Fur trappers in the Northwest Territories: an econometric analysis of the factors influencing participation

Abstract

Commercial fur trapping now accounts for only a small fraction of the income received by native people. Many adult native males do continue to engage in commercial trapping. A review of the recent literature reveals a wide variety of suggested motivations for this continuing involvement. Through the use of econometric techniques we are able to analyze the motivations of two distinct sub-groups of trappers. One group, accounting for about 15% of those who trap, has a substantial commitment to the activity and is motivated primarily by the income-earning potential of fur sales. The second group, which includes approximately 85% of the participants, consists of those whose participation is best explained by the lack of alternative employment opportunities. -from Authors