Nevada Trappers Association June-July 2012 Report

http://www.nvtrappers.org

President — Joel Blakeslee (Sherri), 4905 Jackrabbit Rd, Reno, NV 89510; 775-742-1308

Vice President — John Sullivan; 702-493-8342;
johnsull4@aol.com

Secretary/Treasurer — Judi Curran, 4170 St. Clair Rd., Fallon, NV 89406; 775- 867-2239

Fur Manager — Jim Curran, 4170 St. Clair Rd., Fallon, NV 89406; 775-867-2239

 

Membership Options:

• Individual membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20

• Husband & wife with subscription — $22

• Junior (under 16) with subscription — $10

 

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

NTA, Secretary/Treasurer

Judi Curran

4170 St. Clair Rd.

Fallon, NV 89406

 

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Greetings Trappers,

The immediate post trapping season period is nice in many ways. I don’t know about you but I like to sleep in for the first time in 4 months. And when a front is going through and the wind is blowing the yard furniture into Utah, it’s nice not to have to go “out there” that day.

I have a ton of projects to do. But without a line out, it is just much more relaxed. Most projects are clean up and put stuff away for the season. I take all the traps to a car wash and pressure wash them. Will dye and wax every one before it gets hot in June if possible, but want to get any salt and gunk off the traps right away. Putting away the rest of the stuff such as pan covers, drags, extension cables, etc. is a chore too. But kind of enjoyable for some reason.

Things have been pretty busy for NTA this month because the state legislature last session handed the wildlife commission the job (as it should be) of coming up with new trapping regs for the two most populated counties, Clark and Washoe. The commission formed a commitee, and draft regs were drafted about having a standoff distance to residences. That is: no traps set within a certain distance. Four options were presented: 1000 ft, 1/2 mi, 1000 yards, and 1 mi.

Then the fun began. Or the controversy. Several hearings were conducted. Some by the committee. And some at the county game board level. When the two sides of trapping square off in the same room at the same time, things can get interesting. I attended the committe hearing in Las Vegas, and two game board hearings in Clark County about this issue and I have to say the trappers and our allies in the hunting groups carried the day. There was a huge turnout in Las Vegas for the second game board meeting on this issue and the pro trapping testimony and turnout outnumbered anti by about 8 to 1. I think the other side was pretty surprised by it. I think our side was pretty surprised by it.

Much thanks to regional director Dave Stowater and Tracy Truman for getting the word out. And much thanks to everyone who showed up or wrote letters. The best show at one ofthese hearings is the kids. The trapper kids stand up there in front of everyone and talk from the heart. Steals the show.

At the Commission meeting later in the month in Reno, option 2 or a 1/2 mile standoff was voted in. Not what NTA wanted, which was the least restrictive option at 1000 ft. But don’t think it will hurt many trappers. How many of us set traps within 1/2 mile of a residence anyway? Not many. Not me. And private property and waterways are exempt for the muskrat and beaver trappers. And remember this is only in Clark and Washoe counties.

It appears that there are more issues coming our way. And we will need to be ready with all the help and support we can get. The NTA board is meeting in June to strategize. And much work is underway in the meantime.

Will keep you posted. — John Sullivan

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