Yukoners make fur trapping a family affair

Lisa Pretogrew up in Whitehorse, but had noreal experience with trapping or remotebackcountrytravel until her partnerAndy, relatively new to the Yukon at the time, became enthused bythe idea of working a trapline.

"He's very energetic with the things he's interested in," Lisa told CBC News.

It wasn't long before Andy was assisting on a traplineand honing hisskills. Now the couple work two of their own traplines one near their home in Haines Junction, the other near their cabin in Mayo.

They get help (of a sort)from their children, Rose, 4, and two-year-old Sylvia. As oftenas possible, the Pretos bring the girls along on thesnowy winter trail tocheck thetraps.

"Just being outside in the sled, they're looking around at stuff, feeling the crunch of snow on their mitts, rolling around in it," Lisa said.

"We hope that as our kids get bigger thatthey'llwant to spend more time out there, andthey'lllearn more practical skills."

The Pretos trap beavers, lynx and martens, selling many of the pelts at auction. Lisa also makes fur accessories such as parka ruffs and headbands to sell locally and online.

Lisa knowsthat not everyone understands the appeal of trapping. Even relatives and friends were a bit baffled by the couple's enthusiasmwhen they got started, she said.

The Pretosdon't mind explaining themselves.

"It's become a really great part of our life," Lisa said.

"People come with their opinions of trapping,they think that we're just out there killing animals.But Ithink the more time you spend outside in the natural world, the more you care about it."