The Trapline Journal by Volk Furs
The Trapline Journal is the official blog of Volk Furs, built around authentic stories from the trapline and the traditions that continue to shape North America’s fur trade.
Here you’ll find fur market commentary from the latest fur auctions, trapping tips and techniques, fur handling and processing knowledge, handcrafted fur product reviews, and insights into traditional fur sewing craftsmanship.
From wildlife conservation and sustainable fur harvesting to practical trapping knowledge passed down through generations, The Trapline Journal is dedicated to preserving the heritage, skills, and modern future of the fur industry.
-
What Are Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Trapping?
Best Management Practice When many people picture trapping, they imagine an old steel trap from a movie or an image shared on social media. What they often don’t realize is that modern trapping in North America has changed dramatically over the past several decades. Today’s responsible trappers don’t simply buy any trap and head into…
-
The History of Fur Hats: Thousands of Years of Warmth, Tradition, and Craftsmanship
The History of Fur Hats: Thousands of Years of Warmth, Tradition, and Craftsmanship When you think of a fur hat, the image that often comes to mind is a Davy Crockett coonskin cap or a rugged trapper hat worn by mountain men. While these iconic styles have become symbols of North America’s frontier, the history…
-
Where To Buy Fur Products After Etsy’s 2026 Fur Ban
Where Can I Buy Authentic Fur Products Now That Etsy Banned the Sale of Fur? For years, online marketplaces made it easy for customers to discover handcrafted fur products made by skilled artisans across North America. Whether you were searching for a traditional coonskin hat, a handmade trapper hat, fur mittens, or custom fur goods,…
-
Defense of fur as a sustainable resource
For the better part of 3.5 years, I have been running Volk Furs through Etsy. This past April, Etsy announced a policy change that will ban the sale of fur on their website starting August 11, 2026. This announcement came as a shock to me, as my business has been growing on Etsy each year….
-
Why I wear fur on my trapline and in everyday life
Fur was never really a part of my life growing up. I spent my summers fishing and my falls hunting when the temperatures were still mild enough that extremely heavy winter clothing wasn’t necessary. During the winter months, we switched to snowmobiles and wore the kind of gear built for riding — helmets, heavy parkas,…