I would like to announce the start of my Annual Trapperman Kids Art & Writing Contest!

THE PRIZES:

FIRST PLACE $150, PLUS a JoeGoodmanPrints.com prize package!
SECOND PLACE: $100, PLUS a JoeGoodmanPrints.com prize package!
THIRD PLACE: $75, PLUS a JoeGoodmanPrints.com prize package!

TO ENTER:

You must be LESS than 18 years of age and a Trapperman member or family member only. You must have your parent's permission to enter, as the winners will be asked to pm me their addresses in order for us to ship the prize packages to you. You must submit your entry no later than 9 PM EASTERN TIME ON CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24TH. NO EXCEPTIONS PLEASE! To submit your entry, you must post a scan or good quality photo of your finished drawing or painting, as well as TYPE IN your writing or story RIGHT HERE IN THIS THREAD. YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME, AGE AND STATE YOU RESIDE WITH YOUR ENTRY. Ask for help from your folks, or other members here if you have difficulty posting. This is so all Trapperman members may see and read it. Previous winners may enter again! Let's see how you've improved over the years!

THE RULES:

This year's theme is: "ANIMALS IN SNOW"

FIRST, Choose an animal, any animal - a deer, turkey, fox, coyote, moose, ANYTHING and draw a picture of that animal or a group of animals in a snow scene. We always dream of a white, snowy Christmas and I think having you kids draw some awesome pictures of animals in a beautiful winter landscape would be fun to see!!! It may be FULL COLOR OR BLACK & WHITE. It may be done in PENCIL, INKS, WATERCOLORS, ACRYLICS, OILS, CHALKS, CRAYONS, MARKERS, WHATEVER! Put as much effort as you can into it! I want to see what talented young folks we have here on Trapperman! Then have someone take a nice brightly lit photo or scan of it and post it here!!

SECOND, you must write a story that describes this scene with these animals. It can be a made up story, or a biography about these animals, like a school book report. Make it fun, write about your own experiences or something you've thought up yourself! I'd like this story to be a few paragraphs minimum, if possible. I know this may be difficult for the very young contestants and we will consider this when we judge the entries at the end. Include many details to make your story interesting, who, what, where, when, why, & how.

ONCE AGAIN, THE CONTEST ENDS AT 9 PM EASTERN TIME ON CHRISTMAS EVE !! NO EXCEPTIONS. YOU FOLKS ON CENTRAL, MOUNTAIN, AND PACIFIC TIME PLEASE MAKE NOTE!

WE WILL ANNOUNCE THEM HERE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, SOME TIME AFTER MRS. CLAUS HAS HAD HER COFFEE…..
PM ME IF YOU OR YOUR FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS.

WELL KIDS, I SUGGEST YOU GET BUSY!!!
AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE TRAPPERMAN FAMILY!!!

From The Goodman's
Joe, Julie, and Carly
www.JoeGoodmanPrints.com
614-863-9456

©JoeGoodmanPrints.com

LIKE!!

Wonderful Mr. Goodman! My boys are very excited and they love your artwork. My son pointed out all your artwork featured in the books from his Idaho Trappers education course.

That's awesome! Can't wait to see their entries!

Makenzee Thompson (my sister)

13 years old
Minnesota

The Ranch Horse

In every lifetime, there’s that thing you can tell anyone that made you what you are…

A rainy spring day in 2019 a young gelding with great bloodlines and a bright future awaiting him down the road. The beginning of this story takes place at an auction in Minnesota. This gelding was Ace, a young buckskin paint with the mind of a wild Mustang and a heart of a loyal best friend, wanting to find that best friend since he was taken from home looking for his forever; Ace was then bought by a riding instructor. Ace had no idea what was happening, his whole world was just gone, moved to a place he's never been and horses he's never been with.

