This video by the National Trappers Association debunks the myths about the modern live hold foot trap, called a steel jaw leg trap by its critics. They say it’s a cruel, crushing device that maims the animals it doesn’t kill – that it is dangerous and inhumane. In reality, the traps described by critics are no longer used, while the modern foot trap is both humane and a key tool in wildlife management. Wildlife biologists with federal and state agencies charged with managing our wild lands and wild animals say the live hold foot trap is an important tool they use for a variety of reasons, including the return of animals like the river otter, lynx and wolf long missing from native habitat back to lands where they once thrived. At the turn of the 20^th century, America’s rush to clear land, fill marshes and swamps and streams, coupled with unchecked pollution and unregulated harvests, took their toll on the country’s river otter population. By the 1980s, 11 states had no otters at all, and 13 states had very few. In 1982, Missouri led the way in river otter reintroduction. Since then, in 18 states, over 4,000 river otters captured with the live hold foot trap have found new homes. Thousands of wolves, lynx, fishers, martens, beaver, bobcat, red and grey fox, possum and raccoons have been studied, treated, relocated and released, healthy and whole, thanks to the live hold foot trap. The evidence is overwhelming. The animals captured by the live hold foot trap are released with no harm done to them. If this trap were in fact a cruel and crippling device, wildlife managers would have rejected it long ago. It’s not, and they haven’t. The live hold foot trap has been, and should remain, a valuable wildlife restoration and management tool. Contrary to the myth that this trap maims and mutilates animals, the norm is for the animal to hunker down and wait. Some drop off to sleep.

In this January 2014 TV segment, Shaw TV Saskatoon looks at the potential for trapping to revive the culture of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, through the eyes of Jarret Nelson. Jarret Nelson is packing for a day on the trap line. He recently moved back to his home community of Montreal Lake to follow his culture. In the winter, trapping is his full-time occupation. “As with most of our communities, our culture is a dying tradition and I’m trying to preserve it and keep it going,” says Jarret. Nelson learned how to trap from his grandfather. Like most trappers, he spends a lot of time clearing trails. This land has been used by his family for tens of generations. “On the trap line, whether you catch something or not, you’re always learning something out here. Just being out here, you don’t even worry about anything that comes with the office work.” The fur trade is considered by some to be Canada’s earliest industry. Currently, fur prices are up, though fur prices and the loss of culture made many trappers abandon the practice. However, two years ago the Asian fashion industry renewed the popularity of fur. Since then the price of pelts has significantly increased. High-quality coyotes sell for around $80. Martens are around $170. This is making trapping a viable way of life for First Nations and others who harvest fur. Says Jarret, “If our people start learning their cultures and traditions and going back to the lands and looking after their trap lines, yes, there is a guarantee that people can make a healthy living and a viable source of income. If you put the work and the sweat into it, you’re going to make money.”

In this fascinating video from Fur Takers of America, wildlife biologists and trappers explain the reasons why trapping is necessary in today's world and how it benefits wildlife populations. “I think as sentient human beings we have a moral obligation to treat our environment and animals that are in it with moral wisdom.” David Hastings, trapper, Nebraska. “The cruelest thing a human can do to a furbearing animal, or any game wildlife, is to fail to harvest their numbers and allow them to overpopulate.” Gary Jepson, trapper, North Dakota. “A significant part of wildlife management is maintaining healthy populations of wildlife on a landscape, and you may think that that would imply not harvesting the animals, but in fact it’s necessary to harvest the animals. Trying to maintain a healthy population means actually keeping it in check, keeping it in balance with the landscape’s ability to sustain them.” Chris Bernier, wildlife biologist. “The key tool we have today … When I say we, as folks who are trying to manage and protect and preserve our natural resources such as furbearers … is the users themselves, trappers. They’re a scientific tool on the landscape today.” Mark Scott, Director of Wildlife, Vermont. “I don’t think anybody champions wildlife conservation with more interest and with more fervor than trappers do. … It’s really quite difficult to be an animal in the wild, and there’s lots of ways that animals die. They die from getting hit by cars, they die from predation, they die from disease, and trappers, who really care about animals actually take animals that would otherwise die of other means. And wildlife biologists and trappers alike care about the perpetuation of these wildlife populations because that’s really what’s important from the standpoint of ecosystem health.” Kimberly Royar, special projects biologist, Vermont.

