Money Grows In Trees.

THE DEAL: Since the early 1960s, Sheldon's/Mepps, of Antigo, Wis., has paid a small bounty on squirrel tails, Which it uses to dress some of its fishing lures.

HIT THE SQUIRREL DOOR: Hunters drive up to the "squirrel door," where tails are sorted by species (fox, gray or black) and graded on quality.

THE PAY-OFF: Premium fox squirrel tails in a quantity of less than 100 fetch 20 to 22 cents per tail. If the hunter wishes to trade the tails for Mepps spinners, as most do, the company doubles the value of the tails.

WHERE TO GO: Over the years, the company has purchased between 6 and 8 million squirrel tails. To keep the tradition alive, call 800-237-9877 or visit mepps.com.

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By M. D. Johnson