Coyote Days 2025 will be August 15th & 16th at the Niobrara Co. Fairgrounds, in Lusk, WY

I’ll be posting details soon, but just wanted to get the dates out, so people can start planning

Thanks. John

Thanks John. Already made reservations

Hoping to make it again this year.

Thanks, guys

I also wanted to mention that this year, we are going to dedicate Coyote Days to our good friend Tom Pindell

Tom (aka CATTRAX) passed away in September, after suffering a stroke while elk hunting here in Wyoming

He is missed very much by myself and my family, and was a very valued part of Coyote Days every year, and helped in planning it more ways than I can list

We will do everything we can to make it a memorable event in Tom’s honor

^^^^^ How do you “like” a post!!!

RIP my friend.

I just made my motel reservations to attend my 4th Coyote days. How many of you are planning on going this year?

No doubt the highest level trapping instruction you'll get in a convention-style setting. The setting and facilities are great, and the Graham family hospitality was off the chart. I enjoyed every minute.

I’ll be there!

Last year was our 1st and not our last, we'll be there.
Great town to visit and great event.
We learned a ton and bought too much stuff, lol.

ttt

Great to hear from so many people that are planning on attending!

I’ll be posting the demo list very soon, and you won’t be disappointed.!

Thanks, John

Thanks. I hope to make it.
Sorry to hear of CAT… RIP.

Osky

Hope to see you there Osky

I wonder if the famous Pizza Restaurant will be open on weekends this year?

It was only closed 2 or 3 times all last year, and the weekend of Coyote Days was one of them!

I’m still mad, but we’ll do everything we can to have them open that weekend

I'll be there.

Good. Bringing the wife?

We are planning on coming.

Yes. We're in the Black hills on vacation the 5 days prior. Worked out good this time!

I’d like to make it. A lot depends on my wife’s stroke recovery and whether the shop can get my one ton pickup back to running reliably so I can load my camper.

What is the cost for the weekend?

I’m sorry it has taken so long to post the demo list for Coyote Days 2025

It’s a star studded lineup again, and I assure you that any and all questions you may have about canines and ‘cats, and beaver trapping too, will be addressed at this great event

Fur Trapping, Predator Control Trapping, Snaring, Line Management, Fur Put-Up, and so much more…

DEMOS COYOTE DAYS 2025

Bill Ilchik- NV Bobcat Trapping
Joel Blakeslee- NV Bobcat Trapping
Les Johnson- NE Calling Coyotes Predator Quest Style
Brandy James- OR Predators
Larry Bowden- SD Bobcats
Joe Bowden- Bobcats
Boone Liane- SD Coyote Trapping
John Barnum- OR Bobcat Trapping
Allan Olson- SD Bobcats
Brad Troftgruben- WY Predator Control Trapping
Tracy Truman -Bobcat Trapping
Steve Pahlen- MN - Beaver Trapping
Mike Halonen- MN Beaver Trapping
Dick Pederson- WY Bobcat Put up A-Z
Kyle Krebs- ND Alternative Fur Uses
Dan Krogman- SD Coyotes
Mike Ross- MT Wolf Trapping
Todd Fairchild- CO Bobcat Put-Up Start to Finish
Travis Chilson- SD Coyote ADC Methods
John Nolan- MT Coyote Fur Harvesting
John Graham- WY Snaring Coyotes & ‘Cats

As you can see, ALL the bases are covered, and I’d hate to venture a guess on how many combined years of experience will be represented at this year’s event!

Also, new this year, a slight change in the format, after much consideration…

On Friday night, the 5 o’clock ’demo’ will be a BOBCAT Round Table Discussion, featuring any and all of the ‘Bobcat Guys’ I’d expect to run until 6 pm or even later, and then we’ll take maybe an hour or so break and then start the CANINE Roundtable with the ‘Coyote Guys’ at approximately 7:30 pm

These roundtable discussions are very well received, and we will field questions from the crowd, and let some of the most qualified trappers in the world answer them!