Ontario trapper Jim Gibb proudly sports one of his ring seal vests in Iqaluit at the celebration of the seal. Jim started trapping at 14 years old, and has had a registered trapline in the Timmins area of Ontario since 1983. He is a past president of the Timmins Fur Council which is one of the most active trapping councils in Ontario. He has been a certified trapping instructor since 1987, teaching courses in North Bay, Timmins, Bracebridge, Chapleau and Gogama. He has been involved with trapper training in Ontario, Yukon, North West Territories and Nunavut, holding numerous fur-handling workshops. He was heavily involved with Fur Harvesters Auction for 20 years sitting on the board of directors, and worked as the director of public relations for eight years. He is a member of the board of the Fur Institute of Canada, and of its Trap Research and Development Committee. (Updated: June 2018) By Jim Gibb on Truth About Fur - The Blog: The value of an active trapper: Maintaining trails, unplugging culverts, saving tax dollars. March 29, 2018.

Jeff Traynor traps for fur across southern New Hampshire and considers proper education and support for regulated fur trapping a key component of modern wildlife conservation. He is a state-licensed Wildlife Control Operator and also works as a Wildlife Conflict Management Consultant for many local clients. As of 2018, he sits on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Trappers’ Association. He also manages LiveFreeAndTrap.com, a blog and resource website which presents the benefits of regulated fur trapping and conservation in New Hampshire and the greater New England area. By Jeff Traynor on Truth About Fur - The Blog: Trappers: Conservation's "black sheep" or unsung heroes? August 9, 2017. Sportsmen must unite to protect all hunting, fishing, trapping. October 28, 2016.

Jeff Traynor traps for fur across southern New Hampshire and considers proper education and support for regulated fur trapping a key component of modern wildlife conservation. He is a state-licensed Wildlife Control Operator and also works as a Wildlife Conflict Management Consultant for many local clients. As of 2018, he sits on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Trappers’ Association. He also manages LiveFreeAndTrap.com, a blog and resource website which presents the benefits of regulated fur trapping and conservation in New Hampshire and the greater New England area. By Jeff Traynor on Truth About Fur - The Blog: Trappers: Conservation's "black sheep" or unsung heroes? August 9, 2017. Sportsmen must unite to protect all hunting, fishing, trapping. October 28, 2016.

Alcide Giroux (1945-2018), known to his friends as “Ti Loup”, demonstrates a small Conibear trap for marten to war veteran Roland Giroux (not related) at a trapping workshop in 1986.

Alcide’s life as a trapper began in 1951, near Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, when he was just six years old. His family had moved into the old homestead his grandfather built in the 1920s. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing, and Alcide and his siblings had to cross the Sturgeon River in a homemade boat before walking to school – a walk that provided opportunities for the young Alcide to snare rabbits to complement the moose and beaver in his mother’s stew pot. It was God’s Country back then, he later recalled, with wilderness and wildlife all around. Their trap lines began at the farmhouse door.

A few years later, Alcide’s Dad, Philippe, built a remarkable suspension bridge to facilitate the family’s commuting. “We had so many curious and nosy visitors; they all came to see the 8th Wonder of the World ... well the 8th wonder of River Valley!”

Alcide described his Dad as “a great trapper with a built-in GPS in his brain.” He instilled in his sons the importance of respecting the animals they depended upon, which meant trapping as humanely as possible. “Because we only had leg-hold traps back then, Dad showed us how to build underwater sets that ensured a quicker death for muskrats, mink and beaver.”

Alcide went on to become one of Canada’s foremost advocates for humane trapping. By the time he was 30, in 1975, he was writing articles in trappers’ magazines and leading workshops across Ontario and beyond, promoting the importance of researching and implementing better trapping techniques.

In 1980, as newly-elected president of the Ontario Trappers Association, he called on trappers to take the lead in humane trapping, rather than have changes imposed on them by others.

