Michigan Mixed Bag: Trappers and Predator Callers 2025 Convention and Sports Show returns to Evart

Evart, Mich. — The Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers 2025 Convention and Sports Show returns Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16, to the Osceola County Fairgrounds, 101 Recreation Ave., Evart, MI 49631.

This year’s event promises to be both educational and entertaining for the entire family.

The demonstration schedule, which begins at 9 a.m. Friday, includes Jeff Robinson (canines), Jeff Dunlap (bobcat and coyote trapping), Jeff Hagerty (muskrat trapping), Trevor Barnes (fair market report), Cal Dittmar (mink trapping), Merle Jones (conservation science and law), and J.M. Chagnon (raccoon trapping)

The event also includes food, a live auction, a kids raffle, the MTPCA raffle, skillet toss/possum toss, a general membership meeting and more.

Admission is $10 per person and kids 16 and under will be admitted free. On-site camping also is available. Visit MTPCA.com or call Jon Southworth at (517) 285-4596 for more info.

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Bill introduced by Michigan congressman would ban bear baiting on federal lands

Fishing Report: Record Number Of Anglers

Alexandria, Va. — The post-pandemic surge of participation in fishing continues to get record numbers of participants on the water, but data from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) 2025 Special Report on Fishing finds churn continues to pose a significant challenge for the industry.

In 2024, 57.9 million Americans ages 6 and up took to the nation’s waterways to enjoy recreational fishing, an all-time high 19% of the U.S. population. Data also continues to underscore the critical importance of introducing fishing at a young age.

Eighty-five percent of current fishing participants fished before the age of 12, but participation rates fell sharply after a child turned 18, and specifically female youth quit fishing at an 11% higher rate than male youth.

According to the new report, spending time with family and friends was a key driver for new anglers in 2024. Many new anglers also reported that being in the great outdoors and relaxation inspired their first fishing trip.

In 2024, fishing lost 16.6 million anglers (a -23% churn) versus -18% five years ago and -12% 10 years ago. In addition, participation among more frequent anglers has gradually declined since participation tracking began in 2007. Just 32% fished once a month or more in 2024, down from 37% a decade ago. RBFF conducted research in 2023 on the psychology of churn to help its state and industry stakeholders tackle these challenges.

The full report is available at TakeMeFishing.Org/SpecialReport.

USA Clay Target League Launches Free Team Initiative For New Participants

Eagan, Minn.— The USA Clay Target League recently announced a new initiative to help high schools and colleges across America start clay target teams for their students.

The Free Team Initiative provides new school-approved teams with free registration fees, free safety equipment, and more for up to five athletes. By adding more new teams and student athletes, the league expects to continue to broaden its mission to provide school-sponsored shooting sports to the education community.

Over 54,000 athletes took part in the 2024-25 school year, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country. The League has never had an accident or injury in nearly 20 years of operation and hundreds of millions of shots fired.

Public Comments Welcome On IJC Report

Windsor, Ontario — The International Joint Commission (IJC) is seeking public comment on the recently released Draft 2025 Review of the International Joint Commission’s Report on the “Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes.”

This is the second 10-year review on the consumptive use, diversion, and removal of water from the Great Lakes.

This draft report provides a preliminary evaluation of the relevance and implementation status of recommendations issued by the IJC in a 2015 report. It also proposes new recommendations for the IJC to submit to governments.

Comments can also be provided in writing to the IJC.

To access the report, register for the webinar, or submit comments, visit: www.ijc.org/pwgl.