Paul Antczak Mountain Men Bio: Wife, Children, Net Worth & Trapping Career

Paul Antczak is a seasoned American fur trapper, wilderness survivalist, and off-grid homesteader who became a household name through the History Channel’s hit reality series Mountain Men. With over four decades of hands-on experience in professional trapping, predator control, and backcountry living, Paul has carved out a reputation for resilience and expertise in some of the most unforgiving terrain in the lower 48 states. Operating from the remote wilderness of northwestern Montana, he shares his hard-earned knowledge of wolf behavior, ethical trapping, and self-reliant living through public appearances, educational programs, and his YouTube channel, Montana Wolf Trapper. His journey from rural Wisconsin to national television has made him a respected figure among trappers, homesteaders, and survival enthusiasts alike.

Early Life and Background

Paul Antczak was born in December 1967 in Sussex, Wisconsin, where he developed an early connection to the outdoors and wildlife. His father passed away when he was just a year old, and he was raised by his mother and extended family. Later in life, the Mountain Men series helped Paul reconnect with distant relatives and uncover more about his ancestry.

Through this journey, Paul discovered that his great-great-grandfather, Antoni Antczak, emigrated from Poland in the 1800s as a stowaway in a ship’s cattle hold. Learning about Antoni’s determination to start a new life in America gave Paul a deeper appreciation for his heritage and perhaps a sense of where his own pioneering spirit came from. Paul’s interest in trapping began in third grade, when his school class in Wisconsin studied the fur trade and Mountain Men era. That early lesson sparked his imagination and made a lasting impression on him. Without a father figure or mentor, he taught himself the basics and began trapping rabbits and groundhogs—unaware some of it was technically illegal in Wisconsin.

Trapping Roots and Professional Growth from Wisconsin to the South

Paul Antczak began trapping in 1977 in Sussex, Wisconsin, starting with rabbits and other small game. A neighbor, Mr. Wisinski, noticed Paul’s interest and introduced him to muskrat trapping, guiding him on what traps to use and how to identify good trapping ditches. Paul’s first muskrat fur check amounted to $34.50, which he earned selling to a buyer at a bar basement in Waukesha, Wisconsin. This experience marked a turning point in his early trapping career, reinforcing his interest in continuing to trap and sell fur.

He briefly lived with his sister and brother-in-law in Pembine, Wisconsin, where he caught his first mink. He later moved to Tomahawk, Wisconsin, graduating from Tomahawk High School in 1987. During his years in Tomahawk, he worked for five years at a mink ranch and expanded his trapping skills, catching his first otter, beaver, and fox.

At age 26, Paul moved south to East Tennessee and began trapping from Chattanooga to Gatlinburg. In 2004, while working as a construction superintendent in Carbondale, he noticed the region was rich with fur. This led him to begin state-hopping for trapping, including Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kentucky.

In 2008, after losing his construction job during the economic crash, Paul launched “Predators And Prey” wildlife control in the Smoky Mountains. Within three years, it became the top wildlife control business in the area, handling everything from bats to urban coyotes.

Life in the Salish Mountains

After a difficult divorce in 2014, Paul stepped away from his wildlife business and spent time building horse boarding stables. During this transitional period, he and his son took a road trip to visit his sister in Montana. The visit left a strong impression on both of them—the state’s open spaces, quiet pace of life, and untamed wilderness felt like a natural fit for the kind of life Paul had long envisioned.

By 2017, Paul had relocated permanently to northwestern Montana in search of a more self-sufficient and remote lifestyle. He initially settled just west of Stryker and Libby in the Salish Mountains, where he built an off-grid homestead and fully embraced life off the beaten path.

In 2021, Paul sold the property during a favorable real estate market and used the proceeds to move even deeper into the wilderness, becoming debt-free in the process.

Paul now lives 13 sections north of Happy’s Inn, Montana, near Highway 2 and just outside the Kootenai National Forest. He does not have a formal address and relies on Starlink for internet access and Dish Network for television. His trapline, which spans approximately 80 miles and is accessed by snowmachine during the winter season, reflects the scale and intensity of his remote lifestyle.

In Montana, Paul focuses on trapping wolves, coyotes, muskrats, and beavers, adjusting his strategy according to seasonal patterns. He traps on a 15,000-acre private ranch and markets handcrafted baits and lures across the country. His experiences in Montana are markedly different from his time in Tennessee, with longer predator cycles, densely forested environments, and the added presence of apex predators like mountain lions and grizzly bears. His approach to predator management is informed by years of observation and continuous adaptation to Montana’s rugged wilderness.

