President — Craig Sweet, 1825 Kirkwood St., Saint Charles, IA 50240; phone: 641-764-2758
Vice President — Randy Mitchell, Iowa Fall, IA; phone: 641-648-6787
Secretary — Patty Kempf, 3371 130th St., Jamaica, IA 50128; e-mail: itasecretary@iowatelecom.net
Treasurer — Chris Grillot, 2769 110th Ave., Wheatland, IA 52777; phone: 563-374-1074; e-mail: itatreasurer@fbcom.net
FTA Director — Gene Purdy, 521 Edwin Place, Fontanelle, IA 50846; phone: 641-745-8841
NTA Director — George Scalf, 123 N. Madison Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501; phone: 641-682-3937; e-mail: iantadtr@mchsi.com
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $15
• Lifetime membership with subscription — $250
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
ITA Secretary
Patty Kempf
3371-130th St.
Jamaica, IA 50129
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Greetings to all, hope spring is going well for everyone. First off the ITA secretary, Patty, Kempf, has a new mailing address. Her new mailing address is 1428 41st St. Des Moines, IA 50311. Patty’s phone and e-mail contact will remain the same at 515-321-5189 or Ita.secretary2010@gmail.com
On March 24th the ITA hosted a Legislative Breakfast at the State House. This event has been important and helpful in getting to meet the Senators & Representitives in person at letting them know about the issues important to the ITA and with trapping. Many of the Rep’s that attend have or know of a person or people who have a background with trapping which is a big plus. I want to thank the following for taking time to help – Tracy & Cody Hutton, Mike Long, Gene Purdy, Lyndon Sutcliffe, Jason Sandholdt and Jim Obradovich.
Other ITA news is that the ITA has a new T-shirt design available in both children and adult sizes. They are different from the T-shirts in the past and are bound to draw more attention. Tracy and Cody Hutton were responsible for the new T-shirt design and getting them made. Prices for the T-shirts will be $10 for children’s and $15 for adult. Pictures will of the new shirts will be on the website soon and are available for purchase through the ITA Treasurer or stop by the booth at the fall convention to purchase them.
Tom Walters requested that I get the info out about the ITA photo contest. A winner from each category is selected from all photos submitted, at the fall convention. Categories are: Animal in Trap, Trapper and Catch, Multiple Catch, and Youth – 16 and younger. Send your photo’s to Tom Walters 1723 20th St. Bettendorf, IA. 52722.
Also the ITA needs nominations for the following: Hall of Fame, Outstanding Trapper, and Young Trapper – 17 & under. These need to be submitted before the Summer Directors Meeting on June 26th. Also the officer positions of Vice-President & Secretary are up for election at this falls convention. Nominations for officer position will remain open until the General Membership Meeting on Sept 17th. The ITA still has 3 districts open: 19 – Clayton, Deleware & Dubuque counties, 20 – Howard, Chickasaw, Winneshiek & Allamakee counties, and 24 – Sioux, O’Brien, Lyon & Osceola Counties. Also the NTA Director & REAP positions are vacant. You can contact me for any info on any of the above at hightoweria@aol.com or 515-306-9385.
The FBU banquet held in Des Moines on March 12th was a success. Thanks to all the sponsors, donators and people who attend for making it the success it is. Also, Thanks to all the committee members and workers who put in the long hours to organize and set-up for this event. On behalf of the ITA & FBU Thanks for you continued support of this event.
For this falls convention, Sept 16-18th in Winterset, I will oversee inside dealer reservations. Inside dealers can contact me at the contact info above. For general information about the convention you can contact either Cody Hutton at 641-396-2593 or cthutton@netins.net or myself. Winterset is located about 35 miles SW of Des Moines and has plenty of places to see and visit while in the area for all ages – hope to see you there!!
Sounds like the DNR will most likely raise the bobcat & otter quotas for next season. Bobcat quota would raise from 250 to 350 with no additional counties added to the open harvest area. River otter quota would raise from 500 to 650 with the season bag limit of 2 raised to 3 per furharvester license. The grace period would change from 48 hours after the fill of the quota to a period that ends at midnight of the day after the quota fills and the season is announced as being closed. Reporting would remain the same within 24 hours of capture, but the tagging time would be increased to 7 days. Beaver season would be changed from a April 1 closing to April 15th as it was some years past. We will have to wait and see if these changes occur, but all appear to be promising at this time from what I have heard.
The Summer Director Meeting will be held June 26th starting at 10 A.M. at the Quailty Inn & Suites in Ames. The motel is located just west of I-35 on 13th Street. All members are invited to attend any of the Director Meetings – hope to see you there.
Better go for now. Have a good spring & summer!! Til next time.
— Craig Sweet
