Noah Johnson Daily Press The 2025 Annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo kicked off Friday and is still going on today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are 180 vendor tables, live demonstrations, kids' activities, raffle drawings, games, food and more.

ESCANABA – The Annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo kicked off Friday and continues today at the U.P. State Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for both days, and kids under 12 are admitted free.

The event features various vendors, live demonstrations, kids’ activities, food, games, and more.

“I’ve got over 180 tables full of vendor items,” said U.P. Trapper Convention Coordinator Mary Theoret.

Theoret took over this year as coordinator for long-time coordinator Roy Dahlgren, who did a superb job, according to the U.P. Trappers Association.

Friday featured five demonstrations, including muskrat trapping, fox and coyote trapping, bobcat trapping, and more.

At the end of the day on Friday, ticket-holders headed to the Miracle of Life Building for the sold-out fish fry.

Saturday features four more demonstrations, including skinning and toeing a fox, long lining for minks, and a coyote calling demonstration by TV star Les Johnson, who starred in the coyote calling show Predator Quest.

“He will send chills down your spine by doing his coyote calls, he’s amazing,” said Theoret.

The day also features master fur trapper and Mountain Man Paul Antczack of Montana, one of the stars of the reality TV program Mountain Men on the History Channel.

“He’s another great one,” Theoret said.

The event is great for families, offering several activities for kids to enjoy, including building your own mink box and the famous hay scramble.

The hay scramble is a crowd favorite as kids get a chance to dive into the hay to look for prizes.

There are numerous booths to visit between the Ruth Butler Building and the Grandstand, including returning vendors and first-timers.

Linda Duchene-Beaudre and her husband, Dennis Beaudre, have been coming to the convention for as long as they can remember, selling handmade rugs, mats, purses, runners, and other items.

Their business, Mays Rugs, is named after Duchene-Beaudre’s late mother, who taught her how to sew by hand.

“We go to a lot of craft sales, and this is one of our favorite ones,” Duchene-Beaudre said.

Guests at the booth can also look at pictures of Duchene-Beaudre and her mother as they were working on hand-sewn items years ago.

Mays Rugs is located in the Grandstand.

Doris and Jerry Wodrich have been coming to the convention for years, but decided this year they would set up a booth.

Their booth features handmade bird houses, antler shelves, wooden baskets, fire pokers, and more.

“All the bird houses are made out of reclaimed lumber,” Doris said.

The Wodrich’s booth is located in the Grandstand.

Another new vendor brought items for future trappers to learn how specific traps work.

John Petrak, owner of Freepop3D, set up a booth selling 3D-printed kid-friendly and kid-safe traps.

“They’re only a couple pounds of pressure, so the kids don’t get hurt, and they mimic all the standard traps that everybody would use,” Petrak said.

Petrak designs each trap and hand-winds the springs.

His booth is located in the Ruth Butler Building.

Great Lakes Sport & Rec Club attended the convention, with a table full of pelts for attendees to feel.

The club was also selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a new firearm from brands such as Ruger, Browning, Savage, Taurus, and more.

Proceeds from the raffle go to fund the free youth programs put on by the Great Lakes Sport & Rec Club.

Free programs include a seven-week summer program, National Hunting and Fishing Day, and winter archery.

Great Lakes Sport & Rec Club Board Member Bill Bourdeau said it had been a great start to the event on Friday.

The club’s booth is located in the Ruth Butler Building,

The convention continues today as gates open at 8 a.m.

Theoret expressed her gratitude to everyone who made the convention possible again this year, including staff, volunteers, vendors and more.

“We have something for everyone, so get out here and enjoy the event with your whole family,” she said.

To learn more about the convention and the U.P. Trappers Association, visit uptrappers.com.

Noah Johnson Daily Press
Jeff Hagerty gives a presentation on tips, tricks and using Hagz Systems for trapping muskrats during the 2024 Annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo.

Noah Johnson Daily Press
A attendee at the 2025 Annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo inspects a rifle at one of the many booths in the Ruth Butler Building.