Hundreds of trappers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts converged on Westlock last weekend for two days of competitions, demonstrations and seminars meant to celebrate a way of life that goes back hundreds of years.
The Alberta Trappers’ Association held its 45th annual rendezvous, dubbed “Old Traditions, New Beginnings” July 6-7, drawing interested parties from across the province and western Canada to the Rotary Spirit Centre.
Mayor Ralph Leriger welcomed the visitors to town in a short speech to open the event on Friday morning, saying that trappers helped build this country and continue to contribute through their conservation efforts.
He was also impressed with the turnout.
“It was huge, our hotels were definitely full,” he said later. “It’s immeasurable, but the economic boost to the community is definitely significant.”
Westlock is the perfect location to hold provincial events like the rendezvous, said Leriger, not only because we have the facilities in the Rotary Spirit Centre, but because we are central in the province, which makes it easier to attract visitors for medium-sized gatherings like the rendezvous.
Curtis Fischer, owns and operates a full-time taxidermy shop called Silver Willow Taxidermy in Cadogan in southeast Alberta. He was one of several taxidermists to travel to Westlock for the event to showcase his services.
“We mount big game, we don’t do birds or fish,” he said. “We’ve been asked for a few years to come to the rendezvous, this is our first year. Last year they held it in High Level, which is a bit of a trip, but this year it’s more central, so we thought we should come.”
“We hope being here spreads the word out about our business, so if there’s people that trap, maybe a special animal, that they want to get mounted, they’ll consider us.”
Edmonton’s Malcolm Abercrombie said he’s been coming to the rendezvous since he was a kid. He now owns and operates Bushman Inc. with his father and sells various fur clothing ranging from beaver and coyote to seal, fox and muskrat.
The rendezvous always has a positive effect on his business, he said.
“For one we sell fur products and two, it’s a nice way to network and meet people in the community. The trapping community is spread all over Alberta so it’s the one time of year when we all get together and get to talk about what we’re doing, things we’re enjoying, tough winters, good winters and things like that,” said Abercrombie.
Ryan Villiers is from Edmonton as well. He doesn’t trap and he doesn’t sell furs, but he was at the rendezvous anyway, putting on demonstrations of how he carves his wooden animal sculptures.
“I saw it on a TV show and thought I would give it a shot,” said Villiers as he carved an eagle out of an old piece of wood using power tools. “I’ve been addicted ever since.”
“I’d be a happy man if I could do this forever,” he said.
Villiers had nothing but good things to say about Westlock and the venue at the Spirit Centre.
“This is a nice facility, really nice. Way bigger than I thought. Everybody’s been really great so far,” he said.
