A Junior Trapper..

Over the weekend Charlie was invited by our landlord to go to his trap line. Like most folks, I really didn't know what trapping was all about. The first image that came to mind was one of those cartoon portrayals of animals being caught in this horrible teeth-like spring device. Charlie himself didn't know what to expect but promised he would come home with pictures and a full report. Well the report was great but the pictures were a little lacking. Can't blame the guy. It was a mans man kind of trip with guys he didn't really know and he didn't want to annoy everyone asking for pictures.

Our landlord, Rod, bought a trap line which is 40 miles by 40 miles from a Native (Indian) back in the early 80's when it was legal. The land is government property but he has the trap rights. Rod and his junior trappers can do as they please as long as the trap line is active. The property itself was about 1 1/2 hours north of Fort McMurray and the access is through a mine site. Alberta law states that Trappers can not be stopped on the way to the trap line. So this will be the only time Charlie could carry his gun, scotch, and beer through security and onto the mine site.

Once through the mine site, the guys had to use snowmobiles, known as skidoos in Canada, to get to the cabin. This was the other part of the trip that Charlie was really excited about since he's never snowmobiled. After forty minutes of "skidooing" they arrived at Rod's cabin. Charlie said it was really nice and had all the necessities that one could have in the middle of nowhere. You know... full kitchen, hard wood floors, three bunkhouses, flat-screen TV, satellite TV, and generator. Unfortunately, there is no evidence of this really nice cabin! Instead Charlie took a picture of the original cabin which has not been used since the new one was built...go figure!

Trapping in itself is exactly as it sounds. Various traps are set up to catch animals that, for most purposes, are caught for their fur. The fur is later auctioned off and used to make various items including fur coats, pillows, and of course as Charlie pointed out my winter boots. The traps themselves are also rather humane. I kept thinking these poor animals were going to get their appendages stuck in this device and then die a horrible long death as they starved or bled out slowly. I know such a morbid thought! Instead it is a very quick death. The actual trap is placed in a box which has bait at the other end. Poor Charlie being the "trapping virgin" had the job of taking the rotting fish carcasses and baiting the traps. Then when the animals reach in to eat the bait they trigger the spring which snaps shut, very forcefully, and instantly breaks both their neck and back bones. Charlie said it's actually a lot of work but if anyone knows Charlie their is nothing he enjoys more than being out in the wilderness.

On this trip the guys trapped Martens, known as Sable in the Fashion world. Of course, Charlie did take plenty of pictures of the trapped animals so I have to warn you about the pictures. Do not look if you are very sensitive to dead animals in a"mouse trap" looking device! They trapped 7 Marten. In the past, traps have been put out to catch mink, weasel, lynx, fisher and timber wolf. I'm just glad my husband was safe and had an experience of a lifetime. How may people can say they have gone trapping in the Boreal Forrest of Northern Canada!