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Post by Itrapny on Jan 15, 2006 8:44:56 GMT -5
How'd the fur go??
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Post by Rick on Jan 15, 2006 11:24:14 GMT -5
Am I richer?
Well, my little vacation fox line went pretty well. Had some big days, learned some things, seen some weird and interesting things. For sure learned more about how to manage my line. Tried to be as efficient as possible. Had a goal of 5 fox a day the whole time I was running serious.....and averaged a little over 6.
Reflecting back now.....I'd say I'm richer for it.
Managed to sew up a couple new pieces of property.....didn't extend the line so much as filled it in a little better. Met some very nice people in the process and spent time gasbagging with lots of landowners..... some recently met, some known for years. Those folks all know a lot more about trapping, about wild canines, and about wildlife in general than they ever did......and I know a lot more about livestock and agriculture practices than I ever did.
Hopefully, we both feel a little richer for it.
Had some riders. I used to love having my daughter along, but she's 14 now.....and just too cool to be trapping foxes with Pop. My son rides. He gets a kick out of caught critters but seems kind of disinterested in the rest. I'm hoping he'll show more interest as he gets a little older......I'd like to give him my fox line some day. Fella from work rode for a day. He's tagged along at least once a year for the last few years. Had him with me last year when I caught 12 fox....my best day ever.....but he's never been along when I've caught a coyote. That's what he's really been wanting to see. Believe me....I listened to alot of crap about it at work. Alot of "imaginary coyote" talk. Finally got one with him along......and in the perfect spot. Not that come 'round the corner thing.....but seen him cartwheeling from 300 yards out. That's probably as excited as I've been about catching a coyote since my first one. Had a fellow trapper, and a d@mn good one, ride one day. He doesn't have the opportunity to trap alot of foxes anymore......but traps as much water fur as anybody you or I know, along with a few fox and a stack of coons. A fur handling artist. It was a little later in my season, and I was kinda all over the road. He didn't get to see my line as the well-oiled machine I consider it......but we had a 6 fox day and a lot of laughs. Shoulda been 7 but we watched one pull out right in front of us. More great people. The whole Geffert family stopped by one day. Super nice folks.
I absolutely consider myself richer for those experiences.
And speaking of foxes pulling out right in front of me.....I saw that THREE times this year. One other time in my life.....and THREE times this year. Three different styles of trap. Two left toes, one pulled clean out.
IF I can figure out what went wrong, and how I'm gonna correct it.....I know I'll be richer for it.
Never been much the mink trapper....catch a couple a year. Got 7 this year....yeah, I know...it's weak.....but it's a new record for me. Really feel like I taught myself some things and really feel much the richer for it.
Not only made it through another trapping season without adding to the nation's divorce rate.....but even had Momma ride along with me to the furbuyers' last night. I was so happy I stopped and bought her a couple Genny drafts.
For sure I'm richer for her.
I'm 42 years old....been trapping since I was 8. Didn't always trap hard, but never missed a season. Learned an awful lot and continue to do so. Pulled my last couple traps yesterday and I'm 99.9% sure I'm done for the year. Furbuyer had an order for a taxidermy fox and I tried to catch him one. Caught a fox in my very last trap. She was no taxidermy specimen so I skinned her out.....still pretty cool though. I don't remember ever catching a fish on my "last" cast. Had a lot of fun, lotta laughs with some great people. Learned a lot, and seen some cool stuff.
So, reflecting back, I'd say I'm much richer for it.
Rick.
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Post by nightowl on Jan 15, 2006 17:03:47 GMT -5
Rick,
Although our visit was short our family also left your place with the same feeling..... nice family. Your forgot to mention you now have a richer knowledge of the red fox's anatomy. ;D Rick is the best cutter of fox glands I have collecting for me. When I think of the joys that the lure making business has brought me. I think of the people we have met at conventions and the friendships we started. The photos and the trapping experiences we share about our seasons. But one story ranks amoung the top. Two seasons ago I asked Rick if he would cut fox glands for me in trade for lure. He graciously agreed and I sent him some gland lure at his request. I knew Rick was capable of numbers but he clued me in that he had always dreamed of a 100 fox season and the lure was working out real well and he thought he had a shot at 100. I remember the e-mails back and forth and doubles pictures as 100 got closer and then a reality. As Rick reached his dream I couldn't help but feel happy for his achievement and a feeling that our lure business had just turned a corner also. Rick and I have similar styles we quietly go about doing what we do and do it without looking for attention and maybe that's why we respect and admire each others abilities. As Rick put it into his post better than I could. Trapping has certainly made all of us that partake in it much richer for memories and friendships than any fur check could match.
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Post by Itrapny on Jan 15, 2006 18:03:52 GMT -5
Well, it sounds like you not only got what you wanted from your fur but a whole lot more. I can say that you have a great way of putting things in perspective. I too had a couple of firsts for me this year as I to had a couple of pullouts in front of my eyes, both 'yotes and that has never happened before. One was a #2 Bridger and the other a #1 1/2 Monty, both traps that I have caught and held a number of critters in, oh well, it happens! I also caught 2 reds in one day and 5 total this year. While not firsts, it sure has been a long time since I did that with all the 'yotes I have around. I have to agree with about Jim, he and his family are fine people and I am richer knowing them as well. Maybe some day Jim can show me how to cut some glands for him as well, I'm getting pretty good at catching those lousy coyotes ;D Anyway, I'm glad you had a rich season and I hope to meet you at a convention/Rondy in the near future....Wayne
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Post by brushwolf on Jan 15, 2006 18:05:14 GMT -5
Great post guys.Rick you hit the nail square on the head with your post. Awesome!!
