It required a large number to carry the packs of a successful trapping party.

It would be impossible for the trappers to transport the packs upon their own backs.

A party of forty trappers would need each a horse to ride.

Then generally each man led a spare horse, lest the one he rode should break a limb or in any other way give out in the midst of the wilderness.

If the expedition were successful, each trapper would have three or four horses or mules to lead or drive, laden with the packs of skins, the traps, camping utensils and a supply of food for an emergency.