ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – One of the largest trapping events in the country is coming to Escanaba this year.
The Annual National Trappers Association Convention and Outdoor Expo will take place at the U.P. State Fairgrounds Thursday, July 27 – Saturday, July 29. The event will run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This will be the 64th annual convention. It is also the third time since 2014 that Escanaba has been chosen as the host.
Roy Dahlgren, convention coordinator for the U.P. Trappers Association, says you do not have to be a trapper to enjoy the event.
“Everybody that’s coming to it are outdoor people, not necessarily just trappers,” he said. “Hunters and fishermen, campers. We’ll have everything from guns and knives and outdoor artwork to outdoor lawn furniture. There’s something for everybody that has remotely anything to do with the outdoors.”
The convention and expo will feature more than 100 vendors, including food vendors. According to a press release for the event, attendees can enjoy games, a fishpond, raffles, contests, and demos. There will also be products for sale, as well as “tailgaters” selling and swapping items.
Special guests include the cast from the “Last Alaskans” and Marty Meierotto from the History Channel’s “Mountain Men”, who will be ready to chat with convention-goers. There will also be 18 “how to” demonstrations by female and male trappers at the “She Side” area, 24 “how to” trapping seminars by male and female trappers at the main demo area every hour. Dahlgren, who is also president of U.P. Trappers District 3, will host a demonstration on winter bobcat trapping.
One building will feature entertainment just for children, called the “Kids Cave.” Kids can attend three “how to” seminars by adults experienced in training kids, and three demonstrations by experienced young trappers.
Dahlgren says the convention is a great way to educate people about activities like trapping. He says it also keeps the tradition going for generations.
“The U.P. Trappers have been pushing hard to get young people and new people into the trapping world,” Dahlgren said. “We’ve done that with huge success with banquets and youth work groups; we go into schools. In the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin, we have a lot of people getting involved in trapping now. It’s the best way to manage the predators.”
Admission to the NTA Convention and Outdoor Show is $10 per day. A three-day pass is $20. Admission is free for children 12 and under. Camping will be available on the grounds.
For more information, visit www.uptrappers.com/nta-convention. To contact local coordinator Roy Dahlgren, email trapperroy@outlook.com or call (906) 399-1960.
