Trapper

HOW TO GET THERE

Typical pathway

A typical path may start with finishing secondary school and building strong outdoor, safety and navigation skills. Many trappers learn through family, local hunters, Indigenous knowledge keepers, or by working with an experienced trapper. Early experience can include helping maintain traplines, using snowshoes, skis or a snowmobile, and learning how to set, check and reset traps and snares safely. Some employers, buyers, or provincial rules may expect local knowledge, training, or permission to trap in a specific area. Practical experience, good wildlife awareness, and comfort working in remote conditions are often important.

THE WORK

What you may do

Legacy duties

• Set traps with bait and position traps along trails
• Operate snowmobile or travel on foot, snowshoes or skis to patrol trapline
• Remove catch and reset traps and snares
• Kill and skin catch for pelts, and treat and pack pelts for marketing
• Trap live animals for sale to buyers or for relocation purposes
• Maintain and repair trapping equipment
• Maintain trails and access to trapping lines
• Trap designated animals for bounty or other control programs
• May monitor animal population in the trapping regions to ensure future sustainability.

SKILLS TO BUILD

Skills used in this Career