Does anyone have any beaver? If you are, I could certainly use them. Since the drought started two years ago, our beaver populations, at least in my traditional trapping grounds, have all but disappeared. Right now, that and muskrats seems to be the only place that the markets remain stable.

The ginseng market appears to be on the move however. I heard from John Morgan late last week and he asked me to put the word out that he is currently paying $300 a pound on good quality wild ‘sang.’ Yellow root remains at about $18 a pound. I have been talking to some brokers from around the country who pretty much back up what John is saying. My own analysis is that that is about as good as it is going to get this year. Many of us got a bit spoiled last year and want to refuse to sell at $300. Keep in mind folks, up until last year, the current level was considered a pretty good year. Again, let me remind you, that if you don’t have your root certified, that it is illegal to hold it.

Squirrel season closes with this weekend, and the rabbit a quail seasons will follow shortly thereafter. The last of the seasons close with the trapping season at the end of February. Yes, February is knocking at the door so to speak.

For trappers in Kentucky who don’t want to sell to me or one of the other country buyers, your state auction is on the 14th of the month in Elizabethtown. I venture to guess that after you pay the expenses of going you won’t do any better than you would have locally (there are a few other buyers fairly close, not just me), but there is a lot to be said for hanging out with other trappers. I haven’t decided yet, but I may even go and try to buy a few things. There will be another sale in Tiptonville Tennessee the following weekend (Reelfoot Lake) and even if you make nothing on your fur above expenses, the trip is well worth your time. Reelfoot abounds in Eagles, there is a Casino right across the river in Missouri for those who lean in that direction, and take a fishing pole with you and make a weekend of it. The crappie and perch are humongous on that lake. I usually make that sale myself, but again, I have made no decisions in that direction.

In just a few short weeks the days will start growing warmer. Hours of daylight have already increased appreciably and folks will again start thinking about doing a little fishing. You are missing some "prime time fishing" right now though. Most of the smaller creeks in the area abound with some pretty big blue gill, and the area lakes have a lot of keepers in the Crappie department. Both fish are great dinner fare and as most of you know, shouldn’t be over-looked.

What I am hearing (which isn’t a lot) is that black perch are hitting well on the Red River as are some pretty nice small mouth bass. Crappie are still a bit spotty on Malone and Spa, but can be found over cover at about 8 feet. It shouldn’t be long, we’ll get through this cold spell we are currently dealing with, and with each new front, I would be out there "wetting a worm" if other issues aren’t pressing.

It is still quite a few weeks away before the turkey season opens, so fill your time with getting ready for that, and getting a little fishing in between.