Weasel boxes are assembled at the 2020 Trappers Workshop. (Photo courtesy of Mike Lewis via the Escanaba Daily Press)

HERMANSVILLE — The Community Center in Hermansville will once again be filled with traps, trapping gear, and youngsters eager to win prizes at the 19th Annual Trappers Workshop. Date for the event is 8 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. CST Saturday.

Two brothers from Hermansville, Gino and Rick Arduin, were very active and instrumental in bringing this event about. Rick served as president and this workshop was his vision. Brother Gino who was fond of saying. “When this club started, I was the youngest member. Now I am the oldest.” Gino built and donated 1,000 weasel boxes which are still given out to youngsters at this event. Sadly, both men have passed away. The U.P. Trappers have named the event in their memory: The Arduin Brothers Memorial Trappers Winter Workshop.

Trevor Barnes of Barnes Hide and Fur Company will be on hand to buy fur and offer a large variety of traps and supplies. Each year, Trevor travels from lower Michigan for the workshop.

Many local veteran trappers will be there to share trapping tales and offer tips and advice.

“There are a lot of neat things which happen at this event” said Randy Johnsen, a longtime member of U.P. Trappers. “Something I have noticed (and love) is the way all kinds of information gets to the kids. There is a wealth of knowledge among all the old-timer members of District Three who always attend. Most trappers have a favorite animal that they target. Some are coyote guys, some are bobcat girls, some are beaver experts. I have seen it repeatedly where the presenter is asked a question, and the question is immediately referred to a trapper in the audience who is known to be an expert on that species (we all know each other well and know who is good on the species asked about.) Questions are answered immediately or a personal visit with the expert can be arranged before they leave. This is a great network where years and years of trapping experience is shared with the youngsters.”

Kids will be getting startup kits (younger kids – weasel trapping kit, and older kids -dog proof raccoon trap kit).

Doors open at 8 a.m.. The agenda for the workshop is: 9 a.m. mink/muskrat trapping by Roy Dahlgren, 10 a.m. Weasel/Ermine by Jimmy Fornetti, 11 a.m. Raccoon trapping by John Gunville, 12 p.m. lunch break, 1 p.m. – “hands-on” activity – building mink boxes coached by District Three members, 2 p.m. door prize drawing (everyone wins a prize), 3 p.m. Distribution of weasel boxes, traps, and accessories to age 11 and under, and dog-proof raccoon traps to ages 12-17.

For directions or further information on this event, contact Mike Lewis at 906-774-3592.