howdy yall. i just want to know is it worth trapping anymore? i used to run a large trapline in south dakota a few years ago and no matter how much fur i brought in i still lost money. i was only getting 5 bucks for a beaver and 1 buck for a mink. was i getting ripped off. eventually i started selling in iowa and made more money. but money wise is there still any money in trapping? thank yall for the help.
IS TRAPPING WORTH IT
- Thread starter JR_KUNTZ
- Start date
Twenty-two Two Fifty
New member
$5.00 for a Dakota beaver? I would say you were ripped off, especially if all your beaver brought this. The kits and yearlings will always be less than larger beaver. I have received $5.00 for kits in the green (unfleshed).
In my opinion, trapping isn't worth it if one is just in for the money. A person has to be a damn good trapper with access to lots of land and lots of furbearers to make a living at it. Red O'Hearn catches lots of raccoons, but he also has his book and seminars as a source of income. The people who make the most in the fur business are the big furbuyers who know the prices to pay and sell raw fur. There is also the lure maker--another big money maker if you get a name as a good trapper and make and market the lures you use. I think lure makers made more during and right after the fur boom because of the big dreams of trappers.
In conclusion, I trap, but I don't consider it my profession. I try not to lose a lot of money doing it, but I don't care if I lose a little. There's always the joy of being out and seeing a lot of stuff, and that's worth a lot.
In my opinion, trapping isn't worth it if one is just in for the money. A person has to be a damn good trapper with access to lots of land and lots of furbearers to make a living at it. Red O'Hearn catches lots of raccoons, but he also has his book and seminars as a source of income. The people who make the most in the fur business are the big furbuyers who know the prices to pay and sell raw fur. There is also the lure maker--another big money maker if you get a name as a good trapper and make and market the lures you use. I think lure makers made more during and right after the fur boom because of the big dreams of trappers.
In conclusion, I trap, but I don't consider it my profession. I try not to lose a lot of money doing it, but I don't care if I lose a little. There's always the joy of being out and seeing a lot of stuff, and that's worth a lot.
i've been traping for 25--30 yrs and am not rich yet most yrs i can make gas money with enough left over to buy a new toy (gun ,caller ect) but i drive 1980 dodge deisel 4 banger that has been hit by a tornado while trapping 10--12 yrs ago gets 25+miles to gallon. send all furs to canada to the auction.
the way i look at trapping
(1) don't have to buy a bow flex saving big $$$
(2) don't pay to join exersize gym
(3) no high priced tenny-runners for me
(4) keeps me out of the saloon this saves who knows how much
maybe i'm a hell of a lot richer because i'm a trapper then i think??? bg
the way i look at trapping
(1) don't have to buy a bow flex saving big $$$
(2) don't pay to join exersize gym
(3) no high priced tenny-runners for me
(4) keeps me out of the saloon this saves who knows how much
maybe i'm a hell of a lot richer because i'm a trapper then i think??? bg
Well, I tell you JR, I just got back from checking my line up here in Wisconsin. It was 15 below zero with a 20 mph wind. Found that a coyote had dug my 'yote sets and had to chop through about a foot of ice to get to my beaver sets which were empty.
You bet it's worth it!!!! I trap pretty much part-time but I love every minute of it. While a lot of folks are home worrying about their mutual funds or driving to jobs they hate in their mini-vans, I'm about a mile back into the Black River bottoms walking through some of the most beautiful country you can imagine. I get to hear the ice cracking and groaning while they are listineing to some politician rambling nonsense on t.v.. I get to see the sun rise every morning through the frost and ice on the trees when they are busy winding their way through town trying to find the closest
latte' vendor.
Once in a while I get lucky and find a big old beaver under the ice. Even when the 'yotes are digging my trap I get the satisfaction of knowing that i'm right in their back yard and the excitement of thinking that I just might outwit one of the buggers.
Yeah, I think it's all worth it!!!!!!
Moosetrot J. McCrotchrott-Scourge of the North
You bet it's worth it!!!! I trap pretty much part-time but I love every minute of it. While a lot of folks are home worrying about their mutual funds or driving to jobs they hate in their mini-vans, I'm about a mile back into the Black River bottoms walking through some of the most beautiful country you can imagine. I get to hear the ice cracking and groaning while they are listineing to some politician rambling nonsense on t.v.. I get to see the sun rise every morning through the frost and ice on the trees when they are busy winding their way through town trying to find the closest
latte' vendor.
Once in a while I get lucky and find a big old beaver under the ice. Even when the 'yotes are digging my trap I get the satisfaction of knowing that i'm right in their back yard and the excitement of thinking that I just might outwit one of the buggers.
Yeah, I think it's all worth it!!!!!!
