I like to ask this questions every few years as we get new members and old members chime in too. I believe trapping is and art and lure and bait making is a science

Trapping is an art because each trapper is unique and his methods are his own. We know that even doing things the same way will not yield the same results every time. Ask 10 trapper to make a dirthole or flat set and you will get 10 very different looking sets.

Science is based on if you do this each time it will yield the same results. Scientist adhere to given natural laws and their methods are the same. If you asked 10 scientist to do something they would most likely proceed in the same fashion using the same tools and get the same results

Bait and lure must follow the same steps and ingredients in order to produce the same results each time, this is why it is difficult to just jump into lure/bait making for amateurs.

As usual lets hear your thought boys! There is no wrong answer in my opinion.

MikeD

Art hangs on the wall to look at.

Trapping is more like a skilled trade.

See yet another opinion on trapping, thanks K Snow

If u look at the guys who put up huge catches in most species it's just learn the basics then do the same thing over until u need to sleep a little bit. Most trappers make it more complicated than it is. Few basic skills then it's just how much work u want to but in.

Now I could maybe see a case of it being an art for the coyote guy that is in the business of getting rid of that one smart hard to catch problem coyote that has smell more lures than most trappers. But those guys are fewer than most of is think.

Even struggle a litte with lure making as a science. All you have to do is put an odor in front of an animal and then see what it's response is. Do that 500 times you start to get an idea what smells and combinations they like. New odor just ask the critter

I think that is a very smart answer

you can have 2 mechanics get to the same running engine again in very different ways

you can have 2 carpenters get to a built building in different ways now both can be functional and one can be a work of art that is also functional.

Ditto on two stone masons

and two machinists

and two welders

that said like mentioned if the goal is the most houses built , the most cars fixed , the most stone walls built or the most pieces made , then finding the efficiencies in everything no wasted motion , no wasted time , everything has a purpose.

when they can make good welds, buildings , parts , ect.. and efficiently you have leveled up.

To explain my logic just a bit further, in addition to skilled trade and art, there is craftsmanship. That is making something useful, also visually stimulating.

I agree that trapping and lure-making are neither art or science but learned skills.

I believe it's both,
There are few professions that have as many hours of observation it them as trapping.
Through observation and repetition you come to understand the quarries behaviors and what's makes them tick,
Also there population cycles and seasonal diets. I would consider this scientific observation.

When I see a perfectly blended coyote set, be it a dirt hole, flat set, or a snair set that most coyotes will exept
This is a work of art in my eyes. Not the mention the modifications of equipment, building of live trapps
And so on.
A trapper is an artist who uses science though observation and repetition, and alo a skilled tradesman.
And if he or she has common sense, and good work ethics it might could be a livelihood.

The making of the set might be an art. How you handle the fur is an art.

The hours of observation, the need to learn as much as you can about whatever animal you're targeting is, in my opinion, where the science is.

We've all been "lucky a few times but luck won't fill the fur shed.

Great answers fellas, keep it coming

If one looks at the definition of the two words. Really could say it is either?? But I probably see it lean more towards definition of science???
Actually more to the

"ARCHAIC"

But then I tend to over think things.


Art
1.
the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
"the art of the Renaissance"
Similar:
fine art
artwork
CREATIVE
2.
the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.
"the visual arts"





Science
.1
the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories against the evidence obtained.
"the world of science and technology"
Similar:
branch of knowledge
area of study
discipline
field
2.
ARCHAIC
knowledge of any kind.
"his rare science and his practical skill"


Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

Well in the coyote world I figure there has to be some Jethro Bodines that just ain't too smart. If nobody has trapped there for a while then my luck will be good. Then as they see their comrades succumb to my witty tactics they smarten up and get light footed, and I get from the junior high students to the high schoolers. That's where my art comes in to play, the trapping supply houses keep their paint by number art just for their preferred customers so I have to resort to freehand, well its not free those traps, stakes, swivels, chains, gas and on and on all add up. It sort of goes from art skills to accounting skills. After I get up to the college level then I must resort to the science and buy the best lure known to man and if I'm lucky its the best not known to Wiley. Then when I get them down to last female in the bunch and I've used all my tricks to no avail and as I'm making a new set for her and she sits out there barking at me like a dog, I know I've been outdone. That's when I toss in the towel and tell her to raise another big litter next year. I rationalize my decision by thinking "those grapes was probably sour anyway" and I'm not for sure but what that is not a good thing!

Not sure art or science
I'm going with, it's a way of life

A tradition & a learning curve.
A most enjoyable & healthy outdoor activity

Food got thought -

After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in aesthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are artists as well.

Albert Einstein

Foxpaw,
Your poetry is true art work.

I don’t see it as either. It’s just persistence. Do anything long enough and you learn and get better at it each set or season.

Or, an afflicttion! LOL

pretty well nailed it

I look at it as continuing education. You learn something new at every trap check. You just need to look for minor details and do some thinking.
Example: I drained the swamp. Why didn't I catch a beaver.
a) it doesn't live there yet and is just thinking about expanding its range. The water level at this site has no effect on its home pond. No need to fix it in a hurry.
b) Its a 2 year old which just got handed its walking papers from its pregnant momma, and came upon a road culvert, plugged it, and kept moving on, never to return.
c) Jim Billy Bo Bob shot it last night.