I have a unique opportunity to I guess represent trapping in a sense at an outdoor expo/show type of thing on Saturday. I have 2 tables reserved so space isn't an issue. The only thing I'm stuck on is what to bring with me. This is my first time ever doing this and just kind of a different thing that I'm not used to. I have a poster board about weasel trapping that I'm going to bring and then obviously my tanned furs and an old NAFA fur bag. But that's about it. Should I bring a few different common traps, some of my better smelling lures? Give me some ideas. Thanks in advance!

Sounds like you have most everything covered. If you have acces to power, maybe a tv and a computer so you can pull up key trapping videos and nuisance damage pics. Wouldn’t hurt to have an older trap and a new to demonstrate the improvements over the years. Maybe some statistics regarding rabies and other diseases.

Just remember that most people arnt trappers and what we consider normal isn't to most people even other outdoorsmen , also be prepared for other type sof outdoors men to look down on you a bit , seen it happen a good bit when I helped out at tables my association put on . Just having some foot holds would have people saying stuff about broken legs and the like these are other outdoorsmen remind you.
Bring some nicer looking stuff , old rusty traps give a bad looks to most.
One really good thing you can do that will change minds very quickly is to accidentally snap your hand in a trap. Have one set on the table and while your talking accidentally put your hand in it or something. Stuff like that just makes people go " well dang he wasn't even expecting it and he just barely seemed to notice"

Also mabye a printed out invite link the the discord for the peoel our age would be nice. Pretty sure you can do the deal where it's a scan code . Have it one some simple flyers or something. Don't know if y'all do workshops with you states association or have any get togethers planned but if you do having some invites that very clearly show it's FREE would be great to have. Seen a lot of folks turn off from even coming by the table because they saw prices for a association membership. They see a price and a table they will avoid you a lot of times because it looks like a sales pitch of something is free well what's the harm in looking

Would also not lean on the fur side of things , honestly a lot of people just pain don't care or like fur clothing due to price and conceived ethical issues..... More usually price. Grab people more white the whole trapping predators is good for fawn recruitment, up land birds small game that jazz , muskrats trapping is good for saving pond banks saves tax payer dollars on fixing beaver blocked culverts and all that.

O and if you have a few fur buyers you know of have their info on the able easy to see for guys who predator hunt. Most don't know anyone who buys fur or anything like that so having that info could be helpful to get them to looking at stuff

TACT plays a big role in getting non trappers to our side. Antis know how to play people and work them properly we need to work on that as well imo

bring the biggest trap you have that you a not afraid to stick your hand in.
be respectful even to people that an not
something free for kids
predator management literature

If it were something I were going to do multiple timed a day I old have a trap with weak/ weakend springs. The only traps I have I have not been caught in are 750 and 330s but I still don't enjoy any trap with good springs. Be sure to get your hand in it and not a finger or two.

Might be late to get this setup but your state trapping org ought to have a display/or sets of displays like we have here in the OSTA,
Might check with your game and fish to see if they have anything they can loan you

Furs, magazines, catalogs, traps for common critters, snares, trapper ed manuals.

Above picture is what I usually bring. Also have a few traps set in the open position that is well ziptied open so it cant fire.

Contact the GFP they have a pelt collection they might lend you for the event don’t forget to mention why we use swivels to prevent leg damage.

error on showing them the Fluffier side , like soft furs and not skinning, tell them how long good fur garments last , how fast muskrats reproduce and how warm fur is as a traffic renewable resource make them feel good about the idea of wearing fur. Would you rather wear cloths made from oil that wear out in a year or two or renewable fur that lasts often decades.

