The Saskatchewan Trappers Association made its annual return to the Humboldt Convention Centre on March 14 and 15 for its convention. Trappers from throughout the province came to share information and the latest innovations in trapping, particularly when it came to new trapping technologies set for deployment in the south.
This year, the convention boasted an added feature with hands-on demonstrations for young people. President of the Association Don Gordon says that youth are the future of the industry, and it’s important to pass along knowledge and important cultural and environmental elements to the next generation.
“It’s our future to keep this going,” Gordon maintains. “There is some financial gain in trapping, but leaving a legacy is the real gain. Having these youth trained the proper ways in handling the animals, to respect the animals once they’ve harvested them, that is critical.
Gordon explains that the negativity toward the fur industry, and that people's views on animals, whether wildlife or pets, varies wildly. The one thing he doesn’t want to see is that trapping is reduced to being a preventative measure for dealing with what’s considered by some to be nuisance animals or “damage control.”
“It’s a resource that can be used. The remains in just a few short months reduced to earth.”
Gathering the young people and setting up the stations have taken a bit more time, but Gordon and the organization insisted on investing the resources to see that the kids had a well-instructed and hands-on opportunity.
Doing his part to preserve the long-time tradition of hand crafting knives was Joe Lozinski of Regina in his display. Joe takes metal from leaf spring metal and even from traps and fashions knives with handles designed from antlers, wood and bone. The practice was based on the needs of the traditional trappers who first came out to the prairies.
“The mountain men who came out here brought they’re original Bowie knife, maybe a folding clasp knife or a spare knife. If something happened, what were you going to do, other than make a knife out of a trap.”
Like so many other prairie enterprises, Lozinski fashioned himself a knife, and a friend, admiring the craftsmanship wanted one. The practice evolved into a healthy side hustle which allows Lozinski the freedom to experiment with a variety of styles and materials.
Minister of Environment Travis Keisig stopped by for a visit with Lozinski, renewing acquaintances from their school days in Ituna. Minister Keisig reflected on the gathering as a means for connecting members who are part of a modern-day industry linked to a rich historical past.
“Trapping has an incredibly long history all across the province,” Keisig noted. “That was the reason why the European settlers came here was the original intent of the fur trade. What’s really exciting about today is to see all the young people here. What a great family experience to go into the outdoors and to harvest the bounty of nature together as a family. It’s great to see young people involved in the fur industry.”
Keisig was on hand to address the new snaring technology coming out and its attendant legislation. He said he was pleased to be involved in an enterprise that supported the responsible stewardship of the environment, and one that works in tandem with the agriculture sector in helping to reduce livestock predators.
“What a great day in Humboldt to see all the buzz in the room and see so many people who take part in the trapping industry.”