This is the motto of the FHA (Fur Harvester's Auction Inc.) and it is emblazoned throughout the convention complex located on Bond Street (off Gormanville Road).
Trapper Relations Manager Mark Taylor does not simply pay these words lip service. He believes strongly in them and has raised his own children accordingly. Taylor says he has always brought his two children into the woods with him for trapping, a tradition passed on to him by his father and grandfather.
"Youngsters are really important in order to carry on the traditions of trapping and managing wildlife. We need to have the kids involved to continue to make sure that wildlife populations are healthy for future generations.
"If we keep the kids involved in natural resources and the outdoors, then they are not idle and not causing problems. Kids raised from the outdoors usually turn out pretty good."
The convention offers free admission for those 16-years-old and under.
The annual trappers' convention has been held in April for thirty plus years, an event that sees trappers visiting North Bay from all over the continent, as far away as the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and the United States.
The two-day trade show kicked off Friday and is filled with trapping-related demonstrations and information sessions, as well as artisan tables and native crafts available for sale. Friday night's social included a fur fashion show, live auction and dance, while Saturday night's events include a cocktail hour, catered meal and dance.
Saturday's demonstrations include the skinning and handling of beaver, skunk, otter, marten, fisher, and muskrat in the downstairs portion of the convention. Upstairs, enthusiasts will find seminars on trapping otter, rabies research, fox trapping, wolf and coyote snaring, and wild fur grading and terminology, all delivered by industry experts.
Taylor says that there are opportunities for newcomers to trapping at the convention as well. "We have lots of trapper's councils who are more than willing to teach anybody who is interested, and we have lots of avenues to get in contact with those people. There are lots of trappers here are willing to help anybody get into the business and share their love of the outdoors."
Taylor says one of the highlights of the weekend for him is seeing the same faces come back year after year from distances near and far, who have formed a sort of extended family for him.
The convention continues Saturday at 1867 Bond St. and admission is $10 per person (16 and under free).