Just wondering how it works in AK for trappers cabins? Can a trapper build cabins? Here we can build one pretty much anywhere we want as long as its on our registered line.

Yukon,

You must do an application through the DNR. You must be able to show proof that you've been trapping out there through harvest reports, receipts, biologist letter, etc.

They are for 10 years at time. Cost is $100. They are STRICTLY trapping cabins. They are really cracking down on "recreational" cabins. I just went through the whole thing about a year ago. I worked with a very nice lady, so it was not painful, but they are making you prove that you've been in that area by requiring those things. I really like them making sure you are legit when applying.

The ATA wrote the original bill and helped to get that law passed in about 1976 as I recall. The primary sponsor was ol' Red Swanson from Nenana. We needed a legislative solution because the DNR was refusing to give land use permits to trappers for cabins.

Even after the legislation was passed and signed into law, DNR dragged their feet even more. For a couple of years they said they couldn't issue any of the new Trapper Cabin Construction Permits because "they hadn't had time to design an application!"

A couple of legislators finally had a short "come to Jesus" talk with the Director of Division of Lands and they finally came up with an application.

Then ATA worked with DNR to develop some regulations to go with the law.

I was working at DNR then and I took the very first application from Larry Hensley, who was the FWP Officer over at McGrath. He got his cabin at Folger Creek that way.

So there is a little history for you.....!

Pete

Thanks guys sounds like you guys have a good system! here we pay 150 a year! then of course we get taxed on any cabins. Its a B/S system and we (YTA) are going to try to get it changed. If a new trapper moved to AK how long before he could build? and could he build anywhere?

Larry Hensley, that'a a name I haven't heard for a long time, talked with his wife Pat (one of my teachers in McG) via e-mail a couple years ago and they were doing all right.

I think you have to prove use of the area for 3 years and only state land. I'll refrain from commenting on the fed land managers in AK.

Pete, is there anything you haven't mastered or done yet? You always amaze me with your knowledge.

Done a lot of stuff. Not sure I mastered anything.

I do have a very refined level of B.S.!

Pete

Takotna,

Larry was sure a "by the book" kinda guy! Once over at Clark Engle's (Grandview Lodge) on the upper Tonzona he gave a kid a ticket for fishing without a license "on his person."

As the story goes, the license was in his jeans, which were drying out on the tent frame 100 yards away, after he fell in the river!

I was working for Red Beeman over on the N.F. Big River. I just tried to never give Larry an excuse to get me in his sights!

Pete

My FIRST interaction with Larry I was 15yr and Dad told me to go get a cow moose across from McG, I snowshoed up to a sleeping cow and shot it, when the cow jumped up a calf I didn't see also got shot, after putting the cow down I started pulling, pushing rolling the calf to the tree line about 20ft but that lasted for mabe 10min when the dreadfull sound of Larry's cub started circleing, I was busted and went back to town to meet him waiting, to this day I don't think he believed I got them with one shot even though it was plain simple looking at the bullet holes, but now I think he knew I was trying to hide it. I think he only took the calf though, his wife Pat was my journalism teacher and I wrote an article in our paper, she got a kick out of it but don't think he did, that was my first of about 4 "Chats" I had with him while a teen. The cabin you mentioned is now mine and Larry did a great job on it, nice and cozy.

We may have to address Pete as the "Master" from now on.

'sounds like you came out the winner in that tussle Takotna! Nice cabin, huh?

I have heard similar tales about Larry. I hear he is a llama farmer now!

Yeah, Pete never ceases to amaze me also ;o)

Pete:
I assume your "nice level of B.S. equates to a Bachelor of Sciences" in Alaskan experiences!
I love it when the real Pioneers think they pull one over, (or under) us youngsters!
Heck, I just got here 23 years ago, and all the ground work had already been done by then. Even at 48 years old now, I am bewildered at what people like you got done in such a short time.
I thank you for paving the way.
I hope that your stories, and others that helped bring our great state to it's greatness can be preserved.
Thanks for all, Pete.
Viking

Northway: I kinda like that "Master" title.....!

AV: Hey. I am not "old" yet.

The best way you can tell if you are an old trapper or not is if ATA has interviewed you for the Old Timers Night or the Oral History Project.

For example, W17 was interviewed a long time ago......! (Probably on a reel-to-reel recorder!)

Right Barb?

Pete

Pete:
My first intro to Larry is when he made a super stealth dead stick entry to our Moose camp. Had we been doing anything at all wrong we would of not had a prayer.

Pete, i heard rumors that W17s interview was actually recorded on a piece of caribou skin with these stick figure charactures!

Didn't mean old, just wise.

LOL Well, we DO have this piece of birch bark mounted on the wall with writing on it......

Sorry about your thread Yukon254.

Pete, isn't it true that a new trapper can buy the buildings from a 'retiring' trapper and take over the established line?
Are there regulations that specify that the new trapper has to be working that line before he can take it over?

