TRAPPERS AND TRAPPING IN ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL-SOCIETY - ECONOMIC AND SOCIOCULTURAL VALUES OF FURBEARER UTILIZATION IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED-STATES

The purchase of trapping licenses in the northeastern United States ha s been declining For several years. Despite the decline in trapping ac tivity, participation by a core group of trappers persists. To elucida te the economic and sociocultural values associated with present-day t rapping activities in the northeastern United Stares, several state an d federal agencies and two academic institutions cooperated in a multi state study oi trapping attitudes, values, motivations, and behavior. Results suggest that trappers continue to participate in trapping for a variety of sociocultural values and motivations, including the multi ple satisfactions derived From involvement in an enduring recreational central life interest. Trapping to procure income and to provide in-k ind contributions to the household economy represent important motives and meanings to a smaller segment of the respondent population.