Oh boy, where do I even start? About 13 or 14 years ago, somehow–don’t ask me how time flies like it does–I was a District Director for the Montana Trappers Association (MTA). Me. The person who breaks into a cold sweat speaking in front of more than two people…even when I know them! Luckily, the MTA president back then (the man, the myth, and the legend)–the one and only Toby Walrath–was very comfortable speaking in public and stepped in to do the talking for me at meetings while I sat in the back of the room like a weirdo. Public speaking is a hard pass for me, but promoting trapping and wearing real fur was definitely something I could do.
I wasn’t just talking the talk, either. I trapped my own critters, bought tanned hides of critters I didn’t have or that we don’t have here (possums), and learned to skin from the best — Bob Shepard, Toby, John Wilson, Dan Helterline… all incredibly smart, patient, and extremely generous humans. I still have all of my furs, as I wasn’t in it for the money; it was about learning a new form of wildlife management, and yes, a small part was the dream of one day making a fur quilt (which still hasn’t happened, but hey, it’s on my bucket list, right next to “spare time.” lol).
Back then, I couldn’t afford one of those beautiful fur coats I admired so much. Working full time for an animal rescue nonprofit, just getting my own business off the ground, barely scraping together enough to make it to MTA meetings in Lewistown… but wow, those coats, though! I dreamed of owning one–mid to full-length, classic, warm, soft. Then one day, Dan Helterline walked into a meeting wearing a coat made from his wolf hides, let everyone try it on, and I was obsessed even more. Game over for me.
Fast forward to 2025. My own business is rolling, my husband and I opened a business together that is successful, and guess what? I finally bought the coat! It is a gorgeous arctic fox fur coat. Even though I spill on everything I wear, I will be very careful when wearing this one. I fell in love with the creamy white and silvery color of it. It is fur–real fur! I’m in love with this coat. It makes me feel like a million bucks (even if I plan to wear sweatpants and flip-flops). It is one of the most expensive eco-friendly gifts I have ever given myself, and I now have one bucket list item checked off.
And just like that, I’m back in my fur era. Now I have my eye on an otter shawl, which is my favorite fur. Because let’s be honest: if you’re going to support trapping as the most effective form of wildlife management, you might as well look fabulous doing it!
Note: I realize that not everyone is familiar with trapping or understands it, which leads to a lot of emotional reactions based on what they think or heard. I encourage anyone with questions or concerns to connect with their local trappers association, as they are a great resource and happy to share how and why responsible trapping plays a crucial role in wildlife management and conservation. Because the best people to educate others on trapping are trappers!
-Angela Montana
