The coureurs de bois were independent French Canadian fur traders and explorers in New France (now Canada) during the 17th and early 18th centuries. They travelled extensively into the interior of North America, often beyond the official boundaries set by the colonial authorities, to trade European goods for furs directly with Indigenous peoples. This trade included beaver pelts and other animal skins, which were highly valued in Europe. They were typically young men, known for their adventurous nature and willingness to undertake long and dangerous journeys by canoe. Coureurs de bois operated outside the established legal trade systems, often without official licenses, and sometimes engaged in illicit trading practices. Despite this, they played a crucial role in expanding the fur trade, exploring new territories, and forming alliances with Indigenous groups. Their activities peaked in the mid to late 17th century, after which they were gradually replaced by more regulated voyageurs employed by fur trading companies. The coureurs de bois became a symbol of New France's frontier spirit and helped shape the early economic and cultural landscape of Canada by bridging European and Indigenous worlds through trade and interaction.