Learning How to Trap in 2021

These days there are infinite ways to learn how to perform any number of new skills. But when it comes to predator trapping the methods have been the same for decades. In years past many people could point to or name the person who taught them how to trap but today this encounter looks a little bit different - especially when it comes to the next generation of trappers. 

Last month the RPA team had the opportunity to present at the World Deer Expo and the National Trappers Association's annual conventions. At these shows we got to know a wide range of folks who love the outdoors and after a while we started to notice a trend. The vast majority of people, both young and old, who have attempted to learn how to predator trap have used the same tool: YouTube. 

We were also shocked by the number of young men we met who dragged their parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles to these shows. I guess "dragged" isn't the right word here...It's more like, the kids developed an interest in trapping on their own and their relatives do whatever they can to support that desire. This. Is. Awesome. It was incredibly refreshing to see, for example, a 11 year old boy tell us all about running his trapline while his dad stands in support knowing nothing about trapping himself. The next generation of trappers are out there - and most of them don't have an old relative or neighbor to teach them. So what do they do? They turn to the internet. 

All of the individuals in this "Internet education" boat shared the same woes with us:

• Conflicting information from numerous sources.
• Long winded instruction and videos. 
• Poor audio and video quality.
• Difficulty finding what they need to know.

These troubles make learning how to trap predators much harder than it has to be. Now, I didn't start writing all of this to sell the idea of RPA to you...but if only there were an easier way. 

I sat down to write this post because of the joy I felt with every firm-gripped, eye-contact-making young man I met in the past few weeks. With all that is going on in our ever-changing world, it's nice to see young people who have the desire to go outside and get their hands dirty. We just want to make learning easier for this next generation that has the "want to" but doesn't have the "how to". 

I have hope for the next generation of American adults. I have hope for the future of trapping.

-Zack