February 2013 #2

Well the old saying goes if you do not like the weather wait a minute,  has played its way out in the past week.  Last Tuesday the early morning temperature was -21 on the cabin thermometer. As I write this its 57 degrees out, or a temperature swing of 78 degrees. Trappers have gone from chopping through ice to check their sets to wondering when the water will go down in hopes of finding their sets. Guess this is why trapping is so much fun.

I want to thank everyone who stopped by our booth and the Vermont Trappers booth at the Yankee Sportsman’s Classic. It was good to see old friends and check up on last season and to meet new folks too. I love all of the stories and pictures folks brought to show me. Most were very successful last fall and are enjoying all time highs for the fur they caught price wise. Also, congrats go out to Erin Needham of Essex Junction, Vermont who won a case of traps from Arrowhead Trapping Supply.

In all of the shows I have done the requests for trapping classes was huge this year. I have posted my spring class on the Fish and Wildlife web site so if you want to take a class now is the time to sign up. It is home study classes with a one day field exercise, where you will do some bookwork, take a test, spend a afternoon pinching some fingers followed by a fur handling session. By the end of the day you will be certified and able to purchase a trapping license. It will be held on April 27^th from 8-????.

All indications are that fur prices are going to be similar to last year’s prices. For those of you wondering what this means, well prices are higher than they have been in forty plus years. That is certainly good news if you have fur to sell and a good incentive to get out there and do some trapping.

Now for a request; I am sure you have all heard about the proposed gun restrictions that are being tossed around. Its time to become active before we lose what we have. The knee jerk re-actions to these horrible crimes will hurt you and me, not the thugs doing these crimes. If you do not belong to the NRA now would be a good time to join. If you do not belong to a local gun club now would be a good time to join. How about joining the Vermont Trappers Association, Or the National Trappers Association. These folks keep their ear to the table and fight the battles that need to be fought to preserve our rights as sportsmen and sportswomen, and sports kids. For the price you will get for a couple of beavers or two or three mink you can join the fight yourself. Or you can sit and wonder why we lose all of your rights.

I shudder when I think that possibly my grandkids will find it difficult to enjoy a lifestyle I have enjoyed all my life. That’s why I spend a large amount of money and time joining clubs and running my soup cooler in hopes that day never comes. WE all know that true sports folks do not commit these crimes but we are the ones usually punished thru restrictions on what we do.

Please find out who your senators and representatives are and give them a call, drop a letter or an e-mail will work. Ask Phil Baruth, he can fill you in. If these folks who submit these bills think we do not forget, we can show them next time we vote, and they know that fact. Hit em where it hurts.

Those who act conquer, those who fail to act wonder why. Please do what you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next month, enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.