If you know anyone who might be interested in the class please pass this along to them. Here at the Trap Shack we would like to offer a 10% discount on the first purchase for all Trapper Ed grads from this class. Just call us at 608-797-0550 to set up a time to come through our store.

     Mark Saturday Sept. 24,2011 on your calender-we are having our annual Open House at the Trap Shack. We will run it from 9am to 2pm.  More info to follow as we firm up the plans.

      Enjoy the cool nights !                                                  Tom

      Uncle KennySalwey, the Last River Rat , will be here the entire time to visit, swap stories and sign books. His latest book ,Old Time River Rats, came out last fall and is a delightful collection of stories of the early days in Kenny’s life. I like to read in the late evening but I laughed so hard while reading that book that I couldn’t get to sleep afterwards ! Anyways, we have all three of his books on hand if you need any to fill your collection or bring your own to have signed.

     George and Bill Porter will both be here to do demos, visit and answer questions.This family from Wausaukee,WI is so knowledgeable and personable and willing to share their vast knowledge and experience. There are no better weasel trappers that I know of. We have set up the schedule for the demos as follows: weasels at 10:30, coyote at 11:30, coon at 1:00 and fisher at 2:00. There will be plenty of time to ask questions. They also have  a line of lures and baits that they produce that we have at the Shack. Maybe George will bring some of his hand carved birds along also.

      We have  many new items in the showroom this year. We have a good supply of NAFA approved wood stretchers on hand. The new Coon Daggers are in stock-a step up from the Lil’Griz. Lots of trap setters to make setting easier. The Pocket Poppers are no longer being made but we have a good supply on hand yet. I like the wood conipans we started carrying last year. We have them in the 110/120 size this year-looks great for mink! We have a better selection of books this year- I really like Austin Passamonte’s books and we have all of his. Try our Muir Creek coon baits and let us know how they worked for you. If you are interested in putting together your own lures or baits we have many ingredients on hand as well as fish, shellfish, salmon and crawdad oil.

      We will have snacks and beverages for you. Dress for the weather-some things will be outside.Sure hope you can join us. Bring the family and look around the farm if you like.

      Directions- 2 miles west of Arcadia,WI on Hwy 95, then south on River Road 0.3 miles to Sauer Mill Rd. Watch for signs.

      Questions, call us at 608-797-0550 or email us at trapshackcompany@centurytel.net.

      Uncle Kenny Salwey,the Last River Rat and renowned author, will be on hand for the entire event. He will be available to chat and share stories-always a popular activity among trappers. His third book, Old Time River Rats, came out last fall. Kenny will be happy to autograph your books-bring them along-or all 3 books will be available at the Shack. Plan some time to pull up a chair and “set a spell”!

     George and Bill Porter have very graciously offered to spend the day with us also. For those of you that attended the 2010 NTA Convention in Marshfield you may remember that George did the weasel demo and Bill did a coyote demo. This father -son team is extremely knowledgeable and have a very good way of explaining their innovative ways of doing things. They trap in northern WI so they are experienced in the fur-bearers we are familiar with.They will be doing  demos on weasels,coyote, fisher and dryland coon. I know of no better weasel trappers and they go into great detail. Bring the kids along-what a simple way to get them started in trapping and spend some time trapping when the snow sets in.  This is a great chance to pick up some new ideas from people that love to share their expertise. The Porters also formulate their own lures which are thick and uncut. They will be telling you how to use them. We do carry their lures at the Shack so you can order from them or pick them up from us. The time of each demo has not been set yet so check back on the blog or give us a call closer to the date.

      We hope you can join us. Activities will be both inside and outside so please dress for the weather. Our phone # is 608-797-0550-leave a message if I’m not right there. Directions-take HWY 95 west of Arcadia for 2 miles then south on River Road for 0.3 mile to Sauer Mill Rd. Our address is W74 Sauer Mill Rd.  Arcadia,WI 54612.  Watch for our signs. If you are looking for special items let us know in advance and we can have your order ready when you get here.

       Looking forward to the season                                                                          Tom

      The fur price prospects are good for the fall. We have many new products this year. We will have a supply of the new Coon Daggers, the coon specific trap that has a push or pull trigger. These are priced competitively with the Lil Grizz. We also will have a good supply of the Jungwirth Coon Catchers at some great prices.

     Another date to put on your calender-Sunday Sept. 19,2010- we are having an Open House at our showroom by Arcadia, WI.Author (Uncle) Kenny Salwey will be there to visit and sign books. The hours will be 10 am to 3 pm.  Watch for more information coming up.

