Why would someone buy a trapline?

[Would Rather Be Fishing]

Let me start by saying I have absolutely no desire to get into trapping or purchasing a trapline. Also - clearly - no experience on the subject.

That said: I came across a few "trapline for sale" ads recently where traplines are being sold for 13K and more. The question I am asking: Why would someone - nowadays - purchase one of those? Nostalgia? Seems like expensive nostalgia....

As I understand it, you only buy the rights to trap. From some 10min googling, I see you have to uphold a min quota (I read 50 pelts/year), which seems "steep"?) or the gov can take it away. Obviously, you have to have a trapping license, etc.

Also, it appears that you need a lot of pelts to just cover 13K worth of cost

So, I can't see anyone being in it for the money (unless I am missing anything?). So what would be the point?

Thoughts?

[Wild one]

50 pelts is not hard to accomplish( 50 pelts would be a really bad season for many trappers) at all over a trapping season. Have not been watching fur prices lately but yes you can make $ but not a living

Think of trapping as a hobby/small business if you’re smart you can make some extra $ and have fun doing it

As for traplines a guy really needs to do research before putting up $ and prices are all over the map

[Would Rather Be Fishing]

Interesting...

[Phil]

The advantage of buying an established trap line is just that. Miles of trails are cut, sets are made, possibly overnight cabins, some history of game taken. There could be years of work done.

[Wild one]

Just don’t think it’s easy because it’s far from it. Hide prep is huge and involves skill to get top value out of a hide. When it comes to the trapping it’s a lot more complicated than bait and traps. It’s a combination of physical and mental to do well in my opinion

Trapping gives you a whole new outlook on the bush and animal movement for sure

[tomcat]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ as well "consider it a small business", if you’re smart you can write off expenses and make some extra $ while have fun doing it.

[caddisguy]

Some have pretty sweet cabins on them... so you buy the trap line and suddenly you own your own cabin.

And they pretty much have to give you the guys to any gates anywhere :)

Seems like a fun hobby / small business for anybody who enjoys the outdoors... particularly in the winter.

And you get the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that you are helping reduce any overpopulation of predators in your areas, thus helping the ungulates.

[decker9]

Although I inherited my trapline, it’s a pure hobby/lifestyle, it’s not something a person buys with the expectations of getting rich. A lot of people buy lines just for the retreat, build a cabin, on a nice fishing lake, it’s an easy process to apply to build, and probably a lot cheaper then buying land.

My line is small, after paying for my fuel, I generally break about even. It’s not much different then buying a guiding area, except outfitters can make their own prices.

On that note, even tho my line would be worth $15’000 tops, I don’t think I’d sell it for 10x that. If for whatever reason, I wouldn’t have inherited my line, after growing up trapping with my grandad and dad, buying a line would have been a must at some point in my life.

[LBM]

Let me start by saying I have absolutely no desire to get into trapping or purchasing a trapline. Also - clearly - no experience on the subject.

That said: I came across a few "trapline for sale" ads recently where traplines are being sold for 13K and more. The question I am asking: Why would someone - nowadays - purchase one of those? Nostalgia? Seems like expensive nostalgia....

As I understand it, you only buy the rights to trap. From some 10min googling, I see you have to uphold a min quota (I read 50 pelts/year), which seems "steep"?) or the gov can take it away. Obviously, you have to have a trapping license, etc.

Also, it appears that you need a lot of pelts to just cover 13K worth of cost

So, I can't see anyone being in it for the money (unless I am missing anything?). So what would be the point?

Thoughts?
Its 50 pelts or $200 worth of fur so you could catch 3 marten or 1 bobcat or lynx depending were you are and have met the quota
or 50 squirrels to meet the 50 pelt quota. I think it depends a lot on were you live up north you can catch more in the EK not so much
depending on the line , as mentioned many do it as a hobby and many have the line just for the chance to have the cabin.

[Cyrus]

Friend of mine bought one and although he probably spends more money on fuel then he makes on the fur he loves it. Just a good hobby for some I guess. Same for hunting...the money I've spent in the past on hunting I could of just bought a cow but i gotta do something in the fall....

