http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlifeactreview/discussion/disc_08.html
Trappers
Trapping is a recognized and long-standing use of wildlife in British Columbia. First Nations have trapped wildlife for thousands of years, and trapping and fur-trading played a significant role in the exploration and early development of B.C. by European settlers. The Province's first trapping regulations were established in 1906 in an effort to conserve the province's fur-bearing animals. Fur royalties were first imposed in 1921 and continue today and the Province began registering traplines in 1925 to reduce disputes among trappers and provide security for investment in trails and trapline shelters. Currently, there are over one thousand licenced trappers in B.C. Trapping continues to be an important activity for some First Nations and the owners of registered traplines, however, its economic significance has greatly declined as consumer demand for fur clothing has decreased.[1]
Registering traplines contributes to the conservation of wildlife by encouraging responsible harvest management. A trapline is an area for which registration is granted to one or more licenced trappers for the trapping of furbearing animals. Only the registered holder of a trapline may trap fur-bearing animals in that area unless they have written permission from the registered holder of the trapline or owner/occupier of the land, or hold a trapping permit.
The Ministry may grant registration of a trapline on Crown land to a person who is, or to a group of persons who are each, 19 years of age or older and a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. A person or group must not be granted registration of more than one trapline unless the traplines are contiguous and the person or group has obtained Ministry approval for a fur management plan. Registration of a trapline does not give the holder any proprietary rights in wildlife or restrict the rights of others to hunt or capture wildlife if they are authorized to do so by regulation or a permit.
To hold a registered trapline, a person must carry on active trapping or obtain Ministry permission to temporarily discontinue the use of that trapline for a period not exceeding two years. A person fails to carry on active trapping when they do not, within a year, take furbearing animals having a value of $200 or fifty furbearer pelts (except in circumstances where the Ministry judges this requirement as unreasonable).
Annual reports submitted by trappers provide some data on the harvest levels by species and trapline. However, more detailed information about numbers of days trapped, and types of traps used would contribute to even more effective management of fur-bearing animals by the Ministry.
