Machias' 2015/16 Season

[Trapper John]

Nice job Fred    Twi thumbs up 
JC 

[Machias]

Fred,
I'm so used to looking at WA furs and always hearing about different sections. Can you tell us how VA beaver compare?

Very similar, I haven't noticed any difference.

[Machias]

I was shocked the skunks were out last night, single digits and the wind was howling.



My biggest beaver so far for this season, 59 pounds. 



Here is a good example of why you should always cable your coni's, I caught this beaver in the far channel.  You can't tell but the bank is fairly steep and he still managed to get over to the other channel and even set off my other 330.

[JakeLand]

  I still think the skunks have the coolest hide

[Machias]

They are very nice!!

[Kit Carson]

That beaver is a beast! Nice job Machias

[Machias]

So we have this "epic" snow storm and blizzard hitting us right now.  Yesterday I set off all my traps as it may be a few days before I can get around here.  I get home today and get all settled in for the next day or so too wait on this 30-32 inches of snow and my phone goes off.  It's the horse farm owner, hey you have another skunk in the trap.  REALLY?       So I go out and dispatch a really nice fat skunk and make it home just before the roads are turning treacherous!!    That makes #5 from this spot.

[JakeLand]

  big old stinker

[Machias]

Been stuck at home for the last three days snowed in so I got my freezer about cleaned out and all my fur put up.  Skinned and fleshed 20 beaver tails today, sending them off to get tanned.  $13 per tail and they do a really nice job and have several different colors.

http://www.specialtyleather.com/tanning.html

[The scout]

good time to get caught up on everything

[quadrafire]

What are you going to do with the tails?
I saw an article in Traditional Archery mag about a bow handle wrap that was pretty cool.

[Machias]

Planning on making some wallets and ladies coin purse.  I'm also going to make a bullet bag for muzzle loading.  Seen a nice holster overlay done that was really nice!!

[Kit Carson]

  Makes me want to start trapping beaver

[Trapper John]

What are you going to do with the tails?
I saw an article in Traditional Archery mag about a bow handle wrap that was pretty cool.

I saw a pair of cowboy boots made with Beaver tails in Montana about ten years ago.  Dam,  I couldn't bring myself to buy them.  I think they wanted something like $350.00 for them.

Planning on making some wallets and ladies coin purse.  I'm also going to make a bullet bag for muzzle loading.  Seen a nice holster overlay done that was really nice!!

Well Fred, it looks like you might have a few more days before you get out (I've been watching TV on you guys)  so you can get some more of those stinkers.     Tan those stinkers and make some gloves or hats out of them.  JC   


 

[Machias]