Lot to be said about goals, focus, determination, and the inner drive too. Everyone here knows that to run a long line, consistently, time and time again and day in/day out is wearing on anyone. Its easy to start to let up when you get tired, be a little sloppy, and hard to push on to the next set, or next day, or to face a skinning shed full of critters that aren't getting any "fresher" as they sit in a pile.
Everyone wants that big fur check, and a pic of yourself in front of a wall full of finished fur before that trip to the buyer. But everyone also knows that huge catches don't come easy. There's nice days, and there's days that the weather is less than favorable to be out in. There are laws, and there are ethics involved with set checking frequency, and you just can't put things off a day because your back is sore or you are tired, either. The physical stamina and conditioning it takes to carry steel, heavy catches, and slog your way through mucky streams, steep hills, or walk across plowed fields is something that one would expect a younger man to be more capable of.
Any trapper worth his salt deserves respect purely from the sense of what it takes to pull all of this off. The "older" ones still pulling off the physical piece of this I am always in "awe" of, and they totally have my utmost respect. No matter what the technique, how easy the equipment is to use, etc., at some point you still have to chop some frozen ground...swing a stake driving hammer, and traverse some nasty terrain to accomplish the goal. Even if the walk is only from the truck and a few short yards to a set, to do this day in and day out, through all conditions, and not get burned out on it after years of season after season, shows a devoted love for the sport. Those older trappers have truly "seen it all". Good price times, bad price times, competition, weather, plus juggle jobs, family, other things that still need to be done.
My hat is off to the ones that have stuck with it for so long and through so much, and are willing to laugh about things and share their wisdom with all the future generations of participants in this sport. Wisdom and Experience mean so much more than just "how to" make sets or catch animals. They also know how to live life to its fullest despite whatever else is thrown in, and how to stick it out for the long haul.
Thanks to everyone who has ever helped or inspired me in trapping. There are way too many to mention, and many of them I've never even met personally and will never know how much they have impacted my view on what we do.
Jim-NE
