District
3 - Advanced Trapper Field Day
Article from Jan
- Feb 2000 Buckeye Trapper
by Harry
Kinnison
October 10, 1999 was the District 3 Advanced Trappers Field Day
at Dennis Helman's place. The weather didn't want to cooperate
at first but decided to be nice to us anyway. We had a total of
40 people attend and by their actions, I'd say they enjoyed themselves.
We started out with a discussion on BMP's to let everyone have
an idea what was going on with the testing. Next we did trap preparation
and treatment. We discussed using the cold dip method too, but
felt it wasn't feasible to do that so just described how to do
it.
Blair Granger did a water demo on raccoon, mink and muskrats
in the pond. He showed different types of water sets and what
to look for when starting out and explained different traps and
which he preferred and why. By this time we were ready for lunch,
plus the local wildlife officer Tim Rourke had shown up and while
we ate he talked to us and we had some lively discussions about
the laws.
Food didn't last long and then we had a canine demo by Jerry
Cooper. Jerry demonstrated the standard dirthole plus a few variations
and the importance of using more than one set at a location. He
then followed up with a snaring set on a trail at a fence, stressing
not to set right at the fence, but moving away enough to keep
from getting anything caught at the fence.
Butch Barnhorst followed with his raccoon snaring demo and explaining
some details about snares and how to make them and some ofthe
new ideas he has picked up at conventions the past couple of years.
We were nearing the end ofthe Field Day, but we still had the
beaver demo at the pond. Joe Grice and John Crosby did a very
good job of explaining tools and sets to us. Some of us had trapped
beaver before, but these guys had some new ideas to think about.
They have been | trapping out of state the last few years | for
beaver and showed some new things they've been working on.
Dennis then had a skinning demo with a raccoon as the subject,
explaining proper cubing positions and the importance of wearing
protective gear while skinning. He talked a little about the coming
season and what to expect on prices even though he wasn't sure.
No one really knows what is going to happen at the time of this
Field Day, but he gave his opinion.
It was finally time to close the show and we packed up to go
home. I think it went well and I want to express my gratitude
to every one who helped out to make this Field Day a success.
We are already talking about what we would like to do for next
year. I am open for suggestions if anyone has anything in particular
they would like to see next year.
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