Whether you believe in evolution or not, the history of trapping is the history of humankind. While scientists assert trapping outdates modern humans, it is at least as old. The fact is inarguable considering we are, indeed, omnivores and wearing skins was necessary for survival even before we were knapping spearheads. Across continents, researchers have unearthed significant trapping evidence, including mass pitfalls where the bones of ancient prey have been recovered. Today, off-grid trappers continue to catch prey for survival, and many more enthusiasts partake of this heritage-driven pastime to stay connected to their ancestry. 

Trapping is still tightly woven into our outdoor heritage. Adventure seekers, weekend recreators and diehard survivalists continue to set traps and check traplines on quests to connect consumable and/or spiritual prehistoric dots. Of course, while they venture out to do so, they need the right gear. Those are dots to the past you get to connect while adding sales to your bottom line. In the same spirit of trapping, where outdoor living intersects with industry, here are eight great trapping products to help you catch more sales. 

The Trapper’s Bible

Published in 2012 by Skyhorse Publishing and woven together by renowned Northeastern U.S. trapper and editor Eustace Hazard Livingston, the Trapper’s Bible is largely regarded as the most comprehensive guide to trapping ever published. Comprising countless trapping and hunting tips and tactics from the minds of some of the nation’s most accomplished trappers, the book is a fundamentally important resource for commercial and recreational trappers at every experience level. The Trapper’s Bible includes lessons in identifying tracks, signs and other activity-based evidence, as well as easy-to-understand tips on the set-up and use of a wide array of today’s trap systems. Every trapper crossing your retail threshold is better served on the trap line by owning a copy of the Trapper’s Bible. www.skyhorsepublishing.com

Wildlife Research Center Hard Core Racoon Lure No. 1

Founded in 1983 by John and Brian Burgeson and headquartered in Ramsey, Minnesota, Wildlife Research Center (WRC) has produced industry-leading trapping and hunting attractants for more than 40 years. What began as early childhood trapping of mice for 10 cents each landed the Burgeson brothers a dream-life career as business owners in the hunting and shooting industry. While John passed in 2018, Brian and John’s son, Sam, remain hard at work providing trapping and hunting scents to diehard hunters from coast to coast. While WRC’s foundational products include Trail’s End No. 307 and scent dispersal systems, the inspiration for WRC was premised in trapping, and the art of the catch remains a central focal point today. Case in point, Hard Core Raccoon Lure No. 1. 

Proven reliable for more than 40 years among discriminating commercial and recreational trappers, government agencies, and animal control specialists, WRC’s Hard Core Raccoon Lure No. 1 is representative of decades of decades of successful trapping experience by the Burgeson brothers and results-driven field testing throughout the United States. According to WRC, Hard Core Raccoon Lure No. 1 produces an “intense and complex burning sweet smell that really reaches out and brings them in.” The formulation also is designed to last longer in rainy conditions. www.wildlife.com

Duke HD Cage Trap

Founded as a pecan and fur skin merchant in 1938, Duke Traps began offering its line of trapping systems in 1986 and through nearly 40 years of quality production, performance, reliability and customer service, has become a top go-to brand for diehard trappers nationwide; in fact, the company purports to be the global leader in trapping market-share, servicing over 100 accounts worldwide. In the world of Duke Traps, my personal experience with trapping includes the company’s HD Cage Trap and I have put it to good use through 20 years of personal pest trapping — it has never failed me. 

Available in a size range of Medium (for squirrels, rabbits and skunks) through XXL (for coyotes, bobcats and small- to mid-size dogs), Duke HD (heavy duty) Cage Traps deliver easy-to-setup, reliable trapping for recreational trappers in most environments at any experience level. Whether your customers are after furbearers or simply trying to catch pests around their homes, cage traps are amazing, effective solutions. With the Duke brand and build quality, your customers also are assured they are leaving with a trap ready for years of abuse. Through many years of my own Duke HD cage-trap use (size: L), I have caught scores of skunks, raccoons and opossums, as well as numerous feral cats. The Large model I use measures 28L x 12W x 12H inches. All Duke HD cage traps boast steel-rod, gravity-drop doors; steel-rod frame, protective cage mesh, steel-rod frame and a powder-coat finish. www.duketraps.com

