Team Fur News
You Can Canoe...
By FUR-FISH-GAME Editor, John D. Taylor
Taylor got his 16-foot Mad River Duck Hunter canoe out on Stockade Lake in South Dakota’s Custer State Park recently.
For the last several years, a 16-foot-long, dark olive object sat, bottom up, on a specially built rack in my horse barn, collecting dust. Lots and lots of dust. That’s because the barn is not like the big, red painted two story bank barns I grew up with in Pennsylvania. It’s basically a big, open-ended, one-story, walk-in shed, with a couple of stalls, a tack room, and storage space for the accumulation of things my wife and I couldn’t quite fit into the house but wanted to keep – books, some equipment, that sort of thing. That 16-foot-long thing is a Mad River duck hunter canoe, and for the first time since we moved back to South Dakota, I’m intending to float it, fish from it on some Black Hills lakes.
I bought her – she has no name, but by rights, like most watercraft, she’s a lady – in 1998, for what was at the time a princely sum. But nothing seemed like too much for her back then, because I badly wanted my own canoe. She came from the Susquehanna Canoe Shop, run by Fred Messerly, along Route 74 south of Red Lion, Pennsylvania. Fred ran the “You Can Canoe Day” on Lake Redman, in conjunction with the York County (Pennsylvania) Department of Parks and Recreation’s programs to encourage public use of the parks. And that’s part of where my desire to own a canoe emanated.
Like many outdoor skills, I learned how to make a canoe glide across the water in Boy Scouts. I took the canoeing merit badge up at Camp Tuckahoe, the York-Adams Area Council’s big summer camp in Pennsylvania’s South Mountains. Tom Herr, a fellow miscreant from Troop 43, and I were canoe partners. We could make those clangy, indestructible Grumman aluminum canoes the camp owned go pretty good across the lake – same lake where we did the mile swim. We also learned to solo a canoe across the waters.
As a Boy Scout, I had no illusions about owning a canoe. However, Dad bought a Sears Gamefisher fiberglass rowboat in the early 1970s. We took it down to the mile-wide Susquehanna River a couple of times and fished from it, using Dad’s typically fishless routine of dropping a minnow into the depths with a heavy sinker, then waiting for a bite to be transmitted through the black fabric line on level wind reels attached to steel rods. Even as a kid it struck me there was no rhyme or reason to his approach. I think he just liked being on the water, the act of fishing, more than catching fish – an escape.
Heaving that Gamefisher up on the roof racks my father built for his blue and white 1975 Ford Bronco was a backbreaker. But we managed it. Yet after not many excursions, that Gamefisher came to rest on the woodpile in the backyard, and it never left.
Often, in high school, I looked out the kitchen window at the boat on the woodpile and wondered why we didn’t use it anymore. By the time I finished college, the sun began eating holes in the rotting fiberglass. And it wasn’t too long before the rowboat disappeared, and the woodpile rotted down into duff.
I vowed if I ever got a boat, it wouldn’t sit and rot like that.
It wasn’t until a couple of duck hunting excursions with my friend, wildlife artist Denny Burkhart, on the Susquehanna River, that I really got the itch for a watercraft. Denny was a passionate Susquehanna waterfowler, a heritage passed down from an uncle, with a big-time family blind in a prime spot between some privately owned islands on the river. Such coveted locations were passed down generation to generation and often fought over. Newcomers were driven away with gunfire and blind burning.
Denny had a big spread of hand-painted decoys that included both puddle and diving ducks. We’d meet before dawn at his home near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, motor across the river in his Gamefisher-like aluminum semi-V hull boat, slide the boat into the blind’s dock, and watch the river come alive. Denny could pull ducks from other hunters’ decoy spreads with his calling. And I wanted to be like him, but do it on my own, further downriver on the public land. However, without a watercraft, I was out of luck – until a high school friend bought a canoe.
