Aknative Journal

I haven't felt like a journal, not much going on my line for me.

I know I don't have anything for scale, but any thoughts on what these are? They looked too big to me for marten, but we don't have fisher here...unless we do.


Trying some different cooking this season. The shanks have always been a problem for me, the grinder doesn't like them, they don't make good steaks. So I'd just cut them real small and put them in soup. I saw where someone from Meateater made ossobucco, so I decided to cut some shanks. Sear them real hard in bacon grease on cast iron, then some time in the Intstant Pot to make them almost fall apart, and dang tasty and tender!


Everybody helps out.



I need to build a box or bag the saw, it gets filled with snow.


Lots of this. Big Corona loppers seem to work easier than a machete, I'd like to try one of them bill hook ones sometime.


If the kids keep their acts together they get to go riding!



There's a clearing where the wolves made a couple pee posts beside my trail. It's historically been a futile effort as they'd usually never return to the same stretch.


But they did this time! I made 3 trail sets between their posts, missed the lead wolf and got this guy. From surveying the tracks, it looked like there were at least 2 wolves, MAYBE 3, that came onto the trail at 2 different places. They ran along, the first made it by the trap, and bailed into the clearing when this one got caught. I can see where, if moose activity and other conditions allowed, gang setting snares around traps would be very effective. If there was a third wolf I didn't find where it departed the trail.


I often put a protector set under marten, it's gotten me cats before. Gulo missed the pan by about an inch.


This is my total catch this season. Pretty dismal, but that first wolf means alot! Going to set my whole family up with ruffs!


Be safe out there!

That is freaking awesome dude! Happy for you on the wolf! Hope you connect with the wolverine!
You try one of those instant pots yet? The wife got one for Xmas and man that joker makes the toughest meat soft!

Thanks John!

I'm happy with the Instant pot; frozen meats, stringy roasts, frozen marrow bones, frozen whole chicken, beaver rump, doesn't matter! I'm still working on the timing, some things I want to fall apart, other things I want to pull apart when eating but stay together when serving. My wife gets more adventurous with it than I do, I'm usually just trying to get stringy things to eat easier.

Could those tracks belong to a porcupine?

Spacing is too wide for porky IMO.

Depending on how big they are, it could be gulo walking

Great looking wolf Temple !!

Congrats on the Wolf Temple! Looks like its got good hair, looking forward to seeing some pictures of it once you get it on a board.

Pretty Wolf!

Nice going on the big dog, cool to get blacks.

Thanks guys!

Porcy never occurred to me. I've seen them around, but never bothered to study their tracks. Once a year these type of tracks seem to pop up that I'm unsure about, seem to big for marten, too small for wolverine (to me, sorry I didn't have anything for scale) and no otter tail drag or occasional belly slide.

Nice wolf congrats! Good luck getting some more of them.

The tracks are not porcupine, they waddle more and their tail usually drags some or a lot. Looks a lot like a large marten track.

Thanks bronco! They're very near where I place a set, but whatever laid them never came back to get caught.

.....yet!

Fingers crossed all the time! Makes it hard to type.

Typing with your fingers like that probably makes it look like you are a little lys-dexsic...!

By the way, love the photo of kid on old white Tundra LT. You have put it to good use!

Pete

Nice wolf!
Hate snow-bent brushy trails!

Been pretty slow. I had some machine troubles...usually I test run the machine at home the morning before going, that way if it's too cold for that big 4 stroke to start well I can fight it at home and have coffee inside by the fire while it and the truck warm up. I didn't that morning, ended up having to jump start it from the truck. Of course, my cables were in my commuter vehicle, so I cut up my truck's extension cable. I did own a jump pack at the time, but had been unable to find it.


I did the small loop near where I park leaving the machine running while I checked sets. I figured it would warm up and recharge enough to start itself, but to be sure I parked by the truck and turned it off. I had to jump start it again. Against my better judgement, I took off on down the line, figuring I'd just drive by everything and not let the machine turn off. I came across wolverine tracks again and couldn't help myself, I stopped to put in a bucket and 330. I've gotten a little complacent with the Belisles, and this one bit me just above the last knuckle of my ring finger. I was able to pull my hand out...barely, leaving the glove in the jaws. While collecting my thoughts on finishing the set, the machine turned off. I finished the set while the dread of trying to rope start that dam big 4 stroke set in. I was unable to rope start it with the knotted paracod I had on hand. Maybe a strap with a hook...maybe, but I don't know. Thankfully, my trapping neighbor was able to come out and rescue me. I figured I'd spend the time productively, and walked back on my trail for 3 hours clearing the hanging brush. My rescuer appreciated that. The pack he pulled out was just a hair larger than my phone, but it spooled that VK right up and we were on our way. He did make sure to tell me he had the truck jumper in his cargo box, but wanted to see what that little thing would do. Guess who now owns 2 jump packs, but still can't find the other one? This guy right here. But that gulo hadn't come back as of the following check. After some fooling around I found a blown fuse and figure my battery was week. Guess it was due, the little batteries they put in these things don't seem to last long.

