www.coloradotrapper.com
President — Dan Gates, PO Box 128, Canon City, CO 81215; 719-275-4077;
Dan@ColoradoRidACritter.com
Vice President — Joe Herrman, 250 CR 127 #19, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601; 970-309-0865;
paramountwm@yahoo.com
Secretary/Treasurer — Cheryl Oleyar, 1362 Hillcrest Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909; 719-471-0739; c.oleyar@comcast.net
Fur Auction Manager — Greg Ashmore, 38967 County Road 24, Hugo, CO 80821; 719-743-2552;
ashmore@esrta.com
Raffle Manager — Dan Schirer. 531 County Road 326, Silt, CO 81652; 970-618-1366; schirer@sopris.net
Historian — Dick Hane, 1971 Frontage Road, Fruita, CO 81521; 970-683-1402; rchane@msn.com
NTA Representative — Dan Gates, PO Box 128, Canon City, CO 81215; 719-275-4077;
Dan@ColoradoRidACritter.com
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
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Greeting’s members,
It’s been almost 2 months since convention and the committee and myself are starting to get geared up for next year. We are trying to get something set in the Northeast section but a location and dates are becoming more difficult to nail down.
If somebody has a potential suitable spot please contact me, Vice President Herrman, or one of the other board members and get us the information as soon as possible. We did a presentation at the September Wildlife Commission Meeting and showed the staff and commissioners a power point of the Convention weekend. All were impressed and they are attempting to assist us in a location for next year as well.
Everyone needs to keep in mind that this is a constant work in progress and the convention, stock show, fur auction and FBU banquet are just some of the things that we need to do. Gaining additional members is another. Educating and promoting our sport is also needed. It has been far too long that we have sat in the shadows of our defeat. Preaching to the choir does not support our cause. We are trappers. We are fur harvesters. We are predator callers. We are hunters and anglers and most of all we are Sportsmen. If we intend on keeping on what we have and possibly attempting to regain some ground we have to start within and work to the outer circles.
That means Parks and Wildlife, Landowners, Sportsmen, Lawmakers, Business Leaders, the general public and the youth. It is time to practice what we preach. If one has lost their fire then they need to get matches and paper because I guarantee a storm is coming. Just look at New Hampshire, Maine, California, Montana, Illinois and the many other areas that are being attacked. It doesn’t matter whether it is Bear Hunting, Dove Hunting, Trapping, Fishing or Guns somebody is trying to take it away. If you really care, I mean really care then we all need to start talking the talk and walking the walk. Get someone else involved, talk and promote the association and let’s move this thing forward. It won’t happen over night, but it won’t happen at all if we don’t take the next step.
If it sounds like I am trying to rally the troops, you bet I am. Just ask Senator Uhdall how he recently voted to side with the United Nations for a Worldwide Gun Order. Senator Bennett did the same. They say they support sportsmen, which is what we all are, but I think they want us to harvest game with a club or a rope. I could only imagine a background check on those two items. Make sure you vote in November’s election.
On a lighter note it looks like we are in for another rocky fur season. Things are not all that bad just uncertain. No different than the last 50 years though. Just make sure you harvest prime fur and find a way to do something different with the lower grade items.
While we have the committees set and the new board in place I think we are moving forward toward continuing growth and if anybody has input or ideas email me or Vice President Herrman so we can get feedback on things that could help the organization. Even though we are slammed ourselves I will attempt to email and update to the board and committee members so everybody is on the same page. I don’t expect to have monthly meetings by any means but I think it is quite difficult to progress when you only have a spring and fall meeting.
