I love under ice beaver trapping. It’s true that it’s the most labor intensive type of trapping there is, and beaver pelts are close to worthless in today’s markets. Still, there are a number of things I like about chasing beaver under the ice. There’s no competition these days, the season is long, the rules are relaxed in my area, and did I mention there’s nobody else out … [Read more...]
Preseason Preparation – Walter Arnold
Preseason preparation has always been of utmost importance to the success of a trapper. There are just so many things involved in setting up and maintaining a trap line that if you don’t get working on them ahead of time, you’re sure to lose valuable time during the season. That time is especially valuable during those first two or three weeks in the season, when the majority … [Read more...]
Last of Alaska Trapping – Podcast Episode 123
In this episode Jim and I recap my Alaska trapping trip from the cabin in the bush. Enjoy! Support our Sponsors:Kaatz Bros LuresFur Harvesters Auction, Inc.OnXMaps (promo code 'trap') … [Read more...]
Life in the Wilderness – Walter Arnold
By the 1960’s the old trapper was feeling his age, but he also had a renewed sense of energy that comes with living in the woods. He’d recently sold most of his businesses, wrapped up some personal matters, and went to live full time in the wilderness. After a bit of a break from writing magazine articles, he began to resume writing as well. The trapping was different now, as … [Read more...]
Alaska Trapping and Coronavirus: Podcast Episode 122
We trappers have been practicing 'social distancing' since the 1600's, when the Hudson's Bay Company was paying good money for beaver pelts and the mountain men scoured wild country in search of fur. But this Coronavirus thing is taking it to a whole new level! In this episode I talk about the virus and its impacts to the fur market, then go into a chat Jim and I recorded from … [Read more...]
A Complicated Performance – Walter Arnold
By 1960, Walter Arnold was getting along to be retirement age. For a man who’s always been independent and worked with his hands, it can be tough to accept the fact that you’re getting old, and it’s time to make a change. Walt was in the process of selling parts of his business, closing things out, and moving to his remote camp in the woods of northern Maine. With all that was … [Read more...]
Reflections from Walter Arnold
They say the only thing constant in life is change. Things change all the time, and if you stop and look back over several decades, it can be pretty surprising to see how much things have changed. In this article, Walter Arnold is looking back on his younger years as a hunter and trapper, and is fascinated by how much has changed over that time. I can’t help but wonder what … [Read more...]
