Trappers play a major role in nuisance animal control
To the Expositor:
The initial fur trade began in what is now Canada in the 1600s. Trappers of different nationalities began to explore in search of valuable fur, especially the most sought after, the beaver. They built relationships with the Indigenous peoples and traded with Native trappers. Thus, trappers, both Native and non-Native, played a formative role in the creation of our country. This equates to the fact that the fur trade is a “true” history for all Canadians—First Nations and non-Native alike.
In today’s world it is now called the fur industry and wild fur is now a commodity, sold on the global market.
In present day, many trappers, both Native and non-Native carry on our history and heritage as trappers.
Unfortunately, a good number of the general public are very unaware of the reality of the modern practices and procedures for trappers today and how strictly regulated fur trapping is in Canada.
I will use Ontario as the example to explain.
Firstly, in Ontario one must take an extensive course with both written and practical exams in order to obtain an Ontario trappers licence.
Overall, fur trapping in Ontario is regulated with trapping seasons for each species of furbearer, minimum and maximum quotas and the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). With AIHTS, Canada has the strictest laws for certified traps in the world.
Licenced Ontario trappers have their own federation, the Ontario Fur Managers Federation (OFMF) which represents trappers in many different aspects and especially in dealings with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
Trappers now play a major role in nuisance animal control and “boots on the ground” wildlife management in their areas of operation.
Right here on Manitoulin Island we have our own Manitoulin Trappers Council. It consists of a core group of dedicated trappers with the common goal of preserving and promoting the history and heritage of trapping.
This council provides workshops, put on by veteran, skilled trappers on proper trapping and fur handling techniques, for all who wish to attend and learn.
They bring in speakers from the OFMF and MNRF to keep trappers up-to-date on any changes or new policies or regulations and to answer any questions trappers may have.
At this point in time, the council is working on a Facebook page to get their message and info out to the public.
No matter the situation of the global market the future of fur trapping is “not” in Moscow, Beijing or Seoul! It lies solely in our youth, and only with the youth of this country continuing on with this age-old traditional activity will the history and heritage of fur trapping in our great nation be preserved forever.
Thank you,
Greg Young, a proud trapper
Wiikwemkoong
