Sure, there aren't many trappers left in California, but trappers and wildlife managers alike should pay attention to this bill. It's a perfect example of what can happen when folks who understand the importance of trapping become vastly outnumbered by folks who don't interact with wildlife on a regular basis. See the article below: Source: Fur trapping could be banned … [Read more...]
Trapping Season in Maine – Jeremiah Wood
This article was originally published in the November 2018 issue of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. Trapping season in Maine. It’s a time that a unique subculture of outdoors folk spend the entire year anticipating, and the rest of the crowd doesn’t even notice. The state is home to around 3,000 trappers, and while they often fly under the radar, trapping plays an integral … [Read more...]
Labrador By Choice
A man takes to the woods to make a living during tough times. It’s a story most of us can relate to on some level, but Depression era Newfoundland was pretty extreme in the tough times department. Ben Powell was born in a small coastal village of Newfoundland in the 1920’s. Everyone was poor and everyone was hungry. There were few jobs, and the ones that existed paid very … [Read more...]
Mark Taylor from Fur Harvesters Talks Fur Grading: Podcast Episode 61
On this episode, I'm joined by Mark Taylor, trapper relations manager and fur grader with Fur Harvesters Auction, Inc. Mark has an extensive background in trapping, fur handling and fur grading. We go back and forth on the confusion we trappers often face when it comes to understanding how fur is graded and what all of those symbols and abbreviations on your auction slip … [Read more...]
Why We Trap – Jeremiah Wood
This article was originally published in the October 2018 issue of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. The cooler weather and shorter days signal the inevitable coming of fall. Fog hangs in the river valleys each morning. The faint smell of skunk essence lingers in the air. To a trapper, these are signs that can only mean one thing: trapping season is almost upon … [Read more...]
Podcast #60: Garrett Volk from Volk Furs on the Market for Coyote Pelts
In this episode, I chat with Garrett Volk from Volk Furs up in North Dakota. Garrett is in the center of one of the hottest coyote markets we've ever seen, and specializes in buying western heavy coyotes. We talk about pelt quality, what makes a good coyote, things trappers can do to maximize the value of harvested furs, and his new fur manufacturing business. Find Volk Furs … [Read more...]
Carry On – Stan Zuray
Most outdoors folk are attracted to wilderness. It gives us a feeling of freedom, an escape from the civilized life we’re forced to live, at least for a while. But for some, the attraction is so strong that only a true wilderness lifestyle will do. Such people find themselves in the wilds of northern Canada and Alaska, living out lives that others can’t help but envy. Stan … [Read more...]
Under Ice Beaver Snaring DVD – John Lee and Harold Linskey
Snaring beaver under the ice is one of those unique subcultures within trapping - only a few have the ice conditions that permit it, and even fewer are willing to put in the work necessary to be successful. It's a challenge, but it's rewarding. Not in terms of pay, mind you, but the satisfaction of hauling a snared beaver through the ice in the dead of winter is pretty … [Read more...]