As we return to our roots, we take a look back, and preview the future.
By Chris Berens
The changes you’ve noticed in this issue of the magazine have been a long time coming, as we have heard from many loyal readers over the years how much the trapping lifestyle means to us all. We’re proud to continue to improve and publish the best trapping magazine in the country, and carry on the tradition that began 45 years ago.
The Trapper has undergone many changes in that time, from different size formats, to a variety of color combinations, a name change, staff and ownership changes, and more. But the one thing that has not changed, and never will, is the publication’s dedication to being the leading source of practical, comprehensive information for North American fur harvesters.
Midwest Trapper changed its name to The Trapper for the September 1976 issue, to better encompass all of its new subscribers around the country.
As we move forward, you are going to see more focused, educational trapping content from the best in the business, along with news and entertaining tales of trapping lore. Before we get going, let’s take a look back at how it all began, 45 years ago.
It all started out in September 1975 as a small, eight-page newsletter for the Nebraska Fur Harvesters organization, called Midwest Trapper. Chuck Spearman was the Publisher of Spearman Newspapers out of Sutton, Nebraska, and Terry Scheidemann was the editor.
Just one year later they had subscribers in every state, and decided to change the title to The Trapper for the September 1976 edition (see the original first cover above) to better encompass all of their new subscribers around the country. “Trapping News for the young and old” was its motto, and you could pick up a copy for a mere 50 cents, or splurge on a year’s subscription for a whole $2.00.
This first issue had grown to 16 full pages, and in addition to Spearman and Scheidemann, these expert Field Editors had been added to the staff:
• Larry Pate, Idalou, Texas
• Mike Hebert, Omaha, Nebraska
• Bernie Vicars, Beatrice, Nebraska
• Craig O’Gorman, Broadus, Montana
That September issue covered the gamut of content that any trapper would be interested in. There were plenty of “Letters to the Editor,” and current events articles such as “Ohio Anti Trap Issue” and “How to Stop the Humane Societies.” (Those sound pretty familiar to issues we still deal with today.)
News and information for state trapping associations were also covered, including a recap of the Pennsylvania Spring Convention and the 1976 National Trappers Association National Convention in Beemerville, New Jersey.
Always interesting to look back on, there were advertisements from the likes of J.C. Connor’s Lures, Southeastern Outdoor Supplies and E.J. Dailey’s Lures & Baits, along with fur buyers like R.C. Rose Raw Furs and Smeal Hide and Fur. Most of the companies advertised their catalogs for only 25 cents, bottles of scents were as low as $1.25 and a dozen 110 Victor Conibears for $23. Plus, you could join the National Trappers Association for only $2.50 per year.
Of course, the pages also held a solid variety of trapping tales and how-to articles. Stories like “The Gas Chamber” by Tom Krause, “The First Carry” by George Liljestrand, “A Western Trap Line” by Gordon Sorenson, “Exodus” by Craig O’Gorman and more gems of knowledge.
Quality, timely, entertaining trapping content just like what Mr. Spearman and Mr. Scheidemann set out with back in the ‘70s has been our mainstay, and will continue to be so. Thank you, readers, for sticking with us all of these years, and for keeping the trapping lifestyle alive and well. Stay on the lookout for more great content from The Trapper.
In closing, here’s a fitting poem from the original issue of the magazine:
“A Trapper”
By James Reeves
A trapper waits with a reason,
For the opening day of a new season.
To check and see if pelts are prime,
If not he won’t receive a dime.
A trapper works hard till he’s old,
Through all kinds of weather, mostly cold.
He traps just enough to get him by,
He doesn’t trap just to let them die.
Writings in papers, ads we’ve read,
To try to kill the trapper dead.
Leading people to believe our wildlife is gone,
That could not be more wrong.
A trapper, always in need,
Will always leave, some for seed.
A trapper loves wildlife as anyone ever will,
Cause I love wildlife, I’m a trapper still.
Watch Mousing Fox Take a Nose Dive
