Author Topic: trapping - pay off? or not..... hey Tom (Read 620 times)

itrap · « **on:** October 15, 2005, 05:29:30 PM »

hello tom and other trapping fellas.
i have a neighbor who talked to my dad the other day about trapping and such. and my dad said that he thinks that trapping doesn't realy pay.

well i for one - do not agree.
i believe that a fella can make good money, if he realy knows what he is doing and sticks to it, and has a good line and close surroundings.

Tom, i know that you had a topic here or one on another trapping websight that i read yesterday or the day before on something very simular to this topic.

could you point me to it - so i could show this crazy neighbor of mine that trapping does pay off, and can make good money doing it, ect.......

i plan on taking lots of pictures of my fur shed being full, and sight catches, and furs and other guys fur sheds, ect...
this should make the fella think more before he voices his opionion.

Tom i'm with you about the coon thing and furs in general, i know you had some simular conflicts on this topic, so thankyou very much if you would post them or point them out again, so i and other people can see that trapping is more than just the money, ect... enjoyment of outdoors, and Gods creation and such...
Thankyou!

.................
dan

Bogmaster · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2005, 05:07:28 AM »

Dan,sorry I couldn't reply to your post a bit sooner.I am not always near a computer when away from home.
Trapping is one of the few outdoor activities that can actually pay for itself.
Hunting and fishing ,may provide you with some good eating,but it really doesn't pay for itself monetarily.I said monetarily,not mentally or physically.
Trapping can do all 3.
Trapping,is also one of the best ways to help control wildlife populations.This is a point I brought up somewhere else--trappers profess to help control populations,but then as the case with coon---if the price aint right,they are not going to trap them.
Lets not speak out of both sides of our mouths,If you have a large population of a certain animal,help out a bit----take some of them--regardless of monetary gain.Better for a coon to be taken by us,than let distemper take it.
I write about trapping,I sell trapping supplies, I make Beaver lures,and yes---I do trap.Trapping is what my life revolves around.Is it worth it monetarily????I probaly work close to 365 days a year--12 hours a day .I would be a wealthy man,if I were able to make minimum wage.It is probably closer to $2.00 per hour.Would I change anything?

?lol--yep---wish I made closer to $4.00 per hour.
Dan,if you are looking for this industry to provide the nations average income---it aint gonna happen.If you are looking to stay in good physical and mental health,along with a few bucks in your pocket---trapping is your game.I doubt if few younger guys could keep up with me in the swamps.
I also doubt they could load and unload a ton or 2 of supplies and set up at conventions every week.
Trapping has many ,many benefits----just don't expect to get rich.
Tom

Paul Ellsworth · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2005, 05:27:07 PM »

Thumper · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2005, 12:40:55 PM »

This is always an interesting topic that is brought up from time to time. There are some older guys out there that I'm sure can remember when fox brought in $80-$100 and coons around $50. Rats used to bring in at least $5-$10. I'm talking 25-30 years ago when gas was less than a buck. Those days are long gone! The majority of the guys I know still trap because of the love of the hobby. It has become a ritual in late summer to do all your preseason prep work. I still do this year to year because I love being out and trying to outsmart some young fox or coyote into stepping into the wrong place before I get busted. This has gotten to be a game for me. I can see your dilema and understand where your dad is coming from. I'm just saying your sole purpose should not be money. The rewards I have reaped over the years money can't buy. My youngest son, now 16, is the with me checking and skinning. That is our time together and I wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China. There are options to what you may be looking for. Talk to an accountant and set up a small business. You can writer off all of your equipment as well as get reimburst for gas mileage. I have friends that do this to offset there expenses. I agree with Bog on this, if money is your motivator, save youself a lot of money, time and grief and get a second job at WalMart. These are things you need to consider before you plunge into this sport. It is time consuming, hard work and can be very frustrating, but the rewards can be rich beyond paper bills. Food for thought.

OK, lets here from some more old duffers on this.

itrap · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2005, 05:14:10 AM »

thankyou tom,
thanks all.

i agree.
good info and good thread.

.............

wormbobskey · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2005, 06:29:01 PM »

When I first started trapping 30 some years ago I have to admit it was to make some money for myself during the winter. Back than a prime rat was worth 6.00 or 7.00 and a fox close to 50.00. But now I spend more money getting ready for the season than I could make back in furs. But like a lot of guys it isn't about the money and to a certain extent never has been. If I'm not working or doing the honey-do-list, I'm in my trap shed tweaking traps or making snares or whatever needs to be done before season opens. I make a little money every year doing ADC work, but that only pays for gas anymore, but keeps me sharp catching those problem critters. A real dyed in the wool trapper is out there regardless of the price of the fur. Of course we all hope that the prices paid will be high, but its the experiences and memories that pay for me. Worm