The National Trappers Association, a partner of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, will hold its annual convention in Escanaba Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27, at the Upper Peninsula state fairgrounds.
Trappers and other outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the four-day event, which will feature trapping and calling demonstrations, educational seminars, product vendors and live entertainment.
“Michigan has a strong trapping heritage and it’s exciting to have the National Trappers Association recognize that by holding their convention in our state,” said DNR wildlife biologist Brian Roell. “Trapping is one of those skills that is best developed with hands-on help from a mentor; this convention offers the opportunity to learn and sharpen those skills from the best trappers in the country.”
During the event, DNR wildlife and law enforcement staff will be on site to provide details on trapping in Michigan and present information about the predator-prey research project on-going in the Upper Peninsula.
The DNR’s Pocket Park, located near Gate No. 1, will be open to the public Thursday through Saturday during the convention, including use of the fishing pond and pellet gun/archery ranges.
A special “Kids’ Day” event will be held at the Pocket Park all day Friday, and a trap-setting competition will take place on Saturday (sign-up at the NTA Booth in the Exhibition Building). Hunting and trapping licenses will also be available for purchase at the Pocket Park.
Cost to attend the convention is $10 for adults (for all four days); youth 12 and under are free. For more information about attending the convention, contact the Upper Peninsula Trappers Association at www.uptrappers.com. To learn more about trapping in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/trapping.
