ESCANABA — The Annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo begins today and continues through Saturday at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST on both days.

During the two days, nine outdoor experts will be taking the stage to give presentations on trapping and hunting. For a list and times and topics of each presenter and other information go to uptrappers.com, click the 2024 Trappers’ Convention tab and then the demonstrator’s page. Admission is $10 for both days and kids under 12 are admitted free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. This family-friendly event draws thousands of attendees each year. Camping on the grounds is also available.

There are lots to do and see at the convention. Many outdoor experts will be on the grounds and are willing to talk to attendees. The popular Friday Night Fish Fry featuring locally caught fish is back. Contact event director Roy Dahlgren at (906) 399-1960 or trapperroy@outlook.com for dinner reservations or any other questions.

New to the event this year is “The Kids Cave” which will offer activities including: “Bandage a Bear,” “Pan for Gold”, “Build a Mink Box”, “Trapping Demos”, supervised free fishing, archery and others. Games, prizes, and raffles are scheduled.

See the Vendors page of the website to see a list of the vendors and what some of them will be selling.

“The expo is a great event,” said Steve Kocsis, longtime member of U.P. Trappers. “It is great that all the presenters engage their audience with dialogue. They all stress legal, ethical, humane means of setting traps and encourage safety and sportsmanship while in the woods running the line,” he added.