Skye Goode still remembers the coyote that truly made her a trapper—even though it technically wasn’t her first, or even her second. When she started canine trapping years ago, her early lessons came fast and hard, which included a big male coyote strong enough to pull free, then a young female killed by another coyote before Skye arrived. It wasn’t until weeks later that she finally caught her “first” real coyote—a big alpha female with a pristine coat and telltale scars that revealed the hierarchy. By then, she wasn’t just setting traps; she was reading the land, understanding pack dynamics, and learning firsthand how closely survival, behavior, and balance are tied together. She was hooked.
Today, Skye sees trapping as far more than a hat tip to the past. It is one of the most effective tools we have for wildlife management. Trapping helps keep animal populations in balance, protects habitat, reduces conflicts with landowners, and plays a critical role in conservation. It also offers everything many hunters love, including winter time outdoors, an understanding and knowledge of wildlife, physical work, and real-world value. Skye has traded trapping skills for hunting access, helped landowners solve serious nuisance problems, and carried on an old, practical tradition that still works. She encourages anyone curious about trapping to learn from experienced trappers and connect with local organizations. In Montana, the Montana Trappers Association is an excellent resource, by the way. The skills may be old, but the need for responsible, effective wildlife management has never been more modern!
Read Skye’s full article in OutdoorLife here.
Photo credit: Gateway Graphic Design and Photography
