First of all, thanks for everyone who posted on this thread during the year. Especially you guys who have done this for a while. Your willingness to share knowledge was invaluable.

We had a great year and now have the bug to do it for years to come.

Lessons learned this year:

1. Do not keep fox elexar in your Carhart pocket - some how the lid will ALWAYS come off.
2. Catch poles are worth their weight in gold.
3. Unset traps are a waste of time.
4. Skunks are a pain.
5. Creeks will rise and sets are to be secured at all times.
6. Coyotes stink - use gloves to skin them or wife will leave you.
7. Trapping is about hard work and dedication. Even when you have to walk over a mile to check set due to mud and all you get is a grinner.
8. MRI (most recent information) is a must.
9. 80# dogs get angry when in a foothold.
10. Small details can make you or break you.

Goals for next year:
1. Snare more.
2. Buy more stuff!!!

LOL! I will learn this knowledge off of you so I don't have to deal with it...

1.) make opening day count
2.) make as many good sets on location as possible

11 coon on 23 sets, this ended up being 1/4 of my total catch for the season. In one night.

The memories are what it is all about. When the fur check is spent and forgotten, what remains will be the memories of the good times spent with our kids and friends on the trapline.

Another great season in the books!!

Good times