When the Fur Institute of Canada was created in 1982, to implement recommendations of the Federal-Provincial Committee on Humane Trapping (1974-81), Alcide became a founding member, and later vice-chair. He travelled the world to lend his expertise to trap-research and conservation meetings in New Zealand, Europe, Louisiana, Australia and elsewhere. When scientists, politicians or journalists wanted to see a trap line first-hand, more often than not it was Alcide and his wife Pat who received them.

In recognition of Alcide’s outstanding contributions, in May 2005 he was presented with the Fur Council of Canada’s “Furrier of the Year” award, at the North American Fur & Fashion Exposition in Montreal (NAFFEM). In his speech to more than 600 fur manufacturers, designers, retailers and government officials, Alcide reminded them that trappers did more than provide beautiful furs. They were also front-line defenders of the industry, using responsible practices and educating the urban population – including furriers – about the importance of using nature’s gifts sustainably.

From Truth About Fur - The Blog: Alcide Giroux: My first 60 years enjoying nature as a trapper. By Alan Herscovici, June 30, 2016.

Alcide Giroux (1945-2018), known to his friends as “Ti Loup”, with his friend Ben, an orphaned bear cub, in 1983.

Alcide’s life as a trapper began in 1951, near Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, when he was just six years old. His family had moved into the old homestead his grandfather built in the 1920s. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing, and Alcide and his siblings had to cross the Sturgeon River in a homemade boat before walking to school – a walk that provided opportunities for the young Alcide to snare rabbits to complement the moose and beaver in his mother’s stew pot. It was God’s Country back then, he later recalled, with wilderness and wildlife all around. Their trap lines began at the farmhouse door.

A few years later, Alcide’s Dad, Philippe, built a remarkable suspension bridge to facilitate the family’s commuting. “We had so many curious and nosy visitors; they all came to see the 8th Wonder of the World ... well the 8th wonder of River Valley!”

Alcide described his Dad as “a great trapper with a built-in GPS in his brain.” He instilled in his sons the importance of respecting the animals they depended upon, which meant trapping as humanely as possible. “Because we only had leg-hold traps back then, Dad showed us how to build underwater sets that ensured a quicker death for muskrats, mink and beaver.”

Alcide went on to become one of Canada’s foremost advocates for humane trapping. By the time he was 30, in 1975, he was writing articles in trappers’ magazines and leading workshops across Ontario and beyond, promoting the importance of researching and implementing better trapping techniques.

In 1980, as newly-elected president of the Ontario Trappers Association, he called on trappers to take the lead in humane trapping, rather than have changes imposed on them by others.

When the Fur Institute of Canada was created in 1982, to implement recommendations of the Federal-Provincial Committee on Humane Trapping (1974-81), Alcide became a founding member, and later vice-chair. He travelled the world to lend his expertise to trap-research and conservation meetings in New Zealand, Europe, Louisiana, Australia and elsewhere. When scientists, politicians or journalists wanted to see a trap line first-hand, more often than not it was Alcide and his wife Pat who received them.

In recognition of Alcide’s outstanding contributions, in May 2005 he was presented with the Fur Council of Canada’s “Furrier of the Year” award, at the North American Fur & Fashion Exposition in Montreal (NAFFEM). In his speech to more than 600 fur manufacturers, designers, retailers and government officials, Alcide reminded them that trappers did more than provide beautiful furs. They were also front-line defenders of the industry, using responsible practices and educating the urban population – including furriers – about the importance of using nature’s gifts sustainably.

From Truth About Fur - The Blog: Alcide Giroux: My first 60 years enjoying nature as a trapper. By Alan Herscovici, June 30, 2016.

Alcide Giroux (1945-2018), known to his friends as “Ti Loup”, is shown here leading a workshop for First Nations trappers in northern Ontario, in 1980.

Alcide’s life as a trapper began in 1951, near Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, when he was just six years old. His family had moved into the old homestead his grandfather built in the 1920s. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing, and Alcide and his siblings had to cross the Sturgeon River in a homemade boat before walking to school – a walk that provided opportunities for the young Alcide to snare rabbits to complement the moose and beaver in his mother’s stew pot. It was God’s Country back then, he later recalled, with wilderness and wildlife all around. Their trap lines began at the farmhouse door.

