09/06/2008
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Staff photo by Thomas Michael Corcoranfrom the Kennebec Journal
Sport of Kings
Collins: Detecting 'home-grown terrorists' difficult
Recession over? Don't tell the hungry
Downtown remains optimistic
Health-care bill clears key hurdle
A chance to cash in
A tough way to end it
Windham pulls away to win Class A title
All of today's:
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from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
Old building gets new lease on life
Freedom brings perils along with privileges, Sen. Collins says
At food pantries, recession still very much alive
BILL CLEARS KEY HURDLE IN SENATE
FARMINGTON Volunteers take day to replace roof
OAKLAND Sewer project finishes first phase, ready for next
Black Bears fall to Wildcats in finale
Eagles rally to state title
All of today's:
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from the Morning Sentinel
"Are you selling furs?" she asked Wilson, excitedly.
"We'll have them tomorrow," Wilson answered. "We'll have some raccoons."
"I'll be sure to bring my money," she said with a grin, before bounding off again to find her family, who were selling an assortment of traps, tools and pelts.
The little girl's request might be out of place at the mall, but at the Maine Trappers Association Sportsman Rendezvous, which began Friday, the request is typical.
For many at the rendezvous, trapping is not just a sport or a hobby, it is a finely-honed skill that has been sharpened over decades. Many of the trappers, mostly men, started trapping as children, guided by their fathers or grandfathers.
Trapping is not the same as hunting, however, Wilson said.
"When you're trapping, you're waiting for the animal to come to you," he said. "With hunting, you're seeking out the animal."
Tattooed men, some wearing bright orange or camoflauge-patterned caps, stood under a tent and watched an intensive demonstration how-to on trapping coyotes and bobcats. Others were selling foot traps and snares.
Jerry LeBeau, a North Anson man, proudly displayed the basswood fur stretchers that he makes and sells across the country.
"I've been trapping forever," he said, with a smile. "About 50 years or so. Started when I was 11 years old."
Terry Newton, who was intently checking out an array of oils used to attract certain animals, said he has trapped for 45 years. "I'd say I spend most of late fall and all winter trapping," Newton said.
Wilson, owner of Track and Trap Guide Service and vice president of Maine Trappers Association, has been trapping for at least 40 years, he said, including bears since 2001.
The love of the sport is one that runs through Wilson's family's veins. "My father and I trapped together," he recalled. "My son didn't have much interest in it himself, but my grandson does and I passed it along to him."
The result of the catch, several trappers at the rendezvous said Friday, is a feeling of accomplishment.
"You have the feeling of knowing that you've placed your wits against the animal's," Wilson said. "The animal could go anywhere, but the point is, you have made him step in that one spot where the trap is."
With trapping -- be it a muskrat, pine marten or bear -- also comes an unspoken code of conduct among those who love it.
Though there is no legal limit on how much a trapper can take, aside from a limit of 10 fishers and 25 pine martens a year, most in the business believe limits on how many animals one catches should be exercised.
"Most trappers are conservationists, too," Wilson said. "(Animals) are a renewable resource."
The rendezvous continues today and tomorrow at the Silver Spur Riding Club grounds in Sidney. There will be the sale of pelts, traps for land animals and fish and supplies, demonstrations on trapping techniques and talks on catch limitations and habitat management.
The rendezvous is one of three held in Maine; the others are in Bethel and Carrabassett Valley.
Meghan V. Malloy -- 623-3811, Ext. 431
mmalloy@centralmaine.com
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