Book excerpt: Fur trapping in North America began at the turn of the sixteenth century when rugged mountain men pushed ever westward in search of beaver. These entrepreneurs possessed an unmatched sense of adventure, a relentless drive to succeed, and an uncanny ability to survive. The intimacy between man and nature discovered by these early explorers has been continued through hardy souls still lucky enough to know the thrill and excitement of a modern-day trapline. The proud heritage of America’s fur-trappers lives on through trappers associations, trapper education programs, and the trappers who continue to live it. Follow the journey of a young boy in 20th century rural America who learned about wild lands and wildlife through fi rsthand experience. The people he meets along the way inspire him to write about trappers and trapping and the importance of preserving man’s primitive crafts for the continuation of America’s rich wildlife legacy.