Question 1:Slim Pedersen

Question 2: most influential is my dad, took me trapping, taught me trapping, still motivates me and traps with me

Tom Miranda and my Dad.

Used to be a big fan of Miranda until he went on the meateater podcast saying he wouldn’t even hunt or trap unless he got paid to do so as a celebrity. It’s just a job for him, no interest in it as a lifestyle or hobby. All about the $$$

My Dad got me started when I was 10. Never forget that and wish he was still around to trap with.

That being said I have enjoyed my friendship with Gary Meis and all the stuff he has passed on over our time trapping together. We will get after the Beaver come spring time. Alot of you might not know him but he can hold his own with most any trapper. Also have enjoyed trapping with both Tim and Rob Caven. Great guys also.

Marty Meierotto, Mark Steck, I can name a whole bunch of guys. A lot of them are on here too. I always look up to the guys that have caught over 1000 rats in one season because those are the guys who really know what's going on. I will say the most influential though has been my local fur buyer/mentor who has taught me everything under the sun about trapping.

Brian Fischer & Lesel Reusaat

Thats my guy to lol

Stanley h a w baker, Russ Carman, Johnny Thorpe, Charlie Dobbins, Donald Biermann, Leo h o e f t and Larry s q u i r e s were all Trappers that when they wrote or talked I paid attention. More recently Don Powell, Mark June, k e n Smythe, Bob Noonan and a few others have all contributed to my knowledge and enjoyment of trapping..

Hal Sullivan. Grew up reading his articles in FFG. My mom for buying FFG for me and putting up with my outdoor pursuits in my youth. Eric

Used to be a big fan of Miranda until he went on the meateater podcast saying he wouldn’t even hunt or trap unless he got paid to do so as a celebrity. It’s just a job for him, no interest in it as a lifestyle or hobby. All about the $$$

I agree. But there was a ton of them in the 1970's and 80's. Sold books and lures for a few years and then disappeared.

I always enjoyed don schumakers stories, he lived quite a life. I also admired the leggets for a couple of reasons, one they were really good. And two they were a father son duo that also farmed together. My dad and I trap and farm together.

Great thread . Like some said there was no internet so ordered books and read magazines cover to cover thirsting for knowledge . A lot of great trapper's mentioned in this post . Also Bob Gilsvick

Tom Tyree and Lewis Quarles personally were the most hands on, influential trappers that taught me their skills.


Leggett's, Lewis Quarles, Phil Brown. All share/shared a common work ethic.

Enjoy readings from Charlie Dobbins and Stan Hawbaker.

Russ Carman , OGorman, Lenon , Dobbins have fine lure recipes and I respect them for that .

Tom Tyree for teaching me to handle fur. He’s top notch, and helped me a lot.

John

Tom Krause, Garold Weiland, & Leslie Craig O'Gorman.

Three Early 1970's Fox Trapping Rock Stars of my Trapping Era.

walleyed

There are a lot of trappers that I learned from I had some of the best times with the ones I trapped with--Tom Tyree, John Bijasko, my son Brian, Herb Senderling, Gary Jepson Kurt Beaureguard . Got to help build and test a new trap and trapped in all different places critters and ways to catch them..

Mel Hershberger, Bud Hall, Larry Slim Pedersen and James Lucero for sure.
The trappers who have influenced me most are probably not to well known. Low profile men that have made a living outdoors.

Why, you Joe Meek! I often wish I could go back in time and hobnob with some of those mountaineers.

Bernie, today I drove past the site of the Umpqua massacre of 13 of Jedediah's men in 1828.

Pete Rickard would be mine, Spent a lot of time at his place when we lived in Warnerville, NY. He always had a few pet Red Fox running around the place. Loved the smell of the room where the lures were stored. Trapped my first Red fox a few days after getting advice from Pete. When Pete was getting on in years, Buddy & I would go and chat, Pete would be out in the yard with his .357 shooting gallon water jugs at 50 yards, Wish I could line up my pistol sights at that age.

Paul Koch from Wright, MN
Ardell Grawe

I have to say...
Tom Miranda
Charlie Dobbins
Ron and Pete Leggett