2010 - Wayne Thom—trapper and educator
Wayne Thom, of Wright, was the first recipient of the MN Trappers Association Education Award.
August 24, 2010 • Voyageur Press
A new President’s Award debuted at the annual Minnesota Trappers Association convention in Barnum, held during the weekend of July 30, 2010. Wayne Thom, of Wright, was the first recipient of the MN Trappers Association Education Award, presented by Shawn Johnson, MTA President. Wayne was nominated for his excellent trapping education classes, and his willingness to work with both adults and youth to promote good communication and stewardship in the trapping sport.
“I started teaching with the MTA in 2001,” said Wayne. “I’m honored to be the first recipient of this President’s Award.”
Although Wayne began teaching through the association in 2001, his membership goes back to 1987. His history as a trapper goes back even farther.
“I started at eight years old,” Wayne said. “My first catch was pocket gophers.”
Farmers in the area surrounding St. Peter would pay to have the little animals removed from their property to prevent damage to mowers during the haying season. By the time he was 10 years old, Wayne was earning a dollar each from the farmers and an additional 10-cents from the county.
“When I started, I was on horseback,” said Wayne. “Then I stepped up to a tractor.”
Wayne has continued trapping through his stint as a police officer in St. Peter for 11 years, and serving as a Deputy Sheriff in Carlton County from 1979 to 1999. Since his retirement from the Sheriff's Department, he’s been busier than ever.
Wayne’s involvement with the MTA became deeper, and he started teaching the classes for youth in this district. His classes are 18 hours, and students over the age of 11 years are welcome to attend. Wayne has a few helpers from Cloquet (his former students), and another five to eight adults who assist as well.
“The parents are also welcome to attend as students,” said Wayne. “We separate the adults from the kids, and the boys from the girls.” He feels that helps everyone be less self-conscious about handling traps and asking questions.
The classes aren’t all that keep Wayne busy. He is also owner of Thom’s Nuisance Control, and serves as the official trapper for MN Department of Transportation in District 1. His territory for the State goes from Pine County to International Falls, and from Aitkin County to the Wisconsin line. In addition, his other clients are city and township governments and residents of the entire area.
Wayne traps any nuisance animal for which he has a permit. His quarry has included skunks, beaver, fox, squirrels, feral cats, stray dogs, rabbits, and just about anything else except bear.
“I can’t trap bear,” said Wayne. “The DNR takes care of them.”
Right now, the most frequent unwanted furry guests are red squirrels and chipmunks. In the spring, his main quarries are beaver and skunks. Wayne’s world of trapping doesn’t stop with nuisance control, though. He also traps for fur – beaver, fox, and raccoon to name three. Each has a season where the fur is considered “prime” and each requires special handling to preserve the fur until it gets to the buyer.
“A raccoon trapped on October 16 will bring about two dollars,” said Wayne. “The same animal trapped on November 16 will bring $20 to $30 in a good year.”
In addition to the timing, preservation of the animal until it is processed is critical.
“They have to be stored out of the light,” Wayne said. “The bleaching process starts immediately.”
Where do all of the furs go?
“China is the biggest buyer,” offered Wayne. “Russia and China take the lowest grade furs. Europe and the USA take the best.”
Wayne also offers a unique experience to the youth trappers he helps to educate. He allows them to ride along to retrieve his traps and to share the profits, working as equal partners. His two most frequent passengers are eight and ten-year old girls.
“They are always talking,” said Wayne with a smile, “but they are always working too.”
Wayne’s latest Trapper Education Class will begin on September 12, and will take place from 12:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on three successive Saturdays (September 12, 19 and 26). He teaches the classes at his home on Prairie Lake, and there is no cost to the students. Anyone under the age of 16 who successfully completes the classes will receive free traps from the Minnesota Trappers Association. Students should call 218-644-3593 to register for the classes.
“I look forward to every class,” said Wayne. “I look forward to every student, too.”