Outdoor Pursuits

In Alberta, trapping is a practice that stretches back centuries and continues to thrive today. Far from the image of inhumane killing painted by critics, Alberta trappers are among the most conservation-minded individuals, driven by a respect for the animals they harvest and an intimate understanding of the lands they steward.

The recent decision by Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen to lift trapping limits on wolverine, fisher, lynx and otter has sparked controversy, with detractors suggesting that trappers will indiscriminately decimate wildlife populations. This assumption is not only misguided, it also ignores the history and labour-intensive lifestyle of Alberta’s trappers who work extremely hard preserving a way of life that demands skill and dedication.

The fur trade has helped shape Alberta’s identity since the establishment of trading posts like Fort Chipewyan in 1778. Trappers, many of whom are Indigenous or Métis, played a pivotal role in this history, not merely as suppliers of pelts but as stewards of the land. Their traditional knowledge, passed down through generations, ensured the long-term health of furbearer populations. These ethics persist in modern day trapping too, where trappers operate within Registered Fur Management Areas (RFMAs)—approximately 1,632 bordered areas across Alberta.

Unlike the short-term profit motives that critics often claim, trappers know that overharvesting would collapse the populations they depend upon, effectively ending their trapping livelihoods. As Bill Abercrombie, president of the Alberta Trappers Association (ATA) said in a recent CBC interview, “It is critical that we manage responsibly and effectively on all species in order that we can keep those populations in the habitat that we still have left viable and intact.”

Trapper collaboration with organizations like the Alberta Conservation Association on projects such as the Wolverine Project, which garnered global recognition for its scientific work on wolverine populations in Alberta, is but one of many collaborations trappers partake in, including animal-relocation efforts. And by monitoring wildlife activity on their traplines and maintaining logbooks, trappers provide invaluable data to wildlife biologists, contributing to species management plans. The lifting of limits, as Minister Loewen explained, aims to gather more data through trapper logbooks to establish science-based quotas, not to enable unchecked harvesting. However, critics simply can’t fathom the concept of a trapper’s intimate knowledge of his or her RFMA, gained through years of observation, and their commitment to the wildlife populations they maintain. Yes, maintain. It is only trappers that pay attention to the smaller animals on their traplines, such as red-backed voles. I would guess few have heard about red-backed voles never mind pay any attention to them, but I guarantee that the trapper does, as voles are an important food source for the animals trappers pursue.

Trapping is not a casual pursuit; it is a demanding profession that requires physical endurance, mental fortitude, and a deep connection to the land. Operating a trapline involves year-round preparation, with most activity concentrated in the winter when pelts are prime. Trappers spend months building and maintaining trails, studying wildlife trends on their RFMAs, watching for and reporting habitat issues, and maintaining their cabins for those harsh times when trapping is at its peak. These tasks demand an encyclopedic understanding of the lands they trap, animal behaviour and cycles, weather conditions, and wilderness survival. Again, trapping is not for the faint of heart. Setting and checking traps is physically grueling, often requiring trappers to traverse remote, rugged terrain in harsh weather and deep snow. Traplines can span vast areas, and trappers must navigate snow-covered forests, frozen rivers, or mountainous regions. The work doesn’t end with trapping; pelts must be carefully processed and prepared for market, or for traditional uses like clothing—much like the hunter who has just harvested a moose, “now the real work begins.”

A trapper’s lifestyle is a calling, not a hobby, and it is not for everyone. While some are drawn to the romantic image of trapping, the reality quickly weeds out those unwilling to commit to the hard work. As a former trapper education instructor, I often said that maybe one or two of the twenty-some students in my class would continue on to become trappers, the rest would fall to the hard work. And for those that do persist, the lifestyle faces challenges beyond physical demands. Public misconceptions, fueled by urban disconnect, often cast trappers as cruel or profiteering when the opposite is true. Critics fail to recognize that trappers protect much of Alberta’s Crown lands and the wildlife that resides there—trappers are the eyes and ears of our forests when nobody else is there to care. But trappers will always be under attack by the animal-rights movement, and for this reason, trappers must be educated to refute much of the negativity and lies thrown towards them.

Alberta’s trappers are not the reckless profiteers critics suggest, but instead are dedicated conservationists who care for the lands and animals they interact with. Their history is one of stewardship, their work is incredibly hard, and their lifestyle is a testament to resilience and respect for the natural world.

Far from threatening our furbearers, trappers are integral to Alberta’s conservation efforts, ensuring that Alberta’s ecosystems remain healthy for generations to come, despite persistent public misconceptions.

For the previous Outdoor Pursuits article, click here.