With the warm temperatures I got the younger kids out on the Tundra while the oldest was at school.


Found a couch for my shop when I was taking out the trash, Daughter seems to approve!


Be safe out there!

Glad to hear you got the problem figured out and a buddy was able to rescue you! Hope you connect with the gulo!

Good stuff, I like your stories...always an adventure!
Are you brushing out your buckets and cover in them with brush, branches?

Thanks guys!

It's the only bucket I've ever set, having snapped myself and dealing with a dead machine I didn't think to take a picture. It's a yellow cat litter bucket (from back when we HAD cats) that is brushed in some with little trees that were growing up against the stump and some I placed. This wasn't really to hide it but to try to brace the bucket and 330 so they'd be somewhat difficult to tear out. Its baited with moose sinew, grouse viscera, some in the bucket and some strewn around the area. Hopefully this dusting of snow will hide anything it doesn't like if he comes back, but next time I'm going to brush it in and stake the bucket and trap down a bit better.

Hope you get em Temple!

Glad your neighbor was able to come give you a hand. It some situations that could lead to a very long cold walk out. Good luck with the wolverine!

Been a rough few weeks on the trapline. The machine has caused me to call for rescue twice, it's not charging the battery. It keeps snowing, keeping having to brush the trails. I've had this machine for several years now, and it's wearing on me. There are some inherent issues in the VK Pro, that I'm not sure they've resolved in the latest model I saw at the dealer. Battery is still buried, exhaust and heat exchanger aren't protected, likely still making lots of water. The wolverine hasn't come back, wolves haven't resurfaced, but I did catch one marten, we made some sausage, and the little old Tundra keeps chugging along.

Dude that is one funny video Sorry your dealing with all the sled issues!

As the saying goes, some days it doesnt pay to get out of bed...

I know youll work out those troubles asap....and eventually wont have the wet hot seat machine, in time !

Thanks for sharing, Temple...glad you are safe.

Great video! Sorry to hear you are having such a trying year of it all. That last part of your video had me cracking up with you busting through all the snow laden trees.

Living the dream! That was funny!

Wow .... makes me want to rush out and buy one of those VK machines !

"....and the little old Tundra keeps plugging along!"

Bro, I told you that was an awesome machine! It has a ton of trapline miles on it, dragged a bunch of cabin logs, and basically has done yeoman service. Glad you are getting good use of it.

Pete

Don't buy a VK540 terrible machines mine is on its third blown engine. It hated the cold. Always running on one. Terrible machine.

I believe I got the charging issue diagnosed, and a voltage regulator is on it's way.

It seems like you had issues with your VK for sure muskrat. I'd like to see more user reviews of them.

Guys sure seem to be liking Ski Doo for this kind of work, but we've read stories about them on here too.

They all have problems Temple just like people. Some are just more of a pain then others... The important factors are how good are there service departments and parts accessibility. If you bring a sled in and they give it back to you with same problems and they cannot figure it out, maybe time to switch dealers or brands. Hope you get the bugs worked out. That is a heck of powerful machine

I been doing a poor job keeping this up.

I've pulled my trapline, and took the kids sledding. We went to the Museum of the North, saw some cool things (pre the Covid reaction). I discovered it wasn't the voltage regulator crippling the VK. I took the family to the range, even Daughter got to "shoot." The best fun we had this winter was tooling around the neighborhood on the Ol' Tundra! We're going to go fishing soon!

Indian spring brought temperatures above freezing in the shop, so I had to bring in the critters and skin them. I'm trying to keep the kids outside playing as much as possible. The snow keeps coming, I need better tires on my truck, and shoveled off the roof of the house. We're digging a snow tunnel and may camp in it. We cut up a moose leg for soup, it was great! The little Tundra is just a joy to tool around with the kids.

With school closed and Momma working from home we're starting to get the cabin fever. Trapping season is done until open water beaver, got the VK back from the shop and I try to keep the kids busy. I'd had a frozen raw scapula in the freezer, pulled out the seal oil and had a taste of home! We ride snowmachines, ice fish, and got to take the first bow walk of the spring! Amazingly, it took the oldest until halfway back to the house before he lost his arrow...

