While most furbearers are out of season for trappers, that doesn’t mean we are left with nothing to do over the summer. Annual conventions fill the summer months and provide trappers with opportunities to visit with old friends, make new friends, stock up on trapping gear for the upcoming season and learn some new tricks for the trapline.

Fur Takers of America

The 2009 Fur Takers of America Rendezvous will be June 11 to 13, Mena, Ark., hosted at the Polk County Fairgrounds.

Gate passes cost $5 per day or $10 for the whole event.

Trapping vendors from across the United States will display their merchandise.

Camp sites with RV hookups, water and electricity cost $15 per day. Dump stations are available at an extra cost. Primitive camping costs $8 per night.

The demonstrator lineup includes Danny Rowland, Jerry Joe Barnett, Jim and Nancy Mahoney, Blake Sasse, Scott Gladden, Dave Hastings, Dave Plueger, Richard Turcott, Robert Waddell, Brad
McDaniel, Randy Davis, Jerry Schilling, Wallace Funderburk, Scott Gladden, Kyle Kaatz, Mike Fischer, Carlis Stephens, Gary Jepson, Scott Phillips, Danny Rowland, Tim Rose, Dub Shankle, Blake Williams, Scott Phillips, Dave Plueger, Harold Renfro, Mike McNiece, Gary Jepson, Jim
Spencer, Lewis Stiles, T. K. Chilcoat and Dub Shankle.

The FTA national banquet is scheduled for Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at the Lime Tree Inn, which is the host motel for the convention. Tickets cost $15 and the meal will feature southern fried chicken. The meeting will follow the meal at approximately 8 p.m.

For more information, visit www. furtakersofamerica.com/convention.htm or contact Don Hoyle, 147 Polk Road 225, Cove, AR 71937; 479-234-8777; sportsmans@windstream.net.