ESCANABA –ì For the 63rd time the U.P. Trappers will host its Annual Trappers Convention/Outdoor Expo on July 11 and 12th, 2025 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba, Michigan. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is $10 for both days kids under twelve are free. Camping on the grounds is available, and food and refreshments will be for sale on the grounds. The famous Friday Night Fish Fry is happening again. Call Julie Gartland for your reservations (cost is $25). There will be lots to see and do including activities for the kids. As always, this convention is a family friendly affair.

This annual event will feature famous outdoor experts who will be taking the stage to give presentations on trapping and hunting. To go along with all the demos, this event will have many big-name outdoor gear vendors, and “tailgaters” selling just about everything imaginable. Good deals and convention specials with no shipping fees. ” Many outdoorsmen stock up on supplies for the upcoming seasons at this event,” stated Randy Johnsen (longtime member of District Three).

There will be five trapping demos given on Friday and four more on Saturday. The All-Star lineup of presenters includes Don Nyman, Les Johnson, Jeff Hagerty, Laura & Zac Gidney, Jeff Dunlap, Dave Radandt, Paul Antczak, and Jim Churchill.

Don Nyman is one of our very own, he lives in the woods near Ishpeming. He is a trapper who targets any furbearer available. He has become an expert lure maker as well. His 906 Predator Lures are used all over the country. His gland lures smell like the whole animal, as he uses many different glands and other organs to produce them. . His many years of trapping in his home area of Ishpeming and various other states and ohis many years in the woods have allowed him to develop some unique trapping techniques, many of which have never been in print. Nyman will be sharing some of his “secrets” and tactics at his demo.

Roy Dahlgren has been the convention coordinator for many years and has done a super job – proven by the attendance growing each year. Roy has decided to step down this year and the UP Trappers thank him for the thousands of hours he has put in over the years to make our conventions bigger and better.

Mary Theoret (one of our newer members) has stepped up as Chairperson of the new Convention Committee and has some “big shoes to fill” as Dahlgren’s efforts were remarkable. “Mary will do just fine! I have noticed she has a lot of things ready to go already and she is eagerly taking on this major task,” Stated Bob Girardi (longtime member of UP Trappers). If anyone has questions or still needs booth space, Mary can be contacted at 906-241-6155 or mltheoret@gmail.com. Convention details can be found at www.uptrappers.com.

Suggested Caption for Photo:

Courtesy of Don Nyman

Don Nyman with a nice prime winter coyote.