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Where do we make our money? #6285946
07/24/18 11:40 AM
07/24/18 11:40 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,168
Rochester, MN
Teacher Offline OP
trapper
Teacher  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,168
Rochester, MN
Fast food businesses make a lot of money on soft drinks. The disposable cup is $0.10. The flavoring, carbonation and water totals $0.15. Throw in $0.25 for labor and overhead and the total cost is ~$0.50 a glass regardless of size. The cost to the customer however is $1.75 or more so this is one item that offsets other items where the costs are higher. Thus, profit is being made.

Hardware stores sell 4-pack aluminum ferrules at 5 times what you’d pay for them at a trapper’s supply place. Shoe stores, clothing stores, automotive parts stores, all have 100+ % markups and at some point, especially with high product turn over, they’ll see profit. I won’t even get into the $10 aspirins nor the $75 boxes of Kleenex hospitals charge. Or the gazillions whole-life insurers make, while paying you a minimal 3% on your money.

As trappers, besides the inherent benefits of being outdoors, what is our “ace in the hole” or ‘low cost-high profit’ item that gives us a financial incentive to keep trapping? I’m thinking there is no real financial incentive for hobby trappers to stay with it. The love of the sport is where it’s at. For long liners and lure makers, I’d assume you know where the break even point and the point in which there is enough profit to stay in the game.

I tried to figure it out one time. Many times, actually. Mileage always pushed me from profitability to loss. At today’s tax rate for mileage, it doesn’t pay to be driving a 16 mile per gallon vehicle. With low fur prices, you have to knock off over 100 decent coon just to pay for gas some years. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve trapped un-profitably for many years and I’m not about to quit any time soon. But, for those who routinely see an income from trapping, where does it come from?

Last edited by Teacher; 07/24/18 11:47 AM.

Never too old to learn
Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6285961
07/24/18 12:02 PM
07/24/18 12:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,483
Nebraska
silkyplainscoyot Offline
trapper
silkyplainscoyot  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,483
Nebraska
Although some fur trappers may fair well the ace in the hole would be when they ADC trap.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: silkyplainscoyot] #6285980
07/24/18 12:28 PM
07/24/18 12:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,004
alabama
steeltraps Offline
trapper
steeltraps  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,004
alabama
Originally Posted By: silkyplainscoyot
Although some fur trappers may fair well the ace in the hole would be when they ADC trap.
100% right! ADC is where its at, for most. IF you can find, the right people. Their is NO reason you cant get 250-350 dollars a day trapping coyotes IF your good at it.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6285991
07/24/18 12:45 PM
07/24/18 12:45 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
C
Calvin Offline
trapper
Calvin  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
Yes, ADC where the money is...but for some reason I just hate doing it.

BUT even in years where you LOSE money, this can work as a financial benefit in regards to taxes on your normal 9-5... for a profit in the end (or less taxes paid).

Not to mention all my traps, boats, trucks, traps, insurance, fuel and maintenance is paid for out of the trapping account. That's money we don't have to use from our regular 9-5 account.

But yeah...it's going to be a few very lean years for the IRS in regards to "profit" in fur trapping.

Ace in the hole? Mmmmm. Not sure there is one right now for fur....Probable a couple coyote/cat guys doing alright if they are hitting the right areas. We need a coon or rat spike again. At least I do.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286007
07/24/18 01:14 PM
07/24/18 01:14 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,132
SWMo.
T
tjm Offline
trapper
tjm  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,132
SWMo.
Calvin touched on it, good records for the tax man.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286037
07/24/18 02:00 PM
07/24/18 02:00 PM

M
MsgRet
Unregistered
MsgRet
Unregistered
M



Trapping is hard compared to most other outdoor endeavors. That's why there aren't that many of us by comparison.Ya gotta love it and if the small check pays the gas and Xmas gifts that's fine. Today I am going trout fishing with my fly rod with flies I made myself. If I am lucky and get my limit of 3 fish I will have a meal. When gas, snacks, etc are added up those three trout will cost more than in any high end restaurant.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286134
07/24/18 04:57 PM
07/24/18 04:57 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,477
PA
M
Marathon Offline
trapper
Marathon  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,477
PA
YouTube

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286149
07/24/18 05:13 PM
07/24/18 05:13 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,851
perry co.Pa
wetdog Offline
trapper
wetdog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,851
perry co.Pa
Tanned fur done yourself
Send it out and have hats and such made
I'm trying to get the sewing down
But its not as easy as sewing cloth

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286169
07/24/18 05:36 PM
07/24/18 05:36 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,518
MB
J
Jurassic Park Offline
trapper
Jurassic Park  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,518
MB
It cost me about $5 in fuel to run the snowmobile to check my coyote line.
I averaged $130 on my coyotes last year. Each coyote gave me enough money to check my line 26 times. I probably checked my line 15 times all winter. I made money! If the coyotes don’t pay good money then I’m sure the Marten or Fisher will be paying good. I made enough money on the second sale to pay for years and years worth of gas. Pimp!


