What comes to mind when you hear the word trapper?

For many, its an image of an old hermit with a rusty, jagged-tooth trap. But we’ve come a long way from
those primitive ways and the near extinction of our valuable fur-bearing animals.

Today, trappers see the big picture; the wise use of our natural resources.

This means sustaining healthy wildlife populations for the long-term harvest of fur, maintaining
biodiversity (all of the varieties of plants and animals) for future generations to enjoy, and preserving
endangered species.

Trapping is a way of life for some, but the profit from harvesting fur isn’t enough to be the main source
of income for most trappers. Yet, their contribution to the Canadian economy is massive.

Trappers save taxpayers millions each year by managing destructive wildlife. They invest millions in
equipment and supplies and inject hundreds of millions more into the economy through the fur trade
industry as a whole (Conference Board of Canada Survey – 2019).

It’s All About the Big Picture

It’s important to realize trappers aren’t out there setting their own rules.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) governs all aspects of trapping in Ontario with
all regulations backed by scientific data. Laws dictate the length of the season, types of traps used, the
numbers by species, mandatory reporting and more. Specific rules are reviewed and updated regularly.
Trappers embrace these regulations.

Why? For two reasons. And they both involve the big picture.

First: Conservation isn’t a one-person job.

We all must work together. Wildlife doesn’t stop at the border just because someone drew a line on a
map.

Second: To give consumers peace of mind. An assurance their fur came from an ethical and sustainable
source. With our open and transparent tracking system, fur from Canada can be traced back to its origin.

The MNRF has a wealth of knowledge about conservation. They’ve gathered data for years. They
connect with wildlife biologists, researchers and conservation agencies. Experts across North America
share their collective wisdom.

The Ontario Fur Managers Federation (OFMF) works closely with the MNRF. We ensure trappers in
Ontario are licensed, qualified and informed of any new directive.

Ongoing Support for Ontario Trappers

The OFMF promotes humane, ethical and sustainable trapping. We offer one of the most stringent
trapping courses in the world. The course is mandatory if you want to trap in Ontario. We support our
trappers by providing:

• Ongoing access to training at the highest level
• Up-to-date information on humane harvest methods and trapper safety
• A voice in decisions affecting our industry

Part of Our Heritage

Trapping is part of our heritage. A vibrant history marred by exploitation then found is footing as a key
wildlife management tool.

Today’s trappers care about the welfare of wildlife. They spend months on the land, are aware of the
slightest change and are first to sound the alarm when something isn’t right.

Trappers are the eyes and ears of the forests. They are the frontline in maintaining healthy wildlife
populations for our future.

This pursuit isn’t restricted to men. Trapping is open to anyone willing to get qualified.

Some trappers involve their whole family, passing it down from one generation to the next. They get to
spend quality time enjoying outdoor activities like camping, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, paddling and
hiking – but all centered around a core purpose: managing the trap line.

There’s more to trapping than meets the eye. So much, we couldn’t cover it in detail on this page. Go
ahead and explore. Be sure to contact us if you have any questions.