Until next time good luck and keep your waders dry. — Dan Gates
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Congratulations to the following raffle prize winners:
1st Prize, Cannon Challenger Gun Safe – Randy Gorsett, Silt, CO
2nd Prize, Savage Axis 22-250 w/scope – Chris Maimer, Fort Collins, CO
3rd Prize, Weatherby 12 GA pump action shotgun – Marv Miller, Buchanan Dam, TX
4th Prize, Authentic fur bear – Gary Crawford, Arvada, CO
5th Prize, Coleman All in One grill – Ann Walker, Basalt, CO
6th Prize, $100 – Ethan Crawford, Longmont, CO
7th Prize, $100 – Matthew Kolecki, Rifle, CO
8th Prize, $50 – Tom Cary, Kremmling, CO
9th Prize, $50 – John Sullivan, New Castle, CO
10th Prize, $50 – Nikki Miller, Wellington, CO
We are also delighted to welcome a bunch of new members, many of whom attended the Rendezvous: Jimmy Ayres (Golden); Marty Baxter (Broken Bow, NE); Vernon Bohn (Dwight, KS); George Bosick (Maybell); Jason Bruce (New Salisbury, IN); Carlos Cervantes (Carbondale); Bonnie Deeds (Steamboat Springs); Kim Duerr (Rifle); Mike Dukeman (Arvada); Dale Evans (Junction City, KS); Karen Gates (Canon City); Ted Gutierrez (Bennett); Timothy Gutierrez (Kim); Brandon Harvey (Empire); Kandy Herrman (Glenwood Springs); Wes Keller (Wray); Matt Kolecki (Rifle); Marvin R. Miller (Evergreen); David Moreno (Grand Junction); Patrick Quigley (Breckenridge); Larry Russell (Mancos); Jay Sills (Basalt); Tyler Tobias (Grand Junction); Kacy Herrman Townsend (Rifle); Debbie Watts (Dumont): Jack & Mary Jo Webb (Canon City); Claude Wood (Meeker); and John Zurek (Colorado Springs). Our association is better and stronger because of your participation!!
Annual Membership Meeting Minutes
August 31, 2014
President Otis Latham called the August 31, 2014, CTA Annual Membership Meeting to order at 10:20 a.m., at the Rendezvous site at Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area near New Castle, CO. He led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
The minutes of the February 2, 2014, Membership Meeting were approved as distributed. The financial report was read and filed.
Officer and Committee Reports:
Vice President Dan Gates reported he has been working to make the Rendezvous bigger, better, meaner and stronger. He thanked Kandy Herrman and Dan Uhrich for putting together a very successful FBU/CTA banquet April 26th in Grand Junction. He has been working with other sportsmen’s organizations to form the Colorado Sportsmans’ Alliance for lobbying purposes. The trap tag issue has been dropped.
President Latham recognized CTA Life Members by asking them to stand. He reviewed recent accomplishments, including the swift fox and bobcat issue. He thanked the Secretary, Vice President, Fur Auction and NWSS Booth Managers, Marvin Miller, and his wife Joy for their assistance and support during his presidency.
Northwest Director Jim Hooks announced he would not be a candidate for re-election.
Southwest Director Kevin Herrman reported on the FBU/CTA banquet. The FBU donated $600 for materials that were given to NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camp participants. He and Joe also presented a trapping demo at the Whittington Center. The whole family has been involved in preparations for the current Rendezvous. He and Joe participated in Heritage Days in Palisade, educating the public about trapping. Kevin has also attended the Parks & Wildlife Roundtable meetings.
Northeast Director Alan Nall announced his resignation. He has been looking for a Rendezvous site for next year.
Southeast Director Ethan Gates shared that he has been teaching some local young people how to trap. He also worked on the Rendezvous/Convention.
Metro Director Gary Crawford announced the 2015 Miss Rodeo Colorado is Maria Kidd, who has ordered a red fox coat. The CTA received a 20-year recognition award from the Miss Rodeo Colorado Association for our provision of fur coats all these years. Rhianna Russell, the 2014 Miss Rodeo Colorado, attended the FBU/CTA banquet in April and also donated a horse-head sculpture to the CTA, which was sold at the live auction on Saturday evening.
Bill Curns presented the Fur Auction report in Greg Ashmore’s absence. More sellers and buyers were involved in February’s auction and furs sold at good prices. The dates for the 2015 fur auction in Hugo will be February 11-12. Flyers were distributed. The mailing list for auction flyers will be extended. Better signage at the auction is planned.