Isn't having to show usage of an area for three years kind of backwards? How you supposed to trap for three years in an area you need a cabin when you can't get one first? I guess you could tent it, but if you were planning on trapping there, I would think it would be nice to get the cabin built first.

I am just thinking of the guy that wants to get started. Most places close to anywhere are being trapped, so you have to go further to get into untrapped area. I don't know about you guys, but if a guy was going to fly or travel to a far out area, it would be nice to have the cabin built for use first.

-TJ

TJ,

Good question. But you must show proof of trapping it first. I guess that may mean a wall tent for a few years. I was going to build a cabin in another area as it was a "mean" line for travel and and we put up the wall tent for 3 years. Also, if there are other cabins in the area, you may have to be a certain distance from them or have drainages, etc. that would make travel difficult. The lady I worked with said they are really focusing on making trapping cabins just that, and not recreational cabins.

Pete,

Thought you would like the "MASTER" title!

Sounds like White and Olblister might be the real "masters" though...

Northway how big are your trapping cabins? Do you have a "solid roof" on them? I have been looking into this once I retire from the military, but it doesn't look good. The wife is a teacher and I have been triing to talk her into getting a job in a village, but she doesn't seem to keen on that Idea. Something about wanting running water all year and not paying 9 bucks for a gallon of milk. I have 8 years to talk her into it. I work on it every day.

The cabins can only be a certain size. They have to be less than so many square feet. The main one is 12x18. The others are 10x10. Yes they have roofs. They are frame cabins, not log.

Tell your wife she can get a job along the road system! That way you can "escape" to town when needed!

I have been working on the road system also. Maybe circle or something like that. We will have to see what happens. I can use my water treatment lic also to find a job. I keep telling her how quite it would be. She tells me that she wants running water, that she doesn't have to buckets of water for.

Woodelf,

I teach here on the road system. Believe me, there are very nice houses. I don't know of anywhere on the road system that doesn't have the water and sewer! :)i90/opl;.

Sometimes I wish I was hauling water instead of trying to keep these blankitty blank pipes from freezing!

Our cabin is 12' x 16' and low. You have to stoop to go in the door. It is easier to heat and to keep the heat inside when the door is opened.

We used to have a sod roof on the cabin. It was like a sponge. So White replaced it with a metal roof. That sure cuts down on the conversation inside when it is raining! What a racket! We need to do some insulating/sound-proofing now.

Northway I tell her that all the time. She is just a stuborn. The hard part will be finding me a job. I work water treatment and most of the time only the bigger cities have a water treatment plant. We both have been to tok a dozen times and there are some nice houses there. Like I said I have 8 years till I really have to worry about. I was thinking of picking up some land if we can find a area that we like. Even if we don't move there it could be a man cabin for when I need to away.

To get a cabin for trapping on state land, you need to show "regular use of an established trapline." More than one trapper can be permitted for a cabin. Last I looked, the permits were transferable, but the transferee would still need to show "regular use of an established" line.

TJ: I know this sounds like it could be unreasonable (or even backwards) but when we were devising regs, we needed something so that every dog-musher, skier and snowmachiner couldn't get a "trapping" cabin. If that had happened, you can bet that the law would have been repealed. We needed to make it so that it was really only used by trappers. I think it does that.

Pete

I've got a state cabin permit, and need to say thanks to the ATA of those days that helped make it possible. Tented it for a few years to show use, followed all the rules and its worked out great. #1 problem is it makes me soft. Never seemed to take a weather day with the tent.

Here's a question. There are places on the map that say "shelter cabin", but the cabin no longer exists. If one were to look into this, can the shelter cabin be rebuilt in the original location and used?

Kusko,

Doubt it. Your best bet is to get established in an area for a few years, then apply for a trapping cabin permit. If the shelter is on private land, I would say yes as long as the land owners are okay with it.

How do you prove that you have been trapping a area? You can tell them that you used a tent all winter, but really be giving them a line of BS. I'm just wondering just in case I ever go to do something like this

Copy of liscense for years trapped is required. plus any fur receipts,tanning receipts, air charter receipts, and anything else to prove you've been doing it. Other than GMU listed on fur receipt I don't really know how you can prove where you trapped. I think they wanna see use at least every other year.

State sealing records are one way of keeping those bureaucrats happy. Make sure you have caught some cats, beaver, wolves or wolverine, and you are all set with official state documents that show a unit or subunit and the drainage.

Fur receipts or notes from fur buyer.

Note from the local ADFG Area Biologist and/or FWP Officer also helps.

Pete

Hey Pete ,when are you heading this way again?
Al

Al,

I am headed to North Island of NZ starting about 20 April. Then I will be hunting with my mates from Narooma in NSW and in Gippsland, Vic right after that. Fallow, sambar and maybe rusa.

Not going to let those blokes try to blow me up again though. It wasn't that much fun the first time!

Pete