How Many Pounds of Traps Did a Trapper Normally Carry?
The life of a fur trapper is often romanticized, but it was a challenging and demanding profession. Trappers would venture into the wilderness, setting traps to capture fur-bearing animals, which they would then sell for a profit. But what did it take to get started? How many pounds of traps did a trapper normally carry?
Trap Weight and Quantity
The weight and quantity of traps a trapper carried varied depending on the individual, their experience, and the type of trapping they did. According to [1], traps typically weighed between three to five pounds. This was a significant consideration, as trappers needed to carry their gear, including traps, bait, and other supplies, for extended periods.
Number of Traps
A trapper’s trap bag could hold anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred traps. [2] notes that a novice trapper might start with 20-30 traps, while an experienced trapper could carry up to 500 traps. This meant that trappers had to carefully plan their traps, taking into account factors like animal density, habitat, and competition from other trappers.
Trapper’s Kit
In addition to traps, a trapper’s kit included other essential items, such as:
• Bait: Trappers would use baits like castoreum to attract animals to their traps.
• Rope and chain: Traps were often set with a rope and chain to keep the animal secure.
• Snares and snare poles: These were used to catch smaller animals like rabbits and foxes.
• Drying and preserving supplies: Trappers needed to preserve their catch to prevent spoilage, which required drying and preserving supplies like salt and smoke.
• First aid kit: Accidents could happen, so trappers always carried a first aid kit.
Packaging and Portability
To make their gear portable, trappers used sturdy, water-resistant bags made of canvas or cotton. These bags could hold multiple traps, supplies, and other equipment. [3] suggests that trappers would typically carry their gear in pulleys and rope, which allowed them to easily move their traps between locations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the amount of traps a trapper carried varied depending on their experience, the type of trapping, and the weight and size of the traps. A trapper’s kit typically included traps, bait, rope and chain, snares and snare poles, drying and preserving supplies, and a first aid kit. By understanding the types of traps and gear a trapper carried, we gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and demands of their profession.
References:
[1] The Fur Trade in the Columbia River Country (University of Washington Press, 1970)
[2] Fur Trapping in the Old West (University of Texas Press, 1987)
[3] Trapping in the Wilderness (Stackpole Books, 2002)
Important Points:
- Traps typically weighed between three to five pounds
- A trapper’s kit included traps, bait, rope and chain, snares and snare poles, drying and preserving supplies, and a first aid kit
- Trappers used sturdy, water-resistant bags made of canvas or cotton to carry their gear
- Traps were set with a rope and chain to keep the animal secure
- Drying and preserving supplies like salt and smoke were essential to prevent spoilage