Groundhog Day was Cloudy here

Happy Groundhog Day everyone.  Here on the lake it was Cloudy and still is.  According to the folklore surrounding Groundhog Day, if the Groundhog comes out and sees it's shadow it will be a long wait for spring.  Well, there are no shadows to be seen here and that predicts an early Spring.  We will wait and see.
According to Prince George it was cloudy there also.  This winter has been the mildest we have experienced here... milder than where we came from down near the Canada/US border.  Very strange.  

Supplies What we bring in Part 3

Now there are things we can do without but why.  
Ketchup
Peanut Butter
Parmesan cheese
Chicken and Ribs Sauce
Mayonnaise
Frank's Red Hot Chile and Lime Hot Sauce
Dill Pickles
Green Olives
Bread and Butter Pickles
Soya Sauce
Vinegar 
Mustard
Horseradish 

DRIED BEANS
White Beans, Kidney Beans, Pinto Beans, Dried Peas, etc etc. what ever you like
SEEDS FOR SPROUTING
Alfalfa, clover, lettuce, fennugreek, mung, broccoli, 

SPICES IN LARGE CONTAINERS
Basil, Oregano, Mustard

 THINGS YOU CAN"T DO WITHOUT Plus
SUNDRIES....   
Coffee, Tea, Green Tea.
Palmolive Dish Soap  Bulk
Hand Soap.  Bryan like Irish Spring  Vikki Goat milk
Bon ami Power Foam Glass Cleaner for windows.  The absolute best. Made in Ontario. 
Vim Cream with Bleach
Tide Cold Water
Hair shampoo
Alcan Slide Tinfoil 
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Paper plates for up in the Line cabins (Bryan hates doing dishes and is too tired)
First aid stuff and Vitamins and anti inflammation drugs

PET FOOD
Dog food (Vikki can's lots of Moose meat that we don't like)
Cat food
Wild bird food ( Good quality)  watch were it comes from.  buy US or Canada
Chicken feed.  Laying mesh, grain. 

Supplies..... Part 2 Baking goods

We try to pick these up at Real Canadian Superstore when they come on sale.
 LARGE 2 KG BAGS OF DRIED
Walnuts, Pecans, Whole Almonds, Sliced Almonds, Raisins, Coconut, dried Dates.
Cranberries, Blueberries.
 CANNED BAKING GOODS
Canned Pumpkin
Canned Evaporated Milk
Canned Orange wedges
Corn Syrup
Honey
Butter and Margarine
 BOXES 
Graham Cracker crumbs
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Corn starch
Salt
Pickling Salt
Egg Replacer
Yeast
Chocolate Squares  Semi Sweet and Non
Pudding Mixes variety
Cornmeal
Dream Whip
Icing Sugar
Brown Sugar

HUGE BAGS
Powdered Milk
White Flour
White Sugar 
SPICES..... Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger 
OILS
Vegetable Oil  huge containers
Olive Oil biggest containers you can find.  Virgin Cold Pressed
Crisco Vegetable shortening

Supplies for the Winter... Where do we get them and what we take in. Part 1

We fly in bulk quantities of Whole Grains, Lentils etc.  This link is to Anitas Organics down near Vancouver, BC.  They mail the boxes right up to the small Post Office in Atlin.  
We get their Red Wheat, Millet, Brown Rice, Steel cut Oats, 8 grain cereal, Flax seed, etc. etc.  The products come in heavy double brown bags.  
www.anitasorganic.com/products/organic-whole-grains/index.php 
We don't have a Costco in Whitehorse so it is Real Canadian Superstore.  We go and buy the case lot boxes of
Canned Mushroom Soup.
Canned Tomato Soup.
Canned Chicken and Noodle soup.
Canned  Heinz Deep-Browned Beans
Canned Whole Tomatoes
Canned Tomato Paste
Canned Cream Corn and also Niblets
Canned Green Beans
Canned Peas
Canned Mushrooms
Canned Black Olives 
Canned Ham
Canned Spam
FOR CHINESE FOOD
Canned Bean sprouts, baby corn, pineapple, waterchestnuts, Natural Sesame seeds, Noodles,
FOR PIZZA
Pineapple, canned ham, Tomato Paste, Canned Mushrooms, Canned Black Olives, Cheese.
FOR JAPANESE FOOD
Dry Wasabi, Pickled Ginger, Rice Paper 
FOR VIKKI's LUNCH BOX  
Brunswick Seafood Snacks  In Lemon and cracked pepper
FOR BRYAN'S LUNCH BOX
Canned Heinz Deep-Browned Beans.
FOR BEE the cat
2 Flats of Cat food for getting her to come back to the carrying cage when up at the Line Cabins.

Senneker Triggered Power Snares

Trapping Wolves is no easy thing.  This DVD is about 50. Cdn and Bryan and I have watched in 20 times or more.  We have had great success with this system and it takes the Wolf out in seconds.  There is very little struggling.  It involves 1/16 cable and tiny power triggers.  The only problem we have with the system is the camlock will freeze solid in a major mild. Last year we had 6, this year so far 3 major milds.  Soft catch traps are difficult if impossible to maintain in deep snow areas.  Also if we take an animal out it should go really quickly.

