Well I could speak for the country as a whole, but I'll just speak for me instead. When Obama was in office, I went from working 40 hours a week, with insurance, to 30 hours a week, with no insurance, and being fined $800 a year for not having the insurance his plan took away. I wasn't getting rich before, during or after him... my avg wage for the past 10+ years has been $10/hr. In 2008 I was bringing home about $17k a year, after you took out for insurance and 401k. By 2012, I was bringing home only $14,809 a year after you took out Obamacare fines, and I no longer had health coverage, or a 401k.

So what has changed since then? I'm still working part time, but only because I'm holding off on accepting the full time job that's been given to me until after trapping season. Once I accept that, I will be making $23k a year before deductions for insurance and 401k. I don't know the insurance costs yet but am told it is a great plan. They also match 401k dollar for dollar, start off with 2 weeks of paid vacation plus sick time... and that's from a box store. I'll also be saving $800 a year in a fine I could not afford that I never had to afford before the policy robbed me of my health care, my 401k, and 10 hours a week of work.

Maybe Trump's policies aren't the best for rich lawyers like you James, but they sure are great for common folks like me.

eta:... and that doesn't even include Trump's tax breaks which put even MORE money in my pocket.

I think that what James meant is what has a Republican controlled government done specifically for a issues relating to trapping.

Well James, on a national level, the Trump administration scaling back some of the national monument areas and wilderness areas has reopened a lot of ground to western trappers.

On a state level here in MN a Republican controlled house and senate has s substantial impact on trappers in MN enjoying the current trapping privileges they enjoy. Substantial! If Governor Goofy and the metro liberals would have had their way the past few years relating to trapping it would have had a negative impact on how we operate.

Looks like money talk to me.

first post,

Is about hunting and trapping freedoms.

Here KS our republican legislature (just like AK) has made it legal to carry without asking permission. Exactly like our federal constitution says we can.

I don't know about anyone else but I had been warned in the past several times for letting a coat hang over my pistol or having it inside my bibs. Never was arrested but warned I could be. If the permission less carry law isn't a boon to trappers I don't know what would be.

It would appear the Canadian Auction houses are following Trump's lead on getting tough on the Chinese. Well, at least when it comes to selling Alaska marten too cheap. James would know this, if he actually was a trapper.

a moped i tell ya

wearing a ball cap topped with a propeller?

I notice he was here but didn't acknowledge the answer(s) to his question.

They never do!!!!!! That's why i call them "trolls"

As soon as I try to give a reasoned response to the trapping-related comments (debating other political issues is not allowed), some individuals will make personal insults and get the thread deleted. Then blame me for the consequences of their own posts.

Like the trolls they are.

Jim

What about Trumps tariffs? They could really put a hurt on fur prices and demand.

Can't really break what's already broken.

Oh, it can get worse.

Now if China puts a 100 % tariff on a $30 ranch mink or a $5 coon that means that coon will cost the Chinese buyer (if he don't go back to smuggling) $60 and $10 respectively. Still cheap. Now if those were $100 ranch mink and $20 coon, it would matter.

Steve once a furbearer becomes unprofitable to trap. I don't trap it. If the furbearer is a 5 dollar a pelt loss or a 100 dollar a pelt loss, it is still an animal that will die of natural causes unrelated to me. Right now, the international fur market has nothing to offer me. Similar to the last 30 years with a few exceptions.