Bob and I were friends since middle school, when he joined Dad and me for a sea trout fishing excursion out of Lewes, Delaware. We also hunted pheasants, grouse, turkeys and deer together all over southcentral Pennsylvania. And after he got his canoe, we included ducks. I provided the decoy spread, Bob the canoe.
Bob’s canoe was an Old Towne, and he bought it more as a bass fishing platform, than a river-running duck hunter. He carpeted the bottom, like a Bass Tracker, and added an electric motor. The purist in me thought that was cheating. Canoes should be paddled, not motorized, but it got us on the river.
We never saw the numbers of ducks I saw with Denny, and we didn’t shoot a bunch, but we were waterfowling on the river. And that was an accomplishment.
One cold, blustery November morning, we were hunting from a public land island about 100 yards from the west shore of the river, when a flock of mallards pitched into the decoys. Bob’s shot connected with a drake. But it didn’t fall into the decoys. It sailed out towards the middle of the river, then tumbled, a cripple.
Ethics and game laws obliged us to try to get that duck. Problem was, there was a fairly substantial chop on the water, waves breaking just shy of the canoe’s gunwales. Bob was determined to get the bird. While I urged caution, he hopped into his canoe and motored out towards the duck. He’d stop the motor, try to finish the cripple, the waves bobbing him around like a mini marshmallow in hot chocolate. From the island, it struck me that he was in a miniature “Perfect Storm.” He’d miss, then go further out. Meanwhile, I’m thinking he’s going to capsize at any moment, and there’s no way I can help him – no cell phones then – no way for me to get off the island and get help. That was scary.
If I had a canoe, I’d be smarter than to try that, I told myself. Bob eventually bought the bass boat he really wanted, and his canoe sat dormant.
A few years later, I ran into Fred Messerly and his “You Can Canoe” Day. At the time I was York County Parks’ Community Resource Coordinator (think PR dude), and I needed to get some photos and a story for our outreach efforts. Naturally, I had to test drive a canoe or two. When I told Fred my main interest was duck hunting on the river, he mentioned he had an olive green, 16-footer, Kevlar hull, weighing just 60 pounds, down at the shop. The hook was set.
A roof rack was purchased for my Ford Explorer, and Fred showed me easy ways to load the canoe, cinch it down tight, so that even the strongest wind wouldn’t send it flying. So began our adventures.
I hunted ducks in Maine moose ponds from that canoe. I drove it cross-country during a six-week grouse book-research junket. In Montana, after chasing sage grouse, I watched the first Sandhills cranes I ever saw, circle a waterfowl refuge under a full October moon, their haunting cries beautiful in the still air. In Oregon, after three flat tires in four days and thwarted blue grouse hunts, I floated a tidal marsh to set decoys, then barely had enough water to fetch them from the canoe.
Nancy and I floated the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the canoe, misjudging the distance between putting in and taking out, which made for a long, long night. I hunted the Susquehanna alone from that canoe, toting 30 duck decoys and a dozen Aqua-Vac goose floaters/shells from the Lancaster side of the river. Then there was the time Nancy and I set decoys below Holtwood Dam, intending to pull in some ducks. Things were fine until I noticed the water rising fast around our feet. The dam was releasing water to generate electricity. It’s supposed to sound a siren before doing so. If it had, we didn’t hear it. We managed to gather two thirds of the decoys and get to shore before the water churned into a roaring cataract. Whitewater kayakers like to play in this tempest and have named 11 hydraulic features the released water creates. I had one name for that experience – terrifying.
Here in South Dakota, I fished Angostura Reservoir, where the Cheyenne River empties into the reservoir, from the canoe. I caught a bunch of big catfish on spinners, of all things, just upriver from the reservoir. They made a delicious fish fry that evening.
