CHADRON – History Channel’s famed “Mountain Man” Paul Antzack, Colorado trapper Dan Gates and an extensive leadership planning meeting for outdoorsmen will headline the 2025 Western Nebraska Sportsman’s Expo and Nebraska Fur Harvesters Convention this year.
Slated for Sept. 26-27, the event will be at the Dawes County Fairgrounds in Chadron, Nebraska, home of the renowned Museum of the Fur Trade in the northwest corner of the state.
“For the trapping community, and for the broader group of folks we call “People of the Land,” the Chadron Museum of the Fur Trade is a “bucket list” venue,” said David Hastings, a Fur Takers of America representative. “This is the historically researched home of the best academically verified information available on the subject in the country, and the museum itself houses one-of-a-kind artifacts, historical items, and artful displays; the best of the past, and the future, of our industry.
The Museum of the Fur Trade, which sits on the historic site of James Bordeaux’s 1837 trading post, showcases artifacts and exhibits that highlight fur trading on the North American continent. The museum contains Native American beadwork, camp utensils, trade goods and the largest collection of Indian trade guns in the world. Also on site is an exact replica of Bordeaux’s original trading post.
Expo attendees will enjoy dozens of demonstrations and vendor booths from leaders in the industry across the United States. Dan Gates, the president of the Colorado Trappers and Predator Hunters Association, will be the keynote speaker as he shares his experiences leading the defeat of his state’s Proposition 127, which sought to ban mountain lion and bobcat hunting. Paul Antzack, featured in the popular “Mountain Man” series on the History Channel, will provide a demonstration on wolf trapping. Other confirmed demonstrations include bobcat trapping by E.J. Kelly, predator calling by Geoff Nemnich, bobcat cage trapping by Jim Ball, fur-pricing trends by Greg Petska, coyote lures by Gary Jepson, snake training your dog by Don Lietzau and badger trapping by Dave Hastings.
Several local presenters also will be highlighted, including Kirk Budd from the Museum of the Fur Trade, Mark Ross with problems on the trapline and Scott Schaefer on predator trapping. Demonstrations and events specifically geared toward women and children are also expected, with the schedule still to be determined.
Early confirmations for the vendor market include Homesteader Lures and Baits, Mackie Hide and Fur, Minnesota Trapline Products, No BS Lures, Top Lot Stretchers and many others.
The expo and convention will include an extensive outdoor leadership planning initiative for the future of wildlife management with leaders from hunting and trapping associations across the country.
“The educational demonstrations and vendors listing is a “work in progress” but we can be certain that the information and shopping opportunities will be national quality; second to none,” Hastings said. “The best modern tools and necessities for trapping will be on display, as well as a bit of a flea market area where outdoor-related items and collectibles will be available.”
“Northwest Nebraska is excited to welcome this new and unique event to the region,” said Kerri Rempp, director of Discover Northwest Nebraska. “With a wealth of wildlife and the Museum of the Fur Trade, Northwest Nebraska is an ideal location for those in the industry to explore, and we look forward to showcasing our area.”
Information about the Western Nebraska Sportsman’s Expo and Nebraska Fur Harvesters Convention can be found at nebraskafurharvesters.com.
The Nebraska Fur Harvesters, founded in 1973, is dedicated to preservation of the freedom to trap and to continue the traditional wise-use wildlife policies that have given America the most robust wildlife populations in the civilized world. The organization is affiliated with the National Trappers Association and Fur Takers of America and works closely with the Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Rifle Association, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
