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Back Woods Ranch to feature petting zoo

TrayC Erven and son Austin hold a chicken (barred rock) and a duck, while a bashful goat munches in the background.
Lori Bothum

The Petting Zoo at Moose Fest on Saturday is more than the average “zoo.”
Between Germundson’s Furniture and the old barbershop, TrayC Erven and family will have llamas, an emu, two geese, chickens, ducks, rabbits, a Cornish hen, kittens, sheep, goats and ponies, to name most of them.
The Ervens, including Austin 15, Shelbie 9, and Cole 7, who moved from Emerado, ND, purchased the old Falk farm just north and west of Karlstad and moved in June 1. They are gradually cleaning the barn and yard. TrayC said if she had known about it last fall, they could have moved earlier! It is a lot of work, not only taking care of the animals but providing hay for them.
TrayC, who calls her place “Backwoods Ranch,” has named her business “Petting Zoo and Pony and Horse Rides” and it is being sponsored by the Karlstad Lions.
They give pony and horse rides, not in a circle, but a guided ride. Daughter Shelbie helps with the zoo.
“We only charge $3.00 per ride, the same as we always have,” TrayC said. “The Petting Zoo is free but kids can buy little bags of feed to give the animals.”
“While living in Emerado, we boarded horses, trained them and give riding lessons for all ages, much of it in Grand Forks. Parents see their kids learning and want to learn to ride. A lot of older women rode last year, and we also did open range couples riding.
“We also work (riding) with handicapped children in camp. It’s good therapy for them. We donate the petting zoo for fund raisers.
“The kids show animals in 4-H. Austin has gotten Grand Champion in everything, goats, chickens, cow, horse. He also got “Mother of the Year award” when his barred rock hen hatched eggs during the fair! She was a good layer, so I put 18 eggs under her, from different hens. They started hatching before the fair so we boxed them up and eggs from the different hens were hatching all week. People loved it!
“I bring my animals to people’s back yards for birthday parties, or to a park or wherever it is. We travel all over - to churches, schools, centennials, county fairs, Fourth of July bashes, parades. On my gelding “Lover”, we head up parades with a flag and do opening ceremonies at rodeos.
“I go nuts if I don’t have anything to do. Austin, who has been helping me since he was little, is gradually taking over the business and is also a rodeo clown, “Bulls Eye”. While wearing a rodeo outfit, he teaches kids how to rope the steer. ”
She added that his makeup (painted face) can’t be copied.
They love animals and take in abandoned or abused animals. Whenever possible, she tries to place those animals (after having a chance to heal them) with 4-H kids or those who can’t afford an animal.
TrayC has been in the business for 18 years and loves it. They love this area and the people, and the kids will be attending school at Tri-County. Austin plans to play football for the Northern Freeze.

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