Determining Traplines & Line Ownership

[TreeHugger]

How does one go about determining where traplines are and who has the trapping rights to them("owns" them)?

[sourdough doug]

Maps are available to view at the local F&W office, however the names of the line holder are "secret" due to the Freedom of Info. legislation.

[TreeHugger]

Thanks, Doug. That's helpful. I'll check with F&W to see where the traplines are. It looks like I'll need to reach out to some of the trappers I know to see if they can give me the names of some of the others. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[fjhoward]

F&W can also contact the trapper and have them contact you if they are so inclined.

[DarkAisling]

Originally Posted by sourdough doug

Maps are available to view at the local F&W office, however the names of the line holder are "secret" due to the Freedom of Info. legislation.

What makes you say this?

My understanding may be flawed, but I'm under the impression that "traplines" are TPAs. I don't remember what TPA stands for at the moment.

The TPA boundaries, and numbers go out on all of the oil & gas maps I create. Trapper names go out on many of my maps as well: probably around 25%.

If TPAs are traplines, the information is no where near as "secret" as you think it is. Tens of thousands of people have access to the names, and there is no confidentiality agreement of any sort in place with regards to the accessing of this data.

[sourdough doug]

Whatever, no biggy. Go see the fish cops and see if they will release the name of the trapper to you.. That's all I said.

[DarkAisling]

Originally Posted by sourdough doug

Whatever, no biggy.

Cool. I was a little worried that trappers didn't know how easily accessible the info is.

[McLeod Valley]

If I remember correctly, when I fill out my RFMA renewal form there is a box on the form which asks if I want to have my info made accessable to other resourse industries. It is a yes or no question.