Mad_Mat wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2011 at 11:40am:

"I can't help but laugh at myself now. I spent years on the trapline with all sorts of scents in my packbasket and never gave bears a second thought." don't worry MT, we'll all help to laugh at you. trapping - ? generally a winter time activity when brer bear is asleep, no?

;D good one Mat............
Winter time is tough. 9 below and 2 feet of snow shut me down my last year in the U.P. of Michigan. Oct, Nov, Dec were my favorite months in the U.P.

In Washington you could go lower and stay running all winter although I did don some skis to try and catch Martin (with zero luck) in the higher elevations.

Without delving into the morality of trapping (I am torn and understand both sides) I can say without hesitation it was some of the best years of my life.

Here is a funny one........I was working at Mt. Rainier National Park as the night watchman during the winter and would run my line during the day (outside of the park of course). I had some coyote urine mailed to me. It arrived at the tiny post office inside Paradise Inn (Paradise Washington....A tourist mecca at Mt. Rainier) Unfortunately the parcel arrived slightly damaged and the odor permeated the lobby. They couldn't find me fast enough!! ;D