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Post by ozarkmountainman on Dec 22, 2011 3:13:44 GMT -5
Our annual clinic at Lake of the Ozarks will be in February this year, probably the first Saturday, but we'll pick the date this week.
This is an all-day affair, and this year will include stuff for new and experienced trappers, land & water trapping, and trap modification. We will also cover, in detail, fur grading and fur handling. We also hope to have a cable restraint class.
We will have at least one fur buyer on hand, and I'm trying to line up a taxidermist or two to purchase unique animals, and bobcats.
Representatives from the MDC will also be on hand for a short presentation, and to tag otter and 'cats.
This clinic will be held at Laurie Marine & Sporting Goods, one mile North of Laurie on highway 5. Again, I'll provide more details, hopefully before the weekend.
Dale
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Post by foxpro14 on Dec 22, 2011 9:48:08 GMT -5
Count me in Dale, if you need anything done give me a holler.
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Post by krank on Dec 22, 2011 10:32:57 GMT -5
well....I'd like to meet some of the guys on this post (dunno if they wanna see me but.....)
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Post by ozarkmountainman on Dec 22, 2011 20:45:52 GMT -5
That's what it's all about. We will have a good time, and I promise an action-packed day.
We do things a little differently at this clinic in that we have several demos going on concurrently, maybe as many as four or five at one time. There's guys in the pond and on land goin' at it. The trick is, folks are invited to move from demo to demo, and we keep at it 'till everyone has had their fill.
There is also classroom sessions on ethics, rules & regs, trap basics & how-to's, and trap modifications.
Oh, and we do up lunch, too.
Dale
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Post by krank on Dec 26, 2011 19:44:57 GMT -5
Calender is filling up fast......
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Post by ozarkmountainman on Dec 30, 2011 17:12:06 GMT -5
Okay, here's the way it'll go- Where- Laurie Marine & Sporting Goods 31590 Hwy 5 Gravois Mills, MO 65307 (one mile north of Laurie, MO at the Lake of the Ozarks) When- Saturday, February 4th 9 am -  Everyone is welcome. There will be clinics, fur handling and grading demos, trap mod demos, a fur buyer, door prizes... and chili for lunch! We try to have a real good time. We are also looking into having a cable restraint class. If anyone has any questions they can contact me on the 'board here, or phone me at 573-789-5690. BOTH NEWBIES AND VETERANS ARE WELCOME. The newer folks will get a chance to get in the middle of it, just like on this forum, only LIVE. Bring your furs to sell, and come with an appetite for knowledge (and my wife's chili). The fur grading and handling sessions alone are worth the price of admission. Which by the way, is FREE. Bring your selling/trading/swapping stuff! I will not be back here on trapboard until January 4th, so call if you can't wait on me for something. We really look forward to seeing our old buddies, not to mention the hidden faces from this site. Dale |
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Post by trapper7911 on Dec 30, 2011 19:33:28 GMT -5
how do I get there from IN?
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Post by ozarkmountainman on Dec 30, 2011 19:41:59 GMT -5
West on I-70. South at the Hwy. 5 exit (Boonville)- not sure on mile marker, but it's just past Columbia. Take 5 all the way to the clinic, about 17 miles south of Versailles, on the northern edge of the Ozarks. Turn right at the sign that says "trapping clinic". If you hit Laurie, you done went too far.
You were serious, right?
Dale
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Post by ozarkmountainman on Jan 6, 2012 19:08:45 GMT -5
We are trying to get Silverfox and Kim Townsend there to buy fur. Fingers crossed...
Dale
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Post by townsendtaxidermy on Jan 7, 2012 5:39:35 GMT -5
I'll be there for sure, but more interested in learning! Can't say I would pass up a nice fur or two though. If you get any super nice or unusual critters, freeze them whole. Unless you know how to skin for taxidermy. I think I will be doing a demo on skinning for taxidermy...still working out the details. Looking forward to meeting you guys, and jumping feet first into the industry. I've just been wiggling my toes in the water on TrapBoard.  |
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Post by bigjohn on Jan 7, 2012 6:14:50 GMT -5
I would think a demo by you would be great Kim.If nothing else,it would show everyone how to take proper care of an animal they expect to have mounted or selling to be mounted.
