I was contacted by a father of a kid that attended the little youth event I did a week or so ago about his son having a lot of interest in trapping, asked if I could take him and his son on a ride along. As schedules go, they only had a few hours so we set out with modest expectations. The boy is 11 and he must have really paid attention in class because he was all over baiting and resetting traps as well as explaining the reasons for why we trap and the logic behind specific locations. We caught 5 possum, 3 coon, and 1 skunk while they were with me. I covered and demonstrated a couple different dispatch methods and safe approach/handling of animals. We covered skinning and freezing for selling green pelts as at 11 years old, getting him set up for finishing fur would be a bit more than they are ready for.
He got a few supplies at the original demo and at the end of our time, I gave him a couple DPs, stakes, gambrel, knife, tail stripper/splitter, and a fur comb. He was resetting and handling critters with the enthusiasm I remember having as a kid, very rewarding for me.
Pics are pretty horrible but I will post a few for those who might enjoy.

That's awesome! What a great day for the kid! Pics please!

That is awesome!!!! You have no idea what you have done for this young man. Thanks

Good man!!!

Thats nice of you and a good thing.
Bet you had a ball doing that.

Mac

Love it!

Good on you for getting the boy out there.

His smile says it all.

Well done and thanks for doing it too.

Good job maurob! Nothing better than getting the kids out there.

Great work. Hope the young man sticks with it.

Way to go.

Great job

I suspect you just made a very big difference in that kid's life, that he will forever remember you for.

Keith

Good job coach

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and time with that young man and his father.

If we all could do that at least one time per season by sharing and mentoring some of our young men and women, we sure would make great strides in furthering our efforts to ensure the future of trapping.