Attaching spouts to drops early?

[mol1jb]

So last year I attached my spouts to my drop lines right before I tapped. I had great yields but the problem I encountered was that with the tubing so cold and my hands so cold it was a pill to do. I would like to attach them this Autumn before it gets to the cold of winter to make things easier when tapping but I would only do that if it will not affect my yields.

Thoughts?

[snoskier16]

That is what I've done. I shoot to run new lines around Thanksgiving and will install the complete drops at that time. The tees should have some type of retainer to hold the spout tucked into the tee, whether a plug or a cup, which should keep it clean and free of any pests.

[DrTimPerkins]

We try to get spouts out in the woods after it gets cold, but before there is much snow, and prior to tapping.

[unc23win]

I like to put mine on sometime between Thanksgiving and tapping and hopefully not in much snow. It is one of those things that takes longer than you think no matter what the temperature is. I know some put the spouts on as they tap. To me I think it is more effective to put spouts on then go back and tap later less to carry and less to remember. Plus doing it ahead of time will give you a chance to look things over one more time before tapping. I would much rather find issues in my tubing while putting spouts on than when we are tapping.

[Maple Hill]

We try to get spouts out in the woods after it gets cold, but before there is much snow, and prior to tapping. Do you plug the spout into the old T or just let it hang? Just wondering about contamination.

[DrTimPerkins]

Do you plug the spout into the old T or just let it hang? Just wondering about contamination.

We've done both. Doesn't seem to matter much. Too cold for much of anything to grow by that point.

[Maple Hill]

Thanks,thats what I figured.