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Post by townsendtaxidermy on Jan 7, 2012 7:03:05 GMT -5
Taxidermists are notorious hoarders! We're like women with shopping addictions. Most are backed up for at least a year with work, but simply can not pass up a nice or unusual critter. I swore I'd never be this way, but lo and behold, my freezer now contains critters I never even thought about mounting. 2 rattlers, 3 badgers, an otter, a beaver.... I should stop before I am tempted to online shop at 6 a.m.!  Point is...there is always a market for nice or unusual furs. I am not so into the weird colors/markings but most taxidermists go crazy for them. And what kills me is most trappers are seriously docked when they sell to the fur market for these oddities. Most just don't know or care that there are other markets out there for their furs! There's no need to be a slave to the overseas fur market. [edited to correct typo] |
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Post by silverfox on Jan 7, 2012 7:34:15 GMT -5
I agree with you, Kim. I am too small of a buyer to have overseas connections which makes me less competitive at times with the state's big time buyers, but I have learned to be creative.
I had the state's biggest buyer (at least that is what he tells me!) call yesterday and ask me who I sold my furs to. I told him that I sold to 115 different buyers last year. that freaked him out but at least got him to quit whining about low prices and talk a little turkey. I like to sell a few critters to lots of people. Sorta like taking more than one basket to the chicken house, I guess.
By the way, Kim, you have been a great addition to our forum, our state, and the fur industry. I can speak for a lot of others when I say "you are appreciated. "
Now, get back to work cause you gotta a lot of skinnin' to do!
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Post by townsendtaxidermy on Jan 7, 2012 7:51:41 GMT -5
Awww, thank you [blush]
Taking a break from skinning. Hooking up the meat grinder...got about 50 lbs of bobcat to grind up! Just came over to the computer to turn on Pandora. Can't grind meat without music!
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Post by Buzz on Jan 7, 2012 8:11:45 GMT -5
I am planning on making the trip and see if my buddy in Cuba, can attend...
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Post by silverfox on Jan 7, 2012 8:40:18 GMT -5
Are you skinning those cats before you grind them? bobcat is supposed to be delicious eatin'. May want to try out a bobcat burger for lunch, Kim.
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Post by trapper660 on Jan 7, 2012 10:23:37 GMT -5
kim are you going to bring any of that bobcat meat to the clinic.might want to by some if you do.silverfox so you buy possum thats about all i am getting now.one coon,three possum,one bobcat that o am getting mounted
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Post by silverfox on Jan 7, 2012 11:48:19 GMT -5
I buy a lot of possums! $1 each. Most make it to the stretcher and then there are lots of options but tanning and selling them seems to be the best. The black ones are really beautiful when tanned.
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Post by crittergetter on Jan 7, 2012 12:00:30 GMT -5
I think my sun and I will be there if I don't work that weekend would like to meet every one that is on here.
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Post by townsendtaxidermy on Jan 7, 2012 14:50:36 GMT -5
kim are you going to bring any of that bobcat meat to the clinic.might want to by some if you do.silverfox so you buy possum thats about all i am getting now.one coon,three possum,one bobcat that o am getting mounted I thought about it, but figured since trapping season will be over nobody would want any. Am I wrong? Are you skinning those cats before you grind them? bobcat is supposed to be delicious eatin'. May want to try out a bobcat burger for lunch, Kim. Yes....it's kicking my butt! And I think I have a lot more than 50 lbs. Maybe closer to 100! How should I put up the urine and lower GI tract? I think I'm packaging the meat in 5 lb vacuum seal bags. Will urine freeze? And if so, what would be a good weight to seal on each? Since I'm in there anyway....no interest in the heart, liver, kidneys? And just the last 3 inches of the GI tract? If the colon is filled with feces, should I harvest it all? |
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people have been busy it sounds like.