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Look Out Duck Dynasty, MTJ Predator Control is Here
You just never know when one thing develops into something sideline hobby that produces an income.
Living in the Missouri Bootheel that was originally a large swamp, there are still telltale signs of the animal habitat are still in the area.
A lot of farmers rely on natural drainage from the Mississippi River and drainage ditches of the Little River Drainage system to help drain their fields.
One would not think too much about it, but there is a lot of wildlife in the Mississippi River bottoms, especially on the other side of the levee.
One Portageville farmer will tell you first hand just how much damage these pesky fur critters are.
Micheal T. Johnston can share various stories about Raccoons, beavers, and coyotes.
"I guess this all began about three years ago on my farm. I noticed that beavers had built a dam next to a large steel culvert keeping the water from moving in its natural flow. I had called some friends and relatives in the best way to trap them. A friend came from the Risco area came and helped set his traps," says Johnston.
"At one time, some of older frontiersmen would leave from the north and make their travel south by horse and wagon. It would take days and at times in frigid weather to come to this area to set traps, and stay long enough to take their bounty and go back home," he said.
After Johnston caught his beaver, he soon realized that money can be made in the fur trapping business.
Since then he has trapped for raccoons, coyotes in addition to beaver. There have a few times he has had to catch Opossums.
"Recently, we trapped a big beaver, must have been 80 pounds. You move that much weight around, you will get a workout and toned up," he added! "We've been trying to capture another one that has been teasing with us. Hopefully, he will meet his maker tonight"!
Johnston is a farmer and notices where the fur critters are causing the most damage on his farm and figures out a good place to put the trap.
There are times that Johnston has to call in "The Marksman", Bob Carter Jr., to assist in blowing up the beaver dams. "When the dam blows, it's like Current River for the boys down here," he said.
With the help of his good friend John DuBois, they began trapping more often and videoing. DuBois started putting the video feed on YouTube, using the name MTJ Predator Control, with DuBois as the movie production manager.
"I kinda created the MTJ deal," said John Dubois. "He started a few self-recorded videos, and I have a good grasp on editing as I have done it for a few years to further my fishing tournament endeavors."
"You can see it two ways, Michael T Johnston or Michael T & John, which the second was my thought behind the logo when I created it," he added.
"Michael and I have been friends for many years. I started trapping with him last year. We have a good time together and really enjoy each others company. Not many people trap anymore and it is a past time that we truly love. I get excited each day I go. I look forward to my days off because I know it will be an adventure! Each day is different and each day is an adventure packed full of memories," said DuBois!
