If you’ve ever been curious about trapping but felt like it was confusing, intimidating, or just “not for people like me,” this episode is for you.

I sit down with Zach from Okayest Trapper to talk through what getting started actually looks like when you didn’t grow up trapping. The mistakes, the learning curve, the frozen ground, the gear decisions, and why most people underestimate how much work (and problem-solving) is involved.

We cover how trapper education works in different states, how trapping changes the way you think about animals and habitat, and why so many hunters eventually get drawn into it — even if they never planned to. We also talk honestly about fur, conservation, and whether trapping is something that stays a hobby or can turn into something more over time.

If you hunt, own land, or just want to understand another side of the outdoor world without the gatekeeping, this conversation will give you a clear picture of what trapping really is — and whether it’s something you’d ever want to try.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If this helped you see trapping differently, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who’s been curious but unsure where to start.

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https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb00:00 – Collab kickoff + trapping bug

01:45 – How Idaho vs Minnesota trapping education works

06:15 – Early exposure to trapping culture (and what changed)

09:45 – “Why am I doing this?” — the addiction to challenge

14:10 – Trap prep debate: boil, rust, dye, wax… or just run them

18:10 – Anchors vs drags + frozen ground problems

23:00 – Cable restraints: lighter, faster, more scalable

26:10 – Collector mode: species goals (fox, coon, coyote, fisher, bobcat)

31:45 – Fur boom talk + could markets ever come back?

41:15 – Alternative markets: squirrels, gophers, skulls, and making it pencil