Trapping

Furs

The Ministry of Environment regulates trapping and trapping tenures within the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area, according to the BC Wildlife Act. Regulations for trapping are outlined in the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis.

Approximately 40 trapping tenures overlap the M-KMA; see the trapline boundaries map (1.6MB PDF download).

Traditionally trapping was essential to First Nations' way of life, to make clothing and as a source of food. Much of what is today the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area was initially explored by trappers participating in the fur trade. For many people in the north trapping is no longer the sole source of income and livelihood, nevertheless it continues into the present as a supplementary source of income. Today trapping has a conservation role, with trappers living close to the land and playing a role in monitoring changes that are occurring in habitats and populations of furbearers. The Fur Council of Canada reports that fur bearer populations are healthy, and that trappers play a role in managing their populations. One benefit of trapping, cited by the BC Trappers Association, is that managing furbearer populations enables the management of various diseases such as mange and rabies.

Examples of wildlife species that are trapped for their furs in the M-KMA include Beaver, Gray Wolf, Martin, Mink, Lynx, Otter, Squirrel, Weasel, and Wolverine.

The Fur Institute of Canada has a variety of information available about trapping, including history and significance of trapping.