GOOD SEASON

I never grew up trapping, despite doing most everything else outdoors.  However, a few years ago my twin then 8-year-old boys came home from school talking about trapping and the fur trade they were studying in history.  They had lots of questions.  I decided one of the best explanations was to get out and try it.

I've tagged along with a couple friends who trapped and couldn't believe how much work it was to set and check a trap line.  I was also impressed with the attention to detail and how precise sets had to be and like selling a house trapping was all about location, location, location.  Trappers are probably more in tune with their environment than any other outdoorsmen.

Our first few seasons were good and the boys enjoyed themselves.  My daughter always enjoyed going along on checks, too.  My niece and nephew tag along as well when they're in town for the holidays.  We've caught the usual furbearers but never really hit it too hard setting only three or four times each season.

But this year the weather cooperated nicely for trapping expeditions and we made it out a half-dozen times.  I never set more than 20 traps, mostly targeting raccoons, in one location and usually left them for four or five days.  One spot that was extremely productive I trapped for 10 days straight. 

This season was incredibly successful, both in time spent outdoors and furbearers trapped.  I ended up with 46 raccoons, 16 possums, 11 skunks, 8 beavers, two muskrats, two bobcats and a coyote.  The rats and cats were our first-ever.  Diversity was enjoyable this year and I had one check with four raccoons, two possums, a skunk, a coyote and a 53 pound beaver. 

Five of the eight beavers I trapped were nuisance animals trapped for landowner friends.  Three of them came from a pond where they dug bank dens and compromised the integrity of a large watershed dam.  When the mid-winter rains came the dam failed and nearly drained the pond as a result of beaver damage. 

I ended up making $914 off the sale of my furs.  I probably spent a couple hundred bucks on gas and if I added up all the time and work I probably made about .50 cents an hour.  It's not really about the money, but rather the outdoor experience and a remote connection to the way things used to be.

The season ended yesterday and I'm already looking forward to next fall.     

OUT WITH A BANG

Goose hunting is a good time.  Living in and around an urban area hunters can take advantage of wintering goose populations that rival some of the wildest areas in Kansas.  I used to goose hunt a lot but now that I chase ducks so much it's taken a back seat in recent years.  We'll shoot geese and even set up for some while duck hunting, but it's not the same as field hunting big ol' honkers.  So when a friend, Craig, asked last week if I wanted to hit a field with him and his dad, Tom, I jumped at the chance.  

We met and headed out about 3:30 p.m.  A 20 mph brisk north wind dropped the real 30 degree temperature even more, but not enough to keep the wheat field from being a muddy mess.  We put out a couple dozen full-bodies and some Canada goose shell decoys and huddled into a make-shift blind of cedar boughs.   

Craig wasn't even back from parking the truck when a flock of big Canadas tried to land just outside the decoys.  Tom and I managed to bag one big ol' 12 pounder and the hunt was on.  The rest of the evening was spent working a few birds and I realized how much I'd missed field hunting geese.  By the end of the evening we'd managed to bag seven nice birds ranging in size from 8 to 12 pounds. 

But the highlight of the day might have occurred without a shot even being fired.  We thought most of the action was over so we decided to put our guns away and pick up a little before sunset.  As guns were stowed Craig hollered, "Look at that!"

I turned just in time to see a lone Canada land near the decoys.  Simultaneously, Craig and I said, "It's got a neck collar!" 

I looked at my watch and it was 6:03 p.m.  We all looked at each other wondering exactly what time legal shooting time was over (I later looked and it was 6:02 p.m.)  Despite never having seen a neck collared bird in the decoys we all decided it wouldn't be the cowboy way to shoot him after he landed anyway.  We all hoped we'd meet again.

They hunted the rest of the weekend without seeing the neck-collared honker and the season ended Sunday.  It's all good and hopefully he survives until next fall.  Who knows, maybe he'll show up again and one of us will be ready.  I hope so.
 

   

PICTURE PERFECT

It's often said if you don't like the Kansas weather just wait 10 minutes.  Our weather can be described as difficult at best.  And when it comes to winter fishing most anglers are at the mercy of ol' Mother Nature.  But this winter we've been blessed with some pretty decent days.  And that's just fine by me.

One day happened last week.  The forecast was for light winds and 60 degrees....something you just don't get much of this time of year.  So several friends and I made plans to take a couple boats and head to the lake.  As I topped the dam early that morning the lake was ice covered except for the edges.  Initially concerned I saw the ice was just skim and I soon found the ramp to be open.

I launched ahead of my buddies in the other boat and made my way to the main lake.  I dropped a couple rods tipped with jigs down and within 30 seconds had the first crappie flopping at the surface.  I thought to myself this might be a magical day.  We had 9 or 10 in the livewell before my buddies arrived. 

The fishing was good but not outstanding.  I'd caught more on previous trips but we ended up catching 40-50 whites and wipers nearly all of which went back in the lake.  The crappie bite was decent and we had plenty for a buddy to go home with a 5-gallon bucket overflowing.  It was indeed a fine outing. 

But the big winner for the day was the weather.  I don't know that the wind ever blew more than 5 mph. The sun finally popped out for good late morning and fishing in just a sweatshirt was perfectly comfortable. We said time and time again we couldn't believe how nice the weather was and we were blessed. 

I'll take more just like it any time ol' Mother Nature wants to throw us a bone.  Maybe she's trying to make up for 50-some days over 100 degrees last summer.  If that's the case she owes us a few more.  Bring it.