Conservation Commons: Rusty Kramer

Trapping dates far back into Idaho’s history, long before the days of statehood. Tales of trappers deep in the Gem State’s mountains have captivated audiences young and old for generations. Today, the Idaho Trappers Association, an IWF affiliate, works to continue the legacy of trapping in Idaho and is dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the activity. IWF recently spoke with Rusty Kramer, president of the Idaho Trappers Association, a dedicated trapper who also live-traps problem beavers to be relocated by IDFG and the Forest Service. Here is some of his story.

IWF: So, tell us a little about yourself.

Rusty: I reside in Fairfield with my girlfriend and two teenage boys. I farm, I’m the watermaster of the water district and I’m head coach of the High School Football Team.

IWF: What kind of trapping do you do?

Rusty: In the fall and winter, I fur trap for coyotes, fox, wolves, badger, bobcats and marten. With low fur prices, I haven’t fur trapped for beavers in 5 years but I do live trap beavers.

IWF: How did you first get involved with live trapping beavers?

Rusty: My dad started live trapping them in the 80’s. I started watching him in grade school and by high school was doing it by myself.

IWF: And about how many beavers do you trap a year?

Rusty: I’ve been trapping between 20-50 beavers a year for many years. It really depends on how many damage complaint calls I get.

IWF: From a trappers perspective, do you think relocating beavers is helpful for landowners or do more beavers tend to move in once one is removed?

Rusty: Yes and no. If a beaver is plugging an irrigation ditch, I’ll go in and pull the beaver out so the landowner can irrigate. The problem is solved – for the time being. People tend to think beavers are like landscaping rocks in that if you put them in a spot, they never move. That’s not the case. Once you pull a beaver out, a new one will eventually move in. It could be a week, could be a year. The bottom line is, if the beaver is causing problems, it has to be removed. You can’t beat a beaver by digging the dam out every night. The beaver has more ambition and patience than you do! Also, one thing to add – you can only catch about 90% of beavers in a live trap. Some must be removed by lethal traps.

IWF: Any interesting stories from your work trapping beavers?

Rusty: Oh, plenty. I’ve been bit a few times (its like getting pinched with pliers). I’ve had the suitcase-style live traps smack me in the head. I’ve had beavers chew out of the transport kennels while in the back of my truck, and I’ve been yelled at by people for taking the beaver out of its home.

IWF: Anything else you’d like to add?

Rusty: In the 21st century, it’s nearly impossible to let nature live naturally. We have roads, bridges, culverts, dikes, subdivisions, farms, and livestock. There is a very healthy population of beaver in Idaho and in some places, an overpopulation. We need trapping to manage the populations, especially when they are causing damage to subdivisions, blocking culverts or blocking irrigation ditches. Animals in the 21st century benefit from being managed.

For more information about the Idaho Trappers Association, visit their website or contact Rusty: idahotrapguy@hotmail.com.

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