One thing that’s just no longer there is the natural curiosity we had of tracking animals for miles in the snow or looking up under banks and root wads and the higher secondary high bank rootwads to see if a mink has been poking around. There’s just no interest in learning the animals and being able to look at any situation and make a set that’ll probably be successful. I’ve spoken to mixed crowds about this sort of thing, social media versus fur trapping, and I get nods of understanding from older guys and just blank stares from younger ones. They just don’t, and never will see it and I’m simply trying to get them to realize and understand what they’re cheating themselves of. I think you do a good job on your messaging by the way.
Having been a trapper for 50 years I think a root problem with Facebook and UA-cam instruction to new trappers is that they think, or don’t think, just emulating what someone else does or shows is all there is to it. They actually cheat themselves out of the very rewarding experience of looking, being observant, learning their own methods and ideas and actually growing as a fur trapper. Similarly, it seems a lot of newer deer hunters have no interest at all in learning deer habits, seasonal changes, food sources. They just want to sit in a proven stand and pull the trigger and get that picture on Facebook. Facebook pics have become “ the reward” for too many “ trappers” now. The enjoyment, satisfaction and pride of a shed full of a fur collection is just not the “reward” many new ones are looking for now. If you’re going to try to be an actual real fur trapper, sure, learn from this guy, Dale Billingsley and others but DON’T just cookie cutter copy sets and never think past that. You’ll never get the full satisfaction of becoming a trapper.
Youre not wrong! Great perspective and good points! Keep it simple.
Thanks buddy. Seen you at the ITA but you didn't make it over my way and I couldn't leave my table lol
Good advice! Thank you for sharing my friend!
One thing that’s just no longer there is the natural curiosity we had of tracking animals for miles in the snow or looking up under banks and root wads and the higher secondary high bank rootwads to see if a mink has been poking around. There’s just no interest in learning the animals and being able to look at any situation and make a set that’ll probably be successful. I’ve spoken to mixed crowds about this sort of thing, social media versus fur trapping, and I get nods of understanding from older guys and just blank stares from younger ones. They just don’t, and never will see it and I’m simply trying to get them to realize and understand what they’re cheating themselves of. I think you do a good job on your messaging by the way.
Amen brother !
I overthink stuff all the time but when I just go with the flow I catch more fur
Having been a trapper for 50 years I think a root problem with Facebook and UA-cam instruction to new trappers is that they think, or don’t think, just emulating what someone else does or shows is all there is to it. They actually cheat themselves out of the very rewarding experience of looking, being observant, learning their own methods and ideas and actually growing as a fur trapper. Similarly, it seems a lot of newer deer hunters have no interest at all in learning deer habits, seasonal changes, food sources. They just want to sit in a proven stand and pull the trigger and get that picture on Facebook. Facebook pics have become “ the reward” for too many “ trappers” now. The enjoyment, satisfaction and pride of a shed full of a fur collection is just not the “reward” many new ones are looking for now. If you’re going to try to be an actual real fur trapper, sure, learn from this guy, Dale Billingsley and others but DON’T just cookie cutter copy sets and never think past that. You’ll never get the full satisfaction of becoming a trapper.