As time went on he was neglected and never had anyone to train him and take care of him. He was then put for sale on Craigslist “Paint Gelding For Sale 4k” for months no one had called about Ace. Then one evening in late July a call came in about ace. They were very interested in this horse, Now this “ad” did have a description the owners had said he was broke and a reliable ride to use in any discipline they wanted to use him for. When I came to view Ace as a possible purchase he was terrified, he had been neglected for 4 years of his life. He was Rearing and Bucking like the end of the world was happening. My mom was not quite sure of this horse for me being young and already having problem horses in the past . But there was something special about this horse, something in his eyes when you just know that's him, I just had to have Ace and Ace only.

So my mom had agreed to lease him just to make sure we wouldn’t make a bad choice which I thought was kinda dumb at that point in time. I didn’t know as much about training horses as I did then so we sent him to 90 days of professional training. We were told he only needed miles in the saddle, but we were lied to as expected, so I went every other day to check on him and his training. The first 2 weeks I was very upset he just sat there to apparently”be calm ” . As the 2 weeks passed they just did groundwork, desensitizing and standing tied which seemed normal as 60 days passed they still had not even saddled him so i brought it up to them and there words were “just trust the progress” so i did and the last 3 weeks of his training they had finally saddled him and rode him. He only walked and trotted undersaddle when training had finished.

So when we brought him to a ranch for boarding it was the middle of winter, But there was an indoor arena so i let him sit for a week to meet the herd and get to know the place i started off very simple with him because the training my family had payed for didn’t show at all but with me he was different he still had the mind of a wild mustang and the heart of a loyal best friend. As the simple easy winter with lots of bonding and play time came to an end. By this time we were best friends, no one could ever change that. Then when spring showed up outta the blue. I started getting him to lope while lunging and I eventually added more while loping while saddled. I used to have my mom come stay there and I would ride him while my mom would be lunging him. By May we were loping perfect circles without any help. All I wanted was to do barrel racing so I moved him to the barrel pattern without a solid foundation.
For the whole summer we ran 14-19 second runs which was amazing in my mind but not knowing I made a huge mistake. He began rearing. I got help from my friend she begin training him when Ace sent me to the emergency room with the cartilage in my nose and another concussion and i already had 3 of them so i was told for the second time to never ride horses again but i couldn’t it was impossible to think of and i wanted to sell ace i practically hated him from what he did but in reality it was my fault i pushed him too much to what he didn’t understand and with how much he loved me he kept doing his best but to me isn't wasn't enough so it was my fault i came to realize that when i was allowed to seem him again we had a vet to come and see him because he would only rear if he was loping it turned out he had something wrong with his back so every month he needed a chiropractic adjustment and when i came back to the barn.

It's hard to explain the joy of your best friend in the whole world run to you and just never leave your side ever again it was just indescribable as soon as he saw me go to the gate he ran as like he wasn’t gonna stop and he had put his heck around me and just held me not wanting to let me go. After the reunion I have never pushed him to that point again. Training continued over the winter and into spring then summer we were back to running in the pastures and loping perfect circles. It was like a dream and then when he had a foundation we continued barrel racing. I took him to our first show in August. We got 4th for our first show ever.

Many Years later…

After years of showing winning buckles and being best friends I had saved enough to finally go out west with Ace and live our dream of ranching together. I had found a property in Billings MT that was in my price range. It only had a barn, fencing, round pens and an arena. It was perfect just what I was looking for and I had been living in my LQ horse trailer so we could move as soon as I could get out there with Ace. he couldn’t be all alone so I had bought a companion Donkey on the way. They got along quite well, When we had arrived we settled in just fine with everything it just felt like home especially with ace being there.

The first year there Winter had arrived well it was just something, gorgeous it was. I had retired Ace from running barrels with his Age so for the first winter out west I had rode Ace on the trails. Since Christmas was just around the corner I had brought an axe and rope just in case we found the perfect tree for the barn and of course we did and brought the lovely tree home and the Ranch horse was finally home for good.


The End
( Somewhat a true story)

Oh My GOODNESS!! What an incredible first entry to the contest by Makenzee!!! Great Job! Hope you other kids are busy working on yours, too!!