Duke Small Game Snare

With history dating back millennia, snares remain one of the most popular trapping solutions in today’s modern-world pursuits, and Duke Traps sits comfortably among the most trusted. Duke snares are primarily purposed for neck catches and are available in five sizes. The first four sizes are numbered 1 – 4. Purpose driven, Duke’s Snare No. 1 is for beaver- and raccoon-size animals, No. 2 and 4 are for coyote and fox sizes, and No. 3 is for varmints like rabbits and squirrels. The fifth and largest size is for wild hogs. Duke Snares are constructed of durable, reliable cable-wire and sized based on model (and game size) from 4 to 8 feet. Each snare includes swives and secure-lock fittings. 

Duke Foot Trap

With history dating back to the early 19th century, foot traps remain trapping’s most popular small- to mid-size catch system. Similar in look to the bear traps of old, today’s foot traps are substantially less destructive. As a side note, bear traps are still legal to use, too; however, they are heavily regulated, and your trapping customers should know their state and local trapping laws. 

Traditionally styled Duke Foot Traps feature steel construction and coil springs. Depending on the trap model and size, Duke Foot Traps are designed to capture small- to medium-size wildlife. Perhaps the most popular Duke Foot Trap offering is No. 1.75. In terms of multipurpose, the Duke No. 1.75 Foot Trap is great for coyotes, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, nutria and minks. For new foot-trapping enthusiasts, the No. 1.75 would be a smart choice and for retailers with limited shelf space delivers quite a bit of bang for your inventory bucks. 

Bridger 159 Bodygripper Trap

Bridger Trap Company was founded by Terry and Jodi Montgomery and later purchased by Minnesota Trapline Company founder Tim Caven in 2009. With more than 40 years of trap production, the Caven family continues to deliver premium Bridger Traps, alongside Minnesota Trapline Company products, catering to demanding trappers nationwide. Bridger continues to occupy one of the top spots in trapping brands, and the Bridger 159 Bodygripper Trap is a solid choice for your retail shelf space. 

Perfect for smaller furbearers like fox, raccoon and mink, and designed as a single-spring system, the Bridger 159 Bodygripper Trap features magnum jaws with a spread of 6 1/8 x 6 inches, heat-treated spring, flat safety hood, two heavy duty swivels, 14 inches of No. 2 chain and a total chain length of 17 inches, including the swivels and a one-off tear-drop ring.  www.minntrapprod.com

Bridger T3 Dogproof Raccoon Trap

Whether trying to protect your canines or focus on species-specific trapping, the Bridger T3 Dogproof Raccoon Trap is a perfect, dependable small-game trapping solution. Produced by Minnesota Trapline Company since 2010, the Bridger T3 Trap is designed for raccoons and other varmints like skunks and opossums. Simple to use — bait the bottom, set the trap and stake it down — the T3 is built to withstand years of abuse in rough outdoor elements. T3 Raccoon Trap dimensions are 8L x 1.75W inches. The Bridger T3 Trap includes a theft-stop ring trigger to keep prey active onsite until they are trapped, and a stake chain.

Leggett’s Trapper’s Bag

Founded in 1984 by Pete and Ron Leggett, Leggett’s ranks among the nation’s most popular trapping supply producers. While the company’s K-9 Exciter lures are trapper favorites, arguably the most popular Leggett’s product is the Trapper’s Bag. It is also a favorite all-around accessory among many trappers — some suggesting they simply would not use another brand’s bag. With 40 years of boots-on-the-ground experience poured into Leggett’s products, the brand (and the bag) is trusted. 

The Trapper’s Bag is available in regular and deluxe models. Both models feature lure or accessory pockets at each end of the open-top style bag while the deluxe model also includes a larger side-panel pocket. Leggett’s Trapper’s Bags are constructed of 1000 denier nylon and include solid wood floor-inserts as well as nylon carrying straps. Both models of Trapper’s Bag boast roomy 21L x 8W x 9H-inch dimensions and are perfect tool-bag solutions for serious trappers. www.trapleggetts.com