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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 25, 2017 18:56:34 GMT -6
Starting trapping a few rats on the creeks. More for fun than anything. Had seven at one bridge yesterday so that was cool. Now if ever spot was Like that. Rats are beautiful with a nice layer of fat from eating beans and corn. Fur prices seem to be headed in the right direction. Ah maybe next year I'll make a huge Trapline wage. LOL Fingers crossed that fur prices move in the right direction. Good luck on your winter rat line.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 19, 2017 17:32:09 GMT -6
Where his banner is normally found there is a blank void with an arrow in it's center. The arrow looks like something you would click to start a video clip. Click that arrow and Gerald's ad pops up.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 18, 2017 21:15:44 GMT -6
I went up to where it should be and clicked on it, then it popped right up. It's there now. I just did the same and it is now showing up.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 18, 2017 18:23:41 GMT -6
I can't see it either. No idea why some can see it and others can't.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 11, 2017 20:42:08 GMT -6
Inspections can be a real hassle. Some states are worse than others.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 10, 2017 17:48:57 GMT -6
Sounds like there is plenty of interest in the thing. Who knows with all this interest maybe you are sitting on a goldmine.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 8, 2017 7:26:46 GMT -6
Did you sell the truck Redsnow?
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 8, 2017 7:25:12 GMT -6
Well I have been saying we need to promote fur use in this country. This however was NOT what I had in mind. Lol.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 8, 2017 7:22:18 GMT -6
I believe it has little to do with the topic being discussed, trapping, politics, religion, ford, chevy, doesn't matter. I see it's problem people have with someone having a different thought or opinion then their own. People can't seem to understand: "Just because I don't do it,(or think it) doesn't mean YOU shouldn't". It's a right we have in this country to disagree, we should respect that enough to do be civil about it. When I meet someone, I can usually tell if we'll get along or not. Before I know who they voted for or what trap they think is best for coyotes. I vote for who I think is going to be best for the country, I hope YOU do too. If our opinions differ, so be it. Men all through history have fought and died so we could be free and have different opinions. Besides that, if everyone did exactly what I did and thought, who would I be able to learn from. Not going to learn anything if you don't ever do anything different, or aren't exposed to different thoughts. I agree. Keeping things civil and being respectful goes a long ways.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 7, 2017 7:26:25 GMT -6
In regards to the internet fighting, I actually don't mind many of the trapping/outdoor arguments. Keep them civil and no big deal. Actually, some of those arguments bring forth a treasure trove of information.
The problem comes from the off topic stuff. Don't get me wrong talking about things besides trapping is fine. That being said some of these forums are frequented by a handful of folks who rarely if ever trap and do nothing but make repeated posts on wild conspiracy theories, politics, and religion. A little bit is fine, but when half your forum is taken up by these posts, enough is probably enough. We are many weeks past the election, and yet if a person logs onto one of the more popular trapping forums right now you will find post after post on various political topics, how the government is out to get you, and a score of other bs topics. Why? Those threads lead to nothing but heated arguments that solve nothing. Again a little bit is one thing, but people if those are the kind of discussions you want there are specific forums for them.
In Navy wardrooms (wardrooms are where officers dine) there is basic protocol that politics and religion won't be discussed. Why, because everyone knows they generally turn south. No sense causing division between people over arguments that no one is going to win.
Sorry for the little rant folks.
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 4, 2017 9:49:29 GMT -6
Steve you bring up some interesting questions. You ask about longlining and I see that hanging around as long as guys can make enough money to justify it. Much of it depends on the countryside one is in. In many parts of the east it is undoubtedly getting tougher as development drains more of the land. The Midwestern states that allow ROW trapping at least have the opportunity present for folks to still give it a shot. But with the recent mink and coon prices I don't imagine a lot are pounding the bridges and ditches like they once were. If you are after beaver and otter certain parts of the southeastern US can still provide the animals as long as one can get on the land. The key down there is getting on the timber/hunting leases. Many of those hunting leases are thousands of acres. The west still has opportunity, but unfortunately many of our western states seem to be battling AR activists that are working hard to shut down some or all of their public, and in some cases private lands, to trapping. All isn't lost in the west however, as there is still plenty of land that a good predator man can find his niche in.
I think the real key for the hard charging longliners will be prices. Bring a little spike in prices again and guys will get back at it, they always do. High prices will inspire creativity and guys will find ways to make long lines work. Unfortunately high prices may also bring out the bad seeds that ignore laws and put traps in place they shouldn't be, giving us all a bad name in the long run.
What direction does trapping go in the future? As long as we have fur markets we will have trappers, I think we all know this. The ADC guys have built themselves up a business whether there is a fur market or not. Lets not forget general predator control. When I was stationed in southeast Georgia I knew a guy that trapped his local hunting areas for predators. He harvested a fair amount of coyotes, fox, cats, and coon. He didn't keep a single pelt, he tossed them all. Personally I think that was a waste, but in his eyes there was tremendous value in every predator he harvested as he did it to help his deer and turkey numbers. I actually met a few other guys like that. Their interest wasn't fur, they trapped to control predators and help their hunting.
The fur industry may have missed a golden opportunity the last few years. The trendy thing has been eco-friendly green products. What is more eco-friendly than fur. It is certainly more environmentally friendly than fake fur and a host of other synthetic fibers. This was also the time that trapping began to receive some positive press coverage (for once) on cable TV. Shows like Mountain Men, Yukon Men, and various others actually showed the American Public that trapping was still going on. Being a career military man I have had the opportunity to work with people from all over the United States, many of them from large urban areas. I was very impressed with how many of these folks with urban backgrounds were regularly watching shows like Mountain Men. Many of them would comment on how cool they thought the trapping actually was. I think the fur industry really should have capitalized on this positive press and the green movement and made a legitimate push to once again develop fur markets here in the US. I know some effort was made, but was it really pushed like it should have been? Probably the biggest factor is cost, and I do recognize that, but again I think more could have been done. Maybe it isn't too late.
