Trappers

Trappers are individuals who capture wild animals, primarily for fur or population management. In historical contexts, fur trappers, especially in North America, traveled vast distances to hunt beaver, otter, and other fur-bearing species, often forming part of a broader fur trade network with Indigenous peoples and European traders. The practice contributed to the exploration and early economic development of frontier regions, while also affecting wildlife populations and ecosystems.

Trapping methods include various devices such as foothold traps, body-gripping traps, snares, and deadfalls. Trappers typically set devices along animal trails, near tracks, den entrances, or waterways and must adapt to seasonal changes and animal behavior. Ethical and legal considerations emphasize humane trapping, wildlife welfare, and bycatch minimization.

Regulation varies by country and region but commonly includes hunter-trapper licenses, trapping seasons, device restrictions, trap checks, and limits on harvest. Conservation agencies often regulate trapping to manage populations, protect endangered species, and deter non-target harm.

In contemporary times, trapping persists as a regulated activity for fur production, wildlife management, or subsistence in some Indigenous communities. Public perception ranges from support as a traditional livelihood or pest-control practice to criticism over animal welfare and ecological impact. In popular culture, trappers appear in historical accounts, literature, and media as symbols of frontier life and ecological change.