Jasens first trapping season(name changed)

[pnwmtnmn]

I enlarged the picture of the tracks you have and that is a coyote crossing the ice.

[jasnt]

I enlarged the picture of the tracks you have and that is a coyote crossing the ice.

that was just a pic I got off the web. It was no coyote track. I've been looking at coyote tracks for a very long time. It was not a coyote 100% on that! I almost thought it was Martian after searching threw a ton of track pics. Though they are not supposed to be here. I zoomed in as well and they do look like yote tracks but that pic came up when I googled mink tracks. Plus coyote tracks look two legged and don't run like a ermine.   What ever it was it was mink like and at 1750'asl   I have seen what I thought was a very large mink here many times.  I need a go-pro for this kinda thing!!!

[jasnt]

Seems to me trapping in the ice would be tough. We rarely have to deal with that on the westside. At least not for any long periods of time.

it really sucks when your hip wadders have a mystery leak!!

[Turner89]

Yea,  leaks suck. The worst part is putting them back on the next day when they are wet. 

[jasnt]

Yea,  leaks suck. The worst part is putting them back on the next day when they are wet. 

ya especially when you forget them in the truck

[Bigshooter]

In the pic you posted the mink tracks are probably the little tracks.

[SunnySlopes]

Jasen,
Noticed in your pics your beaver are working a lot of conifer trees. A beaver's digestive system can't get many nutrients out of conifer bark. Your beavers have eaten up most of the available, palatable, deciduous bark and are starving. I always leave seed in a beaver colony, unless, Its a matter of nuisance situation, or they are damaging the habit. In this situation I would take them all, as next year there will be no beaver there anyway.
Good Luck

[jasnt]

Jasen,
Noticed in your pics your beaver are working a lot of conifer trees. A beaver's digestive system can't get many nutrients out of conifer bark. Your beavers have eaten up most of the available, palatable, deciduous bark and are starving. I always leave seed in a beaver colony, unless, Its a matter of nuisance situation, or they are damaging the habit. In this situation I would take them all, as next year there will be no beaver there anyway.
Good Luck

im seeing this at almost every pond. Right now. This pond is about 200 yards from any water source and even that is a tiny stream.  The deciduous trees are almost all that's left except a couple tiny hawthorns and some sort of brush that they don't seem to like.   There are popular and alder at the stream.  Wonder if I should bait with popular? Thanks for the info! 

I re-made the sets today and fenced heavily like Winslow suggested. Got 7 muskrat sets out now and found a new muskrat den with a bunch of sign!

Checked the mink tracks today where they hadn't melted. I was wrong though a few strides where 24"-30" most where right at 18"ctc. Measured with my colony trap

Had a turtle swim by to say hi while I was out setting colony's. Couldn't hardly believe it was out swimming around in dec!! He was a little slugish

[jasnt]

When I got back to my truck today I could hear a car running and my door was open! I ran out there real quick to see a well known tweeter I had gone to school with grabbing my pack boots and my work bag out of my truck! I pulled my trapping pistol and yelled at him to put my crap back  He drops it on the ground and tried to leave. I called him by name and told him no put it back in my truck! He did quickly and I let him leave as I'm sure he needed to change his pants!  My boots and work keys would have been all he got of value.  I'll be double checking my doors are lock from know on!!!! Man I hate thieves!!!! 

[pnwmtnmn]

Don't know if I would have let him leave without calling the sheriff.

[jasnt]

Don't know if I would have let him leave without calling the sheriff.

to be honest I really felt sorry for him. Like I said I went to school with him. He used to be a good guy. Drugs have got him bad and he looked horrible!  I know his family well.  At the rate he is going it won't be long and I'm glad I didn't have to use the pistol. No one was hurt and I got all my stuff. I made a report and told them his name. They knew him well   Hope he gets some help!

[3nails]

Don't know if I would have let him leave without calling the sheriff.

to be honest I really felt sorry for him. Like I said I went to school with him. He used to be a good guy. Drugs have got him bad and he looked horrible!  I know his family well.  At the rate he is going it won't be long and I'm glad I didn't have to use the pistol. No one was hurt and I got all my stuff. I made a report and told them his name. They knew him well   Hope he gets some help!

Very thoughtful of you.

[winslow]

You are kinder than I am! That tweeker wouldn't be doing much of anything but hurting for a few weeks if that was my truck.

[jasnt]

You are kinder than I am! That tweeker wouldn't be doing much of anything but hurting for a few weeks if that was my truck.

if I didn't know the guy it would have been diffrent I'll tell you that. I've eaten dinner at his parents table, I played pool with his father. I hate thieves more than anything but it really broke my heart seeing an old friend doing that!  I think I was in just as much shock as he was. On one hand I was pissed and wanted to teach him a lesson but when I saw who it was I stopped my self.  After the fact I thought I should have stuffed his face in the dirt and called the cops but I have little faith in the deer park Leo's in my neck of the woods we normally just handle things on our own. But when I saw who it was I was over come with sadness. How could I attack an old friend? I have always been taught you forgive and forget.  If he would have been anyone else things would have been very diffrent and I dout I would have posted anything about it due to the 5th.  I talked to his mother tonight and all she could say threw the tears was thank you for not hurting my baby boy. The kid needs help but idk if he wants it. He may yet end up dead but it won't be by my hands unless I'm left no choice.  I hope I never have this situation again!  Most people in this neck of the woods would'nt touch a thing owned by a Tongue and I'm sure he is still sweeting thinking I'm coming after him. But I'm not that guy anymore.  I'm trying to do what's right with out fighting. I truely hope he gets help or he won't live long around here!  I pray he gets that help but I dout it will be in time. Sad deal all the way around!

[Turner89]

It's tough seeing old friends that are messed up on that crap. I have a few also. Sad deal.