Getting ready for next year

[Woodsman]

I just took a portion of my fur check and ordered some supplies for next year. My traps have been sorted and hung up and the fur room in my
shop has been swept out. Now I'm thinking ahead to next season.
  I'm going to sit down with my notebook and a pot of coffee and try to organize what I want to get done into a schedule with specific tasks to accomplish each month. Does anyone out there have any suggestions that might benefit the rest of us on our off season chores? Tony

[Appleknocker]

I always have the same intentions as you but procrastination and other projects take priority.  It takes a trip to the UP to get me in gear and that is usually in September.  Now maybe I have discovered something.  If I went to the UP in April for trout opener and then in May for walleye opener, I bet I would get in the swing - - - to probably go to the UP every month and then I would not get my traps ready until October..  I guess I better read how the other guys do it and try to learn from there.

[Mallard]

I typicaly have the traps preps done by the end of spring. (washed, tuned, dyed and waxed) New traps are purchased at conventions, and I deal with them accordingly prior to season. I do the prep work in the spring as the weather is nice, and It's a labor of love. Once the months become warmer, I start freezing up baits and prepare dirt and what not. I stay close to my contacts throughout the year, and summer is a fine time to keep in touch with folks, as well as acquire new permissions. I also keep my scouting activity up throughout the year, even now when season is closed. I guess the bottom line is I try and piece meal all my "to do" chores throughout the off season so as not to get burned out, and by the time I'm within 2 months of season all should be ready, as I like to focus on the trap line related activity by then.