William "Willie" Hunt

"Trapping Stories" ,
from Awa'K'Wis, November, 1993

This story is about how trapping was done with 'old time' trapper William "Willie" Hunt of Fort Rupert. Willie's parents were Chief Johnathon Hunt (Odie)and Alice Hunt. His mom was from Village Island, and Willie grew up in Fort Rupert.

Willie learned to trap at a very early age, first from his father, then from his grandfather, George Hunt, when his father became ill and had to go the hospital in Alert Bay.

He explained that you were allowed to trap anywhere in the province, there were no laws restricting trap line territory until the 1930's. At that time a licence had to be purchased. It was a small aluminum tag with the year and a number stamped on it. If you could not produce this licence when the game warden approached, then you could go to jail.

Most plentiful for trapping were mink, beaver, marten and raccoon. Mink pelts were the favorite because they could easily be sold for cash to Pappas Furs in Vancouver. Lynx and otter furs were bought from Kingcome, Bella Bella and Smith Inlet. The main centres for the fur trade were Vancouver and Winnipeg. Marten pelts were another favorite of old time trappers.

December and January ere the best times for trapping because the furs were thick, dark and shiny.

Trapping was a side line for many Natives when they were not trapping they were out fishing or logging.

The types of trap used were small metal traps with sharp teeth, which were covered with leaves and dirt so as not to be seen. "You couldn't smoke either because the animals could smell the tobacco smoke on the trap and wouldn't come near."

When the trap line was set, explained Willie, each one was marked to help the trapper remember where it was; although a few trappers could rely solely on their memories.

Trapping as a side line to earn extra money was a favorite pastime of Willie Hunt's, and it is greatly missed. Talk of the endeavor brings back many fond memories of time spent in Seymour Inlet with his dad, or Smith Inlet with his grandfather -- memories vividly recalled.