OWL RIVER - Stacey Skyrpan, a trapper from the Owl River area, says while it still is not common for women to be involved in trapping, more women are showing interest in and pursuing the traditional activity.
Skyrpan, who is a member and secretary of Lac La Biche Trappers Association Local 1120 and runs a ranch with her husband and children called 4 Stars Ranch, says the increase may stem from a curiosity to learn more about the lost arts, which includes basic survival skills such as homesteading and living off the land.
“More and more women are not afraid to be spending more time outside, or they’re finding that it fits very well with their lifestyle, or they have an interest in it,” she told Lakeland This Week. “I think seeing other women involved encourages them... to get out and do it and try it.”
Skyrpan’s passion for trapping has turned into home-based business called Wolf & Fox Designs. Through this small enterprise, which is operated out of a fur shed on her property, she designs and sews fur-based items such as mittens, hats and other accessories that are generally worn during the winter months. She also uses a lot of natural products like wool to make items such as scarves that are trimmed with fur, as well as bags.
The idea to start a business, she explained, came from the desire to make her trapping viable - at least from an economic standpoint.
“It’s expensive to trap,” she said, adding that this enjoyable hobby can also take up a considerable amount of time.
Both of her daughters have completed their trapping courses and are actively involved in the outdoor pursuit, which has a long, illustrious history in northern Alberta and is a strong part of the heritage.
Her youngest daughter often tags along when she goes to sell her products at local markets.
Skrypan sees a resurgence of not only women, but also children getting involved in trapping, which she says is exciting and refreshing. Furthermore, the trapper believes that she has played a role in helping to garner some of this increased interest.
“I know that I’ve been I suppose influential in some women getting involved in trapping, because they can see somebody who is already doing it as a female,” she acknowledged.
Growing up, Skyrpan, was exposed to trapping, although she never got involved in the activity until she was an adult. Encouraged by a friend who was very passionate about trapping and all manners of outdoor pursuits, she decided to give it a shot and took the trapper’s course to become licensed.
There are many aspects of trapping that Skyrpan enjoys.
While this activity not only enables her to enjoy the great outdoors, as she explains, it also helps keep populations of predatorial animals such as coyotes under control, which in turn helps protect other wildfire species, such as rabbits and some birds.
Another aspect of the trapping lifestyle that Skyrpan says is rewarding is having the opportunity to educate the public, more specifically, telling people why and how trapping is done, and why the practice is important, even in the 21st century.
“Even in this new modern world, we still need it… and people don’t understand… so I enjoy that aspect as well.”