I honestly think in many cases we as trappers aren't helping our cause. We always hear about how united we stand, yet we as trappers can't seem to unite very well. Oh sure there are various state and national organizations, but how many trappers aren't members of any? Better yet how many states have seen their association split into two or sometimes more associations? I understand sometimes it is regional differences, or possibly differing agendas, but at some point splitting up associations can only serve to weaken trappers power.
Something else to think about is the constant squabbling amongst trappers. I think these internet forums are neat, and I have certainly learned from them, but how many guys have become bitter enemies over internet squabbles. Yet again further dividing us. I fully understand we are all different, and there will always be disagreements, but man some of the arguments are getting pretty heated. Go onto one of the major trapping forums that gets a lot of action, you guys all probably know the one I am talking about, and it seems like over half the posts these days are heated arguments about something that probably isn't worth arguing about. Doesn't help the camaraderie much.
How much has the issue of 220's in buckets hurt our image? I am all for keeping our rights, but this one seems to really hurt. I cringe every time I see someone online recommend baiting 220 buckets with salmon oil spiked cat food. Really guys. To make matters worse people seem to have the mentality that they can set them wherever, simply because the law says they can. Whatever happened to common sense? All it takes is one dead dog via a 220 and our image is shot. It doesn't matter one bit if the dog was trespassing on private property or not, the public sees and hears about a dead pet. Sometimes it pays to compromise a little, but I know compromise is a bad word these days in the American society. Everyone has the my way or the highway mentality.
I personally think one of the biggest threats to trappers these days is the pet lobby. Think about it. When I was a kid growing up on a farm in southern MN every farm had a dog running around. He was part of the farm. In most cases they lived outside and earned their keep. It seems nowadays the days of the working dog are numbered. People would rather pay thousands of dollars for the latest fad hybrid puppy and then turn around and treat it better than they treat their children. People now pay for doggie grooming sessions, pet massages, elaborate pet funerals, and who knows what else. Our society has by and large humanized pets. The AR groups see this and are starting to exploit it. I think many nowadays recognize that the AR groups push to end meat consumption as ludicrous, but these same people are horrified at the thought of their pet even possibly being harmed by a trap, however remote the chance may be. The AR groups know this and will likely push this angle even harder in the years to come, and unfortunately many in our ranks seem to be overlooking this one.
All just my thoughts.
Cameron
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Post by cameron1976 on Jan 1, 2017 7:17:08 GMT -6
Happy New Year to all!
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Post by cameron1976 on Nov 11, 2016 9:09:20 GMT -6
It was a standard dirthole.
No I didn't necessarily want the shoulder rub. It was a very brief rub though. A simple drop of the shoulder, a quick rubbing swipe and done. It wasn't at all like a pet dog rubbing/rolling something where they often vigorously rub with their shoulder and back.
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Post by cameron1976 on Nov 10, 2016 19:13:28 GMT -6
This morning while checking traps I had a pretty unique encounter. It was early and I was checking a couple of canine sets in a field. While applying lure to freshen a dirthole after yesterday's rain I looked up to see a red fox come trotting up towards me in the beam of my headlight. He got to within about 10 to 15 feet of me and just stopped and watched me. I watched him for a bit as well, and finally finished re-luring the set. He moved around a bit, but didn't act the least bit afraid. Anyway I finally got up and moved towards my other dirthole about 15 yards away. The fox stayed near me and once I got to the other set, approached the one I had just left and began working it. Approaching from the side of the set, he sniffed the hole, did a very quick shoulder rub, and gave the set a shot of urine. I actually was thinking I was going to witness him being caught, but no such luck. After satisfying his curiosity, he moved on, again passing within about 20 yards or so of me as he trotted off into the field. I have to admit I was a bit stunned at what just happened. Oh and I can't lie, my ego was a little bruised from having failed to catch him.
Personally I thought it was pretty neat watching him work the set. I know many people have trail camera footage of fox working sets, but there is something to be said for watching it live. I was also surprised at his boldness and how little fear he exhibited in my presence.
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Post by cameron1976 on Nov 7, 2016 8:25:00 GMT -6
Not trying to be mean, just disappointed. The Vikings need to address their kicking issues and fix their offensive line.
I was happy to see Green Bay lose again. They seem to be one dimensional on offense. Rodgers is trying to do it all himself with no help from their non-existent running game.
At the rate things are going Detroit is going to win the division.
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Post by cameron1976 on Nov 6, 2016 18:35:22 GMT -6
No, they lost to Detroit.
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Post by cameron1976 on Nov 3, 2016 19:15:50 GMT -6
Thanks for the pics and telling us about your line Musher.
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Post by cameron1976 on Oct 18, 2016 20:02:13 GMT -6
Steve do you have any fox to speak of down your way anymore? The part of southern MN where I grew up (Madelia area) once had a decent red fox population. Then enter coyotes, disease, etc. and twenty years or so ago the fox disappeared. This summer when I was back home on leave I heard people talking of seeing some reds again. Just curious if you have much sign of them in your part of the state?
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Post by cameron1976 on Oct 3, 2016 19:18:52 GMT -6
just me and flathead trapping this year? I'll be out trapping this season.
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Post by cameron1976 on Sept 23, 2016 21:06:34 GMT -6
Very good book!
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