U.P. Trappers tout top speakers for annual convention in Michigan

Escanaba, Mich. – The 65th Annual Trapper’s Convention is set for July 12-13, 2024, at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba, Michigan. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days (all times EDT). Admission is $10 for both days and kids under 12 are free.

This “family friendly” event features some new items sure to please all attendees especially the kids including: free and closely supervised fishing, archery, pellet guns, and “Kids Cave” with events like panning for gold, build your own mink boxes, hay scrambles, and more. Outdoor equipment dealers will be on hand offering great deals on a wide variety of goods and trapping supplies.

Nine “crowd pleasers” will be doing seminars and include a Mountain Men star, a world-renowned predator caller, and some big name trappers Sure to be a hit on stage will be Zac and Laura Gidney. Laura is the current treasurer for Fur Takers of America, and a master trapping instructor in New York State. She also is the secretary for the Orange County Trappers Association. Zac is a junior trapping instructor in New York.

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The Gidney’s live in Orange County, NY, about a 10-minute drive from New Jersey, which allows them to trap both states. They run what most would consider a small, multi-species trapline. In 2021, their 10th season of trapping, they broke 100 canines and 50 beavers for the first time. In 2023, their land-trapping season total on canines was 244 with 117 raccoons, 22 bobcats, and 33 skunks. Laura and Zac enjoy sharing their experiences and knowledge with anyone wanting to learn more about trapping.

Their fox and coyote demo will take place at noon on Friday.

Other presenters include Mary Theoret (beginning trapper), Jeff Hagerty (mink and muskrats), Jeff Dunlap (beaver and otter), Rick Friedrich (bobcats), Jim Engel/Roy Dahlgren (marten and fisher), Les Johnson from Predator Quest (coyote calling), Paul Antczak from History Channel’s Mountain Men (wolf), and Sarah Gomez, (coyote with traps and cable restraints).

“This event is something I look forward to each year,” said Randy Johnsen, a long-time member of U.P. Trappers. “It’s great to see all the people-especially the youngsters having a great experience and getting ready to start their own traplines.”

Contact Convention Director Roy Dahlgren at (906) 399-1960 or trapperroy@outlook.com for dinner reservations and/or any questions about the show, or visit www.uptrappers.com.