With summer just around the corner, senior Trey Coffman and sophomore Riley Julian have already found a job that is unique and profitable.

Although he no longer does it himself, Senior Caden George is the one responsible for helping Coffman and Julian to get their start as turtle trappers.

“I have so many memories from trapping turtles with my dad, and we definitely have the scars to prove it,” senior Caden George said.

Since turtles are in such high demand in other countries, these boys trap them and ship them overseas.

In China, the turtle’s meat is used as an important food source, according to George.

The shells of the turtles are often painted and used as jewelry and home décor here in Oklahoma.

These enterprising young men set their traps in a variety of locations.

“We trap all over Stephens County upon the landowner’s request,” Coffman said.

While some people might find this cruel, these two boys are actually helping our environment.

“We basically are the guys who keep the ponds in Stephens County in balance. These turtles eat the fish from the ponds and throw off the balance,” Julian said.

These boys set traps in the ponds and will check them periodically throughout the week.

“We will catch about 100 red ears, 10 snapping turtles and occasionally a soft shell over the course of a week,” Julian said.

The type of turtle determines the profit they will make.

“Since red ears are so common, we sell them by the turtle, but we sell snappers for $1.25 a pound,” Julian said.

The biggest challenge they face with this particular job is the intense drought Oklahoma has been experiencing for the past several years.

“With the lack of rain that Oklahoma has seen, it’s causing all of the turtles habitats to dry up,” Coffman said.

Even though they may face many challenges, Coffman and Julian are more than excited to get geared up and ready to start their turtle trapping career again this summer.