Crawford County 2017
Feb. 11th. Seems a bit early but this morning when I saw the way my test taps were running I determined that I was all in. Figured that I would rather take an early run and possibly suffer dry taps later on, than miss what appears to be at least something of a run now. Something about bird in the hand came to mind. Not one dry tap of the 47 I am working this year. Didn't even mind working in the light rain showers this afternoon.
2019 47 taps and 10.75 gallons of syrup
2020 45 taps and 21.25 gallons of syrup
2021 50 taps and 13.5 gallons of syrup
2022 50 taps and 18.5 gallons of syrup
2023 49 taps and 18 gallons of syrup
2024 49 taps and 9.75 gallons of syrup
56 acres above the Mississippi River in SW Wisconsin
43.01N
We're also up and running. We've got 123 tapped and figuring we'll take what we get now. Last year we tapped on 2-27 and should have tapped on 2-20 so we missed a good weeks run. As far as the calendar goes it's only 8 days difference from when we should have tapped last year. The taps did run better yesterday than today. It is what it is!! I agree with your bird in the hand analogy!!
Glad to hear you are up Spike. I have a nice average flow going and am doing my first boil today. You are about twice the size of my operation. I gambled last year and went early and caught that first week. It was a good one. Most likely the reason I went for it this year as well. Tested sap for sugar content and all of it was between 2 and 2.5 per cent sugar. Should be feeding wood until about 8 tonight. Feels good to be back in the swing of things. However, that wind cools things down a bit. It is nice seeing the snow and ice go down a bit in the woods, however.
2019 47 taps and 10.75 gallons of syrup
2020 45 taps and 21.25 gallons of syrup
2021 50 taps and 13.5 gallons of syrup
2022 50 taps and 18.5 gallons of syrup
2023 49 taps and 18 gallons of syrup
2024 49 taps and 9.75 gallons of syrup
56 acres above the Mississippi River in SW Wisconsin
43.01N
Sat. Feb. 18th...short sleeve shirt by the fire, got to love that. Collected another approximate gallon per tap. Sugar content continues to be just a bit over 2 per cent. At this point I am happy I tapped early. The Vineyard coulee sugar bush boys stopped over this morning and they also reported that sap is flowing well even on their north facing slopes. Further reported that they went out and bought ice cleets to move around in the woods better after slipping and sliding on the ice. Our ice and snow should be gone in the woods by the end of next week. I can also report a pair of robbin sightings yesterday and report of way too many bugs up and moving about in the woods. No moths in the buckets yet. Fire needs wood, got to run.
2019 47 taps and 10.75 gallons of syrup
2020 45 taps and 21.25 gallons of syrup
2021 50 taps and 13.5 gallons of syrup
2022 50 taps and 18.5 gallons of syrup
2023 49 taps and 18 gallons of syrup
2024 49 taps and 9.75 gallons of syrup
56 acres above the Mississippi River in SW Wisconsin
43.01N
Sunday, Feb. 19......Collected 15 gallons from the 45 taps first thing this morning. Third of a gallon per tap. There was a light frost on the ground this morning. Turkeys gobbling like crazy and geese flying over all morning. Back from church and its time to cook. Monday takes me to the gas stove in the kitchen for finishing and bottling syrup. Should be about three gallons for the season. Thunderstorms predicted for Monday so a good day to stay inside.
2019 47 taps and 10.75 gallons of syrup
2020 45 taps and 21.25 gallons of syrup
2021 50 taps and 13.5 gallons of syrup
2022 50 taps and 18.5 gallons of syrup
2023 49 taps and 18 gallons of syrup
2024 49 taps and 9.75 gallons of syrup
56 acres above the Mississippi River in SW Wisconsin
43.01N
Monday, Feb. 20th......Just bottled 3.25 gallons of some very nice looking amber syrup. Feels great to be all caught up. Not sure what the next few warm days will bring - except a little rest. Meanwhile its odds and ends, trimming a few branches, and a little washing up of equipment. Rain predicted for the afternoon. Finished reading Mayflower by Philbrick while tending the fire yesterday so it is on to a Baldacci this afternoon. May your season flow be generous.
IMG_1118.jpg
2019 47 taps and 10.75 gallons of syrup
2020 45 taps and 21.25 gallons of syrup
2021 50 taps and 13.5 gallons of syrup
2022 50 taps and 18.5 gallons of syrup
2023 49 taps and 18 gallons of syrup
2024 49 taps and 9.75 gallons of syrup
56 acres above the Mississippi River in SW Wisconsin
43.01N
Tuesday, Feb. 21st......Mid 60's today following close to an inch of rain yesterday. Trimmed branches, leveled the ground under buckets and gathered a whopping 5 gallons from over the last 48 hours this morning. Not even checking buckets until Saturday morning. Record warm temperatures predicted for tomorrow as well. All for now - think snow.
2019 47 taps and 10.75 gallons of syrup
2020 45 taps and 21.25 gallons of syrup
2021 50 taps and 13.5 gallons of syrup
2022 50 taps and 18.5 gallons of syrup
2023 49 taps and 18 gallons of syrup
2024 49 taps and 9.75 gallons of syrup
56 acres above the Mississippi River in SW Wisconsin
43.01N
Finished boiling the sap we had yesterday and so far got just short of nine gallons of syrup. Hoping mother nature cooperates and gets us some moe sap. We have some just trickling yet and the trees are really budding now! Next week looks better hopefully.
Sunday, Feb. 26th....A late afternoon bucket check revealed a very slow flow but a flow none the less. Plan is to collect early Wednesday morning and have a hot fire going by 10 bells. The intellicast 10 day looks great. Everything is caught up and ready to go with a long run.
Spike, congrats on your early 9 gallons. I am happy with my early three. Looking forward to a long run now.
2019 47 taps and 10.75 gallons of syrup
2020 45 taps and 21.25 gallons of syrup
2021 50 taps and 13.5 gallons of syrup
2022 50 taps and 18.5 gallons of syrup
2023 49 taps and 18 gallons of syrup
2024 49 taps and 9.75 gallons of syrup
56 acres above the Mississippi River in SW Wisconsin
43.01N
Tuesday, Feb. 28th......The afternoon bucket check turned into an afternoon collection. The average was about 2.5 gallons per tap. Flowing great as I collected. Might have been the thunder, lightning, hail, snow, fog, change in baro pressure or some combo of the above but I'll take it. Did not like finding a few ants and moths today. Just checked notes from last year and was done collecting sap on March 8th. Will be interesting to see how long we can stretch this out.
Last edited by Irish Ridge; 02-28-2017 at 04:00 PM.
2019 47 taps and 10.75 gallons of syrup
2020 45 taps and 21.25 gallons of syrup
2021 50 taps and 13.5 gallons of syrup
2022 50 taps and 18.5 gallons of syrup
2023 49 taps and 18 gallons of syrup
2024 49 taps and 9.75 gallons of syrup
56 acres above the Mississippi River in SW Wisconsin
43.01N
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