2 Bobcats will be skinned, fleshed, and stretched, with a resulting professionally handled product, ready for market.
We will do one each day, in mid-morning.

We will also take the almost inevitable August heat in to consideration, and do a few of the late afternoon demos in either the open air pavilion or inside the main building

Coyote Days is about learning as well as sharing, and ALL of our demo presenters, as well as every attendee is encouraged to meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, and come and talk trapping

If you are interested in saving your deer herd, or your livestock, and want to learn how to do it, this is the place to be, as some of the best predator guys in the business will be here, and are willing to share their knowledge and experience

If you want to learn how to put up BOBCATS in numbers, there is NO other place to learn what you will at Coyote Days!

Since last years event, I’ve had attendees tell me their personal ‘cat catches had doubled, and in a few cases, even tripled, after watching the great, in-depth demos on ‘cats. That is a great testament to the vast amount of knowledge and methods that are shared.

I’ll post more details as we get closer, but we are only 2 months away!

If you need a motel room, I encourage you to book early, as the entire town WILL be sold out when the event takes place

Campgrounds are close too, and there’s a lot of tent type camping right on the grounds, as well as 11 electric hook ups and showers at north end of fairgrounds

And, Coyote Days 2025 will be dedicated to our close family friend Tom Pindell, that many of you know as CATTRAX

Tom left many of us with lots of great memories and moments when he left us last Fall. He was a huge part of planning and putting on Coyote Days every year, and also spent a lot of time in the field with me. A true friend, trapper, fisherman, and all around outdoorsman. This is just a small tribute to a very special person.

Start making plans to attend!

Coyote Days 2025
August 15-16
Lusk WY


Thanks everyone

John Graham

Awesome line up again this year, with the exception of that left handed lawyer. John Barnum and Boone Laine were two of the demos that made the entire trip worth while.
If you really want to up your game, there simply isn't another event that can hold a candle to what John Graham has put together in Lusk.

Looks like another great one, John. Times goes by. It doesn’t seem like 10 months.already.

I’m sorry, I didn’t address a previous question.

The cost to attend Coyote Days is $20 for 18 years old and above.
We give you a wristband to wear for the weekend

This is a small fraction of what even a single demo is worth.

Kids are free and very much welcome!

The banquet on Saturday night will be $25 still.

There is no pre-registration required for anything

Thanks, John

Thanks for the update John. Tom will be dearly missed.

Tracy, it will be good to see you again.

It looks like a Good One again! Thanks for the update John.

Thanks, everyone, and it will be great to see everyone again!

There is a few new eating places in Lusk now too, so Thursday and Friday evenings have options too

We’ve paid attention to requests and suggestions, and will try to do what we can to make the weekend event enjoyable

Coyote Days is based around the 20 (actually 21 with the roundtables) demos

The main building we use at south end of grounds will have 1/3 the space used for tables for people to visit, eat a meal from the concession stand, and to enjoy the A/C

We encourage everyone to visit and meet new friends and see old friends that they only see at Coyote Days every August

We are buying stuff for bucket raffle at the banquet, have 3 guns here, and wil be ordering buckles, T-shirts, and other items this week

We’ll also be planning a few things for kids to do

Lusk has a really nice modern public swimming pool, and several little shops on Main Street

There is plenty to see and do in a 100 Mile radius too

All 5 motels are close by the fairgrounds, and a few minute walk

I’ll keep you informed on more updates and details as we get closer

And, as I’ve mentioned before, on August 15-16, ALL tracks leads to Coyote Days in Lusk, WY

Have a great Father’s Day everyone

John

ttt

thinking i might make it

It's been a few years for me personally, but I've got that weekend blocked out on my schedule now. Planning to roll into the campground Thursday night, if the good Lord is willing and the creek don't rise.

Hope you can and I would like to meet you.

