OK.  So here is the deal.  Bob owns all the traps and has them all tagged with his trapper number.  I have a permission slip signed by him allowing me to use his traps in pursuit of the wild fur bearers that inhabit the swamps.  Everything is legal.

He has been trapping since the first of January and including his catch from yesterday, which was 5 rats, he has 99 rats caught, skinned and in the freezer.  In order to keep things simple, and simple is the very best way to keep all things, I “lent” him one of my rats from yesterdays catch, in order to have an even 100 rats in the freezer.  Heck, we are partners in this trapping deal anyway, so why not lend him one of my famous rats.

So, Monday I started trapping for this season and I set 35 traps.  Yesterday I checked those 35 traps and had 19 rats caught!  Not bad for an old guy.  I also had about 5 other traps that were set off, with nothing in them.  I consider yesterdays catch “above average”.

I also, took a few hours and set an additional 35 traps.  So, I have a total of 70 traps out in the field.  Bob has 85 traps out, but about half of them are frozen in about 8 inches of ice…totally unusable, until things thaw out.

We have evidence that the rats are beginning their spring run.  What does that mean?  They are out looking for mates…it’s mating season.  We have seen where the majority of the males have swollen glands which is a good sign of the beginning of the season, and we are seeing some bite marks on some, which means they are fighting.  We don’t like to see the bite marks, but it comes with the trapping season.  If you think about it, almost every male animal in the world fights when it comes to mating season.

And so, throughout this trapping season, I will be updating you on the catches of the day, the interesting things that take place on the trap line and a running total of “ME against BOB” on the catch rate.

Today, we awoke to snow!  YUK.  A rat trappers “not fun” thing to have to deal with.  It lays the toolies down, covers up the flags that mark where the traps are located, and makes you really wet while checking the traps.  Bob has already called and is taking the day off.  I, on the other hand, have a strong desire to catch 100 rats before Monday of next week, and so I am driven to go out into the cold, snowy elements in pursuit of the tricky little rat of the swamp…”The Marshrabbit”!

Until later today!

Bears Butt

Wed., Feb. 15th, 2012

With it snowing as I left the house and headed west, the roads were terrible from West Corinne out to just past Little Mountain.  20 mph and I felt like I was on a skating rink.  Once out at the parking spot, I called Bob and told him to save his gas and don’t try to attempt coming out, it just wasn’t worth it.

Then I donned every bit of warm/dry clothes, coats, gloves etc. that I had with me and headed out to check my 70 traps.  By the time I got the 70th one checked I was soaked to the bone!  Cold, wet and not really feeling all that well.  I passed on setting more traps and headed back to the truck.

Right now I’m recovering from the chill and wet while I wait for Bob to come back from grocery shopping.  And then it will be time to head to the shed and do some skinning/fleshing and stretching of fur….Total count for today…19!

As for that number I again consider it a success, as last night was windy and snowy.  A night that most rats would rather stay huddled in their homes than venture out looking for love or food.

More tomorrow!

Feb. 16…It’s tomorrow already.  The weather looks a whole lot better than yesterday.  Today it’s clear and a bit colder.  I expect a thin layer of ice on the water and am hoping for 12 rats.  12 would give me an even 50 rats in 3 days trapping.  I would love that!

I am expecting to set another line of traps this afternoon.  I would have set them yesterday, but I was cold and totally soaked.  Everything is dry now and I’m ready for a very positive day on the line.  Maybe I’ll take a picture or two.

Later!

Bears Butt

Feb. 17…Had plans to put out another 30 or so traps today, but then we decided to take a little trip tomorrow (Sat.) down to SLC to a show.  So, rather than catch a bunch of rats and have them sitting like dead ducks for the hawks and raccoons I passed on setting more traps until Monday.

Todays catch was not great.  Was breaking 1/2 inch of ice all day, that means last night was very cold.  Only caught 7 rats today and Bob caught none.

No trapping tomorrow or Sunday…next report will be Monday, Feb. 20.

Bears Butt