My friend is gone

[Trapper Jack]

A couple years ago I had a problem with mice at my cabin. It had gotten pretty bad and I was constantly going around the place and patching holes or replacing boards. I got back late to my cabin one night and saw a animal run across the floor and out the hole in the floor where the sink drains. Upon investigating further,(crawling on hands and knees under the cabin at 12am with a flashlight), I found weasel tracks all over the area. I went to bed planning on fixing the hole in the am. Mr Weasel came back and I could hear him rummaging about that night. I then heard a squeak and knew he got a mouse. I decided to leave the hole alone. Mr Weasel came and went as he pleased from then on out. I fixed the hole in the floor and actually made him a door.I even made a door to the fur shed for him. I was able to feed him by hand after a time. He took care of my mouse problem. We became, I guess you could say, friends. Willie, which is the name I gave him, always showed up when I came home. He never made a mess inside and sometimes even slept on the upper bunk. He would show up in the fur shed and keep me company while i skinned. I came back to the cabin after a few days out of the mountains. It was quite cold being mid February. Willie didn't greet me as usual with this little dance he did and growl. I wasn't too concerned with him being a weasle and all. I went into the bunkroom and he was on my pillow. I almost missed seeing him being as white as he was that time of year. Willie had died. My friend was gone. I believe it was old age. He was gray about the face. I had Willie mounted and he stands on my dresser in the bunkroom. This is a true story .

[slyfox74]

That's a sad tale.

[mikeyb]

that is a great story, bonding with nature is what keeps me in the outdoors but opportunities like that are once in a life time.

[brushwolf]

Very cool story

[bballou]

Very--very nice story---from a good hearted trapper. --- I had read where weasels could and would become very friendly. Willie had to be the best. At least you had some time together.

[ambowpk]

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing.

[mrlongbeard1]

That's how most hunters and trappers feel about the game they pursue. Respect!

[Woj]

That's a great story right there. Something to pass on for generations.

[RLMcoyote7]

That should be in the trappers post and fur fish and game

[otter]

That is a good story..Sorry for your loss..Would love to see a picture of Willie..

[rockintheocean]

Gotta say thats the coolest thing ,man sorry for your loss. Hope another will pay you a visit soon.

[jimd]

I had a weasel living in my fur shed for a couple years. It was very bold, everytime I would be fleshing rats or beaver, it would come over and stand next to me, waiting for meat scraps. during those 2 winters, it never turned white.

[fingerlakesfowler]

I know how you feel. I had two wild male ruffed grouse I was feeding every day . They would eat right out of my hand, but don't try to touch them. One I have fed for almost 5 years then a year ago another showed up and decided to get free handouts too. This past January a hawk decided my younger bird was going to be lunch. Miss that little bugger. It's kind of a privilege to have wildlife adopt you on their terms.

[herm]

I enjoyed reading your post,but am sorry that your friend passed on.

[oldeman]

Years ago I had alittle cabin in the southern adirondacks .Ihad a chipmonk that would come around every morning and share a donut with me .I would leave the door open a little and when he was finished he would leave.This went on for over a year and one day he left and never came back. i am shure something got him.

[frankd]

Great story. Sorry about your friend!