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; www.uptrappers.com
Membership Options:
• One-year membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $27
• One-year membership without magazine — $15
• One-year junior membership (16 & under) including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $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
RUNAWAY TRAIN TO PERFORM AT
NATIONAL TRAPPERS CONVENTION/OUTDOOR EXPO
While the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is setting records for cold temperatures and snowfall in the dead of winter 2014, U.P trappers and sportsman anxiously await summertime and the 55th Annual National Trappers Convention. Planning is continuing and the event is really shaping up. It will be held in Escanaba, MI July 24-27, 2014 at the U.P. Sate Fairgrounds.
Over 6,000 people are expected to attend this family friendly event. People from all over the U.S. and Canada have already been making motel reservations in the Escanaba area. The vendor buildings are almost full; dealers wanting inside sales sites should request quickly.
We are pleased to announce that the band Runaway Train will be performing on stage at the dance on Saturday night. They are a 6 piece country/bluegrass band; members have deep roots to the U.P. and continue with the types of music that have been played by their fathers and grandfathers for many years. Many of us older Yoopers may recall The Whitens Brothers, and Night Train. Runaway Train continues in this tradition with some of the original members from these earlier groups. They have performed at fairs and festivals around the U.P. and Wisconsin like the Hodag Festival in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and the Porterfield Country Festival in Porterfield, Wisconsin. This band features a great mix of bluegrass and vocal harmonies and can also play classic rock and both modern and classic country. They are versatile and mold their show to the interests of the crowd. NTA welcomes them to the convention.
At this point in time, over 80 vendors have committed to being on hand and we are sure that that list will grow. Many big name dealers will be on hand, including Duke traps, F&T Fur Harvesters Trading Post, Sterling Fur, PCS Outdoors, NAFA, Minnesota Trapline, and Florins just to name a few.
So far the demo list includes Wolf, Beaver, Muskrat, Raccoon, and Predator Calling. Here are some of the demonstrators that have given us final confirmation: Arnold Groehler – Wisconsin- (Muskrat); Clint Locklear – Tennessee – (Cats); Brandon Johnson – Ohio – (Raccoon); Scott Painter – Virginia – (Gray Fox); Charlie Meshick – Indiana – (Trapping Road Trips); Ronnie Braxton – Florida – (Otter); Mike “Red” O’Hearn – Iowa – (Raccoon); Andy Weiser – Montana – (Coyote); Fur Harvesters – (Fur Handling); Don Powell – Pennsylvania – (Mink); Tom Florin – Wisconsin – (Beaver); NAFA – (Fur Put up); John Graham – Montana – (Cats). Expert trappers and callers from around the U.S. and Canada will be on hand to present these informational workshops.
Admission is only $10.00 for all four days. Camping is available on the fairgrounds.
For an up to date list of dealers, booth availability, Escanaba area lodging, site map of the fairgrounds and other NTA Convention information go to www.nationaltrappers.com and click on 2014 Convention Details, or contact Tamara Masterson at masterson@nationaltrappers.com. We also have some additional information on our website: www.uptrappers.com. — Jim Fornetti, longtime member of the U.P. Trappers Association