A few years later, Alcide’s Dad, Philippe, built a remarkable suspension bridge to facilitate the family’s commuting. “We had so many curious and nosy visitors; they all came to see the 8th Wonder of the World ... well the 8th wonder of River Valley!”

Alcide described his Dad as “a great trapper with a built-in GPS in his brain.” He instilled in his sons the importance of respecting the animals they depended upon, which meant trapping as humanely as possible. “Because we only had leg-hold traps back then, Dad showed us how to build underwater sets that ensured a quicker death for muskrats, mink and beaver.”

Alcide went on to become one of Canada’s foremost advocates for humane trapping. By the time he was 30, in 1975, he was writing articles in trappers’ magazines and leading workshops across Ontario and beyond, promoting the importance of researching and implementing better trapping techniques.

In 1980, as newly-elected president of the Ontario Trappers Association, he called on trappers to take the lead in humane trapping, rather than have changes imposed on them by others.

When the Fur Institute of Canada was created in 1982, to implement recommendations of the Federal-Provincial Committee on Humane Trapping (1974-81), Alcide became a founding member, and later vice-chair. He travelled the world to lend his expertise to trap-research and conservation meetings in New Zealand, Europe, Louisiana, Australia and elsewhere. When scientists, politicians or journalists wanted to see a trap line first-hand, more often than not it was Alcide and his wife Pat who received them.

In recognition of Alcide’s outstanding contributions, in May 2005 he was presented with the Fur Council of Canada’s “Furrier of the Year” award, at the North American Fur & Fashion Exposition in Montreal (NAFFEM). In his speech to more than 600 fur manufacturers, designers, retailers and government officials, Alcide reminded them that trappers did more than provide beautiful furs. They were also front-line defenders of the industry, using responsible practices and educating the urban population – including furriers – about the importance of using nature’s gifts sustainably.

From Truth About Fur - The Blog: Alcide Giroux: My first 60 years enjoying nature as a trapper. By Alan Herscovici, June 30, 2016.

Alan Herscovici (standing, right) with leaders of the Aboriginal Trappers Federation of Canada at their founding meeting in 1985. Alan is the founder and senior researcher of Truth About Fur. Alan was raised in a fur family. His grandfather came to Canada in 1913 as a young fur artisan, having learned the craft from his own father in Paris. Alan’s father was a respected Canadian fur manufacturer and sales agent. After receiving his BA from McGill University and an MA from the University of Sussex, Alan worked as a writer, freelance journalist and communications consultant. Alan’s published work includes the award-winning Second Nature: The Animal-Rights Controversy (CBC, 1985; General Publishing, 1991), the first book to present a balanced critique of the animal-rights philosophy from an environmental and social justice perspective. From 1997 to 2016, he served as Executive Vice-President of the Fur Council of Canada where he initiated pioneering programs to increase understanding and appreciation of the fur trade including, notably, www.Furisgreen.com. This photo is featured in Alan's blog post Ten lessons from 30 years battling animal rights, November 9, 2015.

Paul Tufts is a retired wildlife biologist, fur farmer and trapper. Listen to Paul talk about he chose to pursue a career in nature here.

Aagu Peter (left), Jim Winter (centre) and Aagu's mother Aaju (right) represent sealers at an anti-sealing protest outside the Canadian embassy in the Hague in March 2007. As Jim recalled, the media were more interested in his group than in the protesters. Jim Winter was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. He has worked as a journalist with both CBC and SRC, in addition to doing freelance work for many other media organisations. In 1978 he won the Association of Canadian Radio and Television Artists (ACTRA) award – Best writer, documentary. He was the founding president of the Canadian Sealers Association. Aaju Peter is a lawyer and Inuk clothing designer, and in 2011 was named a member of the Order of Canada for her work promoting and preserving Inuit culture. By Jim Winter on Truth About Fur - The Blog: Sealing industry is much more than sealers. May 31, 2017. EU sealing policy is hypocritical, anti-democratic. July 23, 2015.