Following in his grandfather's steps
Isaac Mantla earns youth trapper award
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Monday, December 7, 2015
BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
Isaac Mantla loves to be out on the land. The 19-year-old from Behchoko says one of his favourite memories is camping and trapping with his family.
"We went trapping for muskrat," he said.
"We had a tent and we stayed there for a couple days. It's really fun."
Mantla is one of this year's Northwest Territories Trappers Award winners, an annual competition sponsored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Mantla earned a spot in the youth category and said he was surprised to find out he had been selected.
"I'm pretty shocked, I gotta say," he said.
The awards are based on four categories, senior trapper, youth trapper, highest sales and highest number of pelts sold, according to the department.
Mantla, who has been trapping since he was about 15, learned his skills from his grandfather, Joe Mantla. The pair often go trapping together, often to trap rabbit.
Mantla said he values the lessons his grandfather has taught him.
"I'm always out there with my grandpa, helping him," he said. "He taught me."
Mantla said his grandfather didn't just share his trapping techniques, he also taught him how to be prepared while out on the
land.
"You never know what could be out there," he said.
"You should carry an axe or a gun with you."
Threats can come in many forms, he added.
"Always watch out for the weather and what the temperature is," he said.
"There are many dangers out there."
Mantla said while he hasn't yet decided what he wants to do when he graduates from Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School, he's been considering a career in construction or engineering. He said he believes trapping could be a way to supplement his future income, or it could become his full time job.
In the meantime, he said he's already looking forward to his next trip on the land.
"To go out trapping, you always have to be prepared," he said.