     See you in Marhfield. Get in the spirit!                                                                             Tom

We’re hosting a Fall Open Farm and Trap Shack Open House on Sun. Sept. 19th, 2010. Hours will be from 10 AM until 3 PM. Uncle Kenny Salwey will be there from 10 ’til 3.  He’s a cherished family member, author and story teller. Come browse the Showroom for trapping and coon hunting supplies and chat with us and  Kenny. Tour the gardens and see the animals and Welcome Home!

Flow like water, shine like the rising sun and play like an otter!

Sue Roskos

A turtle trapping demo was put on by Bud Pierson and Jim Helgeson.  Tom Olson did a beaver and muskrat demo. Fish poles were provided for the kids to catch fish in the pond. Caleb Ellis kept us informed of his catch-bluegills and crappies.

The wonderdul people of District 5 provided a lunch of BBQ’s, chips, home-made pickles and bars.

The afternoon business meeting was conducted by Jim Gordon and Jr. Prudlick.

What a delightful way to share our farm, the Trap Shack Company and stories with old and new friends. The visitors arrived early and stayed late and strolled the farm and shopped the Shack.

Thanks for all the people who traveled an hour or two to attend class and those who live down the road a short ways.

Sue, Tom and Hawken

 The double doors were slammed shut to block out the bar noise, clinking glasses and the wafts of smoke that formed a cloudy haze. It was entertaining to be in the presence of the crew assembled for the meeting. I had never been present @ a meeting before. We said the pledge of alllegiance with our patriotic enthusiasm. Trapping hats were politely removed and then we arose and I smiled as I heard a manly voice mention the flag was around the corner-in the next room. A helpful trapper brought the flag out and we felt the spirit of patriotism arise in all of us. A transfer of leadership took place after the election. Jim Gordon is now the new District 5 director.  Thoughts were shared and the request for volunteers went out. Many generous people raised their hand and offered their talents. The group is interested in passing on their knowledge especially to kids. A special thanks to the people that made me feel extra welcome and invited me to attend more of the events.

The Whitetails Deer Classic for Buffalo and Trempealeau County, was held @ Valu Implement in Arcadia over March 20th.  The attendance was high all day. Tom was part of the  mid-afternoon crew of volunteers that ran the trapping booth @ the Whitetails Classic. Once again the fur pelts were a big draw for observers to get up close and personal with handling processed fur. Tom came home and parked the  Red Chevy Cavalier in front of the Trap Shack Showroom. Hawken and I were cultivating furrows with the rake, playing basketball and had a dirt hole dug to hold 3 wooly bear caterpillars and 2 worms. Tom pops the Cavalier trunk and asks me to carry  a stuffed otter in the Showroom. It’s Gene Prudlick’s otter looking real with whisps of green artificial grass @ it’s paws.

The next evening I’m wandering outside with tall winter boots, blue long johns and a light blue coat. I’m out to lock up the hens and pull the door shut to the Trap Shack. I double check I didn’t lock the chickens up with a critter in the coop. I then pull the door shut in the darkness of the Shack. I step away two paces. Then I backtrack and fumble with the light switch and aim to make sure we don’t have a live critter locked in the Showroom. Last year my brother  and his wife had a coon find it’s way in their garage and it did thousands of dollars of damage. Nope, I better double check that there’s nothing lurking in the Shack. I flip the light on and gasp-then I’m giggling and just look @ my goofy attire and how momentarily petrified I was of an erect otter all stuffed peering up @ the Showroom heater.

I’m a woman, I love change and we went right home after the meeting!

Sue Roskos

      The winter meeting was well attended. Chuck and Company put on another memorable wild game feed-these masterful chefs put on a culinary masterpiece every year. Turtle , fish and beaver were the featured meats with home-made french fries and onion rings adding to the line-up of side dishes. Thank you to the cooks and to all who brought delicious dishes to pass.

      We were fortunate to have Chris Bezio drive across the state to up-date us on the National Trappers Assn National Convention which is being hosted by the WTA this year. This huge gathering of trappers and their families,dealers and vendors will be held in Marshfield, WI on August 5-8, 2010. Chris is the NTA liason for WTA so he is in charge of getting this event organized. District 5 signed on to handle the auction. Volunteers for this or any part of the convention would be appreciateted.  The Trap Shack Company has inside booth space reserved for this event, and we look forward to meeting new people from all over the country.

      We just discovered a new business in Arcadia, WI and I am so excited! Shirley’s Sewing Room has opened at 320 West Main Street and I was able to get new zippers installed on my favorite Cabela”s heavy pull-over and vest. Shirley is able to do repairs and alterations on all types of clothes, including the heavy-duty hunting and farm clothes. She also is available to do custom sewing. Her phone # is 608-323-9332 and her office hours tend toward the evenings and week-ends. We wish her well in her business and are delighted to have someone so close to be able to resurrect those favorite clothes.

       Enjoy the lenghthening days and moonlit nites.                                                                                                                     Tom