There will be over 100 inside vendors on hand and outside on the way to other buildings. Food vendors will also be offering their unique cuisine.

This family event offers something of interest for everyone, according to event planners, including raffles, games, fishpond, contests, demonstrations, products for sale, and “tailgaters” selling and swapping many different items.

“Schedule vacation time, book your motel or campground, and plan your flight or route to Escanaba for the biggest and best trapping event in North America from July 27 through July 29,” said Bob Steinmetz, NTA director for the U.P. Trappers Association. “It will be three full days of non-stop entertainment and sharing with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.”

Special guests include the cast from the “Last Alaskans” and Marty Meierotto from the History Channel’s “Mountain Men,” who will be ready to chat with convention-goers.

Marty Meierotto

There will also be 18 “how to” demonstrations by both female and male trappers at the “She Side” area, 24 “how to” trapping seminars by both male and female trappers at the main demo area every hour, and a huge building set up just to entertain kids–aptly called “Kids Cave.”

At the “Kids Cave” there will be three “how to” seminars by adults experienced in training kids, and three demonstrations by experienced young trappers teaching other kids. There will also be a building full of things for kids to see, do, and build.

Bark River trapper Roy Dahlgren, who is also president of U.P. Trappers District 3, will be a doing demonstration on winter bobcat trapping. Dahlgren began trapping at about 10 years old and has been trapping for 50 years.

When foxes were plentiful in the U.P., he says he captured 116 in a single season. He also traps coyotes, muskrats, and raccoons. One year, he captured about 80 raccoons, and also made a muskrat trapping trip to North Dakota a few years ago, coming back with 2,000 muskrats.

But Dahlgren’s love for trapping doesn’t end in the field. He is a strong advocate for trappers and trapping throughout the U.P. and beyond. He puts on many trapping presentations at area schools and says he is particularly interested in getting young people into trapping. He has mentored teens on his own lines, many of whom are now accomplished trappers.

Admission to the NTA Convention and Outdoor Show is $10 for one day. A three-day pass for the entire event is $20. Kids 12 and under are free. Camping is available on the grounds.

For further information, go to www.uptrappers.com/nta-convention or contact Roy Dahlgren, local event coordinator for the Trappers Association at trapperroy@outlook.com or 906-399-1960.