I am talking about my area of operation,In farmland,fur is obviously not in a natural environment anymore,and is not considered an important resource,compared to crop values,or at best well down on the list.In a more natural environment ,a well managed trapline produces tons of fur at minimal effort-sustainable maximum in the good markets,minimum sustainable harvest in the poor markets,but must be trapped non the less.Where I operate logging practices are harmful to many species.But furbearer production is a more valuable resource over time than wood,since fur is renewable on a much shorter timeframe than wood,so in a given tract of core furbearer habitat the value an 80 year period of fur harvest will exceed the value of the wood taken off the same tract once every 80 years,which is the minimum turnaround time for the harvestable wood supply to replenish in a managed forest.
A trapline not trapped is a barren wasteland before long with little fur to harvest when the prices come back.There are several key species on the landscape that,when managed to sustainable minimums or maximums affect every other furbearer population in the ecosystem.A year or two of minimum harvest wont make much difference,but things start to go down hill noticeably after 3-5 years of no harvest.Targeted management of key species like wolf and beaver helps a lot
You cant chase the markets you have to stay ahead of it to cash in.
I could care less what the "govt" wants.My investments in past management efforts,equipment, improvements,and sweat equity in development of the line is what is important to me to keep things profitable long term.
Once disease takes hold in a population the long term results are devastating to the resource.Many traplines that have been vacant for a few years now cannot sustain any harvestable numbers of furbearers,and will take years of low returns to be worked back into a productive trapline.
Professional trappers are the front line conservationists.

That likely holds true on a registered trapline, but doesn't necessarily translate to trapping public land.

Boco- You still have to do your beaver "quota" so you can have your registered trapline(s)...? If so, then I think you do care (at least a little) what the "govt" wants. We have NOTHING like that here, and I suspect in most of the states...

Time to go to church

Boco has a point. I have been able to get permission on over 75 pieces of property to trap on over the last 50 years. If I don’t trap on these properties someone else will and I loose that piece of trapping ground when the price goes up. I don’t have to trap as hard, but I do need to show up and catch a few. That’s what I consider furbearer management.

That is not managing furbearers. That is turf protection. I understand turf protection. Boco's barren wasteland theory, does not apply here.

think about whats best for the sport as a whole and not just what is best for you.

I won’t trap at any price. Take beaver for example. I love trapping beaver, but when the market went to nothing I hung up my beaver traps. If a muskrat was bringing 6 or 7 bucks I might trap them through the ice, but I ain’t gonna for $2. Bout the only thing I might trap if the price ranked would be coyotes, because high fawn survival rates and happy ranchers are worth my time even if the fur isn’t. I haven’t targeted coon for a few seasons. I happen to get some in my coyote sets and I skin em when I do though.

Its not a theory Dirt,It is easily seen when doing aerial trapline surveys.Or when you are sent to an area to trap that has not been trapped in a long time,compared to the large amounts of fur that come off well managed lines.

No question in my mind. I'm firmly in Boco's camp on this one. I've done hundreds of hours of aerial track surveys. Areas that get no trapping deteriorate over time, at least in areas I've surveyed.

Jack

I got land from when the ones that use to trap it stop when the price went down and left the farmer stuck with problem animals . I talk with the farmers and told them I will do it only if I get to trap everything and I will trap no matter what the price of fur is. It is because it is just a hobby for me.I might not set any many traps .But the wild life tells me how many to set and manage them for myself. Boco is right for what he said also for how to trap. No matter you are in Canada or the USA .

Ah; there's the rub.

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with pursing trapping as a "sport" or just as recreation versus those who pursue it as a profession.
It's just that the two different schools of thought are speaking two different languages.

How come it's ALWAYS about the money ???? I just figured on setting a dozen traps out this year. Never figured on making a PROFIT !!!!!!!

1/2 Dozen Dog Proof coon traps and the setter: $69.95

1/2 dozen 1 1/2 Sleepy Creek double jaw coil spring traps $75.75


Lure: $50.00

License: $20.00

Total: $215.70

That's not including gas for the truck.

Do I care to make a Profit ????


NO!!!!! All the money I spent on Hunting and fishing gear and licenses, I never once thought about making a profit . Just do it to get out of the house.

If you're going to trap, no matter what the price, why do you care what stuff sells for or even if it sells since it obviously doesn't change what you will be doing?

I see nobody answered my question. Just another lecture from Ontario.

I trap every year and have for over 50 years, it's human nature to wonder what prices are and what they will be. I trap whatever gets me the greatest return in the shortest amount of time with the least expense. I'm also retired so I don't rely on trapping income.

Dirt-why are my points of view and shared trapline knowledge\experience a lecture and yours is not?

" Lecture; an educational talk to an audience, especially to students in a university or college."

I asked a question. I'm not trying to educate anybody. Well, maybe myself.

This has been a rather interesting discussion. But I will add that there is to little little guy end user development. Fur prices actually have an optimistic view in my mind. However was long as new blood doesn't enter the system. The experienced ones can dictate what pick out of the litter. So it continues. The market needs more fresh users.

Boco and dirt I hope you can agree on something some day.

My personal opinion is...… Since there is money or revenue tied to trapping , we are required to be profitable to justify why we spend all that time and effort. If catching a smallmouth bass only paid 50 cents , would you quit fishing. Is a fish worth 5 dollars ? 10 dollars ?... How much money do we need to shoot a duck ?