The boy wanted to get into trapping. so over the last year he's bought some traps online, here and there as he could afford.
So, we head up to MI for his Nov birthday to hunt deer and set his first sets for muskrat and mink
Opening day (for us) from the deer blind. This is not what we see daily in FL:
He put out 14 coniber and leg traps in our crick. It holds a LOT of rats. If we walked the entire length there wont be a section without holes/dens/runs. It hasnt been trapped in years. We've seen some bigguns.
The boy setting
We bait with apples from the trees on the property.
Next morning, he has one!
Hard to tell, but its decent rat.
But we're a bit surprised we didnt get more.
1/2 the apples were ate (except the ones we stuck on the coniber trigger)
Well its a start.
He wants to head to Jays* in Clare to pickup some attractant and stretchers.
While we are there, he says, "let me get a dog-proof and try trapping a coon".
I said "sure thing!"
*Today was his birthday and he had been looking for a 12g shotgun for almost 2 years ! Unfortunately hes a lefty, and we cant afford a Bennelli (all leftys are largely top tier shotguns), but I had been looking online and Jays had a Browning BPS(universal bottom eject) in timber camo in stock at their Gaylord store. The manager Jeania worked with me over email, had it shipped to Clare.
We head up to Jays, linger around, getting his trap stuff, I said lets look at the guns. He said OK (thinking we'll find that ever elusive 12g).
We hang near the counter, guy says "Can I help you?" I said "Yeah Jeania had a shotgun shipped over from the other store for me"
Boy I wish I had a camera on his face. Awesome moment.
Anyways, with renewed vigor, we get his trap supplies, head back to the property and lay to it. Freshened up the rat traps.
We saw coon trail/tracks in an area and knew we had one around.
He set it, we forgot bait. I said "We have Jays Caramel popcorn in the truck"
We bait it up.
Hunt the PM and he kills him a birthday doe.
Next morning, he doesnt hunt, we sleep in figure let the traps soak.
Mid-morning, we're at the sets.
No rats. nada. Apples gone, and it appears some of the attractant is licked off the coniber and yet not triggered!
My great uncle always said corn was best (I guess its the same as fishing: match the hatch), so we bait up the traps with corn from the field and head onto the dog proof.
Another huge smile from that boy
must be 20#+ biggest coon ive seen in my life
Deer hunted the night and nada.
Next day, check the sets.......nothing :-(
The freakin conibers were set in openings. If we put a small ear of corn on the outside, they ate it and didnt go through. If we set the corn inside the tunnel..same thing.
I even slid a partial ear through the coniber setting on the trap ....theyd eat off it there and not set the trap off!!
Smartest rats ever I think.
We skinned and stretched the the rat.
Not a horrible job at all. But we did rip the skin a couple days later on accident. Hoping there is a fix. I'll post a pic
Skinned out the coon. OMG the fat. The fat. it was soooo greasy and thick LOL unreal
But we got it done. Not gonna lie, I think we did a darn near perfect job (albeit it took an hour) for a first time. Nose, lips, eyes ears all perfect.
We couldnt flesh it there. Just didnt have the time and right set-up, turned it right side in rolled it up and froze it until we got back to FL (we also stopped at Cabellas on the drive home to get a coon stretcher)
I'll read this forum and taxidermy forum for tips on preserving and maybe repairing that tear and such.
Try to figure out what the deal was with the crafty rats in our crick.
Overall AMAZING experience. Im glad he got into it. You northern folk have some great winter activities.
Cant wait til next time.
Lastly, if you ever get to Riverdale MI (or near it) you need to stop into the Riverdale Tavern
BEST DANG GIZZARDS around.
and the fried fish aint bad either
First time Trapping and stuff
- Sailfish_WC
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First time Trapping and stuff
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Sailfish_WC <-- Deer watcher
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
It’s about a 2” tear.
Our goal is(was) to make 2 pairs of warm and soft muskrat mittens. Of course we missed the primary need by 3/4 of the needed fur lol
Our goal is(was) to make 2 pairs of warm and soft muskrat mittens. Of course we missed the primary need by 3/4 of the needed fur lol
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
Congrats. Trapping is a lot of fun.
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
Very nice trip you guys took and looks like some great memories made!!!
“The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
Man i really enjoyed your story. Loved the whole experience and so cool to see a kid wanna get into trapping. Not something you hear much at all anymore (not me at least). Congrats on a great trip and experience. Very cool. Thanks for sharing
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
Didn't even know they ate gizzards up north.....probably my favorite food
"Am I the Only One" - Aaron Lewis
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
Eddiegomes83 wrote:Didn't even know they ate gizzards up north.....probably my favorite food
Well it’s not worth the fuel of course, but if ever there….
There is a gas station i think it’s @ Crawfordville in N Florida they have a dang close second best. It’s been sometime since I stopped there.
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
Sailfish_WC wrote:Eddiegomes83 wrote:Didn't even know they ate gizzards up north.....probably my favorite food
Well it’s not worth the fuel of course, but if ever there….
There is a gas station i think it’s @ Crawfordville in N Florida they have a dang close second best. It’s been sometime since I stopped there.
There is one at a loves truck stop by me that does pretty good. It is actually at a Chester's chicken inside of Loves truck stop. They do pretty good other than home fried.
"Am I the Only One" - Aaron Lewis
EGOutdoors youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UClk54pzxS6MsnSTCOtTvKJg
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
Awesome story man, i really enjoy the read!!! Sounded like a great time and memories you guys will never forget! My son is only 2.5 and i dont want him to grow up to fast but I can’t wait for these kind of trips.
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Re: First time Trapping and stuff
Djp32 wrote:Awesome story man, i really enjoy the read!!! Sounded like a great time and memories you guys will never forget! My son is only 2.5 and i dont want him to grow up to fast but I can’t wait for these kind of trips.
I have a few storys on here of him and I.
We started adventures about when he was 4 lobstering in the Keys.
And everything in between.
The time flies by. You blink and its gone.
He's 16 now, and whats funny about you saying them growing up to fast, just yesterday he was getting out of the truck, he looked over at his skiff and said " When I get my license, It looks like i'll be the one driving and taking my FRIENDS out on the adventures!""Oh we'll still do stuff on occassion dad, but you can now do stuff with your guys"
Made me happy and sad at the same time
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