Minnesota Trappers Association September 2012 Report

www.mntrappers.org

President — Shawn Johnson, 6122 McQuade Road, Duluth, Mn 55804; 218-525-4970;
mcquaderoadfur@msn.com

Vice President — Dave D’Aigle, 29765 Holly St NW, Isanti, MN 55040; 612-366-2748

Secretary — Linda Johnson, 6122 McQuade Rd, Duluth, MN 55804; 218-525-4970

Treasurer — Tricia Coons, 8747 Tranquility Ln. NW, Bemidji, MN 56601; 218-444-8244;
MTATrish@paulbunyan.net

Membership Coordinator — Mitzi Heavirland, 31301 County Road 67, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Director of Trapper Education — Shawn Johnson, 6122 McQuade Road, Duluth, MN 55804; 218-525-4970; mcquaderoadfur@msn.com

NTA Director

Education Coordinator — Shawn Johnson, 6122 McQuade Road, Duluth, MN 55804; 218-525-4970; mcquaderoadfur@msn.com

 

Membership Options:

• Individual membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $25

• Junior (under 16) with subscription — $15

• Lifetime membership with subscription — $400

 

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

MTA, Membership Coordinator

Mitzi Heavirland

31301 County Road 67

Grand Rapids, MN 55744

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Greetings All,

I’m down to the wire on this column as the NTA convention begins in a few days and Linda and I will be leaving shortly to assist in the preparations.

Convention Coordinator(s) Tim Bauer was our main man on the ground again this year to host NTA’s fourth convention in Minnesota history. Sadly but understandably, Mr. Bauer has decided to retire from the position after many years serving as vice president as well as coordinating so much of our convention logistics particularly focusing on dealer issues.

Although the location of next year’s annual MTA Convention will be decided early next week at our Board of Director’s meeting, we will need more folks willing to step forward and volunteer to take a greater share of the convention coordinating in the years that follow.

Tim has graciously offered to advise and offer the benefit of his many years of experience to the folks that will ultimately fill in the gap. Anyone interested in focusing their organizational skills on assuring that MTA Conventions continue to be the envy of the nation, are encouraged to contact VP Dave D’Aigle or me if they’d like to be considered for the position.

This is not necessarily the task of a single individual as for many years prior, a group of leaders has tackled the tasks associated with hosting a convention as a team with the hosting district leadership carrying the brunt of the legwork. Many individuals are essential to putting on a great convention and I have every expectation that members will fill in any gaps necessary to insure that our conventions only get better.

A heartfelt thanks to Tim for his many, many years of service.

Vacancies exist in other areas of MTA service as well.

MTA Treasurer Trish Coons who has held the Treasurer’s position for several years now has also decided to retire from the position effective after the NTA Convention concluded in August.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Dave or me to find out more about the position. Although this is not a paid position, anyone who is approved by the Board is entitled to a stipend according to current membership numbers as a thank you for their contribution to the organization.

Ideally any individual interested in considering this position should have a solid background in balancing a checkbook and the integrity worthy of such a position of trust.

Trish has offered to assist with the transition to a new Treasurer to help show him/her the ropes.

Thankfully, Trish has decided to retain the Newsletter editor’s position as well as continuing to serve as webmaster to the electronic world.

Please take the time to thank her for her service to MTA.

MTA Raffle Although Gary Meis has agreed to remain as Raffle Chair during next year’s gun raffle fundraiser, he’s informed the Board of his desire to retire from MTA leadership and to at long last enjoy the freedom of being a “civilian” MTA member for a change.

This position requires the same high standards that the Treasurer’s position does and ideally, someone (or a couple) should have great organizational skills and integrity above reproach.

Because this position handles funds earmarked for Education expenses in accordance with our Charitable Gambling licensure, extremely accurate bookkeeping and good communication with the Treasurer is essential.

If interested in taking on greater responsibility in your organization, you are strongly encouraged to contact Dave or I to let us know.

Gary has also offered to be of assistance to the new Raffle Chair(s) in transition.

Gary’s many years of service to MTA is universally recognized. Thank him for those years whenever you have the opportunity.

Due to the nature of the positions, the Board has also agreed to require background checks on applicants for Raffle Chair and Treasurer before final Board approval.

MTA will pay any related costs associated with such a check and the results will remain confidential.

Election Time When MTA Convention 2013 comes around, officers and district representatives will once again be up for election. This includes both president and vice president’s chairs. Both Dave and I have agreed to serve another term if nominated and I encourage anyone interested in leadership to throw their hat in the ring if they would like to serve.

District Six Directorship In addition to president and VP slots, the director’s chair for district six is also immediately available. District six covers the bulk of the metro area and historically it has been difficult to find interested parties that are willing to serve in leadership. A commitment to serve as a director consists of four Board of Director’s Meetings annually as well as attendance to duties at the Winter General Membership Meeting and the Summer Conventions.

Everyone understands that our lives are busy and that available free time is precious commodity but isn’t it time you consider investing some of that time to promote the sport we all care so deeply about?

If you desire to know more about serving in a director’s capacity, please contact your district director or give me a shout and I’ll see if I can’t answer many of your questions and a few of your concerns.

