Nov. 1, ‘09-The excitement of checking traps on the first morning has been shared with son Greg many times over the years. After a bit of Happy Halloweening the night before, Greg(alias Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) drove up from college @ UW La Crosse, to join me again. He exchanges his cape and mask for waders and camoflage and we drive the Gator to First Pond. He brings along his Benelli 12 ga shotgun-he heard the story of the ducks from the day before!

We started checking in First Pond with the canoe. Activity from the night before was slow but we caught one muskrat from a feedbed. The  old #1 Stop-Loss trap worked well. We re-set the trap and moved into Big Slough where the remainder of the rat sets are. I  sat in the back of the canoe and paddled while Greg anticipated ducks.The weather was sunny and a strong west wind was present . I  caught 10 muskrats and re-set in same locations. These 10 rats were also caught in the deep water runs and feedbeds.
There was no activity around the coon sets.

As we were canoing around an island in Big Slough ,Greg exclaims “What’s that?!” A Blue-Winged teal surprised both of us but Greg responded and we had duck to eat for breakfast this morning marinated in Lawry’s Hawaiin Sauce. A  lone coot skittered over the water and landed over by the beaver lodge. Safe again!

We returned to prepare whole wheat dumplings with Hawken. The lad enjoys adding all the flour one tiny spoonful @ a time.  We watched the Packers Vs Vikings Football game and  the three of us feasted on pork steak with saurkraut with Montreal  Steak Seasoning.  Grandpa and Grandma Salwey’s potatoes were used to make the dumplings.

Tom Roskos