Break up is in full swing! The ditches are full of flowing water, the road is mud, and the kids can't help but play in it. I've outfitted all my kids with sling shots, we get into an EPIC Nerfball war with them, and I give my kids another taste of my childhood with some Styrofoam little boats to drag in the water with a stick and string.

My boys and I managed to get out and trap a few beaver! The sloughs were still iced over, and there were big ice bergs on the bank. We even saw a mink! I spent all day when we were pulling gear tell the boys to be careful, to not play in the water, to not fall in, watch their step. 2nd boy managed all day to stay dry, just to fall in the water at the boat ramp a minute before the boat was all strapped down.

What fun to have with the kids ! They have great aim with the sleds sliding down the hill ....and the slingshot nerf ball fights ! I used to partake in giant rubber band fights with friends and their kids , in the house too , much fun all the same

Also enjoyed your comparison of the snow machines ...I learned from that. So many newer things have the vitals, like spark plugs, etc., hidden away in the engine to make working on them so difficult.

Well videoed presentations, thanks for the share, Aknative

We waited kind of patiently for ice out, and started hanging sheetrock in the shop. We even got the Toyostove hooked up just in time for summer! I took the oldest to the range, he's getting better with his 22 and even got to shoot some 38. 2nd oldest is right handed, but it turns out he's left eye dominant. He's shooting is a work in progress. I took all the babies to a local pond to slingshot rocks into the water, we ended up having a moose poop war. We try to take walks as often as possible, even when there are moose in the neighborhood.

It's summer now, hard not to hang in the hammock with the babies. Be safe out there!

What a hoot ! I laughed throughout the fun times !

I'm sure happy that wee son didn't hurt his ear too much with the slingshot - I couldnt help but laugh -just at the things kids do

They are such good kids...they listen to you so well. Credit to their training !

I too am cross dominant. It poses a real challenge shooting with both eyes open. There are many different options for this, everyone just has to find what works best for them.

When shooting my .45 , I leave both eyes open but have to tilt my head just a bit to have the correct sighting. Point shooting is much easier for me , with the pistol lowered to belly button level , elbows braced against my sides.

His right eye will work in focusing ok if he closes his dominant eye , as in scope shooting , but it is a challenge for me very much in using both eyes on a moving target.

Very fun video, well presented in movie mode .

When I was pretty young my dad figured out I had a dominant left eye despite doing everything right-handed. Every time I picked up a toy gun he made me hold it left handed. It annoyed me to no end. However, it feels completely natural to me ever since and I’m glad he made me adapt when I was young.

I didn’t watch your video so maybe you’re doing the same thing but it looks like you’re using a patch over the dominant eye when shooting. Or something like that. Changing eye dominance might be possible (never looked into it) but I do know that changing what hand you use to hold a gun is very changeable and has served me well.

Thanks Sharon! Their momma does fine work.

Clark, he’s shooting is a work in progress. I know for a fact that eye dominance can change. I was left eye dominant as a child, right handed. I leaned my face over a shotgun to use my left eye and bloodied my noose good. I forced myself to use my right eye and it is now dominant. I don’t want him to struggle through that, or finding left handed guns, but I am going to make him aware of his obstacles and their solutions so he can make his own decision. So far he been able to hit the fan either way.

For what it's worth I'm terminally left handed but over time have learned to use either a left or right handed bolt gun what helps is not missing with the first shot when hunting .
I'll shoot either bolt rifles left or right handed until I get to the magnum rifles then it's back to the left hand.
Handguns weren't a big problem when I had to qualify with them so there's hope ha ha
Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your life with us I also enjoy it a great deal.
Allan

A lot more left handed guns out there than there used to be. I am completely left dominant, but I know people who are dominant eyed on one side and dominant hand the opposite. I would say change whichever is easier to train or less dominant. I have seen it more common to switch hands that a person uses than eyes. My wife's mom trained her to be righthanded even though she was naturally lefthanded. Of course she is left eye dominant, so I taught her to shoot left handed.

Thanks for the comments you guys!

He's 5, at this time I just want him to be aware of the options he has and to have fun. If I have to buy lefty guns later I will, and when I deem him ready for a belt gun I can make him a holster for either side.

We had a slow summer, what with my work schedule and the weather. We've had a decent fall, the kids are doing "distance education" through the school district, so PE is outdoors.


The boat hadn't been in the water since spring beaver trapping, it needed leaves and crap cleaned out.


