Just
"Not Thinking"
Article from Jan
- Feb 2005 Buckeye Trapper
by Nick
Bower
Bob Best writes a column in this magazine that I certainly look
forward to reading. He calls it "Just Thinkin". I have
gained a lot from reading this column and have a great deal of
respect for Bob and the ideas he passes on to us. As Bob does
his best to get us to thinking, it did just that for me. I thought
about all the times I was “Just NOT Thinking"? It didn't
take me long to realize that I could probably draft an article
of novel length on this subject.
Such as: I use some magnum 160's for mink, and as I like to start
my triggers on these, it's not a real good idea to reach in between
the jaws to move the trigger if you're not paying close attention!
They do whack you pretty hard.
When using an ATV to aid you on your trap line, make certain that
you stow your gear properly. There is nothing worse than getting
to the set area, a long ways from the vehicle, get ready to make
a set and discovering that your shoulder length gauntlets are
not part of the equipment on the ATV! So you bite the bullet so
to speak, slide down over the steep, high creek bank, pull up
your sleeves and dive into the icy water. When finished with numb
hands, you climb back up over the creek bank and to your delight
you find the gloves you thought were left in the truck, laying
on the ground with the ATV parked on them.
When carrying lure bottles on you, stow them in a convenient and
secure place. I for one don't remember ever losing a bottle of
lure, although I have stood in total disbelief holding an open
4 oz bottle of lure and watching the cap floating down stream
in a fast moving, deep, current.
I've been using the CDR beaver traps now for a while and I love
them. Carl had told me it was a good idea to drill holes in the
setters and tie a string through them, kind of like idiot mittens
I guess? I had made a couple sets in a rather remote spot, 150
to 200 yards from where I was able to park the vehicle. I had
anticipated making a catch there as it was a hot spot. I'm not
sure why, but I decided to take along the video recorder and the
tripod so I could do some recording of my activities. I park,
get out all of the video gear and pack basket with everything
I'll need, and head to the location. The water was rather clear
and I could see that I had made a catch. I went to work setting
up the tripod and video equipment, turned the camera on, donned
the shoulder length gloves, waded out into the water, pulled up
the weight, beaver, and trap, all the time explaining my activities
so the camera would catch all of it. I thought this is working
out fine, until I reached for the trap setters and realized that
I had not listened to some sound advice about stringing them together
and that they were still back in the truck! Good thing we have
some neat video editing programs available.
Distractions are not good. I enjoy the little things while out
on the trap line. Like having a hot cup of coffee now and then.
Or at the last stop of the day going for the last cup before heading
in. Being in a bit of a hurry closing the tailgate, I set the
thermos on the bumper, took a quick look at the ATV trailer making
certain all was buttoned up there and something distracts me for
a moment. Oh well, let's get headed home. Shortly after heading
down the road you hear a noise and glance in the rear view mirror
and see your favorite thermos bottle bouncing along the pavement
and it's actually gaining on you!
I received as a Christmas present some time ago, one of those
emergency battery pack things that are like a battery and jumper
cables all built into one. Wow, are those things ever nice. It's
compact and stows behind the seat of the truck nicely, and seems
to hold a charge forever. They are especially handy when you're
out in the boondocks alone and the battery in your vehicle fails
you. Thinking I got this problem covered, as I reach behind the
seat to get it, I suddenly remember that it’s sitting on
the work bench at home as I had neglected to return it to it's
proper place after giving a friend at home a jump start! Another
very useful item is the cell phone!
Ever use a chalk box? I do, a lot it seems. They have that special
little fancy piece of metal on the end that hooks over or even
onto the edge of a board or post, so that striking a line can
be a one-man operation. Pretty slick. You just tie the end of
the line onto this. You want to make certain the knot is one of
your most favorite, most foolproof ones. A couple of times I have
cranked on the handle and watched the end of the now bare string
as it goes back inside the chalk box!
Perhaps after reading this, you will get into the habit of "Just
Thinkin". ### Nick Bower, Box 181, New Athens, OH
43981
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