Bring Craig with you. He ain't busy

ttt

Just to answer a few questions we’ve had recently …

There will no doubt be a No fire ban in affect at the fairgrounds, so no need to bring firewood for a campfire!

I know it’s a big part of camping, but we’re usually just too hot and dried out by then to risk any open flames

2nd, YES, there will be a fur fashion show at the banquet on Saturday night. IF you or your wife or travelling companion want to bring a fur garment and want to be included, bring it along with you ! We encourage the use of fur, and appreciate the fact that people are willing to wear it

3rd, YES, by all signs, the Pizza Place on Main Street WILL be open!

And, there is a new eating place or two in town as well
The 3 Sisters Cafe in Manville, 9 miles west is also open too, with limited hours

Lusk is a ‘crossroads’ town, where east-west and North-South highways cross
That’s why there are 5 motels, and various eating establishments in a small Wyoming town

We DO have some of the highest gas prices around too, so take that in to consideration possibly

Other things to see coming and going is Natural Bridge, about 60 miles west, and Fort Laramie, about a 50 minute trip south

The area around Scott’s Bluff, Nebraska is full of history too, as it is on the Oregon Trail along the Platte River

Sorry, not much in the way of fishing close by, so plan on that coming and/or going if that is your thing

I hope that answers some of the questions, feel free to drop us a line on f you hade any more!

Thanks, John

When you need ones help opinions change!

The Natural Bridge turnoff is about 10 miles west of Douglas on I-25 and 10 miles south. Wyoming state park. Well worth the hour or so to go there, it's drop dead beautiful and a good place for a picnic and snooze or just pictures.

Hope to see you there Bill

Ok Folks, just a few more things and an update

First, Otis Latham will be coming back again this year, and he’s taking pre orders for his high end Basswood stretchers, to make sure that he’ll have enough to meet the demand with the current ‘cat market.

Otis’s stretchers have been the industry standard with the popular Nevada Stretch over the last several years.

He also makes great Coyote stretches, and I know he makes an adjustable skunk stretcher too! Send him a PM (ColoradoCat). He and Joy almost always sell out, so they really appreciate pre-orders!

Also, regarding the Saturday Night Banquet….

It is basically the culmination of the weekend, and is always a fun part of it
It is $25/person, and tickets can be purchased at the main desk throughout the weekend, and also at the door.

Our crew grills steaks, and we also serve baked potatoes, vegetable, etc.

The ticket will include 1 chance for the door prize, which will be a rifle

There will also be a bucket raffle with 20 buckets representing items that will be on display. Tickets are $1 a chance, and tickets will be sold at the door of the banquet.

The banquet also includes a guest speaker or two, a fur fashion show, and a live auction for various items, with some being earmarked for the scholarship/endowment fund. Also, an awards ceremony, and some recognition for guests and demo presenters.

It is fairly fast paced, and lively, and we encourage everyone to attend!

Also, I’ve been asked again if the Museum of the Fur Trade will be open the day after, (Sunday) and by all indications, yes, it is open on Sundays. After clean up, several of us have made the trip over to Chadron NE. to enjoy the museum, and we plan on doing it again this year. It’s truly world class.

Time is flying by, and it’ll be here before we know it!

Thanks, John

ttt

Hi John,
I am looking forward to Coyote Days again. It just gets better and better. Always look forward to seeing old friends and making some new ones.
It is the premier convention in my world and the greatest exchange of coyote and bobcat trapping and fur handling information bar none.
I have a new pup that I'm working with, is there any problem if I bring him along if he stays on a leash?
I will see you Thursday afternoon.
Larry

What breed of pup?

Thanks for the great testimonial!

Glad to have you and Joe in the demo line up

Yeah, we don’t mind having dogs on leashes, we just have to play it by ear with other dogs that might be there, you know the drill

But, bearing mind that it could very well be 100 degrees during the day, and that’s been an issue with people bringing dogs in the past, but that’s a call you’ll have to make.

