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Canadian trappers, stories and evolutions
The history of trapping in Canada
Canadians practiced trapping long before the arrival of Europeans in North America. Aboriginal people used this method for food, clothing and tools. They built wooden traps with nets and snares to capture the animals.
Europeans understood the importance of the trap in the lives of Aboriginal people and tried to explore its economic potential. They then decided to set up fur trade counters. The first counter was installed in Quebec by the French around the beginning of the 17th century.
Trapping became a flourishing activity which attracted other trappers and many traders. This activity contributed to the economic development of Canada, encouraging Europeans to use leg traps and metal traps which are more effective than wooden traps. The trapping industry grew to a very large scale and brought together thousands of trappers, who covered vast tracts of wilderness. This also allowed the expansion of European colonization, which continued to establish new counters throughout the Amerindian territory.
Competition in the fur trade intensified during the 1770s. The Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company were among the main competitors in the sector. They set up their posts inland to cover as much territory as possible. In 1778, Peter Pond of the North West Company conquered the Athabasca River delta and established a post there. Other posts were established in 1788 throughout the basin. Some of his competitors set up their posts on the Peace River and at Fort Vermilion. In 1850, Alberta received Canada's two great fur trading posts.
Hundreds of fur trading posts have been set up over 300 years, harvesting more than ten million skins. About 2,000 to 3,000 trappers came to hunt in Canada between 1820 and 1860.
Trapping has become a controversial practice due to its impact on the environment and on biodiversity. Regulations were put in place towards the end of the 20th century. Trappers must complete a two-day training course and obtain a trapper's certificate. They must follow a professional apprenticeship to have a trap line. Obtaining a hunting license is mandatory for trapping on private land. Many positions have been closed over the years. Those at Fort Chipewyan remained in operation until 1964.
Trapper: still a job that makes you live?
The practice of trapping is now governed by a number of regulations. The number of Canadian trappers continues to decline, and few people are attracted to the trade. The profession of trapper varies according to fashion phenomena. Synthetic furs have invaded the fur trade market. The market is then fluctuated by supply and demand, and above all by the needs of the fashion industry. The standards continue to be more and more demanding, which makes the practice of trapping more and more difficult. Being a trapper has become more of a way of life than a real source of income. Many trappers have converted to other trades. Others have decided to combine the trap with other sources of income, while conforming to environmental ethics.
Trapping in Canada: an increasingly regulated area
Standards and regulations have been established in Canada for better trap management. An agreement was signed between Canada, Russia and the European Union on the trapping process for humane trapping in 1997. The use of leghold traps has been banned in the European Union since 1995. Member countries no are accepting more furs from countries that still use them.
Each province can also establish its own regulations for trapping animals: date of the season, animals concerned by trapping, types of traps to be used, their locations, prohibitions, etc. These regulations aim to protect animal species by regulating capture techniques. All active trappers must have a permit to practice their activity. Consumers are also applying higher standards with regard to the quality of the furs they demand. Trappers must therefore use less stressful trapping methods to guarantee the sustainability of their activity.
Even if the trade seems to be disappearing, some rural communities consider trapping as one of the pillars of their economic activities. The practice still exists, but it is governed by strict rules to meet consumer demands and to protect animal species.
The trap: an activity with many advantages
People who still trap have become true stewards of the ecosystem. Trappers are called upon to manage the populations of certain animal species.
They list the different species of fur-bearing animals as well as the renewable resources to guarantee their sustainability. Today's trappers now travel with all-terrain vehicles or snowmobiles. Traps have also evolved and meet certain standards in order to limit the suffering of trapped animals. Moreover, rustic traps can be dangerous, even for the trapper. All the trapper's interventions do not endanger any animal species, in order to preserve the prey cycle. The trapping season is chosen according to the regeneration period of the species.
Trappers mainly track pests that can destroy the environment in which they live. This is the case with beavers. The trap does not consist in eradicating the species, but in reducing its population to preserve the balance. They thus prevent the explosion of the animal population, while ensuring their reproduction. The trap also limits the spread of certain diseases carried by certain species.
The business will not die out as long as there are enthusiasts who apply sound management of fur animals. Trapping is Canada's oldest craft and is part of the country's historical heritage.
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