for those who missed MinktoberFest...

You missed a GREAT one!

I've been to 9 out of 10; and in many ways...it was the BEST!

but, they've ALL been Fantastic!

Thanks, Don & Candi!

just SOME of the highlights...

Crit R Callin' with Major Boddicker.

also featuring Mr. Slim Pederson, Mr. Russ Carman, Mr. Gerald Schmitt, Red O'Hearn and many other less-well-known, but VERY knowledgeable Trappers!

btw...Mr. O'Hearn's stories (alone!) are worth the price of admission!

also heard a GREAT bobcat/suitcase story that Mr. Charles Dobbins had admitted to being a part of...

Another great event by Don Powell!

hats off Don for sure

Truly a great event. Until you go you will never be able to understand how great of an event this is!!!! And the food - probably most everyone there put on 3 to 5 pounds!!!

Awesome event and it was great to see Candi doing so well.

that's the best news i've heard from minkfest yet Nittany.good to hear.

I can see I missed out on a lot

Dates wouldn't work for me this year. Don has been after me to come for years now, and always something that won't work. This year was the same as the Ks rondy, and I have never missed the state rondy, so was a no brainer. Red O'Hearns wife Cindy and their daughter came to Ks to take up the slack of Red being in Pa! Very glad to hear that Candi is getting along well. Don, I'll keep my fingers crossed for another one!

Where is minktoberfest? Pardon the stupid question.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Thanks. Charlie.

The best guys keep showing up. Everyone becomes a welcomed part of the group and so many leave with lifelong friendships. Some characters for sure but all of the highest character. Kids seemed to have a great time this year. I see that each year the quality of the people attending attracts more knowledgeable trappers who want to share. Digging the Well Deeper has been a common theme and the days of keeping secrets has disappeared as many of the older guys want to help those less experienced. We all recognize that we have to pass it on or our way of life will soon no longer exist. I thank you for the compliments but if ever there was a group effort it is Minktoberfest.

I just hate that I missed this one, I have my fingers crossed that there will be another Minktoberfest. I have made 2 and it is unlike any event in trapping{ truly special event with special people}.

x2 paloduro

There will be another Minktoberfest, That was great news to hear this year. I think it is already on the books, but I don't know the date.

i can make you a promise i'll be there no matter what i have to do.

Wish I did'nt have to leave saterday morning.Had a wonderfull time. I'll be back next year.

Well we missed you Saturday. Your contributions were well received. Thanks.

Someone please tranquilize that rodent that sends us an extra six months of Winter every Spring!

don't be dissin' on Phil!

WHen Phil shows up at Minktoberfest it means 6 more weeks til mink season. Make the trek sometime to a Trapper's Mecca- Is Minktoberfest on your bucket list?

YES!

and it SHOULD be on every real Trapper's List!

Phil is a nice fella

This was my first Minktober Fest. I’ve never attended anything like it. Awesome is the only word I can think of. There were many highlights for me. However, I keep thinking about a story Dr. Major Boddicker told. It moved me deeply.
I had never met Major before. He is a fabulous speaker. He told of a beaver he and his family raised (in the house). I think he said they named it “The Beaver”. He’d brought it home in his front pocket. They had it for several years. Major described and imitated the sounds the beaver made to communicate.

The Beaver liked watching TV and would scratch on the entertainment center until someone would turn on the TV. His favorite show was The Road Runner. Major became emotional while telling the story. At some point in time Major’s wife said the Beaver had to go. Seems that when Beaver would get agitated he’d spread castor on the living room carpet. The Beaver was released in to the wild and apparently made the adjustment.

I wish I had recorded this story as my words cannot do it justice.
Mark

I hope Don makes a DVD of that story.

Nothing can compare with Minktoberfest. Outstanding people, great exchange of ideas, great food. Got my picture taken with Punxsatawney Phil. Disappointed that I had to leave at noon on Saturday. Thank you Don and Candi and all others that helped out.

Fisher Man, it was good meeting and talking to you. I was wondering what happened to you as I wanted to talk a bit more Saturday evening.

I wish I would have been able to attend this year. Such a great event. Hope y’all didn’t let Red get out of hand... that guy is so entertaining and second to none when it comes to teaching trapping.

Red O’hern is like the Dalai Lama of trapping education

I think Paul Dobbins would have been honored with the many stories about his dad as were shared by Mark Kohler. Charlie Dobbins had a special place in the hearts of many and for sure with Mark.

Paul Dobbins would make an awesome addition to Minktoberfest.

Agreed!

I've also been trying to get fossil2 to attend, as well as Lee Steinmeyer and others.

Charles Dobbins and Kermit Stearns were the first two inducted into the Mink Trapper's Hall of Fame.

Nittany Lion, It was a pleasure meeting you. I too would have enjoyed chatting with you. I was most disappointed when my ride announced that he wanted to leave. The plan had been for him to go home Sunday morning. I've learned my lesson; next time I drive. Hope to see you next year, or at the Clearfield Convention. I own a second home 20 miles from there.

It was a great time had by all .
Boddickers stories were great , Red O'hearn is always entertaining .
He needs to do stand up in a Cornfield Comedy Club !
Don & Candi put on the best trappers event you could ever come too.
The Food , is excellant .
I agree , Paul Dobbins needs to attend next year .

This was my first year to attend. There can't be enough praise given or description of how awesome this event is. I've been attending trapping events since the early eighties and this is truly one of a kind. It was great to see some old friends and also make new ones. I spent a couple hours one afternoon talking and mostly listening to Mr Pete. Thanks Don and Candi ! ! Dean

Colorful personalities all willing to share. Perhaps we all appreciated guys like Charles Dobbins, Kermit Stearns, Blackie and so many more that were willing to tell us their methods and techniques. Each year more come and more give. I appreciate the thank yous but it is me that should continue to thank everyone who attends conventions, contributes to forums like this and does demos from local to national stages. Thank you to the Trapperman site that is a great way to educate people everyday and thanks to everyone that ever made the trip to our camp.

It was one for the books for sure. It was nice to finally meet you Jim!
Mark, I too liked the story about the beaver. I think he said his favorite food was oreo cookies. Glad to meet you.
The time around the campfire after dinner was priceless. There were lots of stories - too many to remember. Mark Kohler has to be there next year again to tell the one about Charlie Dobbins and the bobcat in the suitcase. Red told some good ones.
I'm going to always remember standing on top of a hill listening to Major's Critr Call echoing over the valleys in the moon lite. What a perfect night. We heard several coyotes answer his calling. He sounds just like a coyote.
Dean - I was fascinated by the bear stories and the pictures you showed us. I think i remember you from the middle 80's in Goodfield IL with Ludy Sheda?
Thanks a million Don. You have given us something we can never repay. Thanks you to you and Candi for making us all feel at home. It was good to see you both.

I've received much more than we have given. One of our distinguished guests called yesterday saying that he planned on coming back next year. He said the difference he recognized was something he'd only seen in higher education. He called it "Peer Teaching"- That is when I understood the difference that we had stumbled upon. Minktoberfest has the best of the best sharing information with the best of the best. Peers sharing with Peers instead of Teachers lecturing to students. Some of the industry names that have already committed to next year promise to make 2020 pretty special. THere is no doubt I will never be able to repay that which has been given to me.