The 18th Annual Young Trappers Workshop will take place at the Hermansville Community Club on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 8 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. (CST Time). There will be several local veteran trappers on hand to share tips, techniques, and stories of their experiences in the capture of furbearers.
Bob Steinmetz will be doing a demo on beaver trapping. This is a “must see” for anyone interested in going after beaver. Steinmetz, who has over 50 years of experience trapping beavers, will be sharing his knowledge, tips, and techniques with attendees at this workshop.
“Getting into the mindset of the beaver is the key to making large catches quickly,” Steinmetz said. “The trapper must keep in mind that these animals know every inch of their territory and will shy away from anything out of place (especially a trapped relative). Beaver, as a rule, are quite easy to catch, but once spooked by careless trapping, they become extremely hard to catch (a big concern if you are trapping for a landowner who wants the beaver all gone – because they are causing flooding, tree damage, etc.). A trapper who knows beaver are there, has good equipment, and knows the beavers’ habits, will be successful.”
After his demo on fall pond trapping, Steinmetz will be available for questions on trapping beaver in the spring, which is very different from trapping beaver at their colony in the fall. He will be easily identified as the man wearing his nickname on his shirt—‘Beaver Whisperer’. “We are immensely pleased to have Bob presenting at the workshop,” said Mike Lewis, workshop director and longtime loyal member of U.P. Trappers.
Jim Fornetti of U.P. Trappers will also be presenting on weasel trapping.
Both demonstrators will engage the audience and encourage questions and dialogue. They will be stressing the legal, humane methods of harvest, safety on the trapline, sportsmanship in the woods, along with the enjoyment of being outdoors.
Admission is free, and food and refreshments will be available. All beginning trappers will be treated to a trapping “starter kit.” Raffles, prizes, contests and other fun things will be happening. Each youngster in attendance will win a guaranteed door prize and be gifted with age-appropriate traps and equipment.
Barnes Hide and Fur will be on hand offering a wide variety of trapping supplies for sale. Rich and Mary Anne Clark will be helping in the booth and will be buying fur (no carcass animals except ermine). If you are in need of certain supplies, Barnes can be contacted at (269) 967-4475.
For the day’s complete schedule or more information on this event, please visit www.uptrappers.com or contact event coordinator Mike Lewis at (906) 774-3592. The Hermansville Community Club is located on W5480 First Street, Hermansville.
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