First I would like to thank the ATA for being around, and all the hard work that the officers and do to keep it going.
This year I was nor able to spend much time at the convention. I only had time to ride up, have lunch, and with the help from I think Cindy's daughter, fill out the tickets for the drawing.
I was lucky enough to win the Mathews bow, that I will be putting to good use real soon, I also won life time membership, that was good too, but I already have one.
Thanks to Lauralu who was the one that delivered the bow, sorry that I was not at home when you stopped by.
The Arizona Trappers Association put on two training sessions in April for the Boy Scouts. The first one was in Las Vegas, Nevada and attended by not only Boy Scouts, but also the Explorer Post, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts-who probably were the most interested, as their program does not fully address outdoor activities. The Scout troop s specialize in primitive skills, and are very interested in rendezvous events, trapping and survival skills. These sessions are very helpful in presenting wildlife management in a positive aspect and showing the participants the different varieties of fur from the south west. The Trapper's Handbook is given to troops for their libraries, and trapping skills are demonstrated, from the early iron trap , weapons, and tools of the Mountain Man to what today's modern trapper is using. The Grand Canyon Scout Council also has an excellent Rendezvous Skills Handbook that is used as a resource by the various Scout troops and leaders.
The Arizona Scout Rendezvous was attended by over 2100 scouts and leaders at the R-C Scout Ranch Boy Scout Camp located in the pine forest just outside Payson, Arizona north of Phoenix, under the Mogollon Rim. The theme was primitive, with many of the scouts arriving in capotes, and various theme attire they had made themselves. Stations were set up for various events including blacksmithing, black powder shooting, archery, tomahawk throwing, crafts, and trading. Interest and enthusiasm was high for the attendees. The first item was to set up an 1840 period encampment on Wednesday for the Spring Break Thursday and Friday sessions. With the help of two scouts, who had never set up a canvas tent, all three tents were set up, and a training area laid out immediately to the rear of the tents in the pine trees. Gave the scouts each a Revolutionary War period pocket knife and a Rendezvous Guidebook to thank them for their support. The encampment had a period pyramid trade tent with a display of the traps and tools of the Mountain Man, and a larger lean-to (Whelan) and a small lean-to. The trapping instructor in period clothing, uses all of these tents and tools during the course of the year, either while hunting, attending rendezvous events, scouting primitive wilderness trap lines, or trapping. Focusing initially on beaver trapping, tanned beaver pelts are displayed, and a tanned pelt on a willow hoop used to illustrate the method used by the mountain men to dry the fleshed pelt. Typical scents, including castoreum in a willow stem bottle, Long Distance Call, and gland scent are passed around for the participants to smell. Professionally tanned Raccoon, Fox, Coyote, and Beaver pelts are used as training aids. Reactions are varied, and it is not hard to tell who has the potential to become a beaver trapper...they actually like the smell of the castoreum. Makes you feel warm inside.
The Arizona Trappers Association was invited to put on a trapping station, and rather than do just this, it was integrated into the 200th year of the American Trapper in the West. Excellent support was provided by the Boy Scout Grand Canyon Council (Mesa District) with meal tickets, a Rendesvous medallion and belt buckle, and one of the more gracious ladies in attendance made sure lunch was brought down from the dining hall to the trapping station. Was even invited to (and accepted) to attend the Dutch oven cooking contest, as a judge...pretty good fixings for scouts, although some of the judges were concerned about the potential latent laxative effect.
During the trap station sessions, it was not unusual to see several scout leaders standing to the side, watching and listening to the presentations. The observation that there were more wolves on the endangered species list than trappers brought interest to the surface that allowed discussion of why the wolf was eliminated in the first place to protect livestock, and the problems related to its reintroduction. Coyote and mountain lion game and livestock predation was also discussed. There is still a feeling that large bear traps with teeth are used, and the snare used now by animal control was reviewed, along with its use (where legal) for predator control.
A standard #3 double long spring, original patent date 1911 and used up through 1990 by most damage control animal agencies is shown and some of the problems related to it are discussed. This is followed by a demonstration of the Montgomery #3 four coil spring with gapped jaws, reinforced jaws and base plate and base swivel adopted in response to the international trap standards. This is demonstrated for both beaver with castoreum lure using a slider on a 10 foot cable connected to a drowning sack filled with gravel and rocks; and, as a dirt hole land set with beaver castor and hamburger with glycerin for bait. This highly efficient trap allows selective trapping with the capability of releasing non-target animals, including ducks. The 330 conibear, developed in Canada, what is referred to as "the largest mouse trap you'll ever see" is demonstrated, and attendees advised it is only used by professional trappers...and even catches them. The smaller 110/120 is also shown, as it has a prominent role in trapping marten and mink.
Attendees, scout leaders, District council leaders, were all provided with brochures about modern traps, an excellent handout developed by Frank Riggs of the ATA on small animal (furbearer) tracks that is always well received, and a copy of the Trappers Handbook Developed by the NTA and paid for by FurBearers Unlimited and supplied by Minnesota Trap Line. NTA membership applications were given out to interested parties with a back copy of the Trapper magazine or the Trapper and Predator Caller. Several of the attendees were teachers, and it was interesting to see their initial antipathy to trapping turn to genuine interest as it was placed into context with the history of the development of the west, and wildlife management. Probably the most rewarding aspect of the rendezvous was knowing that 16 Scout troops, 43 adult leaders, and 119 scouts walked away with a positive outlook on trapping and trappers after the two day April Rendezvous. When they came to the trapping station, they arrived all thinking "I thought trapping was illegal," and left after a presentation of the Fur Trade Era (1825-1840), learning the fact that the original Colter's Run was a naked barefoot event (John Colter was also the first American "Streaker"), mountain men all used flintlocks, and realizing that today's trapper's are real people who are more concerned about the environment than environmentalists profess to be.
It took a week and a half to recover from all the dust breathed in Payson as the roads were not watered down, and eyes are still sore. The Arizona Trappers Association can say one thing...we got invited back, and that means something. Probably will have more than double the attendance next time from the favorable comments received. Actually enjoyed the rendezvous, even though packing up took all afternoon, and the drive back to Las Vegas that night was a chore. Me and Red Bull made the trip in style and the security on Hoover Dam was very cooperative as the Jeep was loaded so full of equipment there was only room for the driver, and all the tent poles on top was reminiscent of a gypsy caravan. Hell of a good time. Over night for three nights in the Panther Primitives "Hunter" tent with the sheepherder stove, and a hot coffee pot, made for a good night's sleep, and the scout's interest fueled the personal burner. The scout council leadership was discussing the effects and distractions of the modern electronic age, but you quickly find that the 1/2 century gap between the instructor and the scouts is quickly bridged by the scent of castoreum, a beaver trap in one hand and a pelt in the other.
Walking Beaver