Like much of the outdoor sporting world, trapping has its fair share of trade publications. A large percentage of trappers subscribe to trapping magazines to keep up with the latest news, techniques and equipment. Like most trappers, I wish I had enough money to subscribe to all of the trapping magazines, but I can’t, and you probably can’t either. So I’d like to help by describing each of the available trapping magazines and what you can expect if you subscribe to them.
Trapper & Predator Caller
The Trapper & Predator Caller is currently the leading magazine in the trapping industry. Founded in 1975, this magazine was originally called “The Trapper”, but was later changed to add the predator calling element, which only plays a minor role in overall content. The magazine is published 10 times per year and is offered with membership to most state trapping associations. As a result, state trappers association presidents’ reports are printed in each issue.
The Trapper & Predator Caller holds a lot of content in its pages. It’s edited by a real pro and great writer, Jim Spencer. Parker Dozhier also provides the most comprehensive fur market report available, which includes general market trends as well as detailed regional fur prices. The magazine has added an online presence recently, with a revamped website, a blog, message boards, and other resources.
If I had anything negative to say about T&PC, the ratio of advertising to overall content is pretty high, meaning you have to wade through quite a few ads while reading the magazine. Some people don’t mind this though. Also, the magazine switched formats a few months back and now sports smaller sized pages that I’m not a big fan of.
Overall, Trapper and Predator Caller is a great trapping magazine and if you’re an avid trapper, it’s well worth subscribing to.
$18..95 gets you a 1 year subscription (10 issues). Discounts are available through most state trappers associations.
Fur-Fish-Game
Of all the magazines that highlight trapping, Fur-Fish-Game has by far the largest circulation. You can find FFG at almost any news stand across the country. The difference between it and the other trapping magazines, however, is that Fur-Fish-Game focuses on much more than just trapping. It covers many other niche hunting and fishing topics that don’t get much attention in the mainstream hunting and fishing magazines. Depsite this, FFG sports enough trapping-related articles and information to make it worth subscribing to. In addition to the reader-submitted articles, the magazine also has a monthly fur market report. It’s only about a page long, but has enough information to keep trappers on top of overall trends in the fur market.
$15.95 buys you a monthly subscription (12 issues per year).
Trapper’s Post
Trapper’s Post is a brand new trapping magazine started by longtime trapper, writer and artist Bob Noonan from Maine. Some disclosure here, I have to admit that Trapper’s Post is by far my favorite trapping magazine. It’s been interesting to see a new trapping magazine start from scratch and build up a solid following.
The difference I’ve noticed between Trapper’s Post and other trapping magazines is the format and advertising content. It’s easy to read and is absolutely packed with content – i.e. trapping stories, interviews and informative articles. So far, the advertisement space has been kept to the point where it doesn’t interfere with the reading experience.
Since it is only published every two months, Trapper’s Post does not have fur market information that’s as detailed as Trapper & Predator Caller or Fur-Fish-Game. Instead, it offers a less detailed fur market section that focuses more on general market conditions.
Trapper’s Post features regular columns from some big names in the trapping industry. Noonan also interviews a noted trapper each month. Trapper’s Post is starting to offer subscriptions as part of trappers association membership in some states, and is publishing those state reports. I hope they pick up more state associations, but also wouldn’t like to see the state reports take the place of content. Again, the thing I like most about TP is the content. Flip through the pages and you’ll be amazed with the amount of actual trapping articles and information packed into a single issue.
Click here to read an interview I did with Bob Noonan of Trapper’s Post.
$21.95 gets you a bimonthly subscription (6 issues per year). Discounts are offered to members of some state trappers associations.
The Fur Taker
The Fur Taker is a monthly trapping magazine published for members of Fur Takers of America. If you have the money, FTA is a great group to join. They work hard to promote trapping and protect our rights as trappers. They also offer an annual Trappers College that I’ve heard a lot of good things about.
As far as the magazine, I’ve read it several times over the years. It’s a good resource for trappers, and is a great benefit for financially supporting a group that supports our trapping heritage. The circulation and contributors are small, but a lot of sound trapping information can be found here.
FTA membership is $30 annually, which includes 12 issues of The Fur Taker.
American Trapper
American Trapper is also a trapping magazine tied to group membership. This quarterly publication is sent to members of the National Trappers Association. The NTA fights hard to protect trapping rights and educate the public about the benefits of trapping. I’ve read American Trapper off and on over the years. It’s a great resource, and the benefit of the magazine is just one of many reasons to support the NTA.
NTA membership is $30 annually, which includes four issues of American Trapper.
Trapper’s World
Today’s Trapper’s World magazine is the result of a long history of ups and downs in the trapping publication industry. Trapper’s World has always been a magazine by trappers and for trappers, but has had financial troubles in the past and is less known than the rest of the trapping magazines on the market.
I know Trapper’s World best for the big name trappers that have written for it in the past. I’m not sure what the future holds for Trapper’s World, but it might be worth giving the magazine a try.
$19.95 gets you a bimonthly subscription (6 issues per year).
International Trapper
International Trapper magazine is published twice per year by North American Fur Auctions. The publication is only available to trappers who ship fur to NAFA for sale at auction. NAFA will deduct $10 each year from your fur check for the subscribtion. IT is printed on very high quality paper and includes valuable information for trappers, particularly when it comes to fur handling and sales. Each issue has a theme.
$10 buys an annual subscription (2 issues) for trappers who ship fur to NAFA.
Trap and Trail
Trap and Trail is a small time trapping and hound hunting magazine. It’s currently in the startup phase, offering bimonthly issues, but the editors are hoping to work their way toward a monthly magazine. The magazine is looking for stories from trappers and offers a free subscription for submitted stories. I don’t know much about Trap and Trail, but it might be worth giving it a try.
$15 buys an annual subscription (6 issues). Article submission or friend referral can get you a free subscription.
Longliner Times
A self-proclaimed underground trapping publication, Longliner Times was put out by the Predator Control Group for ‘hardcore trappers’. As I understand it, the magazine is no longer running, but back issues are available by visiting the Predator Control Group’s website.
In Conclusion
I hope this overview of trapping magazines available on today’s market is useful for trappers young and old. Trappers always strive for more information on the trapping industry, and I do my best to provide some of that here on TrappingToday.com I invite you to take a look at some of the magazines described above, and provide your own input on their value to you as a trapper.
Here’s a recap of the links to each the above trapping magazine websites.