Recent Posts

I caught 14 coon 7 possum 1 rabbit and my first coyote ever

Looking for nominations for Trapper of Year and Mr. and Mrs. Trapper of the Year. Must be members of the ATA and have contributed to service in the ATA. They can not be listed on the link below. PM me with nominations.  Thanks.

https://arkansastrappers.org/?page_id=7

Good thoughts, Travis, regarding the trappers being a positive factor in maintaining the integrity of the levees by our trapping activities.  It would be a definite positive for all trappers in the state should someone in a position of authority such as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, or someone in the state administrative offices, to make a public statement to this effect. 
I also share your thoughts about the animal population after large rains and floods.  I noticed a decline in the animal populations up here after the large spring rains that we had 3 years ago.  It was like they all moved away, but I suspect that the spring births of many were washed away and became catfish bait.  We didn't have that much rain up here, at least not of the flooding kind this year.     

Much of the Arkansas river basin has seen a massive amount of water this spring. I am eager to get on the river to find the new cuts and backwashes. Although sad because I know, like spring and fall 2015 floods reek havoc on what little marsh habitat we have. Heavy washes of sand filling in spots of cattail, suppresses their growth for a few seasons. Debris piles can be a nice new find for mink,coon, and otter and even the occasional new beaver hooch. I am curious though what the flooding does in the way of young of the year  beaver. I know some are bound to be lost. What’s your opinion on population densities after floods reside? New genetics wash down? Will a beaver have another litter after an early spring litter. I noticed a lot of small rats the 15/16 season I suspect late litters after the flood, but the food left and so did the rats for a bit. Then a year or 2 of unstable water etc etc etc.

Also on a side note,  all the media coverage the flood has got, is this levee going to hold is that, the price of beefs going to go up, my wheat is wet. How bout Thank you Trappers! Surely unbeknownst to the public, how much levee damage would have been sustained from hog rooting, beaver and rat tunneling had there not been Trappers in the midst. Water rushing through bank dens and areas void of vegetation due to over abundance of hogs or beaver, makes quick work of the integrity of a bank or levee. You have saved the day again! And no one even knows.......

You’re quite welcome.  I tried adding pictures from a computer without any luck.


I use this process to turn tension wire (Muscadine trellis wire) from my barn into pieces of wire that I can easily work with

Thanks for the explanation. I wasn’t aware of that process.

Mike took a pie in the face...by his wife!

https://www.facebook.com/wayne.watson.3781/videos/10162051642925650/

Glad it was a good day, sure hated to have to miss.

The 2019 ATA Spring Convention is in the books. I want to thank a few folks who help make it a success.

Demo instructors: Richard Miller, Dub Shankle, Aaron Hitchcock, Mark Conner, Charlie Bass and Cody Walker with the AGFC. Also thanks to John Burden with the AGFC for bringing out the fish tank.

Thanks to Cody, I had my first possum eggroll.

Many thanks to Bridget Doug Henderson for preparing the pork and thanks to everyone who brought the side dishes and desserts. If you left hungry, it's your fault.

The ladies who worked the kitchen...thank you.

And a very big thank you goes to Mike Gregory and the members of District 6. Outstanding job, guys!

And I want to thank everyone who attended. It's always good to see old friends and meet new friends.

Hi Wayne.  I realize you were forwarding information regarding the AGFC 's request for proposal from 2018.  Do you know if this is an annual request?  Also are you aware of any of the preliminary requirements such as insurance and bonding that must b e met to qualify to submit a proposal.   

I don't know if it's an annual request or not.  From what I understand, you do need to be insured and bonded.