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Thread: 2018 - NW Wisconsin

  1. #71
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    hayward,wi
    Posts
    60

    Default

    Here in Hayward it has been a crazy season as well. Tapped the first weekend in March through deep snow. The weather has not cooperated at all. Sometimes it was 7-10 day before there was enough to collect. It was too cold at night and took all day to start dripping for maybe a hour then would stop. Thought this weekend would be good but now is too warm during the day. Sap starts to drip in the morning and stops mid afternoon. Last night the temps here were 27 degrees but suppose to be in the high 50's today. Have made a little over 11 gallons this year though. Hoping for a little bit more. Would like to make at least 15 gallons but will take what mother nature gives. Trying to put off the tough job of cleaning everything up after pulling taps. G'ma Cindy I am sorry you had such a tough season. Maybe next year will be better.

  2. #72
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Winter, Wisconsin
    Posts
    138

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    Went into this week with just over 4.5 gallons of syrup after being tapped for 5 weeks. The last 5 days brought me another 5.5 gallons of syrup off of 68 taps. Had some long days and very long nights keeping up with the batches and decided to pull the plug in the woods today around 4:00. Sap went cloudy and the reds look to be ready to pop. Decent sugar % for my season, most of which was 2.6 but yesterday went to 2.2 and then today was 2.0. Will have to finish / bottle what is in the pan tomorrow, I'm beat.
    Last edited by Austin351; 04-23-2018 at 10:09 AM.

  3. #73
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    hayward,wi
    Posts
    60

    Default

    Looks like today may be the last day for collecting here. The forecast looks like it won't run. It will be a long time until the peepers are singing. We still have snow on the ground and over 20 inches of ice on the lakes. So far we have made 13 gallons of syrup. I am considering looking for a used small press. After 16 years I am really tired of the cone filters but will continue to use them until I find a deal on a press.

  4. #74
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Barnes WI
    Posts
    762

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    Thanks Merklin. I certainly hope so.
    10th year in….
    100 sap sacks...Actually, I hope to never have to use them again!
    1000' feet of 3/16th on gravity (not sure how many taps yet)
    14x14 sugar shack
    New 2x5 Hybrid Drop flue from Smoky Lake
    5" filter press from Daryl
    Sap Dog Chloe

  5. #75
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Winter, Wisconsin
    Posts
    138

    Default

    Gonna tap this weekend or at least get the 3/16" lines strung on some new tapping property. Snowshoes again this year....

  6. #76
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NW Wisconsin
    Posts
    752

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    Its time. Seems like a lot of frost, but with the warm week next week, it should be starting. As late as it is, we are still going to have decent taps into mid April for sure.
    Jeff Emerson
    www.emersonsmaplehill.com
    3x12 Leader with over air, custom piggyback, 600gph CDL RO
    2500 on 25" vacuum
    350 4 wheeler, 500 snowmobile, and 1950's Ford 600 tractor, Husqvarna! (261, 372xpBigBore, 562xp), Stihl MS193 for in tree work

  7. #77
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Winter, Wisconsin
    Posts
    138

    Default

    I am a little concerned that this year will be a very short season.....
    Last edited by Austin351; 03-15-2019 at 07:24 AM.

  8. #78
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Washburn, Wi (sugarcamp south of Ashland)
    Posts
    40

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    Tapped today in northern Ashland county (my fence is on the Bayfield county line). 84 taps. All of the reds are awake and each had about 2 inches in them about 2 hours after tapping. A dozen of these taps are in sugar maples and they are not doing anything yet.

    The snow is deep in the woods and hauling sap is going to be a challenge. First time I have ever used a snowmobile to get a 4-wheeler unstuck; lots of hard work today. Snowshoes are a must, snow is at least 18"-24" deep if you step off with just boots on your feet.

    Joe
    New to tapping in 2015! 24 taps on bags - 3 1/2 gallons of syrup
    2016 - 50 taps on bags - 8 gallons of syrup
    2017 - 45 taps on bag - 4 1/2 gallons of syrup
    2018 - 58 taps on bags - 7 1/2 gallons of syrup

    Smoky Lake 2X4 flat pan
    2018 - Smoky Lake 2X5 Corsair Arch with custom built pre-heater pan - 16 GPH!

  9. #79
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NW Wisconsin
    Posts
    752

    Default

    We have been doing the snow shoe slog for about 10 days now. We have about 1500 tapped, about 1000 to go.
    The last 2 days we actually saw sap moving, enough to find the 150+ squirrel chews!!! This is the worst I have seen the critter damage in my woods.
    Chewing taps and tubes...little B'srds!

    500 gallons collected yesterday. It begins.
    Jeff Emerson
    www.emersonsmaplehill.com
    3x12 Leader with over air, custom piggyback, 600gph CDL RO
    2500 on 25" vacuum
    350 4 wheeler, 500 snowmobile, and 1950's Ford 600 tractor, Husqvarna! (261, 372xpBigBore, 562xp), Stihl MS193 for in tree work

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