The president of the Northern Saskatchewan Trappers Association says he sees hope for the trapping industry.
Clifford Ray spoke at the group’s general assembly in Prince Albert this week.
Ray says rising prices for pelts have pushed the number of trappers from 2000 to around 2700.
He believes fur prices have risen to the point where young people who take up trapping “would be laughing to the bank”.
A vice-chief with the Prince Albert Grand Council says he thinks more young people are starting to take up trapping.
Brian Hardlotte says it’s welcome news, and likely due to the rebound in the industry over the last couple of years.
Meantime, Hardlotte says he hopes government and industry will look at potential partnerships with northern trappers in the future.
A large delegation of chiefs and Metis officials are attending this week’s gathering.
The leaders say they are there to support the harvesters, who saw their budget cut a few years ago by the provincial government.
Max Morin of the Metis Nation – Saskatchewan says his organization is looking to establish a formal arrangement with the trappers.
Morin adds many Metis trap, anyway, so the arrangement is a natural one.