Name: Sa'adrii Pope
Age: 12

Home: Delta Junction, AK

The ermine inhabits four continents such as Asia, Europe, North America, Oceana. In Europe an ermine is called a Stoat. A long time ago specifically 1327-1377 in England during the reign of Edward the third, the wearing of ermine was restricted to members of a royal family. Thereafter, state robes were constructed in such a way that in many cases the rank and position of the wearer could be determined by the presence or absence or the disposition of the black spots.
Ermine are skillful tree climbers and can go down a tree trunk headfirst! Ermine are active throughout the year; In the winter their coat is white to help them camouflage and hide from predators but in the summer the Ermine's coat will be brown for the same reasons. Ermine primarily prays on voles and mice but also other small animals. Theses slender mammals measure up to five to twelve inches from head to toe, A litter of ermine babies or kits are usually three to thirteen in a litter. An ermine's life span is one to twelve years. The ermine moves in a zig zag manner and can travel more than nine miles. When I see an ermine, it reminds me of a slinky because of its body, it makes me wonder if it even has a spine. The End.

Name: Lily Brittain
Age: 17
State: Washington

Late at night when the cold river flows
i swim up the river where the moon does glow
my puyallup
in the evening when the sun lays down
cottonwood and cedar make a lovely sound
my puyallup
do you love me as i love you so?
would you grow your spring flowers through my ice and snow?
my puyallup
i am sick for the home that i used to stay
i miss swimming through your yellow hay, my puyallup
the river's washed me further down the way
my love for you grows more and more every day
oh, my satsop, i miss my puyallup
Valleys of salmon and blackberry thorns
your daffodils feel just like where i was born
oh, my satsop, i love you and my puyallup.

EXCELLENT JOB by Sa'adrii Pope & Lily Brittain!!! I LOVE these entries!

Name: Molly Pierson (my daughter)
Age: 10
State: Minnesota


Black Wolf

A life changing event happened as I was taking a walk through the woods on my mountain.
There was a sudden howl and rocks began falling from above me. It was getting dark so I was on my way home. Now though, I had to figure out what this creature was that was on the mountain with me. I looked up, down, and all around me. Finally, looking up again I saw the culprit make an appearance. It was a beautiful black wolf standing above me on the mountain. I froze as it was looking straight at me. It began descending the mountain towards me. I started to back up and the beautiful black wolf froze. Then it slowly came towards me with its ears back and tail tucked. I think the wolf was scared. I stepped back into the forest. Hurrying home I saw a black blur streaking through the forest alongside me. The beautiful black wolf was staring at me again. Every direction I went, the wolf followed me. I ran as fast as I could through the forest and up the mountain. The wolf was right on my tail. I tripped and fell and the wolf was on me. I panicked, trying to throw rocks at the wolf. I closed my eyes imagining what a wolf attack would be like. Expecting the worst, I opened my eyes to take on the attack but the wolf was gone. Taking advantage of my situation, I began running home up the mountain. Safe in bed that night and unable to sleep, I heard a piercing howl outside. I looked out my window to see the beautiful black wolf. Looking at me from its ledge on the mountain side, I could see the respect in it’s eyes. A respect that will always be mutual.

Nice guys!!!!!

Name: Briley Stough (my daughter)
Age: 8
State: Alabama

The Red Fox

Me and my Dad caught a red fox deep in the woods on a Saturday morning. It was a really big male.

There was a female right down the road from the male. She was very pretty and big.

The male's teeth were very dirty, but the female's teeth were slightly cleaner. Their coats were very pretty too.

Name: Sarina Steintl
Age: 12
State: Montana


The Christmas Eve Adventure of Dill the Deer

My name is Sarina. I am from Montana and I am 12 years old. Let's get to it.

Once upon a time, a long time ago, in a far away winter forest near Frosty’s castle, there was a feisty whitetail buck named Dill. Now you may ask like others have, “Was he named after a dill pickle?” Of course not! (I hope..) Nevermind we are going on a rabbit trail. But, while we are on a rabbit trail lets find Dill’s bunny friend Bill. There he is! Look, he’s scurrying through the snow with Dill under their Christmas tree. "Hellooooo out there! Who, who goes there?," hooted a voice. Bill and Dill stopped in their tracks and turned around. They wondered who was calling them. It was Ova the barn owl! Greeting each other with a hoot, a grunt, and a crunch (Bill was chewing on a carrot) they caught up on the forest news.

