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Education, awareness are focus of festival

by Anita Locke

The 34th Annual Trapper’s Carnival was held at the Apsley Community Centre last Saturday.

It was organized by the Kawartha Haliburton Trappers Association, an organization that was created 36 years ago.

About 500 guests – trappers, family, community members and others – attended the event, which featured all-day fur handling demonstrations, door prizes, games such as “Guess the Weight of the Beaver”, and numerous skills competitions including trap-setting, pelt preparation, a tomahawk throw, nail-driving and more.

The event is a fun and interactive way to promote education and increase awareness about the industry, and included those who are avid fur harvesters to outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone interested in learning more about trapping and fur harvesting.

Kim Dunford, Secretary-Treasurer of the association says, “Trappers see themselves as true conservationists. Wild fur is a renewable resource and our organization assists in the management of fur bearers.”

Kim is the co-founder of the Kawartha Haliburton Trappers Association.

“People are usually quite surprised at the history behind fur harvesting and how important it is to the Canadian economy,” he says.

“Our goal for the event is to not only promote responsible fur management among trappers, but to also provide public education for those who are unfamiliar with the industry.

“Trapping,” Kim adds, “is done very humanely.”

A large number of youth were in attendance at the event, and have shown interest in carrying on the tradition.

In addition to competitions and games, guests could also access services such as on-site knife sharpening, fur remodeling and repair, new and custom fur creations, trapper information and numerous vendors offering a variety of trapping and hunting-related equipment and sales.

Dave Bosma, a representative of Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. based out of North Bay, was also on hand at the event. Furs are sold internationally, with some of the largest markets being in China and Russia. The furs are used in the garment industry; three auctions are held annually.

Pelts include raccoon, mink, otter, muskrat, weasel, squirrel, skunk, opossum, wolf, wolverine, polar bear, marten, fisher, fox, badger, coyote, lynx and beaver.

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