Online Trapper Education I ‘m pleased to announce that the option available for new trappers to complete the written exam portion of the Trapper Education Program is now available online for any that are interested. Trish Coons has done a great service to the membership by constructing this convenient option for many busy young people www.mntrappers.org Those without computer access can still complete the written exam via correspondence course if they desire and traditional “sit down” classes will still be available in many areas of the state. With this accelerated option to complete the written exam, there will be a greater demand for Field Day opportunities by volunteer instructors as years go by. Instructor certification/recertification is also available online which makes attaining instructor certification a breeze. Those instructors that haven’t hosted, or assisted hosting a trapper education course or field day within the past two years are encouraged to recertify on the website. Those without computer access can request materials from me directly.

Wolf Season- Hopefully all who are interested in taking a wolf this trapping season have remembered to apply for a wolf license through the lottery. Deadline for applications was previously set for the end of August.

Law Changes- Please take the time to thoroughly read the newest edition of the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook for this year. Several changes have taken place that all should be aware of in particular the new requirements regarding the use of 220 sized body grippers on land in baited applications. Also snare height requirements have been changed in response to suggestions by MTA which will now allow snares to be up to 20” off the ground as opposed to the long standing regulation restricting us to “16. Opening dates for dry land snaring in the Farmland Zone have also been made earlier as we suggested.

Limit Species Tags/Coupons- Please remember to pick up your paperwork for fisher/marten/otter from ELS vendors to save embarrassment on the line. Keep in mind that although these do not need to be attached to the animal, they must be validated at the site in the same manner as deer, turkeys etc are.

Fisher/Marten Limits/Seasons- Please also note that the length of the fisher/marten season has been shortened and once again you will be limited to no more than two fisher. MTA is encouraging DNR to consider developing separate fisher zones with different limits/seasons to make the most of areas that have plentiful fisher populations but lack resident marten. We’ll keep you posted.

Again I encourage all of you to be active in your Association.

Attend your local district meetings and make your opinions known.

We’ll do our best to make positive changes for the benefit of trappers and the furbearer populations we depend upon.

Keep your skinning knives sharp. — Shawn Johnson

 

DISTRICT 1 REPORT

Greetings all,

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. This report is going to be real short seeing that were leaving for the NTA/MTA convention tomorrow right after I get off work.

Last month I reported the DNR had concerns about last seasons marten/fisher harvest and were considering modifying the season. It’s offical now — the season will be 6 days with the same limit of 5 animals (no more than 2 can be fisher ). Nov. 24 to Nov. 29. Also note that these animals must be registered within 24 hrs. of the close of season which is Nov. 30. The height that snares may be set from the ground has also been increased to 20” and as the rule is now written it is much easier to understand than in the past. Please read the 2012 Mn. Hunting & Trapping Reg. Handbook and make sure you understand the laws.

Also application materials for the upcoming wolf season should be online and at ELS agents in early to mid- Aug. The application deadline is Sept. 6 and online winner notification will be no later than Oct. 14. Good luck to all that apply.

District 1 will have it’s fall meeting on Sat. Sept. 15 at the Cotton Community Center. I know it’s the opening of small game season but it was the only Sat. I could get. Heck it’ll be to green to see birds anyway! Make plans to attend.

That’s all for now. Take care. — Bert

 

DISTRICT 4 REPORT

Greetings District 4

I am writing this on the eve of our convention. I really hope you had a chance to attend.

The only news I can confirm at this time is the wolf season is a go. Applications will be available online at the DNR website with a $4.00 fee. The deadline is Sept. 6th and if you are lucky enough to be drawn you will be notified no later than Oct. 14th. If drawn, you will be able to purchase a license starting Oct. 15th.

The DNR decided to shorten fisher/marten season to a 6 day season 11/24-11/29. I Believe limits will be the same as last year. I do not know when we will have to register so will let you know in a future article.

Our Fall/winter meeting will be at Wealthwood, dates and time later.

Don’t forget to get your Legal Defense banquet tickets, on sale now. Call Gary at 320-838-1570. If you would like to donate to the banquet you can contact me at 218-851-5989. I hope to see you there.

Till next time. — Buzz

DISTRICT 7 REPORT

Hello fellow trappers. This report is being written a day before the NTA convention starts. Details from the convention will be in my next report.

District 7 will be holding their fall meeting on Saturday, September 22 at Schmitt Enterprises. It will also be Customer Appreciation Day. Schmitt Enterprises also has Red O’Hearn coming to do some demos. The rest of the demo schedule is still being worked out. So make sure you plan ahead to be able to attend. Watch for you post cards for more information.

Until next time. — Leon Windschitl

 

DISTRICT 5 REPORT

Hello everyone,

District 5 is currently working on a proposal for Litchfield for the 2013 MTA Convention.

I am planning on doing a trappers education class Saturday, October 6th. It will be a field training class only. We are encouraging students to take the classroom part on-line.

We will be having a fall meeting probably at Mark Melby’s, postcards will be sent with date and time.

We are currently working on the NTA Convention in Owatonna, so will keep this short.

Take care. — Pete

Related Posts

  • No Related Posts Found

Leave a Reply