Jim Fornetti shows beginning and experienced trappers some of the equipment and methods for trapping weasels. (Mike Lewis photo)

HERMANSVILLE – A beginning trappers workshop will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at the William Anderson Sportsman’s Club in Hermansville.

Admission is free and the UP Trappers District 3 event is open to the public.

There will be trapping demonstrations for “kids” of all ages, free weasel boxes, dog-proof raccoon traps and colony muskrat traps for appropriate-aged youngsters. The muskrat colony traps will be built on site by the older kids themselves, under the guidance of District 3 members.

Trevor Barnes of Barnes Hide and Fur Co. will be on hand buying fur — stretched and dried only. He will also have a good amount of trapping supplies for sale.

Feel free to call Barnes ahead of time at 517-741-3595 to let him know how much fur you have to sell, or to make sure he brings the supplies you need. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for upcoming trapper education courses.

Food and refreshments will be available. Members of the William Anderson Sportsman’s Club will be preparing the food.

The scheduled includes:

— 9:30 a.m., weasel trapping by Jim Fornetti;

— 10:30 a.m., trapping for beginners by John Gunville;

— 11:30 a.m., colony trap building;

— 12:30 p.m., lunch;

— 1:30 p.m., door prize drawings;

— 2:30 p.m., trapping handouts;

— 3:30 p.m., coyote trapping by Randy Johnsen.

“Our annual workshop has been going on for many years with the first Saturday in February being the date. This year we thought we’d try an additional workshop in late August,” said Mike Lewis, workshop coordinator.

“The trapping seasons are just around the corner and I am sure the kids will be anxious to try out their new traps and ideas they got from this workshop. A lot of trapping — particularly muskrat — is done in water and early fall is a great time to capture the water dwellers, beaver, muskrat, otter, and even raccoon that frequent the water as well,” Lewis said. “The youngsters won’t have to wait very long to get out and use their new equipment and knowledge.”

William Anderson Sportsman’s Club is near the Hermansville Pond west of town — turn south at the blinking traffic light on U.S. 2 onto County 388, and after several blocks go west on Third Street all the way to the end.