Most motels have a strict no pets policy, and also smoking rooms are becoming things of the past from what I’ve been told

Time is flying by fast, and we’re getting calls and messages from people that are coming for the first time this year!

The Demo List is another great one, and things are coming together!

Have a great weekend everyone,

John

Thanks John. I will be bringing cat,,coyote,skunk boards. If you wanna make sure to get some. Pre order please. I am not on here often. But you can call or text 970 812 7473

Could I get some skunk boards..,...

Goldador, half lab and half golden retriever.

I am a dog lover. How old is the pup? If you bring it, I would like to see it.

John, not gonna make the trip this year. Keep the light on for me the following year, please!

How you been lee? We will miss you. I need to make a trip to again Kansas one of these years

John, any skunk demos lol?

Sorry to hear that, Lee!

No skunk demos this year, although I’ve had calls asking if I had any

Bobcats seem to be the interest in the west, and rightfully so, and guys interested in in-depth coyote knowledge

I’m going to watch your beaver demo, because I just might live by water some day!

We’re hearing from lots of people coming, and many are bringing friends this year. It’s going to be a good one !

Have a good day guys, and try to stay cool

John

Dammit was hopeing to hang out with ya again

Yeah, I feel the same way. Gonna miss hanging out with y’all. Gonna make it more special for 26!

Steve, gonna miss seeing you…..you know your welcome here anytime.

Demo Update-

Keith Gregerson, from Rounduo, MT will be returning to Coyote Days this year!

Keith will take the 19th demo spot, and he says he has ‘several new things to run by those folks’

He’s been around since the 70’s, and was the pioneer of western snaring, and had huge catches of ‘cats and coyotes to his credit.

The originator or the Gregerson Snare, and developer of so many things that we take for granted nowadays

From snares to suspenders, Keith carries it

He’ll be towing his ‘Montana Mini Mall’ with a pile of Interesting and handy items on board.

Thanks, everyone, have a great day

John

Good news.

Keith is a lot of fun and worth listening close to. Was wondering about him.

Wonder if he has any of that hard candy!

The 1950’s civil defense candy?

The stuff he sold by the can, and also the little zip lock bags to put it in to sell in school for .50 cents and make an 1100% profit margin? (I’ve heard him give the sales pitch to many a kid)

I’ll have to ask !

Back in the late 90's Keith drove all the way to Illinois to put on a beaver snaring demo for the state licensed nuisance trappers...the state had just started the program a few years prior.
He did a great job showing us rookie snare men how to properly snare beaver. He sold quality products then and I'm sure he does now. Quite the character....loaded with experience and knowledge.

Yep remember Keith at rondezvous in Mn.. snareman exordinair !

Good evening. What time will everything start on Friday? A couple of us are coming up from Texas. Thanks

The doors to main building we use at south end of fairgrounds will open at 6 a.m. for breakfast, but the event starts officially at 7:45, a.m. with honoring the flag and a live ‘Star Spangled Banner’ sung by a local girl that has been starting us off for years now.

After that, I do a quick introduction, and the demos start at 8 a.m., and continue on for the rest of the day

Each demo starts at the top of the hour both days

Texas? Thanks for making the long trip!

I hope it’ll be at least a little cooler in Wyoming for

The demos line up is a great one again, and the presenters will be sharing a pile of hard earned knowledge !

From fur harvesting to predator control, there isn’t a better place to learn and share

Fort Laramie, The Black Hills, Fort Robinson, Ne., The Museum of the Fur Trade, and a lot more can be experienced coming and going for a lot of folks

Like all trapper ‘get togethers’, Coyote Days is a great place to meet and visit with like minded individuals that share our love for trapping and the outdoors. Trust me when I say that the knowledge and experience represented here is unparalleled

$20 buys you access to 100’s of years of knowledge, and it’s not the kind that can be learned from YouTube videos!

Coyote Days 2025

August 15-16 at Niobrara Co. Fairgrounds in Lusk WY.

