Have you ever thought about becoming a professional trapper? Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern society and truly make a living off the land? How about moving all the way across the country to start your new career as a trapper? Mike Lapinski did it, and lived to tell the story. His 1991 book, Seasonal Pro Trapping, explains why Lapinski left … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2009
Washington Trapping Ban Continues to Impact Landowners
A number of states have banned trapping over the past two decades, and in virtually every instance, the loss of trapping has resulted in vast increases in problems with overpopulations of furbearers. One such instance is taking place in the state of Washington, where trapping was banned in the year 2000. Two brothers on the Wilson Banner Ranch, a fruit orchard in Alpowa … [Read more...]
What Trapping Ban Would Cost Connecticut
Animal rights activists often state that banning wildlife management activities like trapping will have no impact on the economy. Such was the case when proponents of S.B. 994 (which, if passed, would have banned trapping in Connecticut) would have no economic impact in the state. They were wrong. Jeff Serena, over at the Connecticut Nature Examiner, reports on an assessment … [Read more...]
Ban on Trapping Fails in Connecticut
Great news, trappers! Word has it that Connecticut's Senate Bill 994, which would have essentially outlawed trapping in Connecticut, has failed to pass the Senate Judiciary Committee. For now, the bill is dead, meaning that trapping can continue under the existing regulations administered by the Connecticut DNR. Efforts from Connecticut trappers, as well as trappers from all … [Read more...]
Maine Lynx Lawsuit Postponed
After four days in court, the lawsuit to ban certain types of trapping in Maine has been postponed until later this summer. After hearing testimony from environmentalists and representatives from the state of Maine for four days, prior commitments by the judge required that the case be finished over a couple of days sometime this summer. Stay tuned for more updates when this … [Read more...]
Activists Bring Out Their ‘Expert’ in Lynx Lawsuit
Trapping in northern Maine is under fire yet again, this time with the re-emergence of the Canada lynx lawsuit that rocked the trapping community this past fall and winter. Yesterday in Bangor, federal judge John Woodcock heard testimony in the lawsuit filed by two animal rights groups in an attempt to virtually put an end to trapping in its current form in northern … [Read more...]
Ontario Trapping Restrictions: Based on Science?
Recent hunting and trapping restrictions have hindered many Ontario, Canada residents near Algonquin National Park. Some argue that the decision to restrict these activities (particularly the pursuit of wolves and coyotes) in areas around the Park is based on scientific research, but opponents claim that the research is terribly flawed. Huntsville, Ontario resident Ron … [Read more...]
NAFA’s Latest Fur Market Update
North American Fur Auctions posted another wild fur market update in anticipation of their May fur sale. As expected, the auction house appears to be having a difficult time finding enough buyers to bid on all of the fur they have in storage. World events over the next month will undoubtedly influence buyer behavior at the May sale. But for now, it doesn't appear as though … [Read more...]