NE then KS conventions

Going to be my first time attending.

Looking forward to them just not the drive.

Have no idea what to expect so far as crowds. Are these typically small, medium or big?
100 people or 1,000? Really don't know what to expect.

ML

Bassett NE and McPherson KS.

ML

McPherson is were I grew up. Looking forward to seeing you there.

This one will b my first so not sure how big a crowd.

Mercer: are you the last trapper in California?....Seems I read your name in an article posted on here before..

pretty small

You should have came to coyote days.....

Not a knock on either but I’d be surprised if there was 300 through the door at either one and there will probably be a fair number of the same people at both. The last few times I attended both I thought Kansas was a little stronger. While there is a fair number of cats in both states the quality is poor for most so not a strong draw, Lots of coyotes but coon is still king in this country and with the crummy market trappers numbers and interest has taken a hit

This will be my 3rd Nebraska convention in a row. I thought they were very well attended

The Last CA trapper? Depends on how you figure it I guess. Once a trapper always a trapper I figure. Of course their are no "active" trappers here anymore. Probably just a few who travel out of state like me. Really can't say. When we lost bobcat trapping a few years ago we all just kind of quit talking to one another.

It's a real shame what has happened here. This state is just swirling around the toilet bowl for anyone with conservative values. I think back over the years to all the pictures customers sent me of trapping with their kids and families. Sad to think that will never be brought back. I could go on and on but it's just depressing.

I had a good run here. High end cats, unlimited harvest and low competition. Easily 3-400g hauled to the fur sale over the years. And yet somehow despite desperately needing protection they were there year after year for more than thirty years that I chased them.

Never really needed or wanted to move. Lots of reasons now. Looking forward to when I do so I can make fun of this place like everybody else.

ML

I’ll be there and looking forward to it!

Planning on being in Bassett on Friday. Looking forward to meeting you.

Don't know if we are even having a conv this year.. Pretty quite

Mercer I have nothing but respect for you and your kind.In a way you are the 'last' and I am sure your story and what transpired over the years out there needs to be told on why we need to back our trapping assoc!

No doubt Marathon.
I predict in the next few years, maybe several years we will see either complete trapping bans or at minimum extreme restrictions in New Mexico, Nevada and most likely the first loss will occur in Colorado.
I feel like what is happening in some Western States is a symptom of Trump derrangment syndrome. The Libs are so frustrated that in the states where they have power they are just stomping up and down on anything conservative and trapping is an easy get.
It's just so much deeper than trapping though.

My analogy would be one of these desert springs/developed cattle waters.
For 20 plus years the BLM, Federal govt, protectionists have run all the cattlemen off, ended mining, closed roads, created wilderness etc. etc. They have run all the user groups that used to care for the desert away. So the waters that used to be kept open and operating are now abandoned and miles behind road closures. They used to be teaming with wildlife. Now all the biodiversity is just gone. Nothing lives there anymore. No quail, chukar, deer, sheep nothing. If you counted the tens of millions of insects, reptiles etc. the amount of death caused by "saving" it would be staggering.

I feel like this is what is happening to society through liberalism.

Associations are important but voting is paramount. I just wish there was someway to fix states like CA, AZ, CO, NV where the large cities have so much representation that they control everything.

My depressive rant for the day,

ML

I am looking forward to the Basset ,NE convention. Had a great time last year in WestPoint!! Demo lineup looks good. 27th and 28th for those that are wondering.

Will be going to both. Have made the Ne rondy for years, and have never missed a Ks one. What your analogy of liberalism is spot on, Mercer. I am looking forward to meeting you and we can kick the disease under the bus for a few days at least! Maybe figure out a way to save the country and the world! Drive safe!

Stop by the kid's trap throw and I will put you to work on Saturday around 11.30. Ours (NE Convention) is better than the Nationals by far. We have the traditional throw and a DP Drop and have had a Conibear toss in the past when we have the donated traps. It lasts about an hour and I guarantee kids (boys and girls) are as happy there as if they caught their first mink! .... the Mike

This sounds like a great conversation. Care if I join in?

Fontana KS? Never knew there was such a place.

I grew up in Fontana CA.

ML

Oh my. The lollipop truckstop. Been awhile since I thought of that place

You just have to know where to look and who to talk to

Ha ha, not anything alike, I assure you!

Eric, you got inside space next weekend?

Mercer, I am fairly certain Fontana Ks has no connection to comifornia. We did have to wright letters to kids in Fontana Ca when in grade school. As I recall they had a lot more students than the 12 in my class.

John, you had better find the Ne convention. Half the reason for driving that far is so you can give the old lady a hard time.

Lee we have plenty of space inside.

Very well said, Mercer! So sad to see what goes on over there. Some kind of County voting is very necessary, not sure if it can ever be implemented though.