All the deer seasons are over, and hunters managed to harvest 1,681 deer, with the management numbers running pretty close to even. A ‘ton' of trophy deer were taken this year and that is good as well.

There is one deer though that wasn't gotten. He is one nice big buck. I wrote a few seasons back about seeing him, and in truth, I am glad the old boy made it. I saw him again a few days back, and ran across his track today during my travels.

Bucks like this guy should probably be left alone. He is what we want in our gene pool.

Over last weekend I set up a few beaver traps on a farm in the Auburn area. The landowner wanted to manage his beaver before they got out of hand. I really enjoyed the time I spent with the guy and what was unusual is that he not only went along and helped me get set up, but ran the traps himself the next morning. We were rewarded with a nice beaver along with a coon.

This season, like all the others, is beginning to wind down, though, and soon it will be time to "dig in the dirt" again planting bushes and shrubs. But it's still quite a while until it is over, and I still need all the muskrats and beaver I can get.

Small game seasons will be closing over the next few weeks, and finally trapping ends the last of February.

Remember, folks, the changes for bobcat harvests do not take effect until next year. This year you are still only allowed three and the season for this valuable fur bearer ends this coming week (last day of January).

The fur markets still remain stable, with a continued possibility of advancements on some things (beaver in particular).

The water is finally beginning to settle down, and hopefully we won't see any rain for the next several days so a few fishermen can start getting out. In fact, it looks like winter might finally be here, and that would suit me just fine.

It won't be long, though, until the boats start hitting the water, and we start getting reports of where the crappie and bass are biting. I think I am sort of ready for it myself.