The event will be July 15-16 on the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, all Eastern times.

This year’s demonstration lineup includes Jeff Dunlap, Ed Schneider, Bob Steinmetz, Ryan Koivu, Red O’Hearn, Jeff Hagerty, Mark June, Sarah Gomez and Al Dubord.

Along with the trapping seminars, the event offers lots to do for all members of the family, organizers said. There will be door prizes, raffles, a kids’ fishing pond, games and sales. Organizers said hundreds of vendors and tailgaters are expected.

Camping is available on the grounds. Food and drinks will be for sale by local food vendors.

Jeff Dunlap, a coyote expert, will offer a trapping demonstration at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time Friday, July 15, at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. Hundreds of vendors and tailgaters are expected for the Trappers Convention and Outdoor Expo.

Jeff Dunlap, one of the experts, will give a coyote trapping demonstration. He will be sharing tips, secrets, techniques and methods.

His favorite method of trapping is his “state hop.” A Michigan resident, Dunlap “state hops” to trap in Michigan, Louisiana, Arizona, Ohio, Indiana, Alabama and Texas.

In his non-trapping time, he travels the country speaking at conventions and appearing on radio and TV shows. He also produces his own line of lures.

His program will be at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time Friday. Jeff’s partner, Sarah Gomez, is an expert as well, and she will give a muskrat and raccoon demonstration at 1 p.m. Eastern time Saturday.

Upper Peninsula trappers Bob Steinmetz and Ryan Koivu will take the stage to teach attendees how to capture beaver, especially in the U.P. environment.

Steinmetz and Koivu have years and years of experience and with that, success. They’ll concentrate on fall, winter and spring beaver trapping, presenting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time Saturday.

The proper and legal use of footholds, body grips and under-ice beaver snares will be explained. They will also speak on the proper handling of the catch to ensure top-dollar sales with the fur dealer.

“This event increases in popularity each year. Many family vacations are being planned around it. I believe that the vast variety of activities along with the educational opportunities and fantastic location has a lot to do with that,” said Robert Gartland, secretary of U.P. Trappers.

“This event is the high point of my year. It is so great to meet up with old friends and make new ones. This is a super event to learn, have fun and enjoy the ‘carnival atmosphere,'”said Keith Rockwood, a member of U.P. Trappers.

For more information, go to www.uptrappers.com and click on convention.

President Roy Dahlgren will take fish fry reservations, and answer any other questions. He can be reached at 906-399-1960.