Between all the moving we did – Pennsylvania to North Dakota, then South Dakota, then Montana, then back to South Dakota, then to Wyoming, and finally back to South Dakota – using the canoe, waterfowling from it, fishing from it, simply enjoying paddling it, got lost in things that needed done. Every time I went into the barn and saw the canoe, the duck and goose decoys beneath it, the wealth of dust they'd accumulated, I remembered Dad’s Gamefisher rowboat and my promise to myself not to let a watercraft rot to nothing. It was like Dad was pointing at the canoe and telling me, “Like father, like son.”
I wanted to change that. So, earlier this spring, we updated the non-motorized license required by South Dakota to operate a watercraft, and I’ve vowed to put it to use. There’s the small pond at New Underwood that holds fish and enough water (I hope, given the drought) to float and fish. There’s the Custer State Park lakes. There’s a big pond on a Walk-In that holds ducks in the fall, too. Now, if I can find – make that create – the time to go. The round ring repairs are done, and the new front porch/deck has been sealed, but my cresty-necked horses need work. A window needs replaced after its inner workings failed. The garden needs tending. I must get Theo out for some runs before bird season...
Sooner State Quail Coalition Donates $25,000 for Quail Conservation
Removing eastern invasive cedars from wildlife management areas benefits quail, and Oklahoma’s Quail Coalition donated $25,000 to help with this effort. Photo: Jesse Boulerice, FWC
In May, the Sooner State Chapter of the Quail Coalition donated $25,000 to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioners for removal of eastern red cedar and salt cedar at Cimarron Hills, Cimarron Bluff and Cooper wildlife management areas. The Sooner State Chapter held its first fundraising dinner and auction in 2025, raising more than $100,000. Chapter President David Thionnet said the success of the effort confirms a strong interest in restoring quail habitat. The Quail Coalition began about 15 years ago in Texas and has grown to 12 chapters across Texas, plus the Oklahoma state chapter. For more information, go to quailcoalition.org.
West Virginia Fishing Records Broken
15-year-old Hunter Rohr of Buckhannon, West Virginia, caught a state record golden rainbow trout.
Four state fishing records were broken in West Virginia this spring and summer. The first was a golden rainbow trout. 15-year-old Hunter Rohr of Buckhannon, West Virginia, caught a state record golden rainbow trout during the West Virginia Department of Natural Resource’s annual Gold Rush event. The 28-inch, 11.84-pound golden rainbow from the Smoke Hole section of the South Branch of the Potomac River in Pendleton County set a record for both length and weight. Rohr caught the trout on an egg sack using 4-pound test line. Gerald Estep’s 27.5-inch golden rainbow held the previous length record, and Charles Lilly, Jr.’s 9.72-pound golden rainbow held the previous weight record. The other records broken include:
• A 71-pound blue catfish caught by Michael Ramey, of Poca, West Virginia, on the Ohio River in Jackson County. Ramey caught the 50.23-inch fish using cut bait on a 100-pound test line. The catch surpasses the previous state weight record of 69.45 pounds established in 2023 by Michael John Drake.
• A 13.32-pound tiger trout caught at Summit Lake
• And a 6.46-pound, 25.43-inch redhorse sucker caught at Kanawha Falls by Zachary “Zak” Roper of Fayette County. Roper caught the fish using corn on 15-pound test line. The catch surpasses the previous record of 5.75 pounds and 24.57 inches established in April 2025 by Jason Floyd at the Belleville Lock and Dam. To learn more about state fish record categories, visit WVdnr.gov/fishing-regulations or call (304) 558-6200.
Sharp Drop in Hunting-Related Deaths in South Carolina
South Carolina has seen a dramatic drop in hunting related accidents, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. Photo: Matthew-maaskant/Unsplash
A quiet yet meaningful trend is emerging in South Carolina: fewer lives are being lost in hunting-related incidents. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the state recorded two hunting-related fatalities in 2025, down from five the year before. While those numbers may seem small, officials say the decline represents something larger: a growing emphasis on safety, awareness, and shared responsibility outdoors. As even one is too many, the goal is zero. Dr. Tom Mullikin, SCDNR Director, credits the progress to a sustained investment in hunter education and outreach. This is also being reinforced through mentorship programs like the agency's Take One Make One program (TOMO), where officers and experienced hunters mentor young people, helping them learn about hunting, not only the mechanics, but the responsibility that comes with it. Email Cheyenne Twilley at TwilleyC@dnr.sc.gov for more information.
