Learn To Catch Coyotes

For a time, it seemed like trapping was becoming a lost art. Georgia Trappers Association is a non-profit organization that has been keeping trapping alive over the years, and now GTA is helping get more and more people into trapping as coyote problems take a bite out of wildlife across the state.

The 35th annual Georgia Trappers Association Convention will be held in Swainsboro Sept. 16-17. The convention will take place at the Swainsboro Jaycee Fairgrounds.

Dan Eaton is the president for GTA, and Josh Hall is the general organizer for competitions and conventions.

“Our goal for the GTA convention is to educate,” said Josh. “We know we can teach people who have never trapped before, and they can go out after this event and catch coyotes.”

Not only does this convention offer education on trapping, but there will be vendors and raffles. GTA will be raffling off 10 guns, a Yeti cooler and two $100 cash gifts.

Friday, the event will open around 6:30 in the morning with the chance for hands-on trapping tips.

“Like every year, we will have a live trap line that we will take people on who show up Friday morning,” said Josh. “At 6:30, there will be coffee for everyone. Around 7, everyone will follow each other to go check the trap line, hoping to have a few coyotes. We will have the trap line run Saturday morning, also.”

On Saturday, GTA will be having a live auction featuring a variety of items, from trapping supplies to deer hunting gear. There will be trapping demos going on all day long by very familiar trappers in the trapping world.

Learn from trappers Clint Locklear, Mark June, Paul Dobbins, Rusty Johnson, Wayne Derrick, Claudie Taylor, Matt Jones, Jeff Dunnier, Tony Szrejna, Herd Sobanski and Tommy Key. Trapping demos will occur throughout the day at the convention.

This year’s convention will be a success for the Georgia Trappers Association crew. Trappers from all across Georgia will come together to meet, educate and learn.

The cost to get in will be $5 for all weekend.

You can become a member of the Georgia Trappers Association at the GTA convention or online at www.gatrappersassoc.com.

Jaycee Fairground is located at 324 Fair Ground Road, Swainsboro, GA 30401.