If you are a trapper or are interested in learning about trapping, you'll want to attend the Arkansas Trappers Association Spring Convention on Saturday at the Northwest Arkansas District Fairgrounds in Harrison.
Demonstrations will begin at about 8 a.m. and will include coyote trapping by Dana Smith, snaring by Dub Shankle, dog proof/live trapping by Scott Smith, raccoon trapping by Bobby Blair, raccoon snaring by Charlie Bass and fur handling by Aaron Hitchcock. There will be a 90-minute lunch break, and an auction will begin around 1:30 p.m.
Wayne Watson of Fayetteville, a member of the Arkansas Trappers Association District 1, said the event allows trappers to socialize and watch trapping demonstrations from some of the best trappers in Arkansas. Vendors also will be on hand selling supplies.
Bill Duke, owner of Duke Traps, has donated 12 coil spring traps and a dozen dog-proof traps to be given away as prizes to youngsters.
Trapping is a constitutional right in Arkansas under Amendment 88. It is an ecologically friendly conservation tool that is vital to the conservation of many kinds of wildlife besides fur bearers. Quail, turkeys, waterfowl and all other ground nesting birds benefit from the regulated control of fur bearers.
At the annual ATA fur sale Feb. 13 at Russellville, trappers sold 3,733 furs for $56,145. Bobcat furs sold for an average of $70, otter furs brought an average of $61.38, and red fox brought an average of $37.82. Raccoon furs averaged $7.60. Coyotes brought $17.01, beavers $14.03 and mink $19.15.
Watson said vendors may attend and display their wares for free, but they are expected to donate something for the auction. The Quality Inn is the host lodge and is offering a special rate of $76.49 for ATA conventioneers. Those who bring their RVs can get utility hookups for $20.
More information is available by emailing [email protected] or by contacting Watson at (479) 283-7004.
GREENWINGS
The Central Arkansas Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold a free "Special Needs Greenwings" event for 50 special needs children age 10-19 Saturday at Blue Rock Sportsman's Club in North Little Rock.
The event will consist of three segments, including a morning adventure, lunch and exhibits. The morning adventure will feature four conservation-based activities, as well as a DU paintball splat range with three-dimensional plastic targets, a children's archery range, a catfish fishing hole enclosure and an enclosed Daisy BB-gun range.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will sponsor the catfishing event, and the National Wild Turkey Federation will sponsor the BB-gun range. A designated helper will accompany each parent and child. A parent must be present at all times.
After lunch, there will be a retriever dog demonstration followed by a world champion duck call performance. A duck calling clinic will be held afterward for children who want to learn to use a duck call.
More information is available by calling Brian Minchew at (501) 920-3120, Earl Phillips at (501) 246-0334, or e-mailing [email protected]
DAVIS WATCH
Mark Davis of Mount Ida extended his lead in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with a fourth-place finish Sunday at the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament at Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, La.
Davis posted his fourth consecutive top-five finish in the event by catching a four-day total weight of 74 pounds and 7 ounces. That extended his lead to 42 points over Jared Lintner with five events to go.
Forty-two points is a healthy lead, but Davis said it is still too early to talk about winning. Davis won Angler of the Year in 1995, 1998 and 2001,
The next Bassmaster Elite Series tournament is May 15-18 at Lake Dardanelle State Park.
BFL NEWS
Dustin Huggins of Russellville won the the third FLW Bass Fishing League Arkie Division tournament and $3,926 Saturday at Greers Ferry Lake by catching five bass that weighed 10 pounds, 12 ounces.
Doug Thompson of Mabelvale, who finished ninth in the Bassmaster Classic at Birmingham, Ala., finished second (10-10/$1,963), followed by Steven Powell of Dardanelle (10-8/$1,309), Benjie Belton of Cabot (10-5/$916) and Chris Layton of North Little Rock (10-4/$785).
Sports on 05/08/2014