2005 - Instilling a joy of the outdoors
Wayne and Liz Thom recently attended the 2005 Minnesota Trappers Association (MTA) Convention this past August and received quite a surprise.
September 20, 2005 • Voyageur Press
“I had no idea,” said Wayne. “All of a sudden Liz says, ‘He’s talking about you!’”
It turned out Wayne was selected as the Male Trapper of the Year for 2005. The nomination came from MTA education coordinator Mark Palas.
Mark noted that Wayne has been a long-time member of the MTA and an accomplished beaver trapper. “He is an individual who truly understands how important young trappers are to the health of the sport,” said Mark. “Each fall for the last three years, Wayne had taken it upon himself to put on a 6-week trapping seminar for young trappers in northeast Minnesota.”
A few weeks following the convention, Wayne was back at it again – working with the kids. His first class took place on Sunday, September 11, at his home. Ten students were on hand and four more signed up to attend the next lesson. Over the three years of instructing, Wayne’s class has grown. The first year he started out with six students. The following year he had eight and this year he has as many as 14.
The class is a mixture of boys and girls, some have trapping experience, others do not. It doesn’t matter to Wayne. He just wants to instill a joy of being outdoors and recognizing the wildlife management function that trappers provide. “I’ve really enjoyed teaching the class,” said Wayne. “Especially after my own boys grew up and moved on. Since I’ve started teaching and trapping with these kids, I’ve developed a renewed spirit and energy to trap again.”
Wayne’s energy has been apparent to those who know him. According to MTA Director and local Long Lake Conservation Center director Todd Roggencamp, Wayne is big on kids. “He has a talent for working with kids,” said Todd. “He’s always positive with them.”
Todd went on to explain that Wayne was a perfect choice for this year’s trapper award. “He was selected for the award because of his work and dedication bringing kids into trapping,” Todd added.
Another person who knows Wayne pretty well is Carlton County Conservation Officer Scott Staples. Scott attended the first day of youth trapping lessons to share what he does. He explained to the students that his job is to enforce the laws which help with conservation.
He also noted, he has a large area to cover (650 square miles). Scott went on to discuss some safety issues as well as trapping ethics. “One of the biggest complaints is trespassing,” said Scott. “It is a big issue. The rule of thumb is always ask for permission before trapping on, or near private property. Showing the people you are respecting their land is good ethics.”
Wayne said that many of the people in the area are great. “They would give the shirt off their backs,” he said. “I get permission from just about everybody.”
After Scott and Wayne discussed a few situations which were not ethical, they shared how to handle a case where students might observe something not right. “If something doesn’t look right, call the TIP number,” said Wayne. “They’re there to enforce the law.”
Scott had cards for each of the students with the TIP number: (800) 652-9093.
The students have plenty to learn in the next several weeks and Wayne has prepared a number of reading and hands-on lessons. Wayne noted when the students actually start working with the traps, a few of last year’s students will be coming back to assist. Speaking of former students, Wayne shared that he had one student call him recently and said, “‘Hi ‘partner’. I’ve got a couple of new leads on some good trappings spots,’” and he was raring to go.
Wayne’s actual ‘partner’ is his wife Liz. The two have enjoyed trapping together for many years and they have a few stories to tell. Wayne’s hairiest moment happened when he came face-to-face with a bull moose. “I played footsy with him for a while and he almost stepped in my canoe,” said Wayne, who finally flushed the animal away.
Unbeknownst to Wayne, the animal had not strayed far. “I didn’t hear him when he came back. I got back up on the dam, stood up and there he was again, 15 feet away.”
They took off again and needless-to-say, Wayne finished up his business and paddled like mad to get out of there. Liz shared that she is not brave and was glad she wasn’t involved with the moose incident. She did, however, enjoy the time Wayne fell on his backside because he was in such a hurry. It is apparent the two enjoy trapping together and now they have something in common – matching plaques. Liz was the Female Trapper of the Year in 2003.