Minnesota Mixed Bag: Minnesota Trappers Association to host annual convention in Wadena

Wadena, Minn. — The Minnesota Trappers Association will host its annual convention July 31 through Aug. 2 at the Wadena County Fairgrounds. Open to the public, the event brings together trappers, outdoors enthusiasts, and families for three days of hands-on demos, vendor exhibits, kids activities, and live entertainment.

More than 60 vendors will be onsite offering gear, antiques, tools, traps, and more. Tailgating spots are still available. Daily land and water demonstrations will showcase expert trapping techniques for beaver, coyote, muskrat, and other species.

Families will enjoy kids games such as a trap-setting contest, balloon toss, and egg toss. Live music kicks off Friday evening at 7 p.m., and the benefit auction and raffle drawing take place Saturday.

Special guest Paul Antczak, master trapper from the TV show Mountain Men, will appear throughout the weekend for demos and meet-and-greets.

Admission is $10 for MTA members and $15 for non-members.

Camping and food vendors will be available onsite. For more information, visit mntrappers.org

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WILDLIFE FOREVER ANNOUNCES NEW TV SERIES, NEW SAFE-BOATING WEBSITE

White Bear Lake, Minn. — The summer fishing and boating season is under way, and Wildlife Forever is celebrating by announcing two major developments through its Getting Families Fishing & Boating Initiative. A new season of the “Into the Outdoors” television program will air on PBS, and the new Safe-Boating.com website will engage and educate the public with safe boating and aquatic conservation information.

“This new website is available through an excellent partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and Discover Mediaworks. Boating safety is the key to boating fun, and the U.S. Coast Guard is the gold standard when it comes to boating and all water safety,” said Wildlife Forever President and CEO Pat Conzemius.

Safe-Boating.com is an all-new clearinghouse for easily accessible safe-boating programs and content. The site consolidates resources for state, federal, and industry stakeholders. The new website provides educational content and resources for boating certification and classroom learning.

GOV. ARMSTRONG SIGNS LAW ALLOWING DEER HUNTING WITH BAIT IN NORTH DAKOTA

Bismarck, N.D. — North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed a bill in April that forbids state wildlife managers from restricting the use of bait for hunting deer on private property.

Senate Bill 2137 prevents the North Dakota Game and Fish Department from banning deer hunting over bait. The agency has imposed baiting bans in some areas of the state as it tries to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, which can be fatal in deer.

“We can deal with wildlife management and respect private property rights,” Armstrong, who is a hunter, said in a statement.

Many hunters testified in favor of the bill sponsored by Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, though some joined the NDG&F in opposing it.

Other outdoors-related bills signed this spring included House Bill 1470, which raises the price of hunting, fishing, and boating licenses, Senate Bill 2216, which creates a $5 waterfowl hunting stamp to pay for habitat improvement, and Senate Bill 2245, which changes rules on hunting waterfowl from a boat.

— Jeff Beach North Dakota Monitor

SOUTH DAKOTA NEST PREDATOR BOUNTY PROGRAM HITS 50,000 TAILS

Pierre, S.D. — The 2025 Nest Predator Bounty Program in South Dakota has closed as 50,000 tails have been submitted. The tails were those of raccoons, skunks, badgers, red foxes, and opossums.

“The participation in this program from youth, families, and seasoned trappers has been incredible this year,” said South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department Secretary Kevin Robling. “It is amazing to see people out on the landscape, managing nest predators and enjoying our outdoor resources.

“I would like to thank all of the participants in this program. This program began in 2019 to help reduce localized populations of nest predators and increase participation in trapping,” Robling said.

— South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department