GLENVILLE, W.Va. — Trapping enthusiasts from all across the southeastern United States will be in West Virginia this weekend for a special rendezvous. The West Virginia Trappers Association is will host the National Trappers
Association Southeastern Regional Convention Friday and Saturday at the Gilmer County 4-H Camp in Glenville.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” said Jeremiah Whitlatch, President of the West Virginia Trappers Association. “Brian Nelson, myself, and the Board of Directors have been working on the planning for this for the past year and getting ready.”
Whitlatch became President of the WVTA last year and made attracting one of the National Trappers Association events to West Virginia a goal.
“There’s a bidding process you have to go through to host one of these. There’s a lot that goes into the bidding process because you have to have a place with the space to host and the logistics to handle the people and the vendors. You also have to get the word out to the national vendors. Some of these vendors follow NTA events all over the country,” said Whitlatch.
There are four national events annually, three regional conventions for the Southeastern, Northeastern, and Western Regional plus the overall NTA National Convention which is the largest of the events. The last time West Virginia hosted a national trapping event was in 1970 and it was the NTA National Convention. It was held that year in Davis, W.Va.
“That’s a whole generational span between any kind of NTA event in West Virginia,” said Whitlatch. “It was just a matter of getting the manpower and volunteers to do it is why we haven’t had one in such a long time,”
The WVTA hosts its annual convention in the fall and fur sale in the spring at the same site in Glenville. This weekend’s event is open to the public.
“We’re open to anybody who wants to come. Especially anybody interested in trapping or maybe they don’t understand what it’s all about. We welcome them to come and learn. Both days are jammed full of demonstrations from people who are knowledgeable about trapping techniques,” explained Whitlatch.
There will also be a strong effort to provide education and fun for children attending the event. According to Whitlatch at the national convention there is always a “Kids Cave” with multiple activities for children. This weekend’s event will feature a “Mini Kid’s Cave”. Children will be able to build a conibear box trap, the West Virginia DNR will have an archery range set up along with the law enforcement laser trailer, and the National Wild Turkey Federation will have a b-b gun range.
“At our state convention we had 520 people through the gate. We’re hoping to get that and then add to it with a lot of the national people who will be in attendance. We’d love to have a big turnout,” Whitlatch said.
The event starts Friday with the gates opening at 8 a.m. and the vendor buildings close at 5 p.m. Friday evening after the vendors close, there will be a benefit auction, barbecue dinner, and social event with music. Saturday’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. West Virginia Outdoors will originate live from the event Saturday morning on MetroNews Radio Stations across the state.