North Dakota Fur Hunters & Trappers Association January 2014 Report

President — Rick Tischaefer, P.O. Box 334, Butte, ND 58723-0334; 701-626-7150;
tischrc@ndak.net

Vice President — Glen Baltrusch, 312 Alder Ave., Harvey, ND 58341; 701-341-1261

Secretary

Treasurer — Linda Penry, 3235 Crested Drive N., Mandan, ND 58554; 701-667-9380;
lpenry@wildblue.net

Fur Harvester Education Program Coordinator — Rick Tischaefer, P.O. Box 334,Butte, ND 58723-0334; 701-626-7150; tischrc@ndak.net

 

Membership Options:

• Junior (14 and under) membership with subscription to T&PC — $12

• Adult membership with subscription to T&PC — $20

• Family membership with subscription to T&PC — $20

• Lifetime with subscription to T&PC — $250

• Lifetime (62 and over) with subscription to T&PC — $150

 

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

NDFHTA, Treasurer

Linda Penry

3235 Crested Dr. N., Mandan, ND 58554

http://www.ndfhta.com

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Greetings everyone! Just a few items for this month –

1. Another fisher season has come and gone – no new information yet as the season just closed and this report needs to get sent in. If you happened to get time out and set some equipment, I hope you were successful. More to follow in next months report or the Dakota Skinner.

2. The Game and Fish advisory board meetings were held in late November and early December. I hope you had the opportunity to attend, but if not, they’ll be held this spring too. It’s important to be a part of this system of public meetings – these are our natural resources; we need to be informed; and need to be a part of the decision making process. Watch these future reports about the spring schedule.

3. The spring meet will be here before we know it! The event is scheduled for February 22nd, 2013 at the extension building across the highway from the Game and Fish Headquarters. Let me know what you’d like to see for demonstrations or presentations. It’s your event – what would you like to see or do? Phil Mastrangelo plans to have the winter issue of the “Dakota Skinner” out in January, and that will have more details about the event. If you’d like to advertise or list something for sale in this issue, get a hold of Phil as soon as you can. Advertising is not expensive at all and may help you get the exposure you need.

4. Planning ahead – Instructors should be thinking and talking about fur harvester education classes for this coming year. Dates, locations, soliciting help, and passing the information up the chain should occur in the next couple of months. I’ll be looking for the information from the district coordinators in March – that will get the class information out to the public so everyone can plan accordingly. Hunter education classes are the best resource for potential students. Keep an eye out in your local area and make arrangements for a short presentation at a hunter education class. If you need help doing that, contact your district director. Fur harvester education classes are for everyone – experienced or not too experienced. We’re looking for a few good folks to volunteer their time as instructors. If you are interested (and I hope you are), please let me know. We’re going to be having some instructor short courses this spring and will coordinate dates and locations based on those who would like to participate.

5. If you hear of anything negative related to trapping or fur hunting, please let me know. When you are trapping and fur hunting, do a good job out there. Be professional, responsible and a risk manager – there is no need to give folks from the anti-trapping and trap restrictions crowd any fodder or reason to limit our activities.

6. For the folks working the badlands, pay attention to the sign and avoid the lions – there’s plenty out there. There are a few things you can do to make your sets more selective if you are working the same area where there’s lion sign: Footholds – snuggle your footholds so a coyote or bobcat will feel comfortable placing their foot there, but the larger pawed lion won’t; Cables – use the 8” x 8” rule (loop size and height) for your bobcat cable loops and 10” x 10” for coyote; and make sure your break-a-way devices are what they’re supposed to be. Anchor both your footholds and cable devices to hold a battleship – toe catches can leave the foothold behind and the cables will open as they need to do. In regards to visiting your sets, do it often and be regular about it. That way if you do catch a lion and hold one, it can be taken care of in a timely manner. A simple telephone call to Game and Fish can get you the help you need, and quite possibly get the animal tagged or collared. It’s important to do things right out there every year as our future depends on it.

7. Nominations will close at the end of the month for the following positions: President; Treasurer; District 2 (northeast) and District 4 (southwest) Directors. If you’re going to nominate someone, please check with them first to make sure they’re interested. Forward the nominations to me prior to January 1, 2014. We’re still in need of a volunteer to serve out Chuck Naze’s term as Secretary. If you are interested, please let me know.

8. As always, remember to keep your membership current so you stay informed. As we go about our business calling or trapping, consider sharing your travels and experiences with someone who has yet to know these activities. Until next time, take care, be safe and responsible, and enjoy what Mother Nature and North Dakota have to offer. Chris and I extend to you and your families a Merry Christmas and hopes for a safe and Happy New Year!

Catch ‘ya. — Rick

 

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One thought on “North Dakota Fur Hunters & Trappers Association January 2014 Report

  1. New to hutting sport, Any hunting event in ND. in the near future? Would like to start as team member where I can have guidance through the process. I am a USPSA member

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