Tried to take her for a shakedown cruise after some maintenance, but hung the trailer on some pilings that have eroded out of the bank next to the ramp. I had to use two jacks to pick the trailer up off the piling to be able to drag it back up the ramp.


But we did get out! Oldest managed to get the firewood stacked and dog poo picked up in time to wrangle his way onto the trip.


Waiting for the fog to clear so we can make our way further up the river.


We camped in site of some sheep. Sadly, we didn't even see a caribou.


Oldest caught a mess of grayling for dinner, it was good to have Unc back!


Comfy moose camp, we had to dry some gear. I did worry about sideways rain coming in under the tarp, thankfully it stayed vertical.


He had a great time!


He's ready!

We did manage to find a little bull that stood still long enough to put him in the boat! He fell in almost the perfect spot. We did use the ropealong to get his butt out of the water.





I'd rather shoot them in the morning to avoid failing light on the river. I do keep a tent in the boat if we have to make spike camp, but we made it.





One of the few things we ate on a stick, brats Unc brought up. We were too whupped for stove top cooking.


We spent a day or two trying to find a second bull for Unc.




We didn't find Unc's bull, but the freezer's are in good shape and we had such a good time.


Historically I've spend hours cutting meat from bone and sinew. I'd drive myself crazy. Now I use the saw. I cut the ribs bone in, I cut the shanks, and most large muscle groups are just cut into roasts that will be cut into what I want later or thrown in the Instant Pot.


We even cooked the tongue!


Auntie's homemade lasagna with fresh ground moose.


The boys help with chores, were huge meat cutters and are good big brothers, so they got some kayaks.

2nd born never fails to get wet, regardless of what I say.


Oldest got his first grouse!



Be safe out there!

Fun times, AKN !

Of course one will always have fun getting wet, that's kids

As they say, moose need to fall right into the boat - no mess !

How exciting, the first grouse !

Like seeing the boat rides, you know just where to travel in mid river around snags sticking up and shallow sandbars .

Thanks for the share .

Looks like you all had a great fall!

Thanks for sharing

I only got a little beaver trapping in this fall, and I couldn't stand leaving these logs on the bank so they came home.


We had a few picnics to end the summer, let the brats play on the water in the canoe and they're new kayaks while I cooked some beaver!



If they keep their acts together, and do enough choring, we get to do fun stuff.



With a dry batter of Bisquik and garlic salt those little stockers fried up nice. If I can get trapping their carcasses will get used as bait.



I am digging my changes in butchering! I leave much more meat on the bone, clean off much less sinew and put more in the instant pot or cook the soup low and slow.

Here I'm searing the heck out of some shanks and knuckles that I left some meat on. Then simmered in the soup pot for about 3 hours and change...

It was FANTASTIC!



He got a bit confused, and broke the plug off in the Tundra.


Thankfully it came right out with a borrowed easy out!


Between work and distance education for the kids due to Covid I've had trouble getting everything ready to trap. I've had to confirm the warming systems are working on the VK so I can plug them in, and installed a new trickle charger...hopefully it'll start better at 20 below now. I've been slowly giving it a once over, man you can tell the engineers aren't end users. I had to replace a tire on the trailer and while I had it jacked up I figured I'd spin it and listen to the hub...it was bad! I pulled the bearings out and they fell apart in my hands! Glad I caught that in the yard, put new bearings in both hubs.

I always enjoy everybody else's journals, thanks for sharing, be safe out there!

If one side is gone on the trailer the other is only a matter of time to go.
Safe travels

Either way, it looked like a good fun summer full of activities and progress.

And yes, a saw is great for those ribs and other cutting. Those bones make great stew and soup broth !

I'm hungry again

Looks like you have been busy with life and raising those kids right Look forward to hearing about your adventures this winter And Northof50 is correct about the bearing, glad you caught it in the driveway instead of out on the road!

A question on the bones in ? Do you notice a difference in taste of the meat ?A ranch friend of mine who is now deceased once told me "deer is good as long as you don't cut into the bones ". I was not able to question him about that statement when he said it (large noisy gathering ). The only thing I could think of later was the taste of the morrow that changed flavor . Maybe it was just him as he was in the cow business his whole life . You are a good Dad to give your time to the family .Blessings

Yes, I do notice a difference on bone in meat. It's better! There's also the marrow in the big bones, my God I didn't know how much I missed marrow bone soup. The tendons and other connective tissue also are dang tasty when cooked long enough and slow enough to bite instead tear, really cooks the goodness into the broth.

