
Canada lynx 
HUNDRED or even fifty years 
A ago trapping was an entirely dif- 
ferent line of business from what 
it is to-day. The old, old timers tell 
us of exciting adventures experienced 
while in pursuit of the wily furbearers, 
encounters with the redskins, starva- 
tion due to the remoteness of the 
regions trapped, etc., etc. We read of 
how trappers were forced to travel and 
work in groups in order to suc- 
cessfully combat the hostile In- 
dians, of how they traversed 
some of the most bitterly dis- 
puted country under the cover 
of darkness, even then often 
meeting with fatal mishaps. 
But furbearers were plentiful 
and the opportunity to combine 
profit and adventure was not to 
be overlooked by the hardy pio- 
neers. The reading of these ac- 
counts is usually more enter- 
taining than educational for 
rarely is the actual work of 
trapping described in detail and, 
personally, we are of the opin- 
ion that trapping in the olden 
times was more a game of risk 
than skill. In other words, the 
furbearers were so very plentiful, in 
comparison to the present day supply, 
that one needed but a scant science in 
order to gather a very fair catch. To- 
day, with ever-increasing scarcity of 
wild animals, professional trappers are 
highly trained specialists, as we shall 
attempt to explain. 
Generally speaking there are but two 
main branches of trapping, viz: wilder- 
ness trapping and settlement trapping. 
That is, either a man tries his hand at 
the more hazardous game of pursuing 
animals, 
the furtive wild creatures in their 
natural haunts, far removed from civi- 
lization, or he traps near some town 
or city. The peculiar advantages of 
both types of trapping will be discussed 
in due course, as well as the following 
subdivisions which we have classed as 
Mountain Trapping. Although, in cer- 
tain instances, a man may combine one 
or more of these branches, we find the 
IUILVITVUUUUU UVTI 
While there is a good bit of romance 
associated with the taking of fur-bearing 
also an_ all-important 
practical side to the occupation that de- 
mands careful consideration. In this series 
of articles, Raymond Thompson who is 
a most successful trapper will endeavor 
to give Forest AND STREAM readers the 
benefit of his varied experiences, both in 
there is 
made a study of one special line. 
OME men like the mountains, 
others prefer the plains; some 
aren’t happy unless they trap from a 
boat and again we find the fellow who 
would rather wade around marshy 
lands. Each line has its advantages 
and disadvantages and it’s like buying 
a new hat—they all look good until 
you try them on! 
These classifications will, we think, 
The varied problems 
that confront the 
harvester of furs 
will be thoroughly 

covered in this series of articles 
dealing with 
Modern Trapping 
Methods 
By RAYMOND THOMPSON 
cover the entire field of present day 
trapping, though perhaps in time to 
come (if the furbearers last long 
enough) we will be obliged to add 
“plane” trapping along with “plains” 
trapping. Not long ago a friend of 
mine asked why the use of an airship 
wasn’t practical for north country trap- 
ping. We might call a man who trap- 
ped with a plane a “spot trapper” as 
no doubt there wouldn’t be any- 
thing left except a grease spot 
after the first miscalculation he 
made in landing. 
Speaking of such terms as 
“wolfer,” “’ratter,” “marten 
trapper,” etc., we have only to 
consider the wolf trapper as a 
plains trapper, the muskrat 
catcher as a marsh trapper and 
the marten trapper as a man 
who works in the mountains. 
The same man with another 
name! 
When a man is seriously con- 
the wilderness and in settled sections. sidering such work as trapping 
offers he should at least go at it 
QUDUUUSVDUAGUDLUDUOIUVUUHOUUIOUIUIUVUVUVUUUUVIUTULTUOUUUUOUVDOVGTOUUOYUUUUEGOUCUOVUUOUIOOVOUOSIGVUULTUUUUUUUULULL ee ses pple tah. ae 
ere is a certain romance in 
connection with the fur game 
most successful professionals have _ that is apt to warp one’s judgment con- 
siderably once the bug has bitten hard, 
but one can at least study the matter 
from various angles and determine 
which particular branch he is best fit 
to tackle. 
[X all fairness to my readers I am 
bound to say that wilderness trap- 
ping, while undoubtedly more attractive 
as an adventure, is far more apt to 
prove a disappointment than trapping 
near home—if one measures the results 
Page 518 