Fur Harvesters Auction results.

These are results from the Jan 9th, 2013 Auction in Canadian Dollars.  We didn't have anything in this Auction this last year but it is always interesting to compare the two Auction Houses.
Western Beaver       average 41.39     Top   55.     for LM and SM
Wild Mink                average 22.15    Top   37
Muskrat                    average  11.51    Top   19
Coyote western Heavy           64.          Top 105
Otter                                         86                  105
Fisher                                        98                  130
Red Fox  Western                    58                   62
Grey Fox (back East)              35                   45
Cross Fox                                 57                    76
Wolverine                                288.50            525
No Sable (Marten) were offered at this sale.

Canned Butter, Canned Bacon and Canned Cheese

 Our friend Gary found these for us in Alaska and sent them out with the last flight in here.  We haven't tried them yet but will.  
The Butter and cheese would be great in the months when we don't have the freezer running.  
Now the bacon.... when the Bear are awake we don't cook Bacon...  If any thing is a calling card, that is.  Any one out in the bush should not take Bacon with them.  You are just asking for trouble.

Three Lynx near Big White, BC

This is taken on the trapline Bryan used to run down near Kelowna before coming here.  Rabbits follow a 8 year cycle and the Lynx number increase as that cycle runs its course.  So when there are lots of Rabbits more Lynx are born.  When the Rabbit population dies off the young Lynx have a harder time and die off.   Here we have watched the Rabbit population increase over the 6 years we have been here.  This year there are Rabbits everywhere.  Trappers are taught to take Lynx towards the top of the cycle and leave them alone otherwise. 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm_aW4F9zXE

No Baking Required.... Chocolate Cream Bars

Vikki makes these up about once a month.  They are great, but as you can see there are four steps.
1st Step.
In double boiler or put one small pot into a bigger one like I do.  Heat water underneath.  Add.
1/2 c Butter
5 Tbsp baking cocoa
1/4 c Sugar
1 egg beaten
1 tsp vanilla.  
Cook stirring over simmering water until it reaches 160 and is thickened.

2nd Step
In a bowl mix 
1 1/2 cup Graham Crackers or 24 squares
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 chopped walnuts
Stir in above cocoa mixture. You're going to be using that pot below so don't put it in the sink.
Press into a greased 9" baking pan.  Set aside. 

3rd Step.  Filling
Mix the below and spread over crust.
 1/4 cup butter softened.
3 tbsp milk
2 tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla 

4th Step   Topping
Melt 4 squares chocolate  (I use 2 Semi Sweet and 2 non sweetened)
1 tbsp butter.   Spread over Filling       Cool until set.




 

Millet and Seed Srouts

This is Vikki's breakfast when Bryan is not here.  He would think it was bird food.  But Millet is one of the only grains that are alkaline.  She adds currents and a dab of Coconut Oil.  The chichens love the left overs. 

The seed sprouts are just about ready.  (Broccoli, radish, mung bean, lettuce, fenugreek, red Clover and alfalfa).  There is still a bit of lettuce left from the flight in and she will add Pumpkin seeds to it.  It will be a real treat.

How to Build a Tree Stand for Hunting

This is over at the other blog .   Put first please vote here before you move over
Push the red heart over to the right and it will say Thank You.  Posting is hard work and so is voting and winning.  www.deliverhope.ca/gallery/view/38

HOW TO BUILD A TREE STAND FOR HUNTING. Look at Labels List on right hand side. www.thehappytrappers.blogspot.ca

Trapper's Lament.... Poem by Bryan

It happened before, it happened in the past,

You can darn well bet, it's going to last.
So get used to it, get used to it.

Gone are the greens, the yellows, and the reds,
So sweep off the porch, and drag out the sleds.
So get used to it, get used to it.

You got caught with your pants way down,
Instead of making trail - you were playing in town,
So get used to it, get used to it.

Get out the shovel and put away the hoe,
The whole darn land is covered in snow,
So get used to it, get used to it.  

Poem by Bryan last October, 2012.

Auto-biographical?   It's not that Witty,
                                     It's just a ditty.

Bryan late for SBX-11A check-in...

Dusk had settled and Vikki waited.  She was still working on her Oil painting of the Burl Cabin down near the Inklin by Coleman lantern.  We can't use the generator and use the SBX-11a at the same time. Too much electrical interference.   At 6 pm still no Bryan.  He usually tries to get back by dark.  Vikki heard Tagish on the radio and she called him.  "Bryan's still not back!"  "Oh, he's probably okay.  His skidoo might have got stuck... don't worry." Tagish by. 
Vikki always tries not to worry but her mind can't stop planing what she would have to do if he didn't call in.  He's about 30 km south and it is a 2 1/2 hour trip one way.  
At 6:50 his voice boomed in on the radio.  Vikki called "Finally your back!  I was getting worried."  
Bryan described his day.   He'd made it 6 km down the Sutlahine.  Lots of Marten, Moose, and Wolverine tracks.  The major melt had taken the snow away from the boulders on one section of the river that we have to hug for 200 feet.  It took him 2 to 3 hours to shovel snow from up the bank 30 feet away.  Vikki asked "Could we make a land trail around this section?"  "No, I looked at that option and there is a old 20 feet cut in the bank and it would be a 1/2 km by pass."
"Talk to you in the morning.  Good night."

