beside me and is laughing his arse off at the notion.

Yea he sure was prime! And should make a good XLDC lure for the marten and fisher.

Hav,e you lanched that submarine trap in a beaver run that you made at the Open House yet ?
Good pics of the event, you even got Wrangler in the small pic.
Sure glad there was no knife cuts, was a chaallenge in tyhe skinning.

Northof50 - When I got back from the rat demo with Wrangler there were no more sliders left. Neither I or POWER SNARER left with a colony trap. The one that was all rolled up was the start of ours.

I was quite happy with the results of the skinning considering how the animals held together for the kids.

What you could not pick up a kids slider at the dollar store? It was such a success that they will be made at the annual MTA in The Pas this year. The submarine traps were sponsored by MTA. I have your wire at home. That event was sure more quiet than the weasel box making.

Yes it was, and the kids will definitely benefit from the rat's they catch in those sub traps. Thinking I will make a few up between now and spring to drop in the few culverts around home

You lucky guys! Don't have any rats here anymore, maybe in spring I'll try some stuff out in the bigger lakes and creeks

Yea hoping for my rat population to be the same as it normally is.

December 12, 2012:

Took a few quick picture's of some pelts, thought i'd share.
As of now the pelt's I have finished and ready for auction are:
20 weasels, 5 marten, 2 squirrels and 30 or so muskrats. I don't normally put up squirrels, just interested to see what they sell for at NAFA.





The largest of the marten I have caught so far is above the XXL line, measuring to 27" from nose to base of tail



Checking set's tonight and can't wait to get out there.

December 12, 2012 *2*:

Went out and checked the sets, I really need to start carrying the shotgun, I see a few grouse every time out there.


Was a slow trip out today, up to about 3/4 of the way up the line all I had caught as a hunk of bait in a 120.
Finally got into the spruce and connected with a marten, and a little further down a weasel (#21)

Nice fur stash.

Cheers

Thanks.

Nice stuff! Congrats! Lots of ermine for you too. Right on.

Yes! So many of those little guys around this year!

December 13, 2012:

Went to pull some non producing power snares last night that I was also worried about snaring a deer or elk in and had this.

Non-productive! Nice!

Your having a very good season FurTrapper. I'm new to the forums and I just read your journal.
It was a super good read and thank's for posting it!
what are your season total's as of now?

Aknative - yea not too shabby for a non producing couple of sets eh?

FTT - I'm not complaining about this season's results, leaving soon to check the line and move a few sets around. Thank you for reading.
My total's are:
Beaver 1
Coyote 4
Fisher
Fox
Marten 6
Mink 1
Muskrat 51
Otter
Raccoon
Skunk 2
Squirrel 5
Weasel 21
Wolf
Rabbit: 4

December 15, 2012:

Went out and checked the line today, no marten but caught 7 weasels and a red squirrel.


Got on some wolf tracks on the way home coming off of a beaver pond.

Picture is hard to see, but I can guarantee they belong to a wolf. No coyote around here has paws that big, not even those caught from around the Meat Processing plant north of me.

Don't hate on my freak coyotes!

No one's hating!

TFT, also coyotes around here don't normally leave a claw mark between their tracks like that, pretty common for wolves though. Nice addition to that pile of ermine hides. Enjoying you guy's journals.

Exactly, there is clearly a pad and toes in coyote tracks but not the claw marks.

Thank you for reading and the feedback also!

I'm looking at your measurement here and it looks like your marten is 26" long. It is real hard to tell by the picture. The measurement not only goes to the base of the tail but the back must all come down to that point also. If the base of the tail is beyond where the back comes down to then the measurement is farther up. Again perhaps it is just the picture but I see daylight still at the 26" mark.

Ron, could be just the picture, not sure, either way it's over the XXL line.

Your crazy on the weasels!

28 now. Had a goal to send in 24 in the shipment to NAFA, now it's 36.

Check sets tonight, see where I'm at.