I have asked this question on here before and have enjoyed the discussion. I think it is a combo of both, using science and biology and natural history of the quarry to help us make our sets and have them on location. The art comes in when making the set, have ten trappers make the same set and they will all be slightly different, and each on will use differing amount of lure, bait etc.

In science normally if you follow the formula and ingredients you get the same results every time (nearly). In art each artist work is their own, even though I learned from three expert trappers, my sets and methods differ from theirs.

SO I ask my brethren "Is trapping an art, a science or both?"

i think you nailed it

X2 nailed it.

I'd be more inclined to call it a skilled trade, which typically combine art and science.

Sometimes it's a three ring circus

Trapping is an art.....some art not be doing it

It’s everything you all said but I thought it was an addiction for all of us who like spend money tormenting ourselves chasing critters. Just like hunting it’s a game of love or you couldn’t do it. Just my opinion it’s to hard for most.

It might be science,but it sure aint rocket science.

Some parts of it is science as you can do something the same way every time and get the same result. Most of trapping is art.

Tis an art a science a skill set the longer you do the more you learn and put forth into the your methods of fur harvesting a life long skill set.

I think it starts out as a science for most trappers If you do certain things this will be the result of you doing those things .And almost without fail your efforts are rewarded to the level that the trapper applies those measures of how to be successful. For those that are more inclined to take it to the next level .The ones that need to know the how along with the why .The ones that are always seeking a better ,easier ,more effective method For those people it has been so ingrained to look at things from a slightly different point of view .They have perfected their observations of the complete process . And it has been so natural for them .That they do not think there is any other way to do the things that are just normal for them It is similar to those that are thought of as being lucky . It is my opinion the most prepared and hardest working at what they are doing are the most lucky . at whatever they under take . Sure you can go out and kill a trophy buck once or maybe even a few more times But to do it regular you need to be more than lucky .Same with trapping It is possible to catch a large number of critters with a large number of good locations .But to do it time after time you need to have a system and method to how to make it happen . And if you can do that than you have taken it to the level of being an art .

It is an art based upon scientific knowledge with a measure of luck tossed in.

Understanding the Science behind the Art helps.

This is exactly the type of discussion I was hoping for. I think when I talk to my Dad tonight I will bring up this question and get his thoughts on it.

It's a skill that some people are more naturally gifted at developing. See it regularly with people learning to train horses or work cattle. Some people can do it all there life and not develop the feel aspect of it and some pic it up quite quickly.

Its an Art some have down to a Science.

I like the skilled trade comment above.
Takes training to get to any level of competence.
After that maybe both art and science.
just

Science can be taught, art has to be gained or comes intuitevly. To me the science is knowing the biology of your species, their habitats and cycles. The gear including traps is a science as to how they function and what they do and matching species to appropriate gear. Once Ihad some science I then utilized my knowledge and then became wiser as I experienced more each season or even day. I have a natural science degree in wildlife ecology and that degree allows me to relate numbers, data, information and science based research etc. The experience I have gained in managing and running trap lines which have given me wisdom that I can either choose to keep to myself or pass on to future trappers.

Bryce

Hopefully you share your knowledge with others!!

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^