A Well-known Trapper

              The museum received its first artifact related to the trapping business in the Katahdin area. It is a steel trap that belonged to Vernon G. Haines along with some of his trap tags and two photos. Also, there is a well-written piece about Haines and the trapping business in the area through the years. The piece was written by Haines’s daughter Janelle Haines Cyr. It is too good not to share with readers as the museum has little information on the subject.

            “Vernon G. Haines was a lifelong outdoorsman! He was born Jan.7, 1932, and from a young age he enjoyed hunting, fishing, fishing and trapping. At age 17, he joined the Army, needing permission from his mother because he was so young. Vern was stationed in Juneau, Alaska, and he felt as though he had gone to heaven because of the abundant fish and wildlife.

            Recently, my brother Bruce Haines and I, Janelle Cyr, decided to sell our dad’s traps. Before he passed away in 2004, Dad had started cataloging his traps in preparation for selling them. He had more than 330 traps stored in our cellar on Bates St. many of them of collectible vintage and antique traps.”  As the Haines siblings researched the traps, they found hand-forged bear traps including one dating to 1850’s and traps of many sizes & styles.

            Janelle stated it was interesting to learn more about fur trapping and the “history behind Dad’s collection. My brothers trapped some when they were in high school. All of Vern’s children remember riding on a snowmobile when we were young, checking beaver traps with Dad. We also remember his skinning the animals, drying the pelts, and selling the furs to provide money for Christmas gifts for his family. Before snowmobiles, my dad, his father, and his stepfather would snowshoe about 10 miles a day and stay in small cabins along the way. Several of the traps we found had name tags attached to them. Two of the names were Randy Bucknell and William Reed, both friends of my Dad. Because trappers were required to have their information on every trap, these tags are part of the history of trapping. We have donated the tags to the museum, along with one of Dad’s Northwoods traps for display.”

            Janelle’s piece included other information about her dad, more than would fit into this column using her words. He was a member of the Fin and Feather Club and its president numerous times, “fought” with the Dept. of Conversation to “assure free land use of Public Reserve Lands at Nanmakanta” and more.  

            The piece continues, “I do not know what the future of trapping in Maine will be. Regulations continue to evolve. But Dad’s collection reminds us of an older way of life, one connected to the outdoors, hard work, survival, and family history. We remember our Dad as a calm, quiet, hardworking and loving father with a passion for family.”