Television Career: Mountain Men

Paul Antczak’s entry into television came about through a real-life connection. In December 2021, Tom Oar, a long-time cast member of Mountain Men, contacted Paul in need of wolf snares. The two met for lunch in Libby, Montana, where Paul shared videos of his trapline work. Impressed by Paul’s off-grid lifestyle and trapping expertise, Tom suggested that he would be a good fit for the show and offered to connect him with the producers.

Encouraged by Tom, Paul entered the audition process in March 2022. A producer-backed shoot followed, with two days of filming yielding five minutes of polished footage. By August 2022, he was officially confirmed to join Mountain Men. Paul made his debut in Mountain Men Season 12, Episode 1, titled “Unbreakable,” which aired on August 24, 2023. In this episode, Tom visits Paul to check on him, and the two venture into the woods as Tom shares pine marten trapping techniques. Their dynamic blends mentorship and camaraderie, introducing Paul as a new generation trapper with deep respect for tradition. Paul’s enthusiasm for learning from Tom and his own lifelong passion for trapping are both highlighted in the episode. Viewers see him in action as he shares his background, trapping history, and aspirations. He continued into Season 13, appearing in a total of 12 episodes.

Wife, Children, and Personal Life

Paul Antczak was previously married and has children from that marriage, including his son Chance Antczak, who frequently assists him in trapping and off-grid living. His marriage ended in a difficult divorce in 2014, which prompted a major shift in his personal and professional life. Despite these challenges, Paul maintains a strong relationship with his children and emphasizes family values in his public image.

Net Worth, Sponsors, and Income Sources

As of 2025, Paul Antczak’s estimated net worth is approximately $300,000. His income is derived from several sources: appearances on the History Channel’s Mountain Men, fur trapping and wildlife control services, product collaborations, and his YouTube channel, Montana Wolf Trapper. He also runs a successful small fur business, working with Willow Bend Trading Post and Poor Boy Sporting Goods to market high-demand products like beaver mittens and bobcat fur accessories. Sponsorships from brands such as NightHawk Pro Gear, Duke Traps, and SpyHigh Mounting Systems contribute additional gear and visibility. Thanks to his off-grid lifestyle and low overhead, Paul is able to maintain a self-reliant life in remote Montana without debt.

Public Engagements and Online Presence

Paul has participated in educational outreach efforts through events such as the Wisconsin Trappers Association Convention, Tennessee’s Hunter Education program, and Trappers College. He maintains connections within the trapping community, including a long-standing friendship with fellow trapper Doug McKenzie.

He also operates a small fur business in collaboration with Willow Bend Trading Post and Poor Boy Sporting Goods. His products—such as mittens, hats, and accessories made from beaver and bobcat pelts—are designed to meet functional winterwear demands and are frequently marketed to women. These fur goods are typically sold online and through social media platforms.

In addition, Paul runs the YouTube channel Montana Wolf Trapper, where he documents trapline routines, off-grid living, and educational trapping content. Several new trappers have reached out to share that his videos helped them catch their first wolves.

Paul Antczak – Wiki Bio Facts

Field	Information
Full Name	Paul Antczak
Date of Birth	December 1967
Age (as of 2025)	57 years old
Place of Birth	Sussex, Wisconsin, United States
Nationality	American
Profession	Fur Trapper, Wilderness Survivalist, Off-Grid Homesteader, TV Personality
Famous For	Appearing on Mountain Men (History Channel)
Debut on Mountain Men	Season 12, Episode 1 – “Unbreakable” (Aired August 24, 2023)
Number of Episodes	12 episodes across Seasons 12 and 13
Current Residence	Remote wilderness, 13 sections north of Happy’s Inn, Montana
Marital Status	Divorced
Children	At least one son, Chance Antczak
Education	Graduated from Tomahawk High School, Wisconsin (Class of 1987)
Previous Occupations	Construction Superintendent, Wildlife Control Business Owner
Years Active in Trapping	Since 1977 (over 40 years)
YouTube Channel	Montana Wolf Trapper (@montanawolftrapper8666)
Estimated Net Worth (2025)	Approx. $300,000
Main Income Sources	Mountain Men, fur trapping, YouTube, fur sales, sponsorships
Notable Skills	Wolf and coyote trapping, predator control, off-grid living, public speaking
Business Ventures	Willow Bend Trading Post (fur sales), Poor Boy Sporting Goods collaboration