SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota has historic roots in the trapping industry – once part of a lucrative and vast territory rich with beaver, bison and other valuable animal pelts.
Despite that history, the state has never hosted a National Trappers Association convention.
That changes this month when the group holds its annual gathering in Sioux Falls from July 24-27, with thousands of people expected to attend. The convention takes place at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, kicking off the evening of July 24 with a concert by cowboy comedian Kip Attaway at the fairgrounds Show Ring.
This is the group’s 65th convention.
Given its history in fur trade and its strong outdoor culture for hunting and fishing, South Dakota would seem like a natural fit for the convention. But the event is often held east of the Mississippi River, said Mathew Bennett, a Colman, South Dakota trapper who is the national association’s state director.
Bennett said he and his wife, Nancy, had worked to bring the convention to South Dakota for two years as a “labor of love.” They were helped by Experience Sioux Falls in selling the city.
Bennett has also been a longtime instructor. As someone who hunts ducks and pheasant, he said trapping is the ultimate challenge.
“As far as trapping goes, I’ve always viewed that as the pinnacle of outdoor activities,” he said.
It’s also a key method to manage predators and maintain a healthy ecosystem, he said.
“Humans are apex predators,” he said. “It’s the balance of the ecosystem.”
The price of fur has dropped in recent years, said Bryan Nelson, a Virginia trapper who is the National Trappers Association convention coordinator. But where recreational fur trapping has dropped off, there’s been an increase in the need for nuisance control, and Nelson traps for fur while also running a nuisance control business.
The convention will feature eight educational seminars each day with nationally known industry experts. There will be educational activities geared toward beginners, children and women. The convention will also feature Heimo and Edna Korth, stars of the Discovery Channel series “The Last Alaskans,” and renowned bowhunter Tom Miranda. There will also be trap setting contests.
More than 100 vendors will also be there.
“Just a lot of different things going on,” Nelson said.
Bennett, who has trapped since 1978, said he made the activity a family affair, teaching his three children the skills behind the craft. He hopes members of the community, even if they don’t trap, take the opportunity to drop in and learn about the activity. It should be an appealing experience for people who love the outdoors.
“Interest has really peaked,” he said. “I think the community will come in just to see, saying, ‘I’ve heard about this trapping thing,’”
Children 12 and under get in for free.
