Brian Love
With the support of the Rainy River District School Board, the district trapping council was able to host a spring fur-handling workshop at Donald Young School in Emo on Saturday.
The gym was abuzz of activity, with the sharing of skills and stories, along with demonstrations of fur-handling skills both local, regional, and international.
The day was capped with a fur-handling critique and competition judged by Dave Bewick of North American Fur Auction from Winnipeg.
More than 100 people turned out Saturday to participate in the fur-handling workshop. Its purpose was to share best practises for fur handling and to promote the wise use of fur as a renewable resource.
A crucial objective of the council is to encourage young people to get out from behind the computers and social media and get involved in the outdoors.
The final goal of the workshop was to revitalize the local trapping community, as well as increase membership and participation in conservation and stewardship of our natural resources.
The workshop was an active, hands-on experience. Ten district trappers worked on different species from marten to otter, bobcat, beaver, and timber wolf.
There also were opportunities for young people to try their hand at fur preparation.
Jim Rogenrud, a champion speed skinner from International Falls, gave several demonstrations of his expertise. Bewick, meanwhile, evaluated the commercial quality of locally-produced beaver, marten, and fisher.
He spoke very highly of the quality of the fur on display.
Winners of the fur-handling competition were:
•Beaver–1, Colin Johnson 2. Ralph Hill
•Fisher–1. Ralph Hill 2. Ron Martinuk
•Marten–1. Donna King 2. Brian Love
To complement the presentations, Dwaine Brown, provincial vice-president of the Ontario Fur Federation, was on hand to demonstrate proper handling of a timber wolf and to update everyone on provincial, national, and international issues.
MNR staff Mark Goboski and Travis Stromness also were on hand to provide information to the public.
