Trapping of wild animals is almost as old as man himself. Used as a means of getting food and clothing, it was a necessity for early mankind. Many of our early pioneers in America were trappers. Today, furs are still used in making many items of clothing, although few people now depend on trapping and selling furs for a livelihood. Nevertheless, trapping still provides many people with some supplemental income during the winter months.

Trapping is also a recreational activity. It's a good healthy outdoor activity which requires a keen knowledge of wildlife and particularly those species being trapped. It's a real challenge to be able to learn enough about furbearers and their habits to be able to catch them consistently and efficiently.

As a wildlife management tool, trapping is essential for controlling populations of animals which cause losses of farm crops or timber, or which otherwise may present problems for landowners and homeowners. In many instances, it is the only effective method of removing surplus or nuisance animals. Beyond that, there is actually a crop of furbearing animals which is produced and should be harvested each year.

Even though in recent years there has been sentiment against trapping and even some movement to outlaw it, trapping when done by an expert or professional, is an efficient and humane way of taking the animal.

Revised 2/16/2006.