North Dakota Pheasant Counts Up, Grouse, Ducks Down
Sharptail grouse counts on leks in North Dakota this spring were spotty, indicating fewer birds on the landscape according to North Dakota Game and Fish.
The number of roosters heard during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s (NDGF) 2026 spring pheasant crowing count survey was 23.2 crows per stop, up 9% statewide from last year. Overwinter survival of adult pheasants was outstanding, said RJ Gross, NDGF’s upland game management biologist. Typically, Gros said, North Dakota loses as much as 75% of its pheasant population each winter. But that hasn’t been the case lately. Each of NDGF’s regions showed increases in pheasant crowing counts. And Gross expected near ideal nesting habitat conditions to further add to pheasant numbers. While pheasant numbers were up, prairie grouse numbers and duck numbers were down. NDGF surveys prairie grouse leks and found sharptail counts “mixed” across the state. This was better than expected following poor reproduction and decreases in adult sharptail numbers last year, including a 24% decrease in hunter harvest last fall. Grouse numbers were down 8% in the southwest, up 2% in the prairie pothole region, and up 10% in the drift prairie area. Also, only one male and one female sage grouse were observed in 2026. Both sage grouse and greater prairie chicken seasons remain closed. The long-term outlook for native prairie grouse remains a concern due to grassland conversion, fragmentation and woody encroachment on prairies. Breeding duck numbers were also down. NDGF counted 2.4 million birds, down 9.5% from 2.66 million birds in 2025 and 2.9 million in 2024. This resulted in duck numbers falling below the 1948 - 2025 average for the first time since 1993. Duck production in North Dakota has been poor in recent years, and midcontinent duck populations continue to decline, due to wetland losses and the lack of grass habitat for puddle ducks to nest in. Declines in the Conservation Reserve Program enrollments have resulted in a couple million acres of grass coming off the landscape in recent years, said John Palarski, NDGF migratory game bird supervisor. Individually, mallards were up 6.8%; pintails, up 23.7%; green-winged teal, up 20.9%, while blue-winged teal, gadwall, widgeon and most diving duck species decreased. Although mallards are up from 2025, they’re still down 15.3% from their long-term average. July’s brood survey, not yet released, will show a clearer picture of what’s happening in North Dakota. Visit NDGF. Visit gf.nd.gov or call (701) 328-6300.
Recycle Spent Fishing Lines
Spent fishing line is a problem, but according to two companies, there’s now a way to recycle spent line. Photo: Mathieu Le Roux/Unsplash
Spent fishing line is one of the most persistent waste streams in the outdoors. Enough fishing line is discarded each year to circle the Earth 18 times. Until recently, there hasn't been a practical way for anglers to recycle used fishing line and related gear. However, according to information from TerraCycle and Airflo, the two companies have launched the Airflo Zero Waste Fly Line Recycling Program, a free, nationwide recycling initiative that accepts used fly lines, leaders, and tippet; conventional fishing line; and plastic spools of any brand. This program is now available through participating retailers across the U.S., giving anglers a simple way to recycle materials that are not typically accepted through traditional recycling systems. Once collected, according to the companies, the materials are recycled into raw materials used to make new products, keeping them out of landfills, incinerators and the environment. Available at participating locations across the United States, the program gives anglers a straightforward way to collect and recycle used fly lines, leaders, tippet, conventional fishing line, and plastic spools from any brand. Visit https://mayflyoutdoors.com/pages/airflo-zero-waste-box-recycling-program.
Wisconsin Invasive Plant and Fish Found
If you believe you have found pale swallowwort, please report it to Invasive.Species@wisconsin.gov. Photo: Timberland Invasives Partnership
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)recently confirmed presence of two invasive species, pale swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum), an invasive vine, in Oconto and Shawano counties, and the round goby, a fish in Lake Winnebago.
