Trapped: Longtime Valley resident knows a lot about trapping

WASILLA — You could say Bob Green knows a little bit about trapping.

The 30-year Mat-Su resident grew up roaming the Berkshire Mountains in his native Massachusetts, then trapped his way across the continental United States before finally landing in Alaska.

“I started out as a young lad,” Green said from Fort Green, his trapping supply store and museum in Wasilla.

If it’s got fur, it’s a good bet Green has tried to trap it.

“I’ve trapped pretty much everywhere, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah…”

Now retired, Green worked as a forester with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before opening up his trapping outfit. He said the best advice he can offer newcomers to the sport is to seek out those — like him — who’ve been out in the field for a while.

“We advise you going to a local trapping organization, attend their meetings,” he said.

Unlike in hunting, which often comes down to good aim and a bit of luck, a successful trapper needs to become intimately acquainted with the animal he’s seeking.

“With trapping, you’ve got to invest a little time educating yourself on the biology of the animal, you’ve got to have a good understanding of its habits and habitat,” Green said.

That’s why talking with experienced trappers and taking time to find out what works is so essential.

“It’s a combination of experience, rubbing elbows with your peers and going to trapping clinics,” Green said.

When done properly, trapping can be a profitable endeavor. Green — who also buys furs from trappers at his Wasilla depot — said last year he helped broker nearly $750,000 in fur sales.

“We cater to about 200 trappers here,” he said.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist Tim Peltier said Green’s advice about seeking out experienced trappers is right on the money.

“I would suggest going out with someone who has a line established and learning the tricks of the trade from them,” Peltier said.

In the Mat-Su, the Alaska Frontiers Trappers Association is active in promoting the sport. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Palmer library. Green estimated there are roughly 80 active members of the association. There is a $20 membership fee to join the group, but that includes a monthly trapping magazine.

Statewide, the Fairbanks-based Alaska Trappers Association (www.alaskatrappers.org) is the primary resource for both experienced and beginning trappers, and periodically holds trapping seminars for both newcomers and old-timers alike. The group also meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Musher’s Hall in Fairbanks.

Trapping regulations vary widely throughout the state, and in most circumstances trappers must have a trapping license. Additionally, trappers who want to sell their furs are required to have a special permit from the state.

The most popular game animals for trapping during the winter are marten (also known as sable) and beavers. Bob Green said marten are especially prized because their pelts can fetch upwards of $100 each.

“Marten are the bread and butter of the Alaska trapper,” he said.

In addition to learning the regulations before heading into the field, it’s always a good idea to make sure the area you plan to trap isn’t being used for other wintertime activities.

“Probably the only thing I’d suggest avoiding is something that gets a lot of winter trails use,” the ADFG’s Peltier said.

Skiers and hikers often travel with pets, which can get tangled or caught in traps. Although the problem isn’t as big in rural areas as it is near Anchorage, Peltier still recommends trying to stay clear of such areas.

“That seems to cause the biggest conflict,” he said.

If done properly, Bob Green said trapping can be both lucrative and educational. He noted that much of the history of the westward expansion in the United States — as well as that of early Alaska — had much to do with the movement of trappers.

“This whole continent was shaped by the fur movement,” Green said.

And because winter is the primary time for trapping in Alaska, there’s no better time to start trying to learn about this profitable and rewarding sport. When the first snow begins to fly, Green said he begins to see an influx of people visiting his store in search of traps and equipment for the upcoming season.

“This is the time when trappers start coming in to get geared up,” he said.