Author Topic: Road Kill (Read 456 times)

Rob220swift · « **on:** September 19, 2003, 11:21:44 AM »

Anyone besides me seem to notice that most roadkill seems to be near locations I either hunt or trap? The only positive thing about it is that you know you're on location, for whatever that's worth. Seriously, with the dry weather apparently over here in the UP and the fall food sources becoming available have you notice an increase?

foxtail · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2003, 03:51:27 PM »

Ya, I have noticed, I am really sick of seeing my mink, coon, and rats transformed into road pizzas.

jim-NE · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2003, 02:25:46 AM »

the cooler weather around here was a huge change from the 90's - 100's we had been experiencing, and it really put the coons and other critters on the move again. seems like a mass suicide in some stretches of the road. historically, this phenomenon seems to hold up right up until about a week prior to "opening day", then for some reason only the flat coons that have been there awhile on the road are the only ones still there. the more recently deceased seem to magically disappear for some reason. its hard to find freebies in decent shape around here once the season opens, but interestingly that starts a week or more before the opener, too. I know that dead coon was dead already, and it is a shame to see fur go to waste, but rules are rules and why some individuals are willing to risk consequences that close to the opener is beyond me. I don't have the cash reserves myself to outweigh the fines, nor do I like the thought of potentially losing my license to trap for next few years, as the penalty permits in this state. To me a $5.00 "early" coon is never worth that.
On the other hand, seeing roadkill during cooler spells like this is a way to ID some potential trapping locations for me, and if I haven't done so already it shows me which doors to bang on next time I am lining up land access for the season.

conibearer · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2003, 04:51:56 PM »

I have realized a severe increase in coon population in the area that I trap. The amount of roadkill has also increased but that does not affect the amount of fur that I take home because I usually pick up most of the decent animals i see laying on the side of the road.

jim-NE · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2003, 09:17:20 AM »

had a cold snap this week, with about a 20 degree drop in temps from what it has been up to now. Noticed several new roadies on way in to work yesterday...some of them were real big coons too. the cooler weather really put them on the move after that spell we had in the 90s and 100s for so long.
some harvesting going on too in area and I think that disturbes normal animal movements quite a bit too. seen more road-killed deer than I had seen in several weeks.
Jim-NE

Jacktheknife · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2003, 09:31:40 PM »

Howdy Ya'll, Was reading along and saw "road kill", hmmm
It reminded me of an idea I have used for years, and might help you knifemaking trappers make a buck. pick up all the road kill squirrells you come across or just about any fur, and make knife scabbards out of them.
I went into the local hardware store last summer. The guy working there was new, he helped me carry something out to my truck and as I was loading something I heard him say, "Hey buddy, whats this dead squirrell doing in your truck?"
I said oh he was up front but after a few days he was getting kind of ripe so I thowed him in the back.
"Hey buddy, whats this dead squirrell doing in your truck?"
I turned around and said well, why am I in here?
"You said you were getting parts to make a forge to make knives with,"
Very good! and what do you put knives {I moved my hands together} in?
"A scabbard!"
And what do you make scabbards out of?
"Dead squirrells!" the guy said laughing.
Wait there's more! What kind of hide has no commercial value whatsoever, the fur buyer won't even buy them, but are the perfect size for scabbards, skin easy, millions of them almost everywhere, if fact a man could pick up 100 road kills between first and last killing frost, you don't even have to tan them! just salt them down and when they are dry, fold them over and sew them up into a scabbard with a strip of rawhide, tail, nose, whiskers, eye holes, ect! I have one on my mantle now that is 41 years old! I made it 41 years ago and it is still here!
Now the hair all fell out of it 20-25 years ago, but ehy! vhat you vant for noting?
"The new guy laughed and said a rubber bisquet!"
Which was the words to a song. a long time ago and he remembered them. We were friends ever after. Every time I walk in the hardware store now he smiles.
So boys remember that there is not only money in road kills but friendship too! Hog Hamilton