Roy Dahlgren, right, poses with his daughter and granddaughter behind a large assortment of furs. Dahlgren will be one of the presenters at the 59th annual Upper Peninsula Trappers Convention & Outdoor Expo to be held in Escanaba on July 9-10. (Photo courtesy Roy Dahlgren)

ESCANABA — Trapping is among the outdoor activities that experts will share their knowledge, tips and secrets about at the 59th annual Upper Peninsula Trappers Convention & Outdoor Expo to be held at the U.P. Fairgrounds in Escanaba during the second weekend of July.

Listed as a family-friendly event, the event was scheduled, then canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An admission fee that wasn’t listed with a news release about the event said it covers both days — Friday and Saturday, July 9-10. Children ages 12 years and younger are free with camping available at the fairgrounds and lodging possibly still available in and around Escanaba.

New this year for children is a clinic for assembling muskrat colony traps. Under adult supervision, kids will do the final assembly using parts that are pre-cut and pre-bent and finish with a completed trap that will be theirs to keep.

Used properly, the Michigan-legal colony trap may be the most effective tool muskrat trappers have for catching large numbers of the animal, according to event organizers.

Parents skilled at building things are also encouraged to attend with their children, as they can take a roll of welded wire, J-clip pliers, cage clips and three-foot length of 2-by-4 for a crude “break” and spend spend quality time with their offspring to build more traps.

A Friday night fish fry fundraiser will also be held, along with raffles, kids’ games, mini raffles and prizes. And a free supervised fish pond for youngsters will also be on hand.

“This event is something many look forward to annually,” said Bill Pipp, a legendary local trapper and longtime member of U.P. Trappers. “With it not happening last year (due to COVID), I am sure that a lot of people are really looking forward to it as much as I am. Great place to see old friends and make new ones and even learn a bit more about trapping.”

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

A number of talks will also be held throughout the two days. This is the current schedule, with times, presenter and topic(s):

Friday — 9:30 a.m., Jeff Hagerty, mink, muskrat and beaver; 10:30 a.m., Ed Schneider, coyotes, fall and winter sets; 11 a.m., mini raffle; noon, Mike “Red” O’Hearn, beaver and otter trapping; 1:30 p.m., Jeff Dunlap, coyote trapping; 2:30 p.m., mini raffle; 3:30 p.m., Lesel Reuwsaat, bobcat trapping

Saturday — 9 a.m., John Chagnon, beaver trapping; 10 a.m., kids workshop, build-your-own muskrat colony trap; 10:30 a.m., Roy Dahlgren, winter bobcat trapping; noon, mini raffle; 1 p.m., John “Gunner” Gunville, trapping for beginners, muskrat and raccoon; 2 p.m., Jeff Dunlap and Sarah Gomez, beaver trapping

In addition, vendors will be indoors and tailgaters set up outside. Vendors will not only offer trapping supplies, but also crafts, quilts, knives, fishing supplies and even fresh baked bread. “Fair” food will also be available.

The event also offers a chance to see what’s new in outdoor gear with a chance to stock up on supplies as many vendors offer conventional-special prices without shipping charges.

For more information, including tickets to the fish fry, email convention coordinator Roy Dahlgren at trapperroy@outlook.com or call him at 906-399-1960. Or visit the U.P. Trappers website at www.uptrappers.com and click on “Convention” in the top menu.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.