The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies released their 294-page report on trappers and trapping in the US during the 2023-24 seasons.

Here is a link to the full report: AFWA 2023-24 Report on Trappers and Trapping

Here are the Cliffnotes as provided by the August FFG News and Notes section:

8,379 trappers were surveyed.

The survey asked, why trap? On a scale of 1-5 it was wildlife management 4.6, nature appreciation 4.5, animal damage control 4.3, outdoor lifestyle 4.1, personal achievement 3.8 and obtaining meat, pelts and other products 3.5

Top critters targeted in order were coyote, raccoon, beaver, bobcat, red fox, muskrat, possums, river otter, mink and gray fox.

44% of trappers have taken Trapper Ed courses.

Footholds were used by 86% of trappers and bodygrips by 57%

Top traps were dogproofs 44%, 330's 39%, #2 coils 28%, snares/CR's 27% and #1.5's 25%

Most trappers had fewer than 20 traps out.

Trappers spent an average of $2,203.10 with expenses higher in Alaska ($6,700.00).

35% of trappers trapped fewer than 30 days. Alaskan and Western trappers trapped the longest, 53.8 and 47.7 days respectively.

Nearly all trappers used private lands with 72% using primarily private land compared to 10% who used public land.

82% of trappers said trapping wasn't an important source of income, 17% said it was. Western and Alaskan trappers placed the most importance on income.

Most trappers (80%) skin their own catches and 73% ate the beaver they caught. 37% ate raccoon, 22% ate muskrat and 14% ate bobcat.

I thought it was interesting.

Thanks Lugnut...good info and breakdown.

Wow, less than 20 trap average,
2200.00 in expenses.
No wander peaple think you can't make a living trapping.
It's been a while since I've seen what the fish and wildlife spend on the average to kill a coyote, but it was crazy high.

I'm sure they're including gas for trapping vehicles in those expenses but they still seem high to me.

73 percent ate the beaver they caught?

Bull

$20 that information voluntarily given will be used against trappers in the future !

Intrest thanks for sharing.

I wouldn't see why not.

I eat 100% of the beaver I catch. It ain't that many because I suck at beaver trapping, but I eat all of them.

I've also tried muskrat, bobcat and red fox. The muskrat and bobcat were good, the red fox wasn't.

we also eat 100% of the beaver we catch. we love it. pot roast beef stew ground into burger slow cooked whole the shredded and turned into pull beaver sammiches or use taco seasoning make tacos. man i wish i knew how good they were my first year trapping them. i used them cut up for coyote bait. not anymore. get a lot meat off 50pound beav

I also found that 73% eating beaver number odd. I have and do eat beaver meat, but would have guessed that number to be in the 20s, not 70s.

Very interesting info though, thanks for sharing!

I have never had trapping expenses near 6 thousand dollars. Back when I was depreciating snowmachines i may have made it to 3 thousand.

I was surprised at the 37% ate raccoons. Higher than I thought it would be.

Obviously they were surveying the rich trappers that know you have to spend money to make money.

Never spent $6,000 in a year that I could recall unless I considered vehicles but over the years that’s a drop in the bucket of what I’ve spent then add fuel and it goes even higher. I’ve trapped for months not days out west but in many areas weather and seasons limit a guy. 20 sets was about 10% in my hay day I’d run twice that in cages alone some years add snares and footholds they add up fast.

Being a multi species trapper requires a lot of traps so that’s a major investment right there.

Actually, I could see the average middle class trapper in Alaska spending this kind of money to catch 3 thousand worth of fur. Especially on the road system. Or an airplane trapper.