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Post by bill1958 on Jun 17, 2011 0:16:30 GMT -5
first off don't get scared.it's just like taking your friends on the line and showing them the ropes of trapping.the main thing is to be prepared and ready to answer questions from your peers.
first step pick your animal
second step pick the trap
third step pick the sets
fouth step get every thing ready for the demo and then recheck every thing
when you have every thing ready and at the convention ,first you introduce your self and thank them and again when it's over you thank them again
now you exsplain how to make the set,how to lure and bait that set and proper trap placement.remember the more you go in to detail the better it will be and the less questions you need to answer but hey don't think you will get a way from questions more so if there is kids around.
dress nice and clean and show your self in a professional manner.
the first one is hard but over time they get as easy as riding a bike.
guys please leave any tips as we have a member doing his first demo and he's scared of goofing up but heck we are human and hey it's a blast and a lot of fun so what do you guys say lets get this thread moving to help any other beginners out there as this is promoting our trapping and the sport we love so much
thanks bill
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Post by mark572 on Jun 17, 2011 0:52:35 GMT -5
Always be well prepared! make sure you go slow you are dealing with alot of different ages and learning ability's... buy doing this in a slow manner you can answer all the questions and not miss any this also give you time to make sure your not missing part of your demo!!!
Dave i highly recommend you do your class in chat for the adults and also the kids of Att...now understand you can not show use all the steps you do but you can explain them for sure you can take pictures of what your setting for the type of sets your doing ETC..and paste them into chat like we all do doing our demo's.. make sure you are organized and not fumbling through everything trying to find your pliers or wire ETC.
now sorry in chat the other night i wasn't thinking right!! you were talking about usen a 5 gallon bucket full of sand for your pocket set ... I would add some plaster pairs and cellos insulation 6 hand fulls to it, mix it really good and let set up.. do not use to much this will turn to a rock..lol... i use this in building rocks.... 3 to 4 cups of plaster should set the sand up pretty firm if not add a little more and remix the sand!!
Dave if you need more help just say so and ill do all i can to help you out buddy you will do just fine!!!
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Post by ScottRainbolt on Jun 17, 2011 5:24:00 GMT -5
i got caught in the trap on the first i did lol
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Post by timberhippie on Jun 17, 2011 6:59:38 GMT -5
I will add one thing make yourself available after the demo. Plan on answering questions then as well. The one thing I have learned is there are often people to embarrassed to ask questions in front of others. I find these people are very likely to ask you one on one if you make yourself available.
PS Scott I as well have caught my self in front of about a dozen 11 year olds and their teacher. LOL It hurt my pride way more then my hand.
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Post by redrooster on Jun 17, 2011 10:23:19 GMT -5
Best advice, Know your topic inside and out. There will always be the one person that wishes to challenge you. I taught many Police related topics for years and years. There is always a know it all. How do you deal with these folks? When I ran across one of them, I would tell them that they seem to know more than I did and offer them the chance to teach the class. It never failed, they would sit down and shut up.
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Post by bigdave on Jun 17, 2011 11:00:16 GMT -5
Guys, Thanks for the tips. I will get my stuff together and take some pics. Not really scared just being the first 1 I have done not sure what expect. My biggest concern is not knowing what to expect as far as the demo area. I use a pocket set that Gerald Schmitt shows in his Mega Mink movie and want to be able to duplicate it. That requires mud/dirt that packs well and wont collapse.
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Post by timberhippie on Jun 17, 2011 12:26:17 GMT -5
No offense but you better be ready to roll with what they give you. I have worked with everything from the playground to actually being in the field. Anywhere you go expect the environment to be imperfect and be ready to adapt to what you got. I find the KISS method to work on the line and at a demo. Just remember to keep it simple and don't force it. You may have to ask them to use their imagination a little as a demo area is seldom perfect.
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Post by redeagle on Jun 17, 2011 17:17:50 GMT -5
Always speak slowly and distinctly. Don't turn away from the audience while you are speaking. If you have to turn around to point at something or do something, make sure your head and mouth are facing the audience while your body is twisted. Nothing is more frustrating than to attend a demo and you can't hear all of what the guy is saying. Either bring your own mike and amp or use a microphone if one is available. (Best kind are those that attach to your lapel or wear around your face.) Speak into the mike. If you have a mike, you may as well use it properly or else just throw it on the ground because it won't be of any use to anybody if you don't use it correctly. If you speak loudly, clearly, distinctly and slowly, most guys will get it the first time and won't have to ask so many questions. Remember, you may be giving a demo and there will be other stuff going on around you, such as guys b.s.-ing, dealers selling stuff, loud speaker announcements, kids running around playing, babies screaming, dogs barking, etc. Always be aware of background noises and realize that the guys in the back won't be able to see or hear you as well as the guys in front of the group. Again I say, don't turn your back on your audience if you can absolutely avoid it. Before you start, ask if everybody can see. If they can't, have them move up to where they can. Same with hearing. Ask if everybody can hear you. If they can't, then take care of that situation, too. Somebody who is hard of hearing needs to be up in the front of the crowd. Stand behind your set while you make it and talk about it and make it backwards, so guys can see the set from the front. If you are making a dirthole set, get behind it and dig it upside down. That way, guys can follow what is going on without having to try to look over your shoulders to see what you are doing. When you cover one phase of the set, stop and ask if anybody has a question over what you have done so far. Then, do the next step, stop, and ask if there are any questions over that part. If you answer questions in increments, you won't have so many to answer at the end of the demo. Don't assume anything. Explain everything or else you will be bombarded with questions by beginners. If you are demonstrating how to use an earth anchor and mention in passing that they could use a drag at this set instead, show them an actual drag so they know what you mean when you mention the word drag. Some people may be clueless and will want to ask you about it, later. You will oftentimes run into a loud mouth know-it-all, or a comedian, who will want to steal the show from you to impress everybody with how much he thinks he knows or how funny he thinks he is. It's tough to handle these kinds of guys, so be prepared with comebacks if they mouth off too much.
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Post by bigdave on Jun 17, 2011 19:56:26 GMT -5
Thanks RedEagle good advice. I am hoping since this will be a kids demo that there won't be a know it all in the crowd.
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Post by cmr2 on Jun 17, 2011 20:46:54 GMT -5
Thanks RedEagle good advice. I am hoping since this will be a kids demo that there won't be a know it all in the crowd. but be ready for the one that is " My Dad Say's" and if hes not there than it's even better lot of good advice on this post ,and everyone has had one of those demo's that was boring/not able to hear/see, not laid out well ,so be open minded and good luck
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