That is an interesting way to define a professional. So if you have your finances in order enough that you don't need instant cash to put food on the table you are less of a professional?
Yes sir: That's the way I'm reading the OP, your not a true professional trapper unless you are in a financial position that you need money right away or very soon after your done trapping. I'm confused why one's financial situation would determine if they are a professional or not. I've got an idea about the real Maybe Mac could explain his point a bit more.
motivate for the OP but its speculation so I'll keep it to myself.
Forgive my ignorance but I simply do not know what the acronym OP stands for.
So therefore I cannot speculate just what presumption you have for "I've got an idea about the real Maybe Mac could explain his point a bit more."
Not sure how long you have been in the game, not that matters. Except you view point might be based on 3, 4 or 10 years of being involved in the trapping game.
My perspective potentially be different due to the fact that I have spent over 5 decades in the game, and have been a student of the history of trapping. That may be why we look at things differently and it could be I am not articulate enough to ask probing questions. I am but a simple man.
"I'm confused why one's financial situation would determine if they are a professional or not."
Well it not really all that confusing unless one is looking for some dark hidden motivation concerning the comparison of professional trappers in the past to professionals of say the last 30 years.
I suppose you could look for some hidden meaning lurking in the shadows for a reason for the topic. If you come up with one, please share.
Yes sir wrote: No business is the same as they were 40 years ago. Even the "professional " trappers of 40 years ago are quite different than ones 150 years ago.
You are spot on. Times and business practice change.
pcr 2 writes:" do we need labels??"
I admire your willingness to help others and certainly your trapping skills. (Love those mink pictures you shared not long ago) But to be honest, due to your sense of humor, I am never sure when you are joking.
I guess you have a good point. Following suit with that line of thinking, one would assume folks will stop labeling those darn liberals, and they should not be picking on the orange man.
We better not label those limp wristed anti gun folks. Etc.
Dean Chapel writes: "You used to be able to find a local buyer to sell as needed. Not so many options anymore"
Excellent and valid point.
Walleye 101: "That is an interesting way to define a professional. So if you have your finances in order enough that you don't need instant cash to put food on the table you are less of a professional?"
Good point.
But I have a question for you.
Do you personally know other folks in other professions (doctors, lawyers, carpenters, plumbers, nurses, teachers, store clerks etc. etc.) that can go for months at a time living on their savings or the stock market dividends? You may, so I would hazard a guess that we fly in very different social circles.
If I were you I would change my tag or handle. Some might think you are related to the other "Walleye".
Beezmador : O'Gorman had/has a lot of barn photos. Pretty hard to argue him anything other than a "professional". Not sure I understand how the definition of a pro trapper label has to do with whether you need to sell fur the moment you catch it. Zagger, in my mind, is a professional trapper, but not a man that will miss a meal if he doesn't sell his fur that week. Guess I just don't get it....
Well lets think about this for just a moment. And God knows I have been wrong a lot of times, because I am thinking from a working class mentality.
If a trapper sells 5 muskrats he is a professional. He made money working in an endeavor. If one receives money, technically a professional is this person. But does this person use the professional money to support a family and house hold?
One might plausibly make the jump that a man that does not have to sell fur as he goes, might, just might be making money in other areas they are involved in. One could speculate that an individual is yes making money in the end, but may not truly be dependent on a fur check. Just a different way of looking at things.
Not really looking to argue, just making an observation.
I think some of the comments are confusing the words expert with professional. Two different titles.
I might be wrong but I will go out on a limb with this statement. Mr Zagger and I do not spend time on the weeks playing cards or drinking beverages. But that said I consider him a friend.
Again, I might be wrong, but I bet Mark does not label himself a professional. Sure he sells his furs and to let folks in on an inside secret, the boy is not just a pretty face. He has found some ingenious ways to market fur. But that is not how he makes a living.
Is Zagger an expert? I would say he is no doubt one of the most expert canine trappers I have met and spent time with. And I should add I have spent time with some tremendous trappers. He has a tremendous amount of knowledge and his skill set as a coyote man would pretty darn hard to match. Never once have I heard Mark claim he was a professional. Think about that for just a minute.
And I would out up against anyone. Good Lord not that long ago he went West trap and one of the most often talked about trapper spent time whining and complaining about the guy that came West to trap "his" coyotes. Boo Blanking Hoo, What a whiner. He tried to bad mouth Zagger and the man form the East put him in his place.
He has paid his dues. He has developed a system that extremely effective, and innovative. He gives credit to those he has learned from.
He is a coyote killing machine. He is a hard worker, and very competitive. There is no doubt that he is truly a canine expert. Knowing what I know of the guy, I would put my money on the bet that he will be a high performer at what ever he decides to trap. Expert for sure. Again, never once heard him say he was a professional. He is not the most humble man I have met but he is not a chest beater like so many today. Most extremely confident folks often do not seem super humble. That is because they have worked hard and are confident and believe in themselves.
There are countless guys on this forum that I would consider out standing experts. Many do not claim to be a professional. The majority also work at other work that is no doubt more lucrative than fur trapping. There are lots of true experts on here.
Note: For God's sake I have no argument with trappers that consider themselves a professional like lumber jack 391 wrote. No argument. I bet he is probably a proud man that is also an expert.
It no doubt pays for a person that makes lures and baits for sale or to sell you school learning or instruction, to keep you fur for a picture. Good marketing for sure.
Guys doing complaint or ADC work, yes, those guys are trapping for money and there is no doubt they are both professionals and experts.
I have almost forgot what the original topic starter was about. But thanks to those that have joined in.
Pastor June wrote: Mac,
You're always thinking brother. Always thinking.
Good question.
Thank you sir.
You bet sir. Always trying to think and watch others to figure out why they do what they do, and how they go about it. One item that has given me a lot to ponder is the instruction game. It is a most interesting thing to examine. Look way back and you will find ads from some big names running ads in FFG. Bill Nelson and others. Back in the last real fur boom there were quite a few instructors advertising. Some wrote some pretty fancy marketing piece that borrowed from other literature, and some pretty clever lines were used. Some could really put the LDC out.
In more recent years schools have popped up. Very interesting to see how things have progressed or evolved. Interesting in deed
Thanks to all that responded.
Peace to all and God Bless
Mac