Maryland Fur Trappers June-July 2009

President — Ron Leggett, 7308 Monroe Rd., Boonsboro, MD 21713; phone: 301-432-8480

Vice President — Alfred E. Bradford, 4665 Back Shelltown Rd., Marion Station, MD 21838; phone: 410-957-0183

Membership Secretary — Reed Muse, 3499 Niner Rd., Finksburg, MD 21048; phone: 410-795-8076; cell: 410-790-6475; e-mail: frmtrapper@verizon.net

Recording Secretary — Jaime Glenn, 9 Jeanna Ln., Falling Waters, WV 25419
Treasurer — Ed Davis, 5122 Paw Paw Rd., Cambridge, MD 21613; phone: 410-228-8181

NTA Director — Morgan Bennett, III, 6838 Hunting Creek Rd., Hurlock, MD 21643; phone: 410-943-4623

Membership Options:
• Yearly individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
• 3-year individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $70
• Lifetime individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $250
• Yearly family membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $27.50
• 3-year family membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $80
• Lifetime family membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $400
• Yearly junior (17 and under) membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $10

Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
MFT, Membership Secretary
Reed Muse
3499 Niner Rd., Finksburg, MD 21048

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Maryland Fur Trappers Inc. brings you good news. HB-831 and the fur labeling bill HB-205 was voted out. HB-831 bill would have left the use of live hold foot traps and bodygripper traps only for people that hold MDNWCO permits. Both of these bills were pushed in to Annapolis by a direct paid employee of the Humane Society. I received an invitation to speak to Montgomery County Senators on March 11. After speaking with the group, they wanted to speak with DNR, and add amendments to the legislation. We had a lot of help from numerous organizations.

Montgomery County Farm Bureau worked very hard to kill HB-831 and we thank them for giving us a notice about the bill in December. Just because this bill was killed doesn’t mean we can relax. I must remind everyone that we have to speak to the legislators all year long about future legislation and teach every person you meet, on how important it is that we keep our tools to trap. Connecticut currently has a similar bill that is likely to pass, and Maryland will continue to be a target.

MFTI board voted to send $1,000 to help Maine. We have spent eight years of battling to keep our trapping rights and understand fully how important it is to have other states to stand with you.
MFTI board meeting have been well attended and we are getting a lot done because of it.
Advanced Trapper’s School in Garrett County will be September 11, 12 and 13. http://www.trapleggetts.com.

The FBU banquet was very successful this year at Bowles Farms in Clements, MD. We are already trying to book a date for 2010.

MFTI would like to announce their support for Bruce Hutton as NTA President.

Maryland Fur Trappers are looking forward to holding their annual convention at Tilghmanton Ruritan Park in Fairplay, MD. Starting on Friday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m., the public is welcome with a pre-registration for all you can eat steamed crabs. Aug. 22 will start at 7:30 p.m. with a live trap education ride. MFTI has booked a block of 20 rooms at Sleep Inn & Suites from Aug. 19 through Aug. 23 at the rate of $69.99 per night. Just tell them you are with Maryland Fur Trappers.

— Ron Leggett

DISTRICT 8 REPORT

District 8 had its last meeting for this season in March with seven trappers attending. Trapping season had just ended. We reviewed how the season had gone for each trapper. Prices received for furs and different fur buyers were reviewed.

Each trapper has little things that they do a little different from the rest and it is interesting discussing various ways of getting the job done. It can be in picking trap sets, adjusting traps, fur handling, etc. It is fun to compare notes with other area trappers. It is just plain enjoyable to sit around with other trappers and have a good old-time bull session. We caught a lot of fur that night.

District 8 Report

Dist 8 will again be attending the Jr Hunter Day, co-sponsored by the the Maryland Dept of Natural Resources, Wildlife Heritage, on June 13. It takes place at the Sudlersville Skeet Club on Duhamel Corner Bridge Rd. Barbara Joyce of the Md DNR has done a great job of keeping this event going over the years. It is a collection of Maryland outdoor activities that are available to Md youths. They get introduced to what is out there for them all in one day.
Dist 8 will start district meetings back up in October.

Remember our state convention on Aug. 21-22. Details are on the Web site.

— Roger Ringgold

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