Recalling Experiences and Making Memories

​Long after the dust has settled from this past season, long after the fur check has been spent, long after the equipment has been cleaned and prepared for the following season, long after the successes and failures - we have made memories!

     Whether you are a recreational trapper, a professional trapper, or a  land-management trapper; you have made memories.  In my view, far more valuable than a fur check.  Our memory can even influence or affect future fur checks!

     I have trapped with my son Jake, since he was pretty much able to walk.   To this day he still traps with me; the experiences we have shared and the memories we have made have built a strong relationship and a tradition that will be hard to change.

     Memories are very valuable in the learning curve as well.  An accurate memory of experiences; both good and bad, can give us a new  base-line for the methods we use.  Recalling the past and not falling back into the same old way of doing things can and will make us a better trapper. As we become more experienced, the subtle changes we make can be the difference between good and great success! 

     Some of the best memories of my life are when I was young and just learning to trap.  Even to this day, when I make a  catch, for a split second it is as exciting as it was the very first time!  When you think about it, that's what keeps us coming back season after season.

     As this season winds down, I can assure you that many more memories have been made.  Jake, Justin and I always have a great time together and we all look forward to next season to do it all over again.   I can also say that the experiences I have had will affect how I will do things next season.

 

Until next time …

Charlie Masheck