Uncle hunts a lot of white tail deer, he says there's a big difference between how gamey those deer are in Michigan and how our moose and caribou taste. I guess Aunty won't eat a deer steak, but enjoys moose steak. I've not eaten much deer, but I have eaten some game meat back home that I only ate because I didn't want to be hungry...

Marrow Rulz !!!!!!!!!!! I love cooking those big femurs in chunks. Then just slide that big hunk of marrow out and chow down !! You might lose a finger if you get too close !

We sacrifice a bit of freezer space to put up cuts of moose with bone in. Cross cut neck bones for soups, T-bone steaks, and most all of the large leg bones are saved, cut and eaten. We have ripped the leg bones in half before. They are amazing seasoned up and broiled, spread on crackers or bread. Sooooooo freaking good!!

Mmmm-mmm good!

Thanks Dad ,keep on being a good Dad

Between equipment failures, and a family trip to The South, I'm only about 2 months behind on trapping. Now that life has normalized after the travel, we're back at work, the kids start back in school next week, and I've managed to finally get out on the line!

I wanted to the change the gear oil in the VK, but on that model year the driver nearest the drain plug, which is located in the tunnel, has a tendency to move over restricting what access there is to the plug. Me and Pop got figured, and I'll keep an eye on that driver.

While I had the undercarriage out I figured I'd service the bogies and bearings. There are TOO DANG many captive bearings that can't be serviced, the whole bogie assembly has to be replaced on some. I've whittled away at those, and have them all changed to serviceable bogies except for the top little bogies on the shock. Going to have to get spares of those dang things.


While waiting on back ordered parts me and the kids built a trapping box!


I did finally get some baits out and snares set, and got my first ever lynx double!



Living the dream!


My wife had some Instant Pot moose brisket waiting when I got home. Oh, my, goodness!


I got my hands on an old Citation as my children will need their own machines soon. I ride it the most, the thing's a hoot!


I did find a hole it couldn't clime out of though. Still, it was very easy to get it on the nearby hard pack and drive off, no tools required!


The kids have almost as much fun tooling around on the old machines as I do.



Be safe out there!

WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO a double on cats !!!


Brisket makes me drool

Man, I been putting alot on the bait pile that really, really, really should go in the cook pot.

You can have a BBQ after the season closes

That double on the lynx is pretty cool! I need to start adding snares or more traps to my lynx sets. Those older sleds are perfect for getting the young-ins into riding, easy for them to control and light enough for us adults to get them unstuck easily.

Good deal on the double! Glad to see your finally out and at it

Bait on “bahby!”

It sure is different on a machine I’m not scared to get stuck.

Thanks John! I needed out, and my wife needed it too!

Lots of fun and enjoying life in freedom . Good kids too. Thank you for the share

I snared another cat this last go round! I believe this one, and the one that got ate on a bit, were young of the year of the bigger one, that did the eating. I'll have to take a closer look, but given their size that's what it seems like.


Brush clearing never ends. People that denigrate us trappers as lazy haven't a clue.


A friend invited my daughter and I for a dogsled ride and to pet some reindeer!


It was a hoot!



Be safe out there!

Lots of fun, Temple !

Seeing animals up close and moving are learning experiences that kids never forget. It makes a big impression on them at an early age. And if they have any of the potential biologist/ illustrator in them , those experiences will bring the desire right out to pursue as careers.

There is a website that monitors the Auroras every winter all over the world, and at times I see video , in Lapland, I believe, of reindeer milling calmly in the midnight hours with the lights ablaze overhead. Makes a nice backdrop.

Good job on the lynx! There always seems to be trail to clear somewhere or new trail to make. Kinda a love hate relationship for me.

Good job on the kitty! Your a musher now Love seeing the kids being outdoors!

Doubled on squirrels in a cat set last go round, but I cleared more brush and got trail broke over the ridge into the next valley to complete a loop. Now to try to reach the end of the trail and clear more of it.

There's some marten sign, but with such long stretches between such light dustings of snow it's hard to tell how frequent the tracks really are. I did set a few marten poles, this one with a lynx snare cubby under it.


Howler likely does this several times a year, but this was the first time I've had to chop a 9 out of over flow. I moved it to a different pee post further up the hill.


Good thing that didn't geyser when I put my bunny boot into it up to the ankle.


I'm digging this trapping box! Extra winter gear, a few tools, oil, go in there, but mostly it's a great place to hang crap on the outside!


My daughter and nephew have been helping Pop and me build a loft in the shop.


She can almost work the crank. She snuck over there for the picture, but we didn't let them hang out under anything hanging.


It's not that high, but I still didn't like being up there.


