Colorado Trappers Association August 2014 Report

www.coloradotrapper.com

 

President — Otis Latham, P.O. Box 61, Mesa, CO 81643; 970-268-5554; latham@centurylink.net

Vice President — Dan Gates, P.O. Box 128, Canon City, CO 81215; 719-275-4077

Secretary/Treasurer — Cheryl Oleyar, 1362 Hillcrest Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909; 719-471-0739; c.oleyar@comcast.net

Fur Auction Manager — Greg Ashmore, 38967 Country Road 24, Hugo, CO 80821; 719-743-2552; ashmore@esrta.com

Public Relations Director — Opal Watts, PO Box 29, Dumont, CO 80436; 303-569-2953

NTA Representative — Otis Latham, PO Box 61, Mesa, CO 81645; 970-268-5554; latham@centurylink.net

Historian — Dick Hane, 1971 Frontage Road, Fruita, CO 81521

Raffle Manager — Dan Schirer, 531 County Road 326, Silt, CO 81652

 

Membership Options:

Membership dues including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller – $30

 

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

CTA Secretary/Treasurer

Cheryl Oleyar

1362 Hillcrest Ave

Colorado Springs, CO 80909

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

You can tell it is Summer time again and the Convention/Rendezvous is fast approaching. I will jump into that information after the latest updates of things that have occurred over the last month or so.

The Commission Meeting in Alamosa once again addressed the Mule Deer issues that the state is currently dealing with as they try to get a solid direction as to where to go. It is quite complicated. At the end of May, Karen and I attended a founders meeting in Denver that I recently reported on and it looks like that it is coming together as a board is being formed where the Colorado Trappers Association will be represented by yours truly. The scope of this group is to address sportsmen’s rights issues including the economic benefits that sportsmen provide along with many other issues such as the right to hunt and fish. Multiple associations and organizations have jumped on board and while it is a work in progress it will be quite different than anything else ever formed in the State. I will keep you updated as we progress.

On another topic the River Otter issue is being looked at once again but there continues to be some hurdles that need to be crossed. It might not go as fast as some people would like but we are working toward a positive result.

On June 7th, at the Colorado Springs Sportsman’s Warehouse, who is also sponsoring our Convention/Rendezvous, we once again set up for the Chili Cook off and competed against multiple other organizations. Members, Karen Gates, Cherly Oleyar and David McCarty entered Chili on behalf of the association along with Butch Anderson and myself who ran the booth for awhile. Several of the new Hats were sold and quite a bit of information was given out about the association and trapping in general. Quite a few people said they would attend this year’s rendezvous. Our Chili entries placed 6th out of 14 but the Ducks Unlimited guys had about 60 members show up to vote. It’s a good chance to mingle with the public and other associations.

Recently, Kevin and Joey Herrman traveled to the NRA Whittington Center to conduct a Trapper Education Class and promote what we do to the 50 plus kids in that session. Myself and Southeast Director Ethan Gates will do the same on July 2nd, while trying to fit it into our busy schedule.

Additionally, it looks like a few more Bobcats were harvested than the previous year as the mortality report came out. I will have that information available at the convention. Also, it is important to mention that if you are contacted by CPW about the Furbearer Harvest Survey, make sure you provide as accurate information as possible. As you can tell we have been quite busy coupled with the Convention/Rendezvous stuff.

The following is a general consensus and additional information will be supplied on a flier that will be sent out as well as on the Website. As of now we have multiple sponsors including Sportmans’s Warehouse, Big D Motor Sports, Tomahawk Live Trap, Colorado Rid-a-Critter, Book Cliffs Fur, Budweiser, Bitter Creek Forge, Schroeder Cage Traps, Paramount Wildlife Services, along with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the National Predator Hunter’s Association with others coming in. Set up for the event will begin at 7:00 am On Friday August the 29th, and camping will be allowed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The camping rate will be $20.00 per site and a $5.00 per person gate fee, this is for the weekend. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Vendor Fees run $50.00 and include dinner, camping and gate passes. The Saturday Night Barbecue will run $15.00 per plate, sorry but no reduced kids rates. On Friday Night at 6:00 the National Predator Hunter’s Association will sponsor a Coyote Calling Contest which will be judged and have prizes including a cash prize for 1st Place. Sign up will be Friday Afternoon and Evening. A Social gathering will also take place Friday evening. This will be a cool new event.