Hopping with excitement, Bunny Bill shouted that he heard Santa was coming this year. Dill and Ova Owl looked at Bill with doubt. Bunny Bill suggested they stay up to see Santa arrive. That night the moon was full, shining lots of light through the branches of the snowy forest. As they watched they whispered what they’d like Santa to bring them.

Bunny Bill wanted a carrot, but not for himself. He needed it for Frosty the snowman since he accidently nibbled too much of his last nose. Ova Owl said that she’d like a boyfriend to fly through the skies with. Dilly Deer just wanted to know how he got his silly, Dilly name. His nose or his ears weren't shaped like a pickle. He didn’t smell like a pickle. He didn’t live in a glass jar, like a snow globe, like pickles do. If only he could find his mom to ask how he got his name.

Then in the distance they heard the faint jingling of bells! A sleigh was coming. Could it be SANTA? It was! In his sleigh was an enormous carrot, and proudly perched on Santa’s shoulder was Oscar the owl, who flew over to see Ova. Heading the sleigh was Daisy Deer, Dill's mom. All the animals were in awe of what they saw! Santa surprised them with fresh berries, acorns, some grain, and the carrot for Bill. They thanked Santa for his gifts. And, Daisy Deer shared with Dill how she named him “Dill” because she craved the fragrant dill in the fields near the forest before he was born. Hearing this reminded Dill of the warmth of summer to come and warmed his heart that cold winter’s night.

Name: Sawyer Pierson (my son)
Age: 9
State: Minnesota

Coyotes In My Dreams


Last summer my family and I took a trip from northern Minnesota through North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota. During the trip we saw elk, moose, bison, prairie dogs, antelope, wild horses, mule deer and white tailed deer. A scary part of our trip was when a bison almost rammed our van. One of my favorite parts of the trip was hearing coyotes while we slept in our tent at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
My mom, dad, sisters, and I were all cozied up in our sleeping bags that night in our tent next to the Little Missouri River. We were drifting off to sleep after talking about our adventures of the day. Suddenly we heard a yipping howl that sounded close by. I didn’t panic. I thought I knew what I was hearing but it was still a little scary. Dad calmed us by telling us it was just a coyote. I finally drifted back to sleep with coyotes calling in my dreams.
We had a great trip and saw lots of animals but we never did see a coyote. I have always imagined the coyote we heard looked like the one in my picture.

Name: Nathaniel Steintl
Age: 10
State: Montana

MYSTERY OF FROZEN WATER
By Samuel Steintl from Montana
Age 14

“The ice is thickening!” Baby brother beaver worried. “Mama? How will Santa Beaver come if the water is frozen over?”

Saucy, sissy sister beaver squeaked and made a face at her brother.

Baby brother beaver turned and yelled, “Shut up, sis! You don’t know! I was asking mom.”

“Children!” Mama beaver exclaimed, “Santa Beaver won’t come to bratty baby beavers! You mustn’t talk like that! EVER! Santa Beaver comes to good little beavers who attend to their architectural studies, like gnawing down trees safely, building strong dams, and creating magnificent lodges. They eat all their saplings, and listen to their mom and dad.”

The calendar pages turn and before they knew it ‘twas Christmas Eve. Indeed, the lake was frozen thick with ice .

The now-good-little beavers hung up their tail socks. They set out aspen cookies for Santa Beaver and went to bed.

They lay awake wondering how Santa would come, as their lodge chimney was too small. Whispering together, they agreed to peak and see what’s up.

There he was! Their tail socks were bulging with sweet woody treats! His back was turned; he was leaving.

Saucy sister beaver gasped! "He looks like dad. Let’s follow him!”

Stealthily they tipped-toed after Santa and then…

“He went out the tunnel!” a surprised baby brother beaver squeaked.” That’s why the frozen water doesn’t keep him away!”

Mystery solved. Two sleepy beavers went to sleep satisfied, for sure.