Trap Line

[Anataq]

Wouldn't mind running a trap line at some point, aside for being very aware of where you are in relation to other folks trap lines, ANCSA land boundries etc. where would one begin to acquire the skill necessary to trap successfully?

-Anataq

[Jenny]

I'm sure Chuck will have more to add in the next few days, but joining the Alaska Trappers Association would be a good place to start. They have a magazine that comes out 8 times a year, I think. Interesting reading.

www.alaskatrappers.org

Also, you may want to start trapping where you live now. It will sure be differet when you get to Alaska, but if you've never done it, you'll learn about traps, skinning, fur handling, etc. Just a thought.

[Chuck]

Hey Anataq welcome to the forum. I've been out of town the last two weeks and have a lot of catching to do. I'll give you a few places to start, like Jenny mentioned start with the ATA, also there is another forum called The Alaska Gold Forum. They have boards for trapping, hunting, fishing, building, and more. There trapping forum is locked but is easy to get into. I have some other ideas and will look up the other links in the next day or so.

The Alaska Gold Forum: bb.bbboy.net/alaskagoldforum

While you are in the ATA site check on the ATA's general trapping course it is held twice a year. I have not attended it but just came back from their wolf trapping school that is worth the time and money. I don't know how much the school cost or when it is, I think it twice a year in the fall.

Good luck I be posting you a few more links later on.

I forgot to mention the ATA puts out a book on Alaska Trapping, there is also another good one on Alaska trapping I forget the name but it was written by Dean Wilson. It is available through many trapper supply sites, maybe the ATA I'm not sure. The other is sold through the ATA. Both are very good.

www.furharvesters.com/index.htm

Fur Harvesters is a Canadian Auction house that has a lot of good information.

[UgashikBob]

Anataq:
You have received some excellent advise so far in terms of areas to pursue for information. Before I moved to the bush I had never touched a trap and essentially gained all my experience from books,tapes, and on line forums like this since we live in a remote area and I had no access to an experienced trapper. You really can't beat the experience of a successful trapper if you have access to one. I've had good luck with fox, beaver, otter, and wolverine but wolves have been another matter. I've shot several but have yet to get one in a trap or snare. If it wasn't for the cost of getting there I would really like to attend the wolf traping school that ATA puts on in Fairbanks.
I guess my point is don't be hesitant to start trapping just because you don't have any experience at it. Its a lot of hard work but my guess is you wouldn't be this far if you were allergic to dirt under your fingernails. Hope you find a good area because the fact that I had excellent trapping available literally at my doorstep didn't hurt my training curve .

[Chuck]

Bob I just attended ATAs Wolf trapping school it is more than worth the money. I flew to Fairbanks from Dillingham it was pricey but worth every cent. One of the school organizers met me at the airport in Fairbanks and drove me to the camp where the school was held and dropped me back at the airport when it was over. If you can get some PFD tickets it sure helps cut the cost. One of the main instructors, Paul Kirsteatter probably has forgotten more about wolves than most of us ever learned is in his 80's and won't be there forever. Just what he has to say is worth the price, all of the others are the gravy. If there is any way you can do it; do it you won't regret it.

Chuck

[UgashikBob]

Chuck:
Your response is the same as everyone else I have spoken to that has attended. My problem is we only get out of here once a year to Anchorage and the airfare alone for the wife & I is over $1K just to Anchorage. The other problem is unless we go out right after breakup or in the summer we have no guarantee that we can get back because of ice conditions. We have done it twice when we absolutely had to and were very fortunate to get back. Landed on very shakey ice once and drove in 6" of overflow on 30 miles or river ice the second time. Maybe it will be different if we start having real winters again.
Really wish someone would put the kind of knowledge and experience you were exposed to on tape or in a book for us travel challanged people.

[Chuck]

Bob I know exactly what you mean, A Beaver from our homestead to Anchorage is $600. plus. It usually took at least 3 beavers a year to our place and a 185 to town. We also depend on lake ice in the winter for at least 2 months in the spring and 2 more in the fall we are pretty much land locked.
I think they are putting the wolf school on tape, spotter told me but I forgot if it was the wolf school or the general trapping school. I believe he said it will come out next year sometime. You might check with him over on the Gold Forum.

[UgashikBob]

Chuck:
Where is your place located from Dillingham? That sounds very reasonable for a Beaver to Anchorage as they get $600 for a Beaver on floats from our place just to King Salmon (80 air miles one way)

[Chuck]

Our homestead is about 60 miles northwest of Anchorage, behind Mt. Beluga, about one mile east of Hiline Lake. We are only in Dillingham as part of an agreement with Taiwanese courts for the adoption of our oldest son, when our commitment here is over we will be heading home.