Thanks everyone, have a great Sunday

John

ttt

Last ye

Last year Demos started at 8 AM. A young lady with a beautiful voice sang the National Anthem a few minutes before it started.

Exactly one month to Coyote Days. Time is going by fast.

Yes, we have the same girl coming to sing, and she does a great job

We have another option close by with trailer hookups. It’s literally right out the front gate and a block to the NW across highway. Probably a 3 minute walk to main building and demo area
14-307 CAMPING. (307) 315-5753

Yes, we’re a month away

Lots of new people coming!

I’ll add in more in a day or two

Thanks, John

I’ve mentioned this earlier, but it’s worthy of mentioning again… Coyote Days 2025 is dedicated to our close family friend, Tom Pindell, from Wheatland WY.

Tom is possibly better known as ‘CATTRAX’ by many people.
He passed away after suffering a stroke while elk hunting last fall.

Tom was so many things to many people, and the list is long. He was a main planner, helper, consultant, and friend that was a main reason Coyote Days even happened in the first place.

He is missed…..

But, we’ll honor him in great fashion this year’s Coyote Days

We’re 4 weekends away now, and about this time on Sunday we are all cleaned up, stuff put away, the demo area is cleared of rocks, logs, branches, sage, and all the stuff demo presenters bring and possibly leave behind

Things are really coming together, and I’ll be putting the final demo list and times together in next 10 days or so.

To make it clear, there isn’t a ‘best day’ to come for demos at Coyote Days!

We have hourly demos, and the action doesn’t stop

No fillers

There’s good food at the concessions in main building, and a person can run in and grab a quick bite and still take in the next demo

We’ll have the bobcat round table at 5 pm on Friday evening, and the Canine round table at about 7:30 pm
That will give people a chance to go eat supper in between

We have options on open field, an open air pavilion, and a Quonset building to have demo’s in

Weather will not affect us!

One more thing, we’re hearing more and more from guys that are bringing a friend or two this year.
That is great, and we’re glad to hear it!

We’ll have some great raffle items, and we only sell tickets for them at Coyote Days, so all winners WILL be an attendee!

Remember, on August 15-16 all tracks lead to Coyote Days in Lusk WY

Get your motel rooms reserved now, or book you spaces at camping areas

Yes, there are 11 electric hookups on the grounds, and there are showers and bathrooms there too

Whatever you prefer, there is an option for you

I’m ordering the steak loins for the crew to cut for the Saturday night banquet this week!
While some of us are at round tables, the behind the scenes helpers that help put the event on every year is doing what it takes to keep things rolling as smooth as possible

It’s all coming together, and again, there is lots to see and visit coming and going

Families are welcome!

Have a great Sunday,

John

We are looking forward to attending this year. Thanks for the update, John.

Tom was a good friend and a great photographer.

John I know of at least 8 that are from MN that are coming, four of those are new attendees.

Mike Halonen 's beaver demo is a can't miss. Don't let him fool ya though, I think his wife is a better trapper.

I and my friend Bob will be attending.

Was planning on Montana Rondy, but John twisted my arm to come here instead. Rooms booked and heading out Thursday morning. Looks like a good lineup John!

You'll have a good time. Swing by camp cattrax and visit.

Stop at devils tower on your way home. Not very far out of the way

Steve49er and Cattrax put on THE WORLD's BEST WALLEYE fry. Man those guys can cook.

We tell everyone it's walleye but in reality it's a mix. Several dudes supply the main course. Walleye, perch, catfish and even some white bass thrown in.

Be good to visit again Tracy. 4 weeks out.
Hopefully someone remembers the watermelon.

We went to Devils last summer and will probably head home on the south side of the Black Hills to see the forts & fur museum. A lot of stuff to cram in by Monday. Cody would be nice, but I’ll be heading west again next year. Not sure why, but I rarely go east, Escanaba being the furthest. Must be the mountains or the people?….lol
I’ll see if I can find your set up. I’m guessing the camping is right close by?