Please keep voting for Bryan's Granddaughter Lea's Canada Post Stamp Design.  Voting Feb 18 to Mar 22.

Talking to Bryan on the SBX-11A

Bryan's said he made it down there okay but had to unload the Toboggan twice on the steep hills and carry every thing up to the top and drag the Toboggan by hand up.  He'd dried the Toboggan in his shop and applied a thin coating of Kerosene on the Teflon strip but in the 16" of new snow it only helped a little.  
Only one mouse in the trap and he hasn't heard them running around in the ceiling anymore.  He said he made it down to the big creek that flows into the Sutlahine.  Lots of Marten tracks down there.  He'd picked up 2 more near Walkers'.  Today he is putting out sets down by the Sutlahine.  Vikki reminded him that our trapper friends south of us might drop by in their Super Cub tomorrow on their way there.  Bryan said "I'll be back early in the morning."

Keep up the voting.  The first part of this contest is closed.  If you can share our journey out here .... you can sure some of the work.

Trapper's Post A new magazine out of ME, USA

 HOW TO BUILD A REMOTE CABIN USING AN ALASKAN MILL.  BOOK IS A LAMINATED SOFT COVER WITH
28 pages Full color pages.  Step by step photo's.  
25.00 plus 3.00 shipping.

 

THIS CABIN TOOK 18 DAYS FOR BRYAN AND VIKKI TO FINISH RIGHT UP TO THE INSIDE FURNITURE. 

 2ND BOOK.... A DIFFERENT CABIN BUILT USING AN ALASKAN MILL.  ALSO TIPS ON HOW TO USE AN ALASKAN MILL BUT HOW TO CHANCE A 45 GAL FUEL BARREL INTO A BUFFALO STOVE. LAMINATED SOFT COVER WITH  60 PAGES OF FULL COLOR PHOTOS.  40.00 PLUS 3.00 SHIPPING.  
This cabin took 17 days from start to finish for 2 men.

 WHEN YOU PURCHASE BOTH BOOKS THERE IS ONLY ONE 3.00 SHIPPING. 
PAY BY SENDING FUNDS TO PAYPAL  thehappytrappers@gmail.com
OR MAIL CHEQUE TO BRYAN McNeil, PO Box 396, Atlin, BC, V0W 1A0 Canada

Vikki just subscribed to this new Trapper magazine out of ME, USA. 

Special Anniversary Offer - International Trapper Magazine

Available to NAFA Shippers Only.
These are available in English or French.  The artwork on the covers is just fantastic.  These are big magazines 11 x 8 1/2.  

International Trapper Magazine....beautifully done

This beautiful glossy magazine is put out by North American Fur Auctions Wild Fur Shippers Council.  It has great articles and is a great addition to any collection.  The art work alone on some of the covers is spectacular.  
 2 issues a year 10.00.  Available to NAFA Shippers only.  
We belong and ship to both Canada's Fur Auctions.  There is the NAFA and FUR HARVESTERS AUCTIONS.   We have found better prices for different furs at each different Auction.

PLEASE KEEP VOTING FOR BRYAN'S GRANDDAUGHTER LEA'S CANADA POST STAMP DESIGN ENTRY.  PUSH THE RED HEART ON THE RIGHT AND IT WILL SAY THANK YOU.  www.deliverhope.ca/gallery/view/38

BC Trapper Education Manual 2010

You get one of these when you take the BC Trapper Course, but they are also available to other trappers and other interested persons.  A great Manual.

PLEASE VOTE FOR BRYAN'S GRANDDAUGHTER LEA'S CANADA POST STAMP DESIGN CONTEST ENTRY.  (push the red heart on the right and it will say Thank You.) 

Alaska Trapper.... another good read

Good reading in here also..   

PLEASE KEEP VOTING FOR BRYAN'S GRANDDAUGHTER LEA'S CANADA POST STAMP CONTEST...  YOU CAN VOTE MANY TIMES A DAY.  PUSH THE RED HEART ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE...  AND IT WILL SAY THANK YOU.  

Western Canadian Game Warden Magazine

These guys deserve credit.  They are out there up holding the Canadian Game Laws and the stuff they have to deal with is well worth the read.   Bryan really likes this magazine.

PLEASE KEEP VOTING FOR BRYAN'S GRANDDAUGHTER LEA'S CANADA POST STAMP CONTEST DESIGN...   PUSH THE RED HEART ON THE RIGHT AND IT WILL SAY THANK YOU.