The Boy’s First Beaver
We recently gained access to a beaver pond for trapping. Yesterday the boys and I went down to check it out. Beavers are such amazing creatures, we had a ball looking around. I showed the boys the dam and the house and all the little canals they make to haul in food and lumber. We set 2 traps, a #3 double longspring and a bodygripper. The #3 we set on a little ledge were they had been sitting and peeling off bark to take back to the house. We baited the “food area” with some fresh cut sticks and Johnny peeled off some fresh bark. We put it behind the trap and fastened the trap to some heavy log chain and staked it with a homeade stake made out of a manure spreader paddle. We set the traps at noon yesterday and this morning we had a ole flat tail in the #3! What a thrill to help the boys trap their first beaver. I’m still looking for a good beaver tail recipie, can’t seem to find the book I saw it in. Things are good around here, I often have the wonderfull smells of fish oil, mud and coon grease following me around. Redneck perfume if the ever was such a thing. Haven’t had time to write much of substance lately, just enjoying the good life and all it has to offer.
November 28th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
just enjoying the good life and all it has to offer.
Scott … I always love to read what you write.
And if you have a spare moment between the responsibilities of training your own quiver’s arrows, you might pray for those of us out here who aspire to one form or another of the agrarian life. Some of us are getting renewed urgency, but need a lot of wisdom from above in how to transition. Your prayers, I’m sure, would be gratefully appreciated by many (myself for sure)!
November 28th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Hi Jon
I will continue keep you and all the other “aspiring agrarians” in my prayers. These are crazy times and transitioning is a hard task for sure. We here on the hill need prayers as well, that God would continue to allow us to live this life we love. We are always teetering on the edge of losing it, but by God’s grace we always seem to squeak by and inch ahead toward the goal.
November 29th, 2006 at 6:18 pm
What a blessing it is that you are willing and able to teach your sons the ins and outs of trapping. Our oldest son was so anxious to get started, and when we moved to the country jumped in with both feet — with a minimum of knowledge and equipment. I feel for him, as my husband has neither the interest or knowlege to help him out. We cheer our son on and encourage him, but I know he would love to have a mentor to show him the art of trapping.
November 30th, 2006 at 5:54 am
Scott:
I know what you mean about teetering. We are there too. It keeps us humble as we press on knowing that only God’s mercy is what allows us to continue. The brute persistence it takes to continue to plug forward can reduce a person. However, God has promises for the contrite.
May the Lord continue to bless you with perserverance and decisively bring you success as you press forward!!!!
November 30th, 2006 at 7:09 am
Hi Lynn
I learned the hard way myself, being a first generation trapper. I look back at some of the stuff I tried and have to shake my head. I still remember my first coon, I used a peanutbutter and grape jelly sandwich for bait! I’m sure your son will enjoy the chance to teach this time honored trade to his sons as I am doing now.
Christina
“The brute persistence it takes to continue to plug forward can reduce a person.”
I hear you there, sister! Whithout the comfort that the Triune God is in full control of all things, a person could go nuts. You and your family are always in our prayers. Hang in there and stay the course, that generations yet to be born can reap our harvest and have the chance to live out the gospel in purity and peace.
November 30th, 2006 at 10:21 pm
Scott:
Thanks your prayers mean a lot!!
January 7th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Here are some links for beaver receipes and just about anything else. Hope you find one you’ll like.
http://ushotstuff.com/wg/BeaverSmp.htm
http://www.archeryinfo.info/BeaverRecipes.html
http://www.bertc.com/recipes.htm
http://www.gamecalls.net/wildgamerecipes/beaverrecipes.html