[wos]

Let me start by saying I have absolutely no desire to get into trapping or purchasing a trapline. Also - clearly - no experience on the subject.

That said: I came across a few "trapline for sale" ads recently where traplines are being sold for 13K and more. The question I am asking: Why would someone - nowadays - purchase one of those? Nostalgia? Seems like expensive nostalgia....

As I understand it, you only buy the rights to trap. From some 10min googling, I see you have to uphold a min quota (I read 50 pelts/year), which seems "steep"?) or the gov can take it away. Obviously, you have to have a trapping license, etc.

Also, it appears that you need a lot of pelts to just cover 13K worth of cost

So, I can't see anyone being in it for the money (unless I am missing anything?). So what would be the point?

Thoughts?

Judging by your handle im guessing you are trolling!

[adriaticum]

It's an escape I think and you can have a cabin. Down here in the civilization I don't know that it's a good way to make money but it's a good way to get away and make some money at the same time.

[Norwestalta]

I can think of many reasons to buy a trapline but only 2 not to own one. I'm pretty fortunate that I'm partner on trapline right here at home.

[elch jager]

Does a trap-line give you the right to carry a handgun? My Granpa always carried one in Ontario when he trapped from 1940 to 1975. That alone might make it worthwhile for some.

[Wild one]

Does a trap-line give you the right to carry a handgun? My Granpa always carried one in Ontario when he trapped from 1940 to 1975. That alone might make it worthwhile for some.

You can apply for a permit if you have a trapline but it does not give you instant approval

[dakoda62]

Does a trap-line give you the right to carry a handgun? My Granpa always carried one in Ontario when he trapped from 1940 to 1975. That alone might make it worthwhile for some.
Looked into this a few years back, answer i got was, You have to make your living trapping, in other words it can't just be a hobby, approval process is lengthy and not always favorable outcome.

[Beachcomber]

The advantage of buying an established trap line is just that. Miles of trails are cut, sets are made, possibly overnight cabins, some history of game taken. There could be years of work done.

Is that how traps lines are valued or does the price rely on the number of pelts/economics it produces? I guess you wouldn't put all that effort in to trails, structures etc if it was not productive. Just curious as I have seen a wide range of prices.

[tomcat]

Yes that's how trap lines are valued; equipment and facilities included along with potential annual fur value production.

[sizedoes matter]

I know some buy them just to have a legal cabin to hunt out of.

[twoSevenO]

interesting. How much are trappers getting for the furs these days, anyways?

Can't really remember the last time i've seen someone wearing real fur. I know they still make expensive coats and what not, just not sure who wears them and where as i've never seen people wear it other than the Innuit.

[Tuffcity]

How much are trappers getting for the furs these days, anyways?

Beavers are worth squat (unless your time is worth about $3/hour) Better off tanning them, put the fur on a wood hoop and sell it on Etsy.
Lynx about 95-100 (don't have bobcats so don't know pricing)
Coyotes about a 100 for a good one
Wolves: 200-300
wolverine: around 400 for a taxi mount, less skinned out
fox about 25
no idea on marten- not open where I'm at.

Its more about your overall life style than making a bunch of money (in most cases). Which is why the government should actively clamp down on the "trap line just for the cabin" people and reallocate inactive lines. There are lines in BC and YT that haven't been actively trapped in over a decade but nothing is done about it and some one still "owns" them.

RC

[elch jager]

Curious if the animals are out of control in these inactive trap-lines and need to be managed to restore some balance?

Are there specific species targets for each line that are managed with a biologist's oversight or does the trapper just decide what he wants to target based upon his own goals and skills?

Is the province just looking at this from the perspective of taking their royalty on each pelt sold?

I used to accompany my grandfather on his line when I was a boy. I would consider buying a trap-line once I am done with the big city and ready to retire... trapping seems like a nice active way to spend time in the woods.

I met Brian Daks a couple of years back on his line north of Adams lake. Seemed like he was really enjoying the work and certainly didn't need to be doing it form any other reason than enjoyment and controlling wolves in particular.

[Dannybuoy]

marten might average 50-60$ , bobcat $400 .
elch ... untrapped lines probably yeild lower numbers of animals due to the dominate males controlling the population .... with cats and marten anyway