Fur Harvesters Convention

As attendees continued to roll in Saturday morning, local organizers were already counting the Nebraska Fur Harvesters Convention a success.

"I've been trying to get it here for a long time," said Nate Morgan as he watched new arrivals.

Professionals, hobbiests, and the curious made their way around the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday to see the latest tools, techniques, and products for and from the industry.

For Morgan, it was a chance to show the unitiated what trapping is about.

"I wanted to educate people that trapping is not a bad thing," Morgan said. "It's good for conservation practices - for pheasant population - that we do control the predetor population."

Morgan said a number of people came to the event with curiosity, wether as what trapping is like, or as potential trappers.

"We've answered a lot of questions," Morgan said.

Monte Arnold, vice present of the association, said the convention was well organized for participants, adding that "everything's gun smoother than normal for a first convention (at a venue)."

The convention not only drew from all corners of Nebraska, but also Colorado and Wyoming as well. Vendors came from as far away as Minnesota. In all, several hundred participants turned out for the convention.

Arnold said money raised from vendors and fundraising activities go to the groups educational efforts, as well as lobbying work not only in Nebraska, but also as part of national efforts.