Moosetrot J. McCrotchrott-Scourge of the North
Alaskan Wolfer
New member
If you are in it for the money... No! Last year my partner and I caught a dozen wolves, fifty or so mink, a few coyotes and a few otter. Our wolves turned out crummy (typical for this area.) I sold my share of the mink for 900.00 (tanned) and a few beaver for 60.00 each. I will use some of the wolves for sewing. Like someone in an earlier post, I make expenses and enough for a new toy or two. I don't trap for the money though. Trapping in my opinion, is how youearn your doctrits degree in the outdoors. It is definatly worth it. And it's worth teaching a youngster how to trap too. AW
Do you guys make any $ deer hunting,fishing,etc. I enjoy trapping and predator calling.
I do better at trapping so I put in more effort there. I can usually cover my "line expenses" if I don't buy too many new items pre-season. It's my only hobby that pays me back.
It is a very rewarding challenge. I got 28.00 each for 2 reds at our (OSTA) fur sale and 3.50 each on some rats. We had good prices there. A friend got 18.00 each on some xl male mink. All furs were put up.
I do better at trapping so I put in more effort there. I can usually cover my "line expenses" if I don't buy too many new items pre-season. It's my only hobby that pays me back.
It is a very rewarding challenge. I got 28.00 each for 2 reds at our (OSTA) fur sale and 3.50 each on some rats. We had good prices there. A friend got 18.00 each on some xl male mink. All furs were put up.
mainekiller
New member
If I had only one sport: hunting, fishing or trapping, I would choose trapping. Hands Down!
Like AK Wolfer said, Trappers are the best outdoorsmen. Trapping is way more then $, it keeps you in-touch with the land better then anyother outdoor sport. once you start trapping, you will pick-up things you have never noticed before. You won't be able to go by a track without identifying it.
Fur prices will fluctuate but the satisfaction is always there!
I usually make enough to cover expenses and maybe a toy to boot.
Like AK Wolfer said, Trappers are the best outdoorsmen. Trapping is way more then $, it keeps you in-touch with the land better then anyother outdoor sport. once you start trapping, you will pick-up things you have never noticed before. You won't be able to go by a track without identifying it.
Fur prices will fluctuate but the satisfaction is always there!
I usually make enough to cover expenses and maybe a toy to boot.
Twenty-two Two Fifty
New member
I don't think you'll lose much if you catch some furbearers. However, gas is over 1.60/gallon now. Longlining may not be a good option right now with some animals becoming "springy" in the midwest. Set a budget and a plan if you're going to run a 300-trap trapline.
just my 2 cents.
good trapping
It would seam to me that if you need ask you're doing this for a lot of wrong reasons. I do it simply BECAUSE I enjoy it. Is it worth hunting big game, what with all the expences?This is simply outdoor enjoyment for me and I'll bet over 98 percent of everybody else too! Get out and enjoy.
i see no reson to go out in the woods and slay a bunch of furbearers for no reson. if the hides aint gonna fetch no money then i got no reson to kill them. i dont go out and kill just for the sake of killing. i hunt alot but i eat everything i kill. same with trapping if i cant sell the furs here in texas then im not gonna fo out and set a cat line.
Kentucky Tom
New member
JR Might as well hang out at the bar. Here in Kentucky there is no money to be made on furs. We snare because it helps get rid of the distructive yotes. We like rabbit hunting and the yotes are death to the rabbit population.
DoubleHFarmsIA
New member
Don't know anyhing about trapping but thought I had a profound reply to the question. If you will enjoy it and you will not lose to much, why not start again. It sounds like a health hobby and life is much to short to do things you don't enjoy.
I've never found a hobby that was not expensive. If we had to divide our expenses into each pound meat we get from hunting, We could all eat cavier everyday (if we wanted to).
I've never found a hobby that was not expensive. If we had to divide our expenses into each pound meat we get from hunting, We could all eat cavier everyday (if we wanted to).
I got a hundred 1-1/2 coils in the shed and quit because putting so much time into my hounds. I bought 2 dozen #3 for coyote. I got them ready to go but not proud to say I haven't set them either. I work some screwed up hours, makes it impossible. I like to go out, fire up the wood stove when it's 10 below and just look at em.
redfeather
Member
I trap because I love it, and I make barely enough to pay for my lures and snares. I trap coyotes and cats on S. Tx. ranches to help the deer crop out. I know that as trappers we work harder than most everyone that pursues the outdoor lifestyle. I enjoy the cat and mouse game of out smarting predators, and earning a PHD in trapping and biology. Getting out and trapping and taking and teaching my children trapping is...priceless and the best money I ever spent. Enjoy it - thanks.