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Post by Rick on Jan 15, 2006 18:19:44 GMT -5
Yeah.....I just KNEW you guys would "get it".
Nightowl taught me everything I know about guts.
Wayne, I saw a coyote....woulda been my first coyote, 12 yrs. ago......pull out right in front of me. But he exploded a 1 1/2 Victor. That trap used to make up 90% of my arsenal and I no longer own one. I've also held a fair amount of coyotes in the little Montys. I had a fox pull off two toes in a #2 Monty RJ, same thing in a 1 1/2 Monty RJ, and pull clean out of a 1.75 NW SJ with GOOD #2 music wire springs. All regular jaw traps.
Would laminations have helped me??.....don't know. Think I'm gonna laminate a pile this summer though.
The fur sold for the number I was looking for. May have been a little light on the fox hides but overall, right where I wanted to be. Sorry about the ramblings. Just always been kind of a sad, melancholy day of reflection for me after I sell my fur. Had a beautiful shed full of fur, professionally handled and hanging in nice, neat, perfect rows. I'd sit on my stool out there and just look at it. Now.....looks like a freakin' hand grenade went off out there.
Rick.
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Post by Itrapny on Jan 15, 2006 19:01:59 GMT -5
I know the feeling, I hate to sell on one hand but it feels good getting what you are looking for and hearing comments on how well your fur looks. I'm not aproponent of laminations, I don't own a trap with them. I used to have a bunch of Helfrich 450 's that I absolutly loved but someone saw fit to relieve me of them. They were about as close to a laminated trap as I have owned. I was looking at the MB's and the new Sterling's but I can't risk putting a $30 trap in the ground and having someone help themselves to it. I lost 3 traps this year and 2 last year on property where I had sole permission to be on. They used they ATV's to pull the cable stakes.
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Post by Rick on Jan 15, 2006 19:38:58 GMT -5
Doooooon't even get me started. I can handle anything the animals pull.....but the people drive me nuts. There probably aint even enough gygabites (whatever) for me to list all the crap I've put up with from people out there.
Losing the 450s had to suck though. Expensive is one thing, but those are almost irreplaceable.
Laminations may or may not be an answer. I do plan on laminating some traps though so I can see for myself. Any trap purchases or trades I make will be for bigger, and preferably offset iron. I may even end up looking to trade off some of my 1 1/2 Monty RJs. Right now they're about 75 % of my arsenal. I love them things, and as much as I'd miss 'em, with more coyotes, and the lousy weather conditions I'm usually facing, I find myself more and more reaching for a bigger trap.
Rick.
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Post by Itrapny on Jan 15, 2006 20:34:23 GMT -5
I you sure were not related somehow? I love those monty round jaw #1 1/2 's . I have almost 4 dozen of them and wouldn't trade them off for anything, they are awesome on fisher too. I bought some #2 Monty RJ's and tried them this year, worked great on the couple of 'yotes I had in them, not so great on the the gray fox. I've had the same problem with the 32 Bridger's, I love them for 'yotes but I had a red this year that wouldn't have been there but another few minutes. Tried a few Victor 1.75's this year as well. I was quite impressed with them, had the'yotes right across the pad and even the grays I caught in them we held fine with no damage at all. Didn't catch any 'coon in them but I don't think they would have faired to well. I think I'll try and pick up some more #2 Monty's over the Summer though and give them a good try.
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Post by nightowl on Jan 15, 2006 20:41:35 GMT -5
Wayne, While we're throwing the compliments about. You have generated alot of interest in NY trapping with this site and your convention. Please continue on with both. This site always feels comfortable to post on. I won't elaborate about the other places but I think we all know what I mean. There are a great group of trappers here in NY and I'm glad we have a place to share our thoughts and ideas. I think it would be nice for Rick to visit us at the Summer Rondy in July and do a canine demo. He can show us a thing or two I'm sure Jim
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Post by Itrapny on Jan 15, 2006 20:54:14 GMT -5
Thanks Jim, as long as the trappers in NY will put up with me I'll be here ;D As far as Rick coming and giving a demo at the Rondy this year, the invitation is open. I invited him last year and his schedule didn't line up I guess. I like you to give a demo on gland location and removal if you can swing it, maybe throw a fox in the freezer, whatayathink?
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Post by nightowl on Jan 15, 2006 21:02:11 GMT -5
I'm up for it if somebody can save a fox for us. I was working with glands,castors, and fleshing today. The season doesn't end when the traps get pulled for me. I'm not complaining though.
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Post by Rick on Jan 16, 2006 9:47:14 GMT -5
Right Wayne.....we're all richer for having a place to share our thoughts with like minded New Yorkers.
I have a fresh fox carcass laying on the floor of my shed. What I don't have is a place to freeze it, but if somebody wants to come get it..........hurry up!! Gonna start working on cleaning up that mess.
I'll try to make your rondy this summer. But as far as demos.....doubt I could show you guys anything you don't already know. Plus......if my more recent trapping convention history is any indication.......I may be too drunk to form complete sentences.
Rick.
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Post by Itrapny on Jan 16, 2006 9:49:23 GMT -5
Well, I'm a bit too far to come and get it...anyone else?
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