Cold as ice!
Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286203
07/24/18 06:05 PM
07/24/18 06:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,954
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
H
Hutchy Offline
trapper
Hutchy  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,954
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
5 bucks gets me to the first trap on one line, and gets the truck and trailer to the parking spot on the second line. And my lines are all close. Still make money, but each run is more likely about thirty bucks each trap run, not to mention oil for the sled, cost of the sled, bearings in the suspension, etc. And I have two ATVs and a boat that also gets used.

I am not making money to speak of when catching fiften dollar beaver and forty dollar fisher this past year.

Nuisance trapping, while I don't like killing an animal I would otherwise pursue because it is a "nuisance", it pays better at 150 a critter.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286212
07/24/18 06:12 PM
07/24/18 06:12 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978
potter co. p.a.
P
pcr2 Offline
"Twerker"
pcr2  Offline
"Twerker"
P

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978
potter co. p.a.
30 yrs of puttin up fur for buyers.









Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286228
07/24/18 06:33 PM
07/24/18 06:33 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
T
trappergbus Offline
trapper
trappergbus  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
The line I run with lower fur prices starts a mile from my home. I run 6 permissions at ounce. Total mileage for that loop is 60 miles. My main target is yotes but I take every animal available as long as the location is close to the truck. The other species pay for gas. All while working full time. I wish the yotes here averaged 130, I'd be doin back flips.. The biggest cost is gas, time management is key..

Don't quit your day job! wink


Common sense catches alot of fur..
Pay homage to all you harvest..
Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286235
07/24/18 06:38 PM
07/24/18 06:38 PM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 308
Virginia
C
coontrapper2016 Offline
trapper
coontrapper2016  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 308
Virginia
Selling just your fur there's not much money to be made. But find a market for glands and skunk essence and there's a few more bucks.

Last edited by coontrapper2016; 07/24/18 06:39 PM.
Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: coontrapper2016] #6286260
07/24/18 07:10 PM
07/24/18 07:10 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
T
trappergbus Offline
trapper
trappergbus  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
All adds up.. 2 5 dollar coon pays for gas.


Common sense catches alot of fur..
Pay homage to all you harvest..
Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286505
07/25/18 12:42 AM
07/25/18 12:42 AM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,132
SWMo.
T
tjm Offline
trapper
tjm  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,132
SWMo.
I work slower than you, two five dollar coons pay for the skinning and put up of one.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286633
07/25/18 09:01 AM
07/25/18 09:01 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,168
Rochester, MN
Teacher Offline OP
trapper
Teacher  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,168
Rochester, MN
I’m going to have to run shorter lines with more traps and catch more per stop. The days of catching lots of high dollar anything have come, gone, and will be here some time in the future.

Pocket gopher contracts complete with township bounty. Per animal payment from land owner, and walking the pocket gopher line has been shown to be profitable. There are no glands to harvest but Trapper Arts in Wisconsin has been known to buy the carcasses if it isn’t too costly to drive there. ADC work seems to get the best $$ for the work done.


Never too old to learn
Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286705
07/25/18 11:42 AM
07/25/18 11:42 AM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,132
SWMo.
T
tjm Offline
trapper
tjm  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,132
SWMo.
Quote:
ADC work seems to get the best $$ for the work done.
There you have it.
And ADC is not a hobby, so justifying your trapping as a business to the IRS is easier, if you do end with a net loss some time.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286708
07/25/18 11:45 AM
07/25/18 11:45 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,414
Idaho Falls, Idaho
F
Furvor Offline
trapper
Furvor  Offline
trapper
F

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,414
Idaho Falls, Idaho
The money is in trapping other trappers. Sell lure, books, personal instruction, etc. That's not for me.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: Teacher] #6286712
07/25/18 11:51 AM
07/25/18 11:51 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,871
NNY
0
080808 Offline
trapper
080808  Offline
trapper
0

Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,871
NNY
I was at Sutters Mill during the gold rush . Went bust digging for gold but made a fortune selling picks and shovels.

Re: Where do we make our money? [Re: tjm] #6286792
07/25/18 01:54 PM
07/25/18 01:54 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
T
trappergbus Offline
trapper
trappergbus  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
Understood, but I sell my coon rough skinned. For now anyway.


Common sense catches alot of fur..
Pay homage to all you harvest..
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