Join an afternoon with Sam ‘the Trap Man’ Gibson and The Shedwood Bush Betterers.

We’re excited to welcome Sam ‘the Trap Man’ Gibson to Tapawera this Sunday for an afternoon of inspirational yarns about the forest, trapping and life.

Sam is a conservationist, hunter, author, and social media sensation who has dedicated more than 20 years to protecting Aotearoa’s native wildlife. After spending his youth living and working in New Zealand’s bush, including time with the Department of Conservation, he made the transition from commercial trapping to ecological restoration and predator control.

Sam believes trapping is one of our greatest tools. It’s not only for protecting native species, but also for helping people reconnect with nature. In 2019, he established the Eastern Whio Link Project, which focuses on controlling invasive predators such as stoats to help protect and grow populations of the endangered whio (blue duck).

As well as his conservation work, Sam has written two books: Sam the Trap Man: Cracking Yarns and Tall Tales from the Bushand A Bushman’s Book of Yarns. Expect plenty of entertaining stories and valuable insights from someone who has a lot of experience in the bush.

Joining Sam is Taane Mills,a passionate young local trapper with a big heart for nature. At just 10 years old, Taane has already built a following on YouTube, where he shares videos that give a real-life look at trapping, hunting, and fishing. It’s an inspiring example of young people making a positive difference in conservation.

We’ll also hear from the Shedwood Bush Betterers,who will share an update on the impressive progress they’ve made controlling pest species and restoring the Shedwood Bush track.

Whether you’re interested in conservation, enjoy a good yarn, or simply want to learn more about protecting our native environment, we’d love to see you there. Everyone is welcome at this free event.