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).
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
6000-plus Trappers Expected to Converge on Escanaba
The National Trappers 55th Annual convention and outdoors Show will be in Escanaba, Michigan July 24-27 2014.
Time passes quickly. The trapper will spend months preparing equipment, scouting, etc., the trapping season comes and it seems that it’s over in the blink of an eye and it’s time to sell the furs. My point is that the NTA Convention is only 8 months away and it may be a good time to start planning for it now.
This year’s convention location is a vacation paradise. Not only will the convention be offering something of interest for all members of the family, but Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has a lot to offer. For example: 1700 miles of shoreline on three of the Great Lakes, 15 miles of Sandstone Cliffs rising up to 100 feet above Lake Superior in the Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore, 324 waterfalls, many abandoned underground copper, iron and gold mines, countless public fishing opportunities and 90% of Upper Michigan is forestland! Fishing charters, parks, museums golf courses and beaches are all close by as well. All of these and many more items of interest are within easy driving distance of Escanaba. Make plans to attend the convention and turn it into a memorable family vacation.
The convention will host hundreds of vendors and “tailgaters” offering their goods for sale. Many will offer “convention specials”, so it’s a good place to get supplies at bargain prices, and with no shipping charges. Lots of well-known dealers will be on hand.
Big name trappers from the U.S. and Canada will be putting on educational demos on various trapping related topics every hour for 3 solid days. Trappers of all experience levels are sure to gain valuable knowledge from these experts. A new tip or method may really pay off on the fall trapline. And learning effective and proper fur handling techniques will mean a larger fur check.
Outdoor equipment vendors will be on hand as well. Guns, predator calling supplies, boats, clothing, antiques, fishing equipment, craft items, and many more items of interest will be on sale at the convention.
Educational seminars on various topics will also be held. Perhaps on topics such as Healthy Eating/Heart, CPR, sewing, cooking, and basket-weaving, soap-making and others.
There will also be events geared toward the youngsters. A free fishing event at the MDNR Pocket Park (right on the fairgrounds) is being planned. Kids can learn about wildlife, plants, animal habitat, and papermaking at the award winning Growing U.P. Forester’s Building. Youngsters who tour this award-winning display will be receiving “wooden nickels “which they can use to buy donated items such as coloring books and souvenirs. I think all trappers agree that if our sport is to survive, we need to educate, and promote interest in trapping with the kids. So bring the youngsters to the convention to not only be involved with the above mentioned activities, but to take in some of the convention as well. They are the future.
The location is the U.P. State Fairgrounds 2401 12th Avenue North Escanaba, MI. Admission is only $10.00 (includes all 4 days). Plan on attending this family friendly event – in a vacation paradise – you and your family will be glad you did.
For further information, contact Tamara Masterson, Convention Coordinator National Trappers Association at 248-568-5804 or masterson@nationaltrappers.com. — Jim Fornetti, longtime member of the U.P. Trappers Association
