Why did paulsen stop trapping?

Answer 1

In the story, "In Trouble", the character, Paulsen, stopped trapping because he realized that if a dog was smart enough to learn to not go into a trap, then animals such as raccoons, mice, birds, and so on would too.

Answer 2

Gary Paulsen stopped trapping because he began to feel guilty about killing animals for profit. He no longer wanted to continue a lifestyle that involved taking the lives of animals for personal gain. Additionally, he found greater fulfillment and purpose in his writing career.