North Carolina Trappers Association June-July 2012 Report

www.nctrapper.org

President — Rodney Stancil, 2270 Glendale Rd., Kenly, NC 27542; 919-284-4498; stancilwildlifeservices@yahoo.com

Vice President — Tony White, 1318 Soundneck Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Secretary — Sharon Underwood, Rt. 1 Box 416, Peachland, NC 28133; 704-272-7876

Membership Secretary/Merchandise Coordinator — Darien Huffman, 382 Zimmerman Road, Lexington, NC 27295; 336-775-4778

Assistant Membership Secretary — Vacant

Treasurer — Joey Smith, 262 Mewborn Church Road, Snow Hill, NC 28580; 919-738-4683

NTA Director — Nelson Pearce, 5612 Hopkins Chapel Rd., Zebulon, NC 27597; (H)919 269 6710; (C) 919 868 5592; nelsonpearce@att.net

General Organizer — David Underwood, 4488 NC 218, Peachland, NC 28133; 704-272-7876

Education Coordinator — Todd Menke, 2663 Tar River Rd., Creedmoor, NC 27522; 919-528-9063; minkster@netzero.net

Newsletter Editor — Josh Biesecker, 307 Bridget Way, Creedmoor, NC 27522; 919-880-4046

 

Membership Options:

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

• Youth membership (under age 16) with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $10

• Lifetime membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $250

• Senior citizens 70 years or older with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $12

 

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

NCTA, Membership Secretary

Darien Huffman

382 Zimmerman Road

Lexington, NC 27295

 

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Hello NC Trappers,

I hope this report finds you well. Spring is upon us, and with the warm weather, I know everyone is busy, so I’ll get to the point and update you on what is going on with your association.

The Fox Report is finished and was posted on the NCWRC website during the first week of April. It’s a long read with a lot of filler material, but after the year of study, the WRC makes these recommendations.

1. Fox trapping seasons vary substantially across the state. There would be significant benefits to establishing a uniform state-wide fox trapping season.

2. Allowing trapping of foxes during the state-wide fur bearing trapping season would increase the harvest of coyotes. From 2006-2011, the average number of coyotes harvested per county within an established fox season was 31% to 112% higher then in counties without a fox trapping season.

3. Allowing the trapping of foxes during trapping season would simplify regulatory complexity and increase enforcement effectiveness. There are currently 22 unique fox seasons across 38 counties. This regulatory complexity is confusing for our citizens, and makes it difficult to interpret local trapping laws.

4. Finally, allowing the taking of foxes during the statewide fur bearing trapping season, would decrease safety risks to trappers. Where no fox season exists, trappers must place themselves in close proximity to the fox in order to remove it from the trap. If foxes were included in the season, they could be dispatched before removing them from the trap.

5. The commission recommends that the general assembly amend NCGS 113.291.1(b)(2) and amend NCGS 113.291.6 to give the commission the authority to regulate the use of all gear types in trapping.

6. The commission recommends that the general assembly consider opening fox trapping seasons to run from November 1st through February 28th in Buncombe, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Union, and Wake counties.

Fellas, I’ve read the report, and while it’s long, rambling, and confusing, I do see some positive points in it. I’m also happy that the WRC took to heart our hammering home the point that the coyote and fox are forever linked in North Carolina, and that management of one, means management of both. The report contains a lot of data, and data has a way of piling up to the point that it can no longer be ignored. This will work in our favor. What’s important here is that we have started a dialog. We have our foot in the door, and we won’t let them shut it. We have a commission appointed by the legislature that is basically saying, we have an abundant resource here that needs to be managed and shared by all sporting goods, not just one. In short, this document makes our case on just how lopsided and outdated this law is. On one side you have all this data on foxes and coyotes, and their need to be controlled, and on the other side, you have a group saying that “We want it this way because we’ve always had it this way”. Even their most loyal allies in the legislature are going to have to recognize that this argument won’t hold water much longer.

Moving on, I have another matter to discuss with you. For several years now, the NCTA has kept our dues at $20 annually. This barely covers your magazine subscription and our operating costs. We are now at the point that we need to raise our membership rates to stay solvent. In order to do this, we have to have permission from our membership. At our convention in September, you will be asked to vote on this, and I urge you to vote Yes. We are fighting for your trapping rights, and while we are at a 100% volunteer group, there are costs incurred to carry on association business. We are still in discussions on the new membership rates, as to raise them to $25 or to $30. While $25 will be helpful, $30 would be best. Please keep this in mind when making your decision on your vote, and also consider the good of the association as a whole.

I’ll close for now, I hope you all have a safe and productive summer and when whatever outdoor pursuits you follow, please remember to take a kid with you. — Tony White

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