Minnesota Trappers Association

04/21/2026

D8 Owatonna Gun & Knife Show

What a heavily attended event! People came out late morning and stayed until close. Our booth offered tanned fur, raffle tickets, membership and calendars…we sold some of each! Over $2,500 in tanned fur sold to benefit our youth education program. Included a Canada Lynx, Finnish Raindeer and a pile of other furs! Gained two new members in D8. Met members in other districts and talked trapping, and yes…the conversation always turned to managing wolves in MN. We picked up two new shows on the schedule for this year, both in Spring Lake Park at a local VFW the first on July 11 and 12. If you are interested in volunteering in SLP, please reach out. Ken (612) 720-8875

04/20/2026

billstrappingsupplies.com

04/20/2026

Hey Trappers. Jeff Dunlaps interview with Bill from Bills Trapping Supplies is on Trapping Radio. Show him our support and give it a listen or stop in his Trapping supply store in Walker, MN.

Trapping Radio 2.0 · Episode

04/15/2026

James Roy Anderson
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Published April 13, 2026 at 6:04 PM
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James (Jim) Roy Anderson passed away April 3rd from end-stage Parkinson’s Disease. Jim was born December 24th, 1946 in Cloquet, MN to Joel and Alma (Lundeen) Anderson. He grew up on the family farm near Floodwood, MN and graduated from Floodwood High School in 1964. Shortly after high school he started working for Northwestern Bell/US West in Hibbing, MN and later enlisted in the Air Force serving as a communications officer in Italy. Jim married Peggy Dougherty in 1969, took over the family homestead and raised his sons in Halden Township. He retired from his job as a “coinologist” (pay phone technician) in 1995 and enjoyed the rest of his years being retired.

Jim enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was always there to help if someone needed it. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, and especially trapping. He was a loyal member of the MN Trapper’s Association & Fur Takers of America. He enjoyed traveling to trappers’ conventions where he’d reunite with old friends. He was a mentor to many trappers and liked teaching the tricks of his trade. He also liked attending auctions and rummage sales and was a grade A collector of anything and everything he thought was a “good deal”.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Gordy, Carol and Anita Johnson. He is survived by sons Joel (Patti) of Cloquet and Jeff (Sarah) of Grand Rapids along with grandchildren Payton, Taylor, Adisyn and Jameson.

A Celebration of Life event will be held on Saturday, May 16th from 11:00am – 2:00pm at the Event Center on main street in Floodwood. Remembrance Service starts at 11:00am with lunch service following. Please come prepared to share stories. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to ALS Never Surrender (neversurrenderinc.org). This organization was always important to Jim.

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04/15/2026

2026 MTA Scholarship Recipients

1. Jackson Lysne -Elizabeth, MN
Environmental Sustainability and Geography,
University of Minnesota Duluth $2500.

2. Taylor Knutsen- Middle River, MN,
Fisheries and Wildlife Science (Wildlife Emphasis)
Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota $2000.

3. Anika Kietzman- Park Rapids, MN
Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Environment.
University of Minnesota Duluth $1500.

4. Marrissa Mills- Blackduck, MN
Biology, Bemidji State University $1000.

5. Parker Ridler-Olivia, MN,
Organismal Biology and Ecology,
Minnesota State University, Mankato $500.

Keep your skinning knives sharp,

Shawn


Minnesota Trappers Association
Shawn Johnson-Education Coordinator
6122 McQuade Road
Duluth, MN 55804
[email protected]

04/14/2026

Trapper Education Field Training Day

When: Saturday, June 13th, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge maintenance building area
36289 Hwy 65 McGregor, MN 55760

Instructor: MN DNR Conservation Officer Nathan Benkofske
Phone: 651-408-4386
Email: [email protected]

Notes: You must pre-register by contacting the instructor. Must complete MTA’s online trapper certification course and exam prior to field day. Students must be 11 years old or older. There is no cost to the class and lunch will be provided by instructors free of charge.

04/12/2026

District 3 was in attendance at “The Gathering”, a decoy show this Saturday. There was a lot of interest in the fur and tons of questions about trapping. 330 Maniac was able to stop by and talk trapping.

04/12/2026

04/11/2026

District 5 has a MTA booth at the Home and Outdoor Living in Willmar on April 10 and 11th.

04/07/2026

MTA District 7 Spring Meeting

04/01/2026

D3 held its spring meeting March 28th at Wildfire Fur in Vergas, Mn. We were blessed to have Keith Friedsam in attendance and he was presented with a photo of him checking muskrat traps. The picture was taken by Evan Rollofson (right) and is in a frame made by Tim Alsleben (center). Keith is doing great in his battle with cancer and fully intends to trap spring beaver. It was great to have him with us!!!
He has completed his bone marrow transplant and is doing great with his recovery.

03/30/2026

Spring 2026 Trapper Education Field Training Session District 1
Location: Johnson Residence
6122 McQuade Rd
Duluth MN 55804
When: Saturday, April 25th, 9 am-2 pm...? (The end time is dependent on the total number attending.)
Instructors: D1 Team Instruction
You must preregister to attend, by leaving Shawn Johnson a message at 218 525 4970 (landline only- sorry, no texts) or [email protected]
Prospective trappers from any area of the State are welcome. Minimum age for certification purposes is 12.
Folding chairs or seat cushions are encouraged.
Please complete the final exam online before attending. www.mntrappers.org
A light lunch will be served free of charge

"Protecting the Rights of Minnesota Sportspeople to Harvest Surplus Furbearing Animals" MTA Official Mission Statement: "Helping to Perpetuate the Nation's Oldest Industry - The Fur Trade: Conservation - Education - Outreach" Welcome to the Minnesota Trappers Association The Minnesota Trappers Assoc...