Bruce Bartow reported on the Denver Western Stock Show Booth in Don Clifford’s absence. He said help is needed, shifts are 6 hours long. Selling your furs at the booth is a great way to get retail prices on your items.
Raffle Manager Dan Schirer reported over $6,000 in sales so far. Whittington Camp scholarship recipients this year were Joe Garruth and Cole Hoffman. We will need two applicants by Fur Auction time next year.
Historian Dick Hane is collecting pictures and other memorabilia in preparation for our 40th anniversary celebration next Rendezvous. Kandy Herrman has offered to help him scan pictures and articles to make CDs.
The Finance/Rendezvous Committee report was presented by Kandy Herrman. The FBU Banquet was a big success. Over $20,000 was raised, half of which went to FBU and half was deposited in the CTA General Fund. Kandy thanked the Uhrich family for their help on the banquet/raffle preparations. Another banquet may be held late in March next year. The Gates and Herrman families were involved in Rendezvous preparations. Concerning Face Book, we have 300 friends and have made some money selling patches that were donated by a contact.
Special Orders: Elections
Bruce Bartow nominated Kevin Herrman for Northwest Director. Kevin was elected by unanimous consent. President Latham appointed Dan Uhrich of Loma to replace Kevin as Southwest Director.
In response to Alan Nall’s resignation, Latham appointed Randy Smith of Greeley as the Northeast Director.
Kandy Herrman nominated Ethan Gates for Southeast Director. Ethan was elected by unanimous consent.
Bruce Bartow nominated Gary Crawford for Metro Director. Gary was elected by unanimous consent.
For the office of President, Joe Herrman nominated Dan Gates. Mary Gutierrez nominated Opal Watts. Marvin Miller moved that nominations close and the motion was adopted. The candidates were allowed three minutes for speeches. Ballots were distributed to members. A Tellers’ Committee composed of Kandy Herrman, Ted Gutierrez, Billy Trujillo and Jim Hooks was appointed by President Latham. Tellers’ Committee Chairman Kandy Herrman read the results of the balloting: 56 ballots were cast, 14 for Opal Watts and 42 for Dan Gates. President Latham announced Dan Gates was elected President. The motion was made and adopted that the ballots be kept for one week by the secretary and then destroyed.
Because the election of Dan Gates left a vacancy in the Vice Presidency, President Latham appointed Joe Herrman to fill the Vice President position for the rest of the term.
President-elect Gates announced the following appointments: Finance Committee: Bruce Bartow, Kandy Herrman and Dick Hane. Rendezvous Committee: Joe Herrman, Randy Smith,
Dan Uhrich and Brandon Harvey. Raffle Manager: Dan Schirer. Fur Auction Manager: Greg Ashmore, assisted by Bill Curns and Todd Fairchild. Western Stock Show Booth Manager: Don Clifford, assisted by Jim Hooks and Bruce Bartow. Historian: Dick Hane. The Wildlife Commission Liaison responsibilities will be shared by: Randy Smith on the Eastern Slope, Dan Uhrich on the Western Slope, and Dan Gates in the Central Region of the state. FBU Representatives: Kandy Herrman and Bruce Bartow. FTA Representative: Marvin Miller. NTA & NRA Representative: Dan Gates.
New business:
Marv Miller suggested the Board decide on donations to the Montana and Maine trappers associations, which are facing law suits. He also recommended the CTA donate to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.
A question concerning our Main Stay accounts was referred to the Finance Committee.
Marvin Miller moved the monthly salary of the secretary be increased to $225. The motion was adopted.
Marvin Miller moved the CTA pay the Founding Member fee to be on the governing board of the Colorado Sportsmans’ Alliance. The motion was adopted.
Dan Gates moved we compensate the webmaster a minimum of $50 per month for his service. The matter was referred to the Board for research.
President Latham asked the Rendezvous Committee to suggest a date and location for the next Rendezvous. He also asked them to research charging a fee for shooting events.
In behalf of the members, Cheryl Oleyar presented President Otis Latham and his wife Joy with a thank you card and cash gift, thanking them for their generous service to our association over the past eight years.
The meeting adjourned at 1:40 pm. — Cheryl Oleyar