I sometimes wish the Yukon had more roads......would be less trail to cut

Years ago north and east out of Fairbanks the road system was not maintained gravel roads. Travel was slow and the snow machines were too. Just to get to your line was like taking a trip down the Alcan.

In my case there were few houses past 18 mile CHSR, where the asphalt ended. The Hot Springs were owned by the Wilson family until it was closed for several years. My line was given to me by one of the Wilson's and was an active trap line prior to getting it.

I NEVER saw another person, tracks summer or winter.

My first line I hand cut in 1973. It is now the Compeau trail and fire break on Anaconda Ridge. In 1983 I was given my current line. I have trapped it every year since than and manage primarily the Marten with several different trails into different drainages.

If the snow machine of the day were Elans, the roads were not maintained and the trails had to be cut and maintained by the Trapper there would NOT be a problem finding a line.

You see the conflicts are over something already established. Ethics only work if you are ethical.

You can call me anything you want, yah I am old but guess what I'LL be there again...........this winter........and.....next winter.......and the winter after.....and....................

I am thankful that I came here when I did and waited my turn, cut many exploratory lines and ended up with what I have.

It's just like building a business, 1 day at a time, 1 dollar at a time and if you succeed you may end up as a businessman/ trapper.

Thanks for Trapperman
Larry Voorhees

So just to clarify their is endless opportunity's to hunt,fish and trap in Alaska as long as you move to the Bush of AK instead of anywhere near the road system?

If you think your gonna be alone in the bush read what HUPUREST had pointed out!!!!

It can be but since there are no roads if you are near a village the only trails available for travel including frozen rivers probably would be someone's trap line and the history of use goes back generations in most places.

And then you have Native corporation lands that in many cases are not open to non shareholders.


As long as there is public fed or state land you can trap no problem but access can be difficult and some places are not accessible at all no safe landing or all mountains thick trees or all of the above.

So you get a flight out to a national forest or State land far from villages or roads and set up camp on one of the million lakes in AK so you have water to drink daily and planes can often land on lakes frozen or not.

Head in early spring, Set your tent up and start cutting a new line and your good to go so long as you don't manage to run into anyone else's line.

If you do run into someone else's line then you start cutting your line a different direction or start over at a new drop off point.

It doesn't seem that complicated if your able to stay out in the bush for months at a time.

Easier said than done expensive too

Neverfinished: your location is not adequate. Post your correct location in your profile

that would be an expensive crapshoot just flying into a lake and hoping for the best. I guess since there's a moose behind every tree there must be 100's of marten just waiting to jump in your trap lol please let us know how it works out for you!!

Consider too that when you get dropped off "in the spring" and start cutting your line that you have to walk to the end and back every day just to get started and then back to the tent to eat/sleep. You're going to get pretty hungry too since I doubt you can fly in a whole summer's worth of food along with all your gear. Even if you do manage to bring enough to eat you have to keep it from the bears and other critters. Better bring a dog too. Oh, better bring dog food too. You're going to have to spend a lot of time cooking and doing camp chores especially since you have no refrigeration and can't cook a lot of food ahead. You will probably spend some time fishing and cutting wood too.

Eventually you'll need to move your tent closer to the end of the line. Now you might have to pack water from the lake and all the supplies you had flown in.

I think I'd have a hard time knowing I had crossed some else's trail in the summer. Heck I'd have a hard time recognizing my own if I was in new country. Unless you stumble across an old set, what will tell you that you're on someone's trail ?

Somehow I suspect it isn't quite as simple as getting dropped off at a lake in the spring.

"Alexander Supertramp" thought it was going to be easy, too. And he had the luxery of a pre-installed bus!

All Ye' doubters!!!!!!!!!

Bring a canoe.....

#28 Some people think that they cut a trail once and it stays cut.

and don't forget the swarms of mosquitos that will keep you company night and day!!

I live in a truck that moves somewhere between Florida and Alaska Daily. I can put my taxable address if it helps?

I'll probably never move up there to find out if my idea would work or not. Too much good land,critters and milder winters to ever drive me 3000 miles north into a land that goes dark and frozen for half the year if your lucky. Seems like as good as an idea as any though. If you just sit here online nit picking all the difficulties of living in the bush as a trapper you'll never get anything done.

Identify a goal
Make a plan
Execute the plan

Heck, a poor plan well executed beats a good plan poorly executed any day of the week IMO.

Let me know if you want me to use my taxable address for the location tab White

Yes that works as long as it''s one state.

#29: Unless you live in Anchorage, (and possibly there also), and something marine or aircraft related breaks, you will probably have to order a replacement.

[quote If you just sit here online nit picking all the difficulties of living in the bush as a trapper you'll never get anything done.

Identify a goal
Make a plan
Execute the plan
[/quote]

We are not nit picking( as you put it)we are pointing out the reality of trapping in a VERY HARSH climate if you think living in Florida is somehow going to prepare you to launch off into the bush and live and trap in a tent in unseen country -40 temps you need a serious reality check this nit picking could of saved your life.

And thanks for the advice on how to execute our goals that sure helps keep in mind many of us left our Mama long ago and did just what your dreaming of now.
I do think Florida is a fine place with mild winters plenty to trap you should do well there.

#30?
Most of those who come to Alaska with the dream of living on the line/in the bush & only coming to town a few times a year for supplies will end up living somewhere on the road system & have a "regular" job IF they choose to stay, & there is no shame in it. I know I did (25 yrs ago).
One thing I REALLY miss here compared to south eastern Oregon (Klamath Falls) where I grew up is open water trapping on those crisp fall mornings. Was down visiting my folks in November 2 yrs ago (1st fall trip since I left) & those open creeks & ditches were just SCREAMING muskrat & mink... Also those big straight sugar pine reminded me how much I missed logging there... BUT, God put me here & I aint whining