District 3 comprised of Delta, Dickinson and Menominee counties will host the event at the Hermansville Community Center in the central Menominee County community from 9 a.m. EST through the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 3.

The event will include lots of free things for kids and instructional demonstrations on trapping various animals. The UPTA credits the late brothers Gino and Rick Arduin of Hermansville with starting this program, with Rick initiating the program when he was District 3 president and Gino actively involved since it started.

In fact, District 3 members have renamed it The Annual Arduin Brothers Kids Trappers Workshop.

“Both Gino and Rick were expert trappers, and great guys with the vision of keeping the trapping tradition going,” said longtime District 3 member Jim Fornetti in a news release announcing the event. “They deserve a lot of credit for their active involvement in promoting this great outdoor activity.

A family holds up trapping equipment presented at a past Kids Workshop. (Photo courtesy Mike Lewis)

“We miss them and are proud to name this event in their honor.”

Open to the public with no admission fee, a concession stand will be open and lots of free items will be offered to children. Organizers say there are always lots of smiling and enthusiastic faces on youngsters as they take in educational demonstrations and win prizes.

Demonstrations planned for this year’s event include Fornetti speaking about weasel trapping, Roy Dahlgren on mink and muskrats, and John Gunville on raccoons.

Barnes Hide and Fur Company of downstate Burlington will attend to buy furs and sell a variety of traps and related supplies. Many local veteran trappers will also be on hand to share trapping tales and offer tips and advice.

Children can receive start-up kits — younger kids get a weasel-trapping kit and older kids a dog-proof raccoon trap kit.

For more information, visit the UPTA website at uptrappers.com or call Mike Lewis at 906-774-3592. For information on Barnes Hide and Fur items at the workshop, call 269-967-4475.

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