So many of us dream of going to Alaska, but only a few actually take the plunge. Sam O. White was one of those early adventuring pioneers who helped shape the great northern territory before it was even a state. Born in Eustis, Maine in 1891, the young woodsman longed for adventure after fighting overseas in World War I, and found a job that would take him to wild places. … [Read more...]
New Trapper Josh from NZ: Podcast Episode 110
Josh is a new Maine trapper who hails from New Zealand. We had a great conversation about how he got started trapping and learned the ropes. We also get into the ethics of trapping, how to deal with the 'anti' crowd, representing trapping in a positive light, and how to recruit new trappers. Enjoy! Support our Sponsors:Kaatz Bros. LuresFur Harvesters Auction, Inc. … [Read more...]
Trapper Forewarns Public about Line up Cache (jhnewsandguide.com)
A Wyoming trapper has decided to exercise his right to set traps on public land in a highly traveled recreational trail, and it's blown up in the local media. This could turn out to be quite the hot topic for trappers throughout North America. Lots of elements here. I'll be discussing my thoughts in an upcoming episode of the Trapping Today Podcast. Article below: Source: … [Read more...]
New Trapper with an Old Dream (Walter Arnold)
Getting old is nothing new. With age comes the inevitable slowing down, physical ailments, and in some cases, increased responsibilities. Walter Arnold was feeling it in the 1950's. He still got around great, but the responsibility part was grinding on him. Working on a farm to pay the bills sapped much of his time and energy, and his backwoods trapline was getting … [Read more...]
Book Review: Mink, Mary and Me
In the fur boom years of the 1920’s and 30’s, trapping in the far north wilderness was one of the riskiest, but potentially most profitable occupations in society. Many who struggled to find jobs in and around civilization went north, trapped fur and came out in the spring with enough money for a fresh start on the outside. Chick Ferguson first headed north to earn his stake … [Read more...]
Coyote Trapping with Will from Ohio, Part 2: Podcast Episode 109
In this episode, we continue our conversation with trapper Will from Ohio. Enjoy! Support our sponsors:Kaatz Bros. LuresFur Harvesters Auction Inc. … [Read more...]
Two Weasel-like Creatures Vying for Forest Turf in the Northeast — Furbearer Conservation
Jeff Traynor over at Furbearer Conservation put together an excellent piece on marten and fisher, their distributions and interactions with each other and the landscape, and how this relates to us as trappers. As a marten/fisher trapper myself, I'm always fascinated by where I see these guys out in the woods, and my observations here in northern Maine are fairly spot on with … [Read more...]
Fur Market Woes for the Trapper (Walter Arnold)
There are no new problems in this world, just old ones recycled in different form. I think that saying holds a lot of truth in all aspects of life, including trapping. As I write this, the fur market is at one of its all time lows. Fur prices don’t come near reaching the cost of production for a trapper, and we struggle to see an end to terrible market conditions. Without an … [Read more...]