I spent a lot of years working for trappers - fur trappers and ADC trappers - and trapping associations in MI, in varying leadership roles. I am wondering how many people on here believe that fur trapping is recreational like a lot of State fish and game departments say it is? If so, why? What do you think makes it recreational?

Another question; Do you believe nonresident trappers should be able to trap in your State with the same identical seasons, for all of the species you can legally harvest, using the same regulations you do, and for the same license fee that you pay?

I know this isn't our typical type of discussion, so humor me. I've been on Paul's site for many years off and on under various names. I have 58 years of trapping experience.

I don't much care if it's called recreational or not.
And I have no problem with nonresidents playing by the same rules as residents. I wish it were that way nationwide.

It's a word game. There's reasons why things a labeled certain ways. When the word commercial comes into use all kinds of fun regulations come into play.

Definitely commercial here.
Non residents should not be able to acquire a registered trapline in my opinion but they should be allowed to work for an 01 trapper.as an 02

I post of this just my 2 cents.

I do it for the love of it. Will always be a heritage trapping furs to me,Born 1980 and I have been doing it ever since. I have so many pictures and memories of me and dad back then, and we still do a week long trip every year. Not only fur but also people in those days eat a lot of what I caught as well. ( Beaver, coon ). And I still
Have a lot of friends that will call every year looking for meat.

Now the out of State fees and reg. Yes I wish we could trap other sates the same as the locals and pay same price.
I have never veiled in having to pay extra for out of state license. On hunting or trapping. Any help
On the animal population helps and shouldn’t have to pay more. We are all ready paying to get there, paying to stay and eat. There still making money on us.

I would like to see the seasons, regulations, and cost the same in all states for resident/non-resident.
I am busy enough with trapping that I have sets out most months of the year and I would count only about 3 weeks as recreational. Most of my activity is focused on helping landowners with critter issues.

… I get paid a little to kill things around here

…. And a make a few bucks off of wildcat hides

…. I’d say that’s commercial

.. and as far as the nonresident stuff goes…. They come down here in droves to do the same thing

… then make social media videos about it

I trap because I enjoy doing it. Whether the fur prices are up or down I trap. I don't mind if nonresidents can trap as long as they respect any of the trappers in the same area.

As long as it's reciprocal I'm okay with it.

Registered traplines I would consider commercial.

Open area trapping I would consider recreational.

Non resident trappers should not be allowed.