I am tired of women who feel afraid to wear fur , it is sad , I hear things like it is old it is vintage I got it from my great aunt trying to get people to understand they didn't kill the animals to avoid judgment.
Women nor men should ever have to make excuses or qualify their fur wearing it is a reenable natural resource actually good for the environment , it is warm and lasts a very long time. and it is the anti fur people spewing lies and pushing an agenda based on lies.

if I see someone wearing fur to tell them that is a very nice garment and that I am happy to see people wearing such a long lasting garment made from a green renewable resource.


muskrat math is always a fun one

a few common traps

if you can take a clean foot hold like a 1 1/2 2 coil or long spring and a cotton glove , look them in the eye and don't flinch as you jam your hand in the trap so it catches the meat of your fingers , this demo makes a lot of bologna believers question their belief hard. practice it at home and know how to get yourself out of it .

if you with a cotton glove on your hand can jam your hand in a trap , an animal that literally runs full speed on gravel with such tuff paws as to not even be bothered by it , why it wouldn't be any issue at all.

if you have any pictures of animals calmly laying there foot in a trap waiting for check , people envision exactly the opposite.

your not trying to win people over to go trapping your trying to plant some good ideas in their head that we are not the bad guy , that trappers are good people and excellent stewards of the land , because half of them have some jaded by false information opinion of trapping planted by domestic terrorists and main stream media.

maybe talk about trapping protecting nesting sites for bird production. if you spot a bird hunter in the crowd.

Some ideas...

I like the idea of having a couple traps that you can stick your hand into....without wincing or fear on your face. I was involved in changing the regulations to allow rat and mink trapping during the duck season, something that was outlawed here in the Mississippi Zone for many years. I did a presentation in front of the Natural Resources Board, and when it came to the topic of hunting dogs being injured I stuck my hand in a 1.5 long spring and a 110 coni to show that they would hold the animal but not injure it. Some of them certainly winced and cringed but I got the point across that dogs will not be harmed by common legal trapping methods and equipment.

Through that effort and the work of many other trappers we now can start rat and mink trapping here on the Mississippi in early November.

I would also suggest you bring some examples of sign or tracks that you set on. Engage the kids, especially, in some sort of track identification activity. Get across the message that trapping is a viable management tool. Many of the BMP's are the result of trappers wanting to utilize the equipment and methods to allow safe, human, and ethical trapping.

Take along your bucket or trap basket with your tools, etc. in there. Show that getting into trapping does not have to be an expensive venture. Pleanty of used stuff out there.

You may want to be prepared for the inevitable comments about someone's dog getting caught, etc. Talk to them about avoidance of areas and methods that sometimes result in non-target catches

Talk to them about getting permission and respect for landowners.

If we had more time I would bet some on here could offer a lot of ideas or stuff you could use. IF ANYONE FROM YOUR STATE TRAPPING ASSOCIATION IS ANYWHERE NEAR THEY COULD RING IN SOME OTHER STUFF.

If you wind up doing this again give us a little notice and I would bet we could set you up very well.

Good luck and have fun! Let us know how it goes!

Moosetrot

Also take along a copy of your trapping regulations.

Moosetrot

The question is are you doing this on your own or representing an organization? Did someone ask you or did you think it was a good idea to do it yourself ? Where is the location. A bigger city I would assume. Small traps like a 110,1&1/2 coil and a small long spring. No snares. Nothing large and nothing set. If you can find a garment like a coon skin hat. Furs like fox, skunk ,coyote, beaver, muskrat, otter. A pack basket, sifter, trowel. A display of trapping magazines

Beware of the old cat lady ambush just tell the truth, be polite and keep you cool beat her with facts and nothing else don’t become the problem.

If you can? bring a friend or girlfriend (better) so you can take a break. Dress normal.

Ok, I don't have a laptop that stays charged otherwise I would because that's a really good idea. Definitely going to bring a new and old trap to show differences.

All good points here, I can't figure out the discord thing. I'll keep all this in mind.

I wish I had fur scraps but I haven't been tanning stuff long enough to have that for the kids.

I was going to but got so busy the last few days that It completely slipped my mind. I don't have a table fee at all otherwise that would be a good idea.

Ok, I'll bring some of my random magazines and manuals and such. It's a bit late for that but I might end up making something like that if I continue to do random things like this.

It's too late otherwise I would, I wish I had planned a bit more.