Gates open Saturday at 7:30 am with the first demo starting at 8:00 am with demo’s running through the afternoon until 3:00. With an exact schedule still being formulated it looks like Mercer Lawing from California will be doing a Bobcat demo and Jason Bruce from the National Predator Hunter’s Association will also provide instruction as well. A cage trap Marten demo along with a cage Beaver demo and skinning and fur demos will also be on the agenda. Saturday will also have the Trappers Obstacle Course Competition which if you didn’t see it last year it is a must see. Sign up is through the day Saturday. The Barbecue Dinner which will include a feast for everyone will be served around 5:00 pm on Saturday. After dinner the Live Auction will take place where Miles Downare will once again sell our goods. Also during the afternoon there will be many silent auction items that you will be able to put your bid in on. The baking contest will be on Saturday and the DESSERTS NEED TO BE SERVED FOR DINNER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE VOTING. Also, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be set up with their interactive displays and exhibits and it looks like we will have another top Game Warden from the area participate and sacrifice himself in the DUNK TANK.

Sunday we will start off with Church at 8:00, the board meeting at 9:00 and the General Membership Meeting at 10:00 with Elections and a break for lunch and full afternoon with shooting competitions to follow. All of the trap setting contests will be on this day as well. An awards ceremony will be on Sunday evening after the Shooting Competitions. Daily Food service will be on Friday afternoon and probably through Monday morning and is provided by the area Boy Scouts.

Quite a few vendors have already signed up and while this continues to be a work in progress things are coming along to make it bigger and better than last year. Punch up directions to the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area on the internet or contact me at 719 275-4077 or Kandy Herrman the Regional Rep at 970 379 6024. Other things to note are DOGS MUST BE LEASHED, PACK YOUR OWN TRASH. ATV’S WILL BE USED ON AN EXTREME LIMITED BASIS. Thievery will not be tolerated. Alcohol will not be tolerated on the Shooting Line and if you drink before you the Shoot you will not be allowed to Shoot. Rules will be enforced as needed for the benefit of all members and the association.

We very much want auction items donated but as it has been said in the past, try to keep them in good taste for the benefit of the association. Only commercially processed and packaged foods will be accepted. I am sure I missed something and I am sure somebody will point it out but we are trying to supply as much information as possible on the Website and the upcoming Fliers. If you have donations, or would like to become a vendor, or a sponsor or maybe do a demo do not hesitate to step forward. We also need some volunteers for some different things so if you would like to put a little effort forward or add your flare or to just participate let Kandy or I know. Help us make this the Best while continuing to promote and educate about the traditions and heritage of trapping and fur harvesting. Don’t let your bait spoil. — Dan Gates

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT

MEETING NOTICE – OFFICIAL CALL

ANNUAL MEETING OF
THE COLORADO TRAPPERS ASSOC.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

10:00 am

Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area

Newcastle, CO

 

The agenda will include reports of officers and committees, election of President, NW, SE and Metro Regional Directors and any other business that is properly brought before the membership.

We regret that Otis Latham has decided not to run again for president of our association. He has done a great job of leading us over the past eight years; we thank him and his wife Joy for the many hours they have spent serving at various CTA events and behind the scenes. Vice President Dan Gates is interested in putting his hat in the ring for president, and there may be another candidate or two.

If you are thinking of running for president or regional director, please refer to the bylaws for the responsibilities and qualifications for those offices. If you don’t have a copy of the bylaws, please call or email me and I will be glad pass the information you need on to you.

Welcome to these new members: Kurt Fishinger of Alma, Joseph Hilger from Holly, Paul Kaiser of Fountain, Nathan Pruce from Pueblo West, and Michael Garnett of Evergreen. We hope to meet you at our Rendezvous over Labor Day weekend! — Cheryl Oleyar

 

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