Two days of babysitting and construction and the deck is partially nailed down! Need to finish fastening it, build some stairs, and figure a rail. It's going to be a bunk/office/craft area I guess.



Here's the latest Vlog, be safe out there!

I know many don’t care for the fat to be left on moose for packaging. I am a fan of having fat and bones. Makes for amazing flavor.

I am now too! It literally took DAYS of processing time.

Good job on the wolf!

Thanks! That was last year, but I'm hoping to get one of his relatives.

Fat is everything on meat. We save it if xtra amount on moose and caribou and add to lean animals or just keep in freezer and eat the raw chunks whenever you want. Could never figure people trim all the fat off. Like trimming all the fat off a pork roast and wondering what the problem is after. That brisket is either off a cow or a bull before rut.

Young bull in mid September. My oldest's first long hunt! We've trimmed caribou and moose fat before, and added it to grind. We haven't had a bad experience yet, but I've heard it can spoil in the freezer if it's in there too long.

The kids are going to pull the couch out from under the loft and jump down on to it when you have your back turned.
Busy kids make for good adults. Keep up the good work.

Eating junks of raw fat and cooking some too with meat last 2 days off a cow oldest oldest boy killed last January. Perfect and been doing it forever. It don't spoil in freezer. Only fat that goes strange in freezer is soft off water birds, seals and the different kinds of whales. Cure is vacuum pack or bottle or eat before stored too long. Moose and caribou fat is dry and hard compared to the other stuff.

Crap, didn't even think of that! I hope they don't either, but as long as the lesson doesn't kill them, it should make them stronger.



We do vacuum pack all our meat, but with the growing kids and family with us it's odd to have meat in there for more than a year, though oddities happen and I found a patch of meat in the freezer from fall 2018. Still tasty!

Heard that stuff about fat spoil in freezer but applies to animals with soft fat like the water birds, salmon, char, seals and different kinds of whales, porpoises and dolphins. That stuff got to be bottled or vacuum packed to last any amount of time. The hard dry type fat like on moose and caribou holds a long time in freezer. People say cut it off before freeze is BS. Over last 2 days we eating some of the last of a cow moose oldest boy killed last January and perfect the fat cooked with the meat or shaved off and eaten raw when cooking. We keep chunks of fat in freezer to munch on time to time like it is or, like you, to mix in with leaner meat.

Fun sled video...i needed the laugh this morning haha.

Glad you could get a laugh out of it!

The part where you said screw it and ran the brush had me in tears!

It sure seems like trail clearing never ends, just when you think you have it knocked out it snows or deep cold sets in and the brush and trees sag some more.

I made my boys new hats, they'd grown out of theirs so they were passed on to Sister and Cousin. Some of this video is redundant...I been making steady progress towards the the end of the trail and getting more gear out. We got the loft up in the shop, still need to finish the drywall. Be safe out there!

A good one all round. Your fast forward of you walking on the trail sounds just like riding a horse in snow...minus the chipmunk voice Could tell the cold factor, by the steam rising off you . I just cringe hearing that hollow crunch when you walked onto that overflow...and when your boot went through the ice my BP spiked....man I know that feeling...don't make a habit of that !

Shop is progressing nicely, fun with helpers !

Appreciate your attention to detail in animal gaits. Ive spent hours studying videos of various animals moving, in slow motion. Not only do trappers learn what is in their area, and how to set their traps accordingly, but artists get their action right in frame by frame slow motion study. Your attention to detail is great.

A hyena lopes very much as wolverine ...they have always reminded me of each other that way. In a run, they change leads when turning just as a horse does. The front leg "leads" on the axis for balance.

Your ending sage advice on applying the spark was a hoot...and your shirt sentiments just killed me !

Oh, stepping in the overflow mound was more surprising than dangerous.

Thanks Sharon!

Well that's good...the fright for me was cross country skiing on a lake at night, a full moon made it like daytime...I thought it was froze all the way across , with about a foot of snow on top. About 3/4 of a mile out on the surface, my ski sunk and the snow gave way into pitch black open water. It was just enough to cover over an open lead. The skis distributed my weight and allowed me to back out the way I went in. I had lived on that lake for 15 years and knew where the soft spots were, but that was the first cold winter that it still didn't freeze all the way across. Usually it always did.

Two other times I was on overflow river areas and felt the change in the sound of the ice to that hollow crunch sound as I walked . Could even hear running water just under one spot. I was very near the shore, but it still unnerved me.

Traveling on frozen water surfaces scares me....you all be safe out there. I do smile at your humor when you are in circumstances in the outback

All the real action on my line happened early. After that it was all misses or they never crossed my trail near gear, no matter when I put more gear out.

