Colville Lake (Nov 13/06) - With five years experience under his belt, 12-year-old Sydney Oudzi has been named the Sahtu youth trapper of the year.

"It's great - catching marten is my favourite," he said. "They don't run away with your traps."

Sydney Oudzi, of Colville Lake, was awarded a Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs jacket by Environment and Natural Resources superintendent Keith Hickling for being the most active Youth Trapper in the Sahtu. - photo courtesy of Glen Guthrie

Wolves and wolverines have done this to him in the past, though he has exacted some revenge. "My brother George and I killed two wolves with a gun," he said.

The youngster has no idea how many animals he's caught since first going out with his father, Gene Oudzi, at the age of seven. But he said the money is good and he enjoys being out on the land.

"We go to Tashin Tue (Lac des Bois) and set up tents for our family," he said. "All of our stuff gets flown in on a float plane that comes from out of town."

Aside from trapping, he also enjoys setting fish nets and hunting caribou.

He also hauls a lot of wood to the camp, which isn't his favourite job. "I do have fun piling it up though," he said.

In this northern-most Sahtu community of about 135 residents, Colville Lake school teacher Robert Lyslo said the importance of being a skilled trapper shouldn't be underestimated. "It's very important - right now we have several families out on the land trapping," he said. "With prices high like they are now, they're likely going to make a substantial portion of their annual income."

He points to resident Robert Kochon who has caught and sold 200 to 300 marten in a single year.

"The price is ranging from about $100 to $200 apiece," he said. "It's an important part of life in Colville Lake."

Oudzi recognizes its importance, too.

"There are lots of kids in Colville Lake and other places trapping," he said. "Hopefully there will be more one day."

While he isn't sure what job he'd like to do once he's done school, Oudzi said he knows going out on the trapline will always be part of his life.

"I will always keep trapping, even if it's just a hobby."