Clearfield County PA Backwoods, Backroads, Backwaters 2012 : Page 19

Trapping IN CLEARFIELD COUNTY It was mid-November, all the colorful leaves of the season had fallen to the ground, and there was a whisper of winter in the air. Archery season was over; small game and turkey seasons were in full swing. But there was another exciting happening: the beginning of trapping season for muskrats and mink. While hunting earlier in the month, my brother, Kenny, and I had explored the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries from Mahaffey to Clearfield. Hunting and exploring are two activities that go hand-in-hand. Numerous signs of muskrat and mink were found. So on the first day of trapping season, we are up before dawn; the day to set out our traps had finally come. We mostly used Condibear traps, which dispatch the animals immediately. My brother started to set the upper trap line near Mahaffey and I started to set the lower line near Clearfield. In a few hours we met in the middle with high expectations for the following morning. My thoughts had turned to how beautiful it was in that valley located along the river basin in Clearfield County and all of the game that abounded there for the trappers: raccoons, weasels, muskrats, beaver, grey fox, mink, possums, and the elusive red fox. As I attempted to sleep that night, all of my thoughts of the day were crystal clear. Sleep evaded me as the heightened anticipation of the morning trap line inspection crowded sleep from my mind. Up before dawn, Kenny and I met at our designated spot and commenced the trek to our respective trap lines. Starting near Clearfield I discovered I had secured two muskrats at my first set. Proceeding up the river toward Curwensville, I found two more muskrats waiting for me. The next four sets produced nothing (rats!). The next set was located up a tributary known as Hartshorne Run; it had been a dependable site over the past few years and once again it produced: a nice silver-tipped raccoon. On the way back to my vehicle, I was regretting making this set so far from the road as the raccoon weighed between 16 and 20 pounds. Continuing up the river to Lumber City I met Kenny. I asked him, “How did you do?” He had a large smile on his face but answered, “Not so good!” I knew he was just kidding. He opened the back of his vehicle; I looked in and was amazed to see 7 muskrats and 1 large male mink. We laughed and talked about the success of our day. I asked, “What would you like to do now?” to which he replied, “After we take our catch to the shed, let’s go turkey hunting.” I might mention that I was successful in the What a wonderful day turkey hunt, but he was not. we had in Clearfield J Duane Test Life-long resident of Clearfield County County; memories that will last for a lifetime! Fly Fishing Serving Central PA since 1970 Sports Team Uniforms Screen Printing and Embroidery Baseball/ Softball Equipment Athletic Shoes and Clothing Fly Fishing, Fly Tying and Archery Indoor Archery Range Bicycles and Bicycle Repair Bicycles & Bicycle Repair Archery Athletic Shoes Indoor Range www.JimsSports.com 26 N. 2nd Street, Downtown Clearfield call: 814-765-3582 Clothing

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