Larry Tricker

A tall lanky man moves with great agility and care through the snow laden trees. He keeps a sharp eye out, keen to recognize “sign” of activity at his set. He moves in such a way; he will leave little human scent or human mark near his set.

Larry Tricker has been trapping for close to 54 years. Raised in Carmacks, Yukon he watched and learned from his father, Alfred Tricker. Larry started snaring squirrels at a young age, running “his line” in the bushes behind the Taylor and Drury store, as an after-school activity. He once promised his sisters a squirrel coat or blanket, if he caught enough! Perhaps it was an effort to coax his sisters into helping him with the skinning

As you watch Larry move, it is evident that he is truly in his element. There is no doubt that it takes physical effort, skills, knowledge and common and bush sense of your trapping area.

Larry has always travelled his trapline by snowmachine. He says “The days of dog team only remain with some people as a romantic idea and is no longer practical. The trapline is located on the Freegold road, paralleling the Yukon River west of Carmacks roughly 60 miles long and about 4 miles wide. Larry is able to manage checking his sets, in a day trip.

The fur trade is not what it was in the days of the Hudson Bay Company. Larry’s folks, Alfred and Annie Tricker operated the Taylor & Drury store in Carmacks for a number of years in the 1960’s. Part of the operation of the store included grading and buying furs from local trappers. Fur in those days was bringing good prices and remained booming until the late 1970’s. Like most, Larry feels those days are gone, not likely to return, as there is no longer a hunger for fur in the fashion world, coupled with the impacts of animal rights and farmed species – it has squeezed the trapper out of the market. Larry adds “if you really think about it, Fur garments are produced in the greenest and most environmentally respectful manner”!

Furs are now shipped via the Yukon Trapper’s Association to auction. The furs are graded on quality when they are received and bundled according to quality then auctioned as a bundle. Trappers get what they get as far as prices. Some trappers have the opportunity to sell one or two pelts to individuals, most want the furs to be tanned, and are often used in crafts.

Trapping is of a seasonal nature. There are lots of mechanics in the annual set up, building up and baiting sets, cutting line and clearing trails, lots of hours go into unseen preparations long before you can run your trapline. Larry has prime furs in his trapping area - wolf, wolverine, lynx and fox, as well as the odd marten. He finds it intriguing to understand animal patterns. It can change year to year. Most years when trying to estimate the wolf packs travelling through his area takes weeks of preparation. Larry continues to spend many hours each season, watching and understanding the what, where, why of the wolves, they are cunning and elusive and without a doubt the most challenging animal on his trapline.

Trapping is ever changing. Larry states “you gotta learn as you go, adapt your equipment, improve your sets, hone your skills. Some years some animals are more common than others.

Trapping regulations have changed. Larry offers “I think the trapping course is a good thing – good for the trappers to come together and share their skills; good learning for those just starting out”! But regulations can also make it tough to get your family particularly your children involved – you cannot have anyone helping unless they have an assistant’s license. My children cannot get their assistant’s until they are teenagers- they can miss a lot of hands-on learning on the trapline before that.

“I am working to pass down my lifestyle to my children. My wish is for the young people to take an interest. Each year more and more traplines become dormant – probably because of a combination of things. I have encouraged my children to help me skin out my catch. Skinning is skill itself – takes a long time to become efficient at it – an art that is quickly becoming extinct”.

When asked, what is it about trapping? Larry takes a moment and draws in a long breath, he replies “The way I see it, lots of people go to the gym or maybe put on a set of skis or maybe zone out gaming, to me it is a lifestyle that gives me satisfaction and time to myself. If you watch nature, you will find you have a greater understanding of things around you!