The pale swallow-wort vine was found within the outskirts of Krakow along the Oconto-Shawano county line. This is the first known population in the state, making rapid response efforts critical to preventing the establishment of this species in Wisconsin.
The sites were first reported by the Timberland Invasives Partnership via the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS), an online invasive species reporting tool. Despite not having tendrils, this invasive vine twines and grows on top of surrounding vegetation, resulting in the displacement of native species in forests and grasslands. Both pale swallowwort and its close relative, black swallowwort (also invasive), are within the milkweed family and can outcompete native milkweed. Monarch butterflies may lay eggs on swallowwort, but once they hatch, the caterpillars can’t survive on these non-native milkweed relatives. Due to these impacts, pale swallowwort is a prohibited invasive species in Wisconsin. If you believe you have found pale swallowwort, please report it to Invasive.Species@wisconsin.gov. All reports should include the location and clear photos of the plant’s identifiable features. Other important details such as population size and landownership are also encouraged.
The fish, a round goby from Lake Winnebago, was first reported by an angler and confirmed WDNR in 2025. Additional gobies have been caught and reported by anglers since. WNDR has a new emergency rule for the Winnebago System that allows anglers to keep any harvested round gobies provided that the fish are eviscerated, decapitated or had their gills removed. Since a round goby population has not been established in these waters, angler harvest and reporting of all gobies taken will serve as a critical tool for tracking the presence of these fish in the Winnebago System. The rule will be in effect through November 16, 2026. Round gobies are an aggressive invasive fish that reproduces quickly and can survive in poor water quality, leading to the displacement of native fish populations. They’ve been present in the Great Lakes since the early 1990s, including associated tributaries (like the Lower Fox River) up to the first impassable dam or barrier. Anglers who catch a suspected round goby in Winnebago waters should decapitate, eviscerate or remove the fish’s gills and report it to WDNR. The best way is to use WDNR’s Online Goby Reporting Tool (https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/36d249cc13d64c78a175feb2b50e151c) which includes an illustration of a round goby and will prompt the angler to include a photo for ID verification. WDNR will then contact the angler. Prevention remains the best way to help protect Wisconsin’s waters as round gobies are nearly impossible to eradicate once they have been established. Round goby are a restricted species in Wisconsin. They cannot be transported, transferred or introduced. A deceased goby can be legally transported to a DNR office for identification. Anglers are reminded to never use round gobies as bait, release fish from one lake into another or throw unwanted bait into the water. Visit dnr.wisconsin.gov or call 1-888-936-7463.
New York’s New Strategic Pheasant Plan
New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation intends to use pheasants as an incentive to encourage small game hunting. Photo: June Gathercole/Unsplash
Hunting has always been the backbone of wildlife conservation, but there’s a troubling trend in New York. Participation in hunting small game – squirrels, rabbits and pheasants – is declining faster than big game hunting. This trend threatens our conservation capacity and diminishes the community's connection to the great outdoors. To help turn the tide and get more people out in the field, the DEC is overhauling the pheasant stocking program to more effectively use it as a hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation tool. The drafted plan aims to break down barriers and make small game hunting more accessible, with more strategic pheasant stocking, expanding hunting access near major population centers, bolstering introductory and mentorship programs to welcome the next generation of hunters and simplified seasons. To review the full strategic plan and a quick-read summary visit dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/small-game/pheasant, or call (518) 402-8883.