But with the right cutting, thematic music, and photogenic progeny, it can really seem like an adventure.

That's great
Better than tv
Great work

Look forward to seeing the next one!

Well...... aren't you just the next Steven Speilberg....?!!!!!!!

Pete

I think you just found your calling Temple!

Good stuff!

Love It!

Thanks guys! iMovie on the laptop is pretty slick.

My kids had a good fall!

Boys were at school, took daughter grousing!


Oldest is getting pretty handy with the 410.


2nd got his first grouse this fall!


We weren't the first on the ice, but we were close. They put the hurt on'em!


Trailer on our ice fishing, it was a hoot.


We had such a good fall, and we were excited for trapping season. I was slow to start due to work, then by boys' act fell apart. They had trouble filling the woodbox and stacking firewood, so we only just got out this week.


If they fill the woodbox they'll get com with to check the bait. We'll see....

Looked like a great day to be on the ice dropping hooks and lures. Good luck on your line Temple!

Those youngsters look like they are having fun! Keep feeding that desire!!! Hope you guys connect!

2nd born flaked on us, but we got a big tom anyway! Should have lifted the snares a bit more with all the snow we got.

That's a big cat!

That cat was our only catch this year. Boys were slow to clean their room, only kept a day or two's worth in the woodbox, left me kind of uninspired. But considering the low effort we put in, it wasn't bad.

They sure do enjoy riding in circles around the yard.


This check we planned to zip'em shut, but there was enough fresh sign to keep tending the pile.


We were gifted some 'bou, cutting it up is a family affair.


So dang much snow. I shoveled off the roofs and was too whupped to push it before it set up. Now we're pecking away at it with the "dump truck."



We got a new to us Bravo a couple weeks ago. They cleaned their room and filled the woodbox, so we got to take the fleet for a spin.


We're building a box for the Bravo.


Now that we're done trapping we're gonna try to take the machines ice fishing or bird hunting...if they keep their room clean, and the woodbox full. Daddy's done packing firewood until they move out.

Fathers are so good for sons and daughters. They have a role model in taking the lead in work ethics and being responsible to follow.

Well done, Temple.

Kids will be kids when it comes to chores. LOL about kids riding in circles mine were the same way with sleds and atvs. That Bravo looks real clean. Good luck with the birds and fish this spring.

Shucks, thanks Sharon.

The Bravo is in decent shape, carb boots are solid, no twostroke sludge in the tub. Chain tensioner was real loose, hopefully dodged that catastrophe. Hopefully next go they'll be able to go a little more than 10 MPH down the trail.

Took the boys pike fishing. 2nd wanted to ride 2 up, so oldest drove the Bravo. Couldn't pull the load up the hill without chains, stopping the backwards slide was a little dicey but it worked out. Chained up and got the rest of the way to launch the machines and everything was going great. We made decent time, Oldest wasn't quick enough on the brakes and broke the Otter sled. We found a spot we wanted to fish and while Oldest was trying to position the Bravo the steering column snapped. We spent a couple hours fishing anyway, 2nd got the only 2 fish of the day. Then it took us 4 and a half hours to tow the Bravo back to the truck. The boys trooped very well, despite temperatures dropping with the sun and wind picking up. Even after being cold and with a broke machine they still had fun. Be safe out there!

Good info, teaching what to do in a breakdown like this. Thank you for sharing.

Great videos, the snow here is gone in the fields, deep in the woods, you can walk on top in the forzen morning, creeks, and waterways are starting to drain, and beaver will be moving in about 2 weeks at the current melting pace, but I have seen ice out as late as the 28th of April here on a couple of occasions.

I cant wait to play with the SPS mudmotor rig when there's open water.

We've only seen a couple grouse, and weren't able to bag'em. The boys kept begging to shoot squirrels, but they were carrying 410s and I won't let them wast that on red squirrels, so the agreed one of them would carry a 22.

Shooting those squirrelies is very good for them ! Makes good fast shots. I have a Marlin longrifle semi auto 22. Its a hoot to shoot.

The boys have fun with you on walkabout .

The slow mode of the one shot as it travels out is quite something to watch.

Here's a recap on our summer as our fall spools up.

We got the boys minibikes, figure there'll be some utility in them for grousing, and another thing to withhold if they don't chore. Had to get myself one off the Facebook market, was too good a deal to pass up, and I can tow my daughter and nephew with the bike trailer.


