The reputation of the Sundre Trappers' Association's supper and auction fundraiser certainly seems to precede itself.
"We sold out probably three weeks in advance," said Larry Nielsen, the association's president, adding the event is always highly anticipated.
"We were pleasantly surprised."
All 240 tickets for the event, which was held on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Sundre Community Centre, sold out. Although the event has been held annually in the past, there was no supper organized last year, he said.
This year's successful evening netted about $15,000, which although a bit down from the last time the event was held a couple of years ago, nevertheless exceeded organizers' expectations, he said.
The local trappers' association was concerned that due to the economic downturn there would be unsold tickets and that local businesses and community members would be more reluctant to offer items for the silent and live auctions, he said.
But their concerns did not become a reality. On top of the sold-out evening, about 100 items were donated for the silent auction, plus an additional 15 or so for the live auction, which was comparable to the last supper held two years ago. Despite the challenging times, there was good support from the community and local businesses, he said.
Local songwriter and singer Ryan Sande put on a fantastic performance, and the Sundre Rodeo Royalty also helped make the evening a success.
"That's one of the groups we support," said Nielsen.
Other organizations the association also contributes to include Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association (AHEIA), the Sundre Pioneer Museum, the Sundre Fish and Game Association, Friends of the Eastern Slopes, and the Wild Sheep Foundation of Alberta. Additionally, funds were donated last year towards River Valley School's new playground. The association's mandate is to offer family-friendly recreation, sustain the tradition of trapping in Alberta and to work on wildlife management.
"We donate specifically to Alfred Lake, west of Caroline," he said, adding there is an AHEIA camp facility located there.
"They have close to 10,000 kids go through that camp every year to take hunter education."
The Sundre Trappers' Association is under the umbrella of the Alberta Trappers' Association, which recently took over trapping education. To become a trapper, one needs a certified instructor from the provincial association's head office in Westlock. Arrangements can be made to have an instructor come here ó although at least 10 people have to be signed up ó or anyone who's so inclined can go up to their facility, he said.
"There are international humane trapping standards that you have to be aware of."
There are protocols around humane trapping as well as approved apparatus to use. It's not just techniques but also equipment that must meet certain standards, which evolve over time, he said.
There's a substantial course that features a practical as well as a written exam, and the Sundre Trappers' Association helps subsidize anyone aged 16 and under who is interested in taking it. That course costs about $400, and depending on the situation, the association can help cover a portion of that expense, he said.
The local trappers' association meets at the museum at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month with the exception of June, July and August. Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the group is welcome to drop by during a meeting, he said.
