Episode Overview

Title: Episode 609 - Jason Wisniewski || To Trap Or Not To Trap
Host: The Origins Foundation
Guest: Jason Wisniewski, President, Fur Takers of America
Date: November 25, 2025
Theme:
The crucial role of ethical trapping in conservation, the realities behind modern trapping practices, misconceptions about animal welfare and the fur industry, legislative challenges, and how the contemporary fur-taking community is adapting to maintain relevance and public support.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Jason Wisniewski and Trapping’s Context

• Jason’s Background:
  • Grew up in southwest Pennsylvania, with strong hunting and fishing roots (04:38).
  • Early exposure to trapping from friends, but started independently in college (05:20).
• Role: Current president of Fur Takers of America, succeeding Dave Hastings (03:51).
• The Introduction to Trapping:
  • Describes first trap purchases and learning curve (05:49).
  • Early info on types of traps: dog proof vs. conibear/body grip – the importance of selectivity and safety for non-target species (06:04–07:05).

2. Understanding Modern Trapping Devices

• Dog-Proof Traps:
  • Foot-encapsulating design mostly used for raccoons and possums, minimizing risk to dogs and unintended wildlife (06:41, 12:18).
  • Selectivity reduces non-target catch and injury.
• Misconceptions about Injuries:
  • Most modern footholds act as restraints, not injury devices – “like handcuffs” (15:33).
  • Visual propaganda (old traps with teeth) still influences public perception (22:33–23:57).
• Safety Evidence:
  • Extensive field and veterinary research since 1997 demonstrates minimal injury rates and dispels myths of limb breaking and cruelty (16:58, 26:06).
  • BMPs (Best Management Practices) have resulted in trap improvements and maintained fur export standards (16:58, 18:28).

Quote:

“Your footholds and your dog proofs, they're more of a restraining device similar to, you know, pretty much like handcuffs. All they're going to do is hold on to the feet.” (15:33 - Jason Wisniewski)

3. Trapping and Conservation

• Value for Management:
  • Trapping is framed not as ‘predator control’ (which implies eradication), but as ‘management’ to balance species, protect game, and biodiversity (40:12–42:02).
  • Localized removal of predators can benefit species like turkeys, quail, and deer, especially if timed right (38:32 - 40:12).
• Catch and Release Realities:
  • Many traps allow safe release – not as lethal or permanent as often portrayed (12:18–12:48).
  • Anecdotes and practical tips for releasing skunks and handling non-targets (10:51–14:12).

Quote:

“It’s management. It’s not control either…you really don’t have control over anything but, but you can manage stuff.” (40:12 – Jason Wisniewski)

4. Fur Markets Now and Then

• Shifting Demand:
  • Majority of American fur now exported (Europe, China, Korea, Russia); domestic demand has shrunk due to changing norms and perceptions (18:33, 18:53).
  • Use of real fur in daily products (hats, fly-tying, art brushes) often overlooked (28:17, 29:09).

Quote:

“It doesn't get any more renewable or natural or organic than fur. And especially in a time when all the alternatives are made of plastic, some sort of synthetics…” (18:53 – Jason Wisniewski)

5. Myths vs. Reality: Animal Welfare

• Teeth in Traps:
  • Outdated; now prohibited in most states. Yet, still weaponized in anti-trapping campaigns’ visuals (22:33–23:57).
• Safety for Pets and People:
  • Pan tension customization means many traps will not trigger on small pets (24:53–25:30).
  • Personal and familial comfort with traps: dogs and children are safe around properly set traps (25:30).

6. Legislative and Policy Landscape

• Ongoing Threats:
  • Up to 30 annual bills attempt trapping/fur bans, especially commercial fur sales (27:40–28:16).
  • Recent focus: “ban on new fur sales”– implications for wide array of products (28:17–29:09).
• Advocacy:
  • Importance of multi-group coalitions (e.g., trappers, bowhunters, fishing groups) to push back against broad anti-wildlife-use policies (30:29–33:42).

Quote:

“This stuff is bigger than just trapping. It’s. Multiple organizations need to be worried about it and concerned that we need to be banding together to...fight for each other's interest…” (30:29 – Jason Wisniewski)

7. Fur Takers of America: Challenges and Modernization

• A New Era:
  • Historically, trappers “laying low” contributed to decline in relevance and understanding (33:55–35:57).
  • Now, direct engagement, education, and a robust social media presence has led to resurgence (35:59–36:38).
• Outreach and Education:
  • Trapping license sales up 226% since 2015 (38:12–38:32).
  • Increase in interest—particularly in areas where predator management benefits hunting.

Quote:

“We found that we actually helped the antis in that because we made ourselves irrelevant. Nobody knows trapping exists anymore…” (34:10 – Jason Wisniewski)

8. Opportunities to Get Involved

• Membership Perks:
  • Monthly magazine, educational webinars, and access to the “Trappers College”—the only program of its kind, accredited with Purdue University (42:19–44:06).
• Community:
  • Strong support, camaraderie, problem-solving and intelligence among trappers—characterized as “some of the most intelligent people you ever meet” (47:10–44:15).
• Advocacy Need:
  • Strength in numbers is vital to push back on legislative challenges and secure the future of trapping as a conservation tool (44:08–47:50).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Synthetics vs. Fur:

  “It doesn't get any more renewable or natural or organic than fur... We should be trying to, you know, reduce our use of plastics rather than increase it.” (18:53 – Jason Wisniewski)

• On Trap Injuries:

  “Tons of research…they actually do necropsies on those animals to assess how much damage there is…The vast majority of traps out there score really well for very little damage to the animals.” (16:58 – Jason Wisniewski)

• On Predator Management:

  “If you trap very specific times...you're not going to manage or control those numbers, but you can manage predation.” (41:22 – Jason Wisniewski)

• On Advocacy:

  "As soon as the trapping’s gone, we already know that there's been some flack towards bow hunters...they're just going to find the next thing." (32:52 – Jason Wisniewski)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Jason's Trapping Background: 04:38 – 05:49
• Types of Traps/Dog Proof Explanation: 06:04 – 07:05
• Releasing Skunks/Catch and Release Reality: 10:51 – 12:48
• Injury Myths & Studies: 15:33 – 16:58, 26:06
• US Fur Market Changes: 18:28 – 20:17
• Plastic vs. Fur Debate: 20:17 – 21:04
• Misconceptions Over Traps with Teeth: 22:33 – 23:57
• Trap Safety for Pets: 24:53 – 25:30
• Fur Sales Legislation: 27:40 – 29:09
• Multi-Group Advocacy Effort: 30:29 – 33:42
• Education, Social Media & Trapper Relevancy: 35:59 – 38:12
• Trapping License Surge: 38:12 – 38:32
• Predator/Predation Management: 40:12 – 42:02
• How and Why to Join Fur Takers: 42:19 – 44:08
• Trappers College & Community: 44:08 – 47:50

Summary

This episode provided a nuanced, fact-based examination of modern trapping, highlighting how evidence-based practices, selective devices, and continual improvements make trapping an effective and ethical component of North American wildlife management. Jason Wisniewski emphasized the importance of outreach, education, and coalition-building, as well as the need for the fur-taking community to reclaim the narrative and demonstrate relevancy as conservationists. For trappers, hunters, or conservation-minded listeners—from skeptics to beginners—this conversation challenged myths, illustrated the value of organized advocacy, and called for participation in securing the future of responsible trapping and habitat stewardship.