Arkansas Trappers Association January 2015 Report

www.arkansastrappers.org

President — Aaron Hitchcock, 9331 Sister Lane, Mulberry, AR 72947; 479-997-5361;
AHITCH81@YAHOO.COM

Vice President — Danny Ross, 401 Japonica Lane, Hot Springs, AR 71901; 501-844-5091,
drossscoutmaster@aol.com

Secretary/Treasurer — Karen Fuller, 7611 White Oak Road, Mulberry, AR 72947; 479-221-4416,
karentee3@hotmail.com

NTA Director — Mike Fischer, 13823 Masoner Road, Lonsdale, AR 72087; 501-939-2325

Editor — Gary Helms, 1092 Vanderbilt Rd., Texarkana, AR 71854; 870-772-3834; TrapperGWH@aol.com

Membership Options:

• Individual membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $22

• Family membership with subscription — $27

Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:

ATA, Secretary/Treasurer

Karen Fuller, 7611 White Oak Road

Mulberry, AR 72947; 479-221-4416

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Hello Trappers,

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and has as much to be thankful for as my family. We had family come to Ozark from Illinois, Missouri, Yellville, AR, and Salem, AR. It sure was a house full. With all the good food and good company, it was easier to eat and visit than go deer hunting. If you had family traveling, I hope everyone had safe trips to and from their destinations.

With Thanksgiving and m.g. deer season over, I am looking forward to start trapping.

A few people that I have talked to that have already started trapping say the fur is looking good.

The bad part is a fur buyer in Missouri says the market is going to be less than last year, with the exceptions of Coyote, Bobcat, Otter, and Muskrats. With about 1 million raccoon in stock, it may be hard for them to sell, except for the select pelts. Maybe there will be some cold weather in Russia this year and that may help a little at the end of the season. I think that I am going to trap anyway, and enjoy being in the great outdoors, and observing all of God creations.

By the time this comes out, the Fur Sale fliers have been mailed and should be arriving to your mail boxes any day. The ATA Fur Sale is Feb 21, 2015, at the fair grounds in Russelville Ark. If you have any questions, you can call Fur Sale Coridinator Doug Henderson 501-288-0503, or Danny Ross 501-844-5091,or Aaron Hitchcock 479-997-5361.

If you are a fur buyer, new to our area and are interested in attending our auction, call Danny Ross for more information.

District 1 held its last meeting in Springdale, Ar. at the Hole Hog Cafe. I was not able to attend because of previous plans, but was told it was a good meeting with about 25 members present.

It will be Christmas by the time you read this. I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Till next time

Hoping your traps are full. — Aaron Hitchcock

EDITOR’S REPORT

I hope everyone is enjoying the 2014-2015 trapping season! The threat of lower fur prices this year will likely keep those that are only in it for the money out of the woods, leaving the rest of us with less competition for the available fur. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a nice big check at the end of the season as much as anybody. But, that’s just icing on the cake for me. Trapping is in my blood. It’s part of who I am. I enjoy running my traplines on those cold, crisp mornings and seeing how many predators I outsmarted each day. It invigorates me and rejuvenates me. My mind travels back to those first seasons when I was much younger and stronger, and didn’t need a four wheeler to run traps with. I didn’t need anybody to help me. Nowadays, I enjoy the company and the extra help when family members and friends accompany me. I much prefer it, in fact. Many things have changed in my life over the last thirty years, but trapping has remained a constant for me. I worry that this old, worn out body of mine isn’t going to allow me trap for very many more years, so I aim to make the most of whatever I’m given. Talk of two dollar coons doesn’t scare me. Been there, done that! I’ve seen high prices as well as low, and kept right on trapping. The land can only support so many animals, and the rest will be wasted if we don’t harvest them. Mother Nature’s management practices aren’t as humane as those of trappers and hunters. Starvation or dying of disease would be a much worse way to go. So, get out there and set your traps, catch what you can, and make some new memories with your family and friends. That’s what I’m doing! Please forgive my ramblings, guess I’m feeling a bit nostalgic today. Or, it could be the pain medications…lol.

There is nothing going on with the Association at this time. It’s Trapping Season!!! We’re all in the woods! We will all meet up in Russellville for the fur sale on February 21st, 2015 at the Pope County Fair Grounds at 500 S Knoxville, Russellville, AR 72801. I’ll have all the details here next month. Contact Doug Henderson at (501) 288-0503 if you have any questions.

The Helms family wishes each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! — Gary Helms

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