Oldest let the tide get over his boots on the incoming at Valdez. RV living is good though, stove top and oven for sausage and biscuits, dry flat beds, drip coffee off the generator.


We got as many as we wanted to cut up and smoke for the canner.


Oldest is driving the Ranger now, had them picking up the brush on the driveway from the windstorm to dump in the holes in the yard.


We've been getting out every chance I have with work, and their schooling.

I made an ammo slide for the stock of his 410.


I made them all satchels for carrying snacks and ammo. I could see the fight brewing, so I decreed one the 22 bag and one the 410 bag, they seem to have already agreed on who'll carry what there.


He'll grow into the bag.


It finally happened. I was leading the way down the trail, and from behind me the oldest starts hollering "Dad, grouse! Grouse, Dad!" My head was swiveling around not seeing it until he pointed it out, plain as day, just over head height in a small spruce. Then he knocked it to the dirt.


Dot toting the BB gun and her snacks. She got turns at squirrels too, thankfully we missed all them.


Be safe out there this fall you guys, looking forward to reading your stories!

Thanks for sharing with us what fun adventures ! Good plan on the satchels / bags for each .

They sure grow up fast so enjoy it while it lasts grouse and squirrel hunting is a great start .

That's a nice looking slide on ammo holder for the 410.

I know you could sell those, too.

I hear your voice in my head as I read your narration on these shots .

Birch leaves on the ground.......oh-ya come on fall
nice update

That's ironic, since I'm pretty sure Temple is hearing voices in his head too....!


Pete

They wouldn't be such a problem if they'd agree on more than just the bad ideas!

Well, there is THAT.....!

Pete

Great pics Aknative.
You're a good dad.

Shucks, thanks Boco, I'm trying.

Moose camp was more like grouse camp. Due to life I was much closer to home than I wanted, but we still had a good time.

Oldest thinks he can pull the 45 pound bow. He can draw it to his anchor, but it looks kinda wobbly. Ima keep him on lighter stuff for now.


Made some kindling with my bow. Archery season in town is still open, so I keep it in the truck.


The beginnings of a comfy camp here.


Couldn't find a bull on the beach, found plenty of grouse though.


Nice dry log for some firewood.


We brought out the sportboat for some deadly floating, it motors back to camp well with a 7 horse.


He likes to chop firewood.


We spent some quality time reading Percy Jackson to each other.

We had some mallards incoming when checking tracks on the beach, I could see he wasn't going to be ready so I took the 410, ripped the hammer back and secured dinner.


Fried the gizzard and heart in butter.


Spatchcocked. Best duck I ever ate.


Heading back to camp after the morning float.


Dinner!


Lunch, and more coffee.


Dot testing her raingear.


Got the whole family out for one night.


I set up the canvas tent and woodstove to make getting out in the morning easier. Percing coffee and warming oatmeal on the stove while it chases you out of the sleeping bag works pretty good. Dot replanted some birch branches.

Deadly quiet floating. Moose were pretty rare though, was a hard winter.


Dot packed up and ready to go back to town.


Reading to myself now, while braising some caribou flanks down.


Comfy camp.


Momma took some stuff back with her, I was able to get the rest of camp in one go.


I still got time near town, we'll see what happens. Be safe out there!

Good times. Louis L'Amour is still a favorite camp read of mine. Have read them all many times over. Read Rielly's Luck first when I was 4, can't seem to put a Louis L'Amour down till it's done.

What a good father you are. Doing all those neat activities with the kiddos. Even chores are made fun.

That restroom is the best ! On walkabout, my friends like me to organize just the perfect place that is comfy and even most times with a view.

Strange subject to specialize in, but hey, I aims to have things nice even in the bush , so they all benefit as well !

Thanks for the share , Temple.

Good stuff, Temple.

I did not find a mulligan bull in town. This will be the freezer cleaning year.

But I did get started on the trapline! Late due to work, kids' sports, life gets in the way of living. There was a little cat sign, made one set, mostly broke trail and trimmed brush. Be safe out there!

Good luck getting through all that brush. I sure dont miss that stuff.

I got to my one cat set to find someone had peed outside the cubby and jammed an alder in the trap. There's another trapper out there this year, figure they're a newcomer due to their signs and where they're setting. I left him some notes hoping they'll call and we can work it out. Joys of trapping near town.

Find the perpetrator. Then pee on him. And jam an alder stick...... Oh, never mind!

Pete

I second this!

You have a very active imagination, Temple, seasoned with satire , and just the right amount of sarcasm. Put that to use , to that deliberate message sent to you.


You can play too..........

Sorry you gotta deal with that! Agree with Pete