New Lake Erie Public Access Guidebook Available
ODNR has an updated Lake Erie Public Access Guidebook showing a detailed listing of all public parks, nature reserves, wildlife areas beaches, boat ramps, fishing piers and scenic vistas like Edgewater Beach, in Cleveland. Photo: DJ Johnson/Unsplash
The Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management has a fully updated Lake Erie Public Access Guidebook, a resource for exploring Ohio’s 312-mile Lake Erie coast. The 348-page publication includes a detailed listing of all public parks, nature preserves, wildlife areas, beaches, boat ramps, fishing piers, and scenic vistas. In addition to coastal sites along Lake Erie’s shore, the guidebook also includes locations situated on the major rivers flowing into Lake Erie. Altogether, the publication highlights 201 Lake Erie public access sites and 320 sites located along the 14 major river systems that flow into the lake. The guidebook offers in-depth site information, including site descriptions, amenity icons, trail names, maps and photographs, as well as details on how to access the water at each site. Free copies of the guidebook will be available at more than 30 locations in the Lake Erie coastal region while supplies last. A complete list of distribution sites can be found at coastal.ohiodnr.gov. Also, the full document can be downloaded by chapter on the Office of Coastal Management’s webpage, https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/coastal-management. Visit ohiodnr.gov or call (614) 265-6565.
Idaho Angler Lands 43.25-inch Record Lake Trout
Dylan Smith caught this new state record lake trout from Idaho’s Payette Lake.
An Idaho Falls angler reeled in a new state catch-and-release record lake trout. Dylan Smith was fishing on Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho, in May when a 43.25-inch lake trout took the line for a sprint. Smith was able to land the laker, get it stretched out on the tape measure, and was shocked when the tailfin crossed the 43rd inch line. The previous state catch-and-release record for lake trout just barely hit 42 inches. Smith is no stranger to the Idaho record fish, and this was not his first rodeo with a 40-inch laker. During a separate outing in 2018, Smith landed and recorded another impressive lake trout that eventually earned him a spot atop the record books. Shortly after, angler Aaron Goettsche beat out Smith’s record with a 42-inch laker. Both fish were caught and released back into Payette Lake, one of the premier lake trout fisheries in Idaho. To catch a record lake trout Idaho Fish and Game suggests trolling or jigging near the bottom of 35 to 80 feet of water. Target underwater ridges, drop-offs, and boulder piles. Use realistic lures, tipped jigs and scent — lake trout can be selective, especially when food is abundant – that mimic kokanee. Visit idfg.idaho.gov/fish/record or call (208) 334-3700.
Low Water Affecting Nebraska Boaters
Low water is influencing boating on some Nebraska waters. Nebraska’s Game and Parks Commission suggests checking a website before boating. Photo: Maxi am Brunnen/Unsplash
People planning to launch boats in Nebraska this summer should be aware of low-water conditions affecting many reservoirs across the state. Water elevations and ramp conditions can vary significantly from one reservoir to another and may change from week to week. People are encouraged to call ahead to state park locations or to area managers for the most current ramp information. According to recent U.S. Drought Monitor information, 79% of the state is experiencing severe drought conditions. This has resulted in Nebraska’s Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) having to close several of its managed boat ramps. Current ramp closures and conditions can be found on the Public Access Boating map at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps. This map includes public boat ramps across Nebraska, including ramps managed by other agencies. While NGPC makes every effort to keep ramp conditions current and accurate, information for ramps managed by other agencies may be limited. Boaters are encouraged to contact managing agencies directly for the most up-to-date information on those facilities. In places where ramp access is still available, NGPC advises boaters to be patient and cautious when launching and loading a boat. Boat operators should use a spotter or check to see if the end of the ramp is visible from the shoreline or dock before launching, if water clarity allows.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pennsylvania Trappers’ Association - The Pennsylvania Trappers’ Association, District No. 10, will hold their fall convention September 11 and 12, at West End Fairgrounds, located at 570 Fairground Road, in Gilbert, Pennsylvania. For more information call Bob Counterman (610) 759-9203.
West Virginia Trappers’ Association - The West Virginia Trappers’ Association will hold their annual convention September 18 - 20, at the Gilmer County Recreation Center, 1365 Sycamore Run Road, Glenville, West Virginia. Gates open at 9 a.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. Saturday. The event includes demonstrations and seminars at various times both days, food and vendors. Free Trappers Education Classes begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, with registration at 8:30 a.m. Primitive camping is available. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Visit www.wvtrappers.com, the WVTA Facebook page, or contact Jeremiah at (304) 916-3329.
