In a recent “news article” about the Fur Harvesters Auction in North Bay, a “reporter” revealed that the industry is grasping at straws to get kids interested.
A youth apprenticeship program is in full swing after its first season – and the 13 years of lobbying it took the industry to get it in place. The estimates of how many youth are involved are not clear in the article, as representatives offer precise measurements such as “probably more than” and “expects a lot more” were used.
Ironically, the youth who attended the event weren’t exactly the shining stars the industry likely hoped for.
“Paul Arkwright, from the Minden area, and his granddaughter Sawyer Arkwright, 11, have set up a booth for their local association,” wrote the reporter. “He’s been trapping since he was 14 years old. He’s 77 now, and although Sawyer isn’t particularly interested in trapping herself, she likes to help out.”
Another successful young trapper was unable to attend because he was at an unrelated sporting event.
And that was it for the youth mentioned in the article.
Perhaps what is most revealing, however, is the slogan appearing on bumper stickers at this event: “Kids who hunt, fish and trap don’t mug little old ladies.”
We always thought the same about kids who play sports, read, are part of after school clubs, volunteer or… well, pretty much anything. But teaching children to kill animals?
We’re sure that won’t backfire.
