Michigan U.P. Trappers Association November 2013 Report

www.uptrappers.com

 

President — John Gunville, N 125 Co. Rd. 577, Vulcan, MI 49892; 906-563-5940; jgunville@hotmail.com

Vice President — Luke Tomasoski, W 7705 E Bar D Dr, Iron Mountain, MI 49801; 906-212-8946; tski350@yahoo.com

Secretary — Mike Lewis, N 5246 M-95, Iron Mountain, MI; 906-774-3592; Louie.builds@live.com

Treasurer — Dan Absolon, 598 Premo Creek Road, Crystal Falls, MI 49920; phone 906-822-7764;
elkhunterdan97@yahoo.com

NTA Director — Bob Steinmetz, 4984 Karen 17.25 St, Escanaba, MI 49829; 906-786-6265; bobsteinmetz@charter.net

FTA Affiliate 10-D (District 3) — Duane Halvas, W5623 River Meadow Lane, Norway, MI 49870; 906-563-9559;
lutefisk642@hotmail.com

Website — Russ Brittain, 7321 Lake Bluff 19.4 Rd, Gladstone, MI 49837; 906-428-1429; rbrittain@chartermi.net

 

Membership Options:

• One-year membership including T&PC — $27

• One-year membership without magazine — $15

• One-year junior membership (16 & under) including T&PC — $27

• Junior membership without the magazine — $3

Complete the membership application on the first page of association section and send dues to:

Dan Absolon, Secretary

598 Premo Creek Road

Crystal Falls, MI 49920

Please specify which district you want to join: District 1 (Keweenaw, Houghton and Baraga counties); District 2 (Ontonagon, Gogebic and Iron counties); District 3 (Delta, Menominee and Dickinson counties); District 5 (Marquette, Alger and Schoolcraft counties).

NTA CONVENTION REPORT

I, like every other member of the U.P. Trappers Association, have been waiting a long time for a close-to-home NTA Convention and trappers from around the country are also excited about the chance to visit Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. There hasn’t been a National Trappers Association Convention in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan since 1973!!!

The 55th Annual National Trappers Convention & Outdoors Show will be held in Escanaba, MI July 24-27th 2014. 6,000-8,000 trappers are expected to converge on this small town in Upper Michigan, not only to attend the Convention, but to vacation and enjoy all that this area has to offer. There will be vendors, demonstrations, activities for all outdoor enthusiasts, and events for the kids and the ladies as well. This is a “family friendly” event that everyone will enjoy.

Inside the buildings, nearly every well-known trapping supply dealer in the country will be on hand. Many “convention special” items will be on sale and buyers will not have to pay those high shipping fees. There will also be countless tailgaters selling their goods outdoors. This is a great place and time for outdoor enthusiasts to stock up on supplies.

Big name trappers from across the U.S. and Canada will be putting on demos every hour on the hour for three days. The actual demo schedule has not yet been set but famous trappers and sportsmen like Johnny Thorpe, John Graham, Gary Jepson, Ron Hauser, Jeff Dunnier, Serge Larivere, Bob Noonan Slim Pedersen, Kirk DeKalb, Kendall Obermier and Duane Freeborough could be sharing methods, tips and advice. Veteran and novice trappers will all be able to gain valuable information which will surely increase their furbearer capture rate. Trappers can increase their profits by learning proper pelt handling techniques.

There will be other outdoor equipment vendors on hand as well. Some of the items for sale will be: snowshoes, predator calling supplies, outdoor clothing, crafts, antiques, fishing equipment, and much more.

Educational opportunities will be available too. Topics may include: Healthy Heart/Eating, CPR, sewing, cooking, soap-making, herbs, basket- weaving and others.

There will be many activities and interesting learning opportunities for the youngsters. We are planning to have free fishing for the kids at the beautiful DNR Pocket Park on the Fairgrounds and will have the award-winning Growing U.P. Foresters Building open for the kids. Here they can learn about wildlife, forest plants and animal habitat. They can also learn how paper is made in a very hands-on way! Youngsters will receive “wooden nickels“, which can be used for purchasing donated items such as coloring books and souvenir items. Many more activities geared toward young people will also be going on throughout the convention.

I believe the NTA and the U.P. Trappers Association will provide an event which is family friendly and offers activities not only for the trapper, but for the trapper’s entire family as well. And the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a great vacation spot.

For further information, contact Tamara Masterson, Convention Coordinator, National Trappers Association at 248-568-5804 or masterson@nationaltrappers.com. — Jim Fornetti

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