ASSOCIATION CONTACT — Arkansas Fur Trappers Association, P.O. Box 1681, Greenwood, AR 72936; 479-651-3597; arkansasfurtrappers@gmail.com
President — Brad McDaniel; 479-651-3597
Vice President — Greg Griffith; 479-774-1434
Secretary/Treasurer — Mark Alexander; 479-310-0692; arkansasfurtrappers@gmail.com
General Organizer — Donald Wilcox; 479-997-8559
Membership Options:
• Individual membership without subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $10
• Individual membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $22
• Family membership without subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $13
• Family membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
• Lifetime membership with plaque (without subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller) — $100
• Commercial membership/sponsorship — Please contact an AFTA officer for pricing and information.
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
Arkansas Fur Trappers Association
P.O. Box 1681
Greenwood, AR 72936
SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT
It’s good to see some rain to finish off this summer. This time last year, we were in a full-blown drought that carried through to the end of the year. Sure made beaver, otter and ’rats hard to find. Most of Arkansas is now out of drought conditions with full lakes, ponds and creeks, and happy farmers.
Been hearing a few coyote howls lately, which is a sure sign that summer is coming to an end. Coyote trapping season is open as of August 1st but not quite sure what to do with one this time of year as the fur is pretty much worthless. Would be tough trapping sweating and stinking up a set in this heat. Surely full of ticks and fleas, maybe a game pen would take it, or just give it a dirt nap if it’s harassing livestock or pets, or for just being a coyote. Not sure what AGFC had in mind with such an early season but certainly won’t complain about expanded trapping opportunities. If you’re up to it and can target the beasts, have at ‘em.
This report may be in your mailbox in time to visit the AFTA booth at the International Waterfowler Festival and Outdoor Expo in Siloam Springs, AR, Saturday August 24th and Sunday the 25th. The festival is sponsored by the Christian Waterfowlers Association and will be held on the grounds of Christian Life Church. There will be hunting seminars all day Saturday in the CWA tent and the Remington Arms tent, calling contests, dinner, auction and more. Hope to see you there, and bring your beard if you want to enter the Duck Dynasty look-a-like contest.
AFTA will be holding a one-day trappers workshop at Don Wilcox’s house in Mulberry, AR on Saturday, September 21st. The workshop is free and should get started around 8 a.m. There will be one-hour classes throughout the day on each of the common species of Arkansas furbearers. Bring a sack lunch, everyone is welcome, young and old, beginner and experienced. For more information, contact Don at 479-997-8559 or 479-997-5477.
AFTA has received a limited quantity shipment of AFTA logo hats and have them for sale for $15 each, which includes shipping. The hats are a tan/brown/green camo with a mesh back and the AFTA logo on the front. Pictures are on the AFTA website. If the sale of hats goes well, we will have AFTA logo T-shirts for sale this fall. Send check or money order to AFTA, PO Box 1681, Greenwood, AR 72937.
If you’re running low on 22lr ammo and use it for dispatch or furbearer hunting, better start looking now because it’s a little hard to find. Might already be a little late as the coon and squirrel hunters look to stock up. Pay sky high gun store and gun show prices, or get in line at your local Wal-Mart as soon as they receive a shipment. Local Wal-Marts are receiving a fairly regular supply of 22lr, but it doesn’t last long at all, as in hours or even minutes. Call them, find out their receiving schedule, talk to the sporting goods manager and be there first when they stock it. And don’t let the employees get away with hiding it, yep it’s that bad. Call Wal-Mart headquarters if you notice any funny business, on any ammo, since paying customers come first.
This fall, AFTA will also have booth space at county fairs and gun shows in Western Arkansas. A booth at an outdoors event may get one or two guys and gals to start trapping, but if someone wants to trap, they’ll start with or without an AFTA booth. Our primary focus is educating the public and offering the truth over what is promoted by the anti crowd. — Mark Alexander