Vermont Trappers’ Association - The Vermont Trappers’ Association will hold its annual rendezvous September 19 and 20 at the Orleans County Fairgrounds, in Barton, Vermont. Visit www.vttrappers.com or call Ben Vicere, (802) 779-7021, for more information.
North Carolina Trappers’ Association - The North Carolina Trappers’ Association convention will be held September 25 and 26 at the Johnston County Livestock Arena, located at 520 County Home Road, in Smithfield, North Carolina. The event features trapping and fur handling demos, a trappers’ auction Friday afternoon followed by a fellowship meal that night and kids’ contests Saturday morning. There’s a one-time admission fee of $5 for those older than 15. Call Tommy Bryant (252) 915-0627 or Matt Bishop (910) 545-7760.
South Carolina Trapper’s Association - The South Carolina Trappers’ Association will hold its trappers’ convention October 2 -3 at Camp Woodie, 8444 Old River Road, in Pinewood, South Carolina. The event features trapping classes, youth events, demos, games for the kids and a live trapline set Friday and checked Saturday. The event opens at noon Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday. Vendors and tailgaters are welcome. Contact Eddie Jackson (803) 235-5787 or Joe Leonard (803) 507-4940.
Connecticut Trappers’ Association - Connecticut Trappers’ Association will hold their Fall Rendezvous October 10, at the Tolland County Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Ave, in Vernon, Connecticut. Gate opens at 8 a.m. The event features vendors, demonstrations, a trap setting contest, raffles and more. Contact Cameron Kelsey (619) 997-2345 or Scott Kneeland (860) 234-3192.
The Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters’ Association - The Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association will hold their Fall Rendezvous October 16 and 17 at the JLK Event Center, 2200 W. Ranch Road 152, in Llano. Contact Phillip Woods at woodscattlecompany@gmail.com, (713) 208-3517.
Coming in our September 2026 Issue
Features
• High Mountain Kings - Ryan Lynton explores the world of southern Appalachian ruffed grouse hunting in a tribute to the bird and those who hunt them.
• Trapping The Tonawanda - Michael L. Mayhew reveals his experiences trapping muskrats on New York’s Tonawanda Creek during the late 1960s.
• Solving Challenging Blood Trails - Bruce Ingram documented 160 whitetail kills during the last two decades and shares his experiences unraveling blood trails.
• Mean Trout - Phil Goes took his family on a vacation in the West. He and Huck found the trout not so forgiving as Wisconsin’s trout.
• Alaska Caribou On A Budget - Trevor J. Hubbs Hubbs shares how to make a dream hunt a reality, even if you’re on a tight budget, using his Alaska caribou hunt as an example.
• Squirrel Hunting With Papa - Duwayne Janney shares a sweet memory of how his grandfather started him squirrel hunting as a kid, with a shotgun that had a bite.
Other Stories
• Spot And Stalk Black Bear Bowhunt – Thomas Kelly shares his bowhunting adventure for Alaska black bears.
• Trapline Memories – Brad Welch shares memories of trapping with family in Wyoming
• Early Season Canada Geese – Ron Peach shares tips and tactics for hunting early geese.
• One Man Pheasant Tactics – Casey Rayls looks at one man pheasant hunting.
• Dry Droppers: An Essential Fly-Fishing Skill – Scott Turo shares how to use dry flies and nymphs together to catch summer trout.
• Could’ve Been A Lot Worse – William L. Kotila shares his experience trapping beavers in extremely cold South Dakota waters.
End of the Line Photo of the Month
Eugene Lashway, Norwood, New York
Subscribe to this newsletter
Put Subscribe in the subject line and include your first and last name.
SUBSCRIBE TO FUR-FISH-GAME Magazine
