In the remote wilderness of northwest Montana, veteran trapper Tom Oar continues to pursue his passion for trapping despite the challenges posed by harsh winter conditions. This winter, his fur business is thriving thanks to his partnership with Sean McAfee, but it’s the thrill of the daily trapline check that keeps him going.
Tom Oar has been living and trapping in Montana’s Yaak Valley since 1977. Every morning, after a cup of coffee, he heads out to check his traps. Even after 46 years, the excitement of what he might find in his traps never fades. “Always something exciting about going to check your traps, to see if you’re gonna be successful or not,” Tom shares.
Trapping beavers in winter is no easy task. The cold weather makes beavers less active, staying close to their dens. As Tom checks his traps, he finds the first two empty, a common occurrence in the trapping world. However, perseverance pays off when he discovers a massive 55-pound beaver in one of his traps, the largest he has ever caught. “This is one of the biggest beavers I think I’ve ever caught,” he says, clearly thrilled with the catch.
Tom’s trapping techniques are a mix of skill and caution. He uses beaver castor lure, a substance beavers produce to mark their territory, making it an effective bait. He also sets his traps in wood frames to prevent them from freezing overnight, ensuring they remain effective.
The value of Tom’s impressive catch is significant. A typical adult beaver fetches around $300, but this 55-pound giant is worth nearly double. This catch underscores the importance of skill and experience in trapping, as well as the potential rewards.
Despite the empty traps he often encounters, Tom remains undeterred. He has set ten traps in total and believes there’s always the possibility of a successful catch tomorrow. Reflecting on his life and work, Tom expresses contentment. “It’s been a long time living here for 45 years, doing this trapping thing. And I love doing this stuff, so I’m gonna try to keep doing it for as long as I can.”
As Tom heads home to begin skinning his prized beaver, he looks forward to continuing his trapping adventures. For Tom Oar, the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of a good catch make every day in the wild worthwhile.
