President — Rick Tischaefer, P.O. Box 334, Butte, ND 58723-0334; 701-626-7150; tischrc@ndak.net
Vice President — Marty Beard, 9101 119th St. SE, Bismarck, ND 58504; 701-224-0878
Secretary — Jeremy Duckwitz, P.O. Box 465, Hazelton, ND 58544; 701-674-3535; yodelyote@hotmail.com
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 Trapper & Predator Caller — $12
• Adult membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Family membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Lifetime with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $250
• Lifetime (62 and over) with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $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
I apologize for last month’s report. I attached the wrong document while submitting my report to F+W Publications, so you read the same report two issues in a row. I’ve included the correct report in this issue, along with the report I would include for October. Again, I’m sorry for the mistake.
September Issue Report
1. Welcome to the best time of the year! Some things to keep in mind as the trapping seasons approach:
• Remember to have your written permission and have it with you;
• Keep your sets away from domestic animal or human contact;
• Save time by marking your trails, runs, and set locations while out hunting or scouting;
• Run your line in both directions – you’d be surprised at what you miss when working from only one direction;
• Check and re-check your traps and equipment so it’s serviceable and in top condition;
• Animal welfare deserves the highest priority – use the appropriate equipment and be timely with your trap checks;
• Work with your wildlife and fisheries managers, conservation wardens, and report violations.
The gage of a professional trapper is not who traps the most or who has been trapping the longest. A professional trapper is a trapper who obeys the laws, shares their knowledge, continues to improve themselves through education, and serves to promote the activity by being responsible and ethical. Lets all be professional – our future depends on it!
2. The rendezvous in Turtle Lake was well attended and folks had plenty to eat, plenty of fun, and had the opportunity to share many things. Mother Nature slowed things down and dampened them a bit for the afternoon shooting events. Many folks were looking forward to a little bit of competition among friends. Maybe next time? Thanks to everyone who took the time to attend and provide their support for the association. Chris and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend the day in any other way.
3. Fur Harvester Education classes continue to be a big hit and very well attended. The largest class to date has been 43 students held by the crew from Bismarck. I thank each and every one of you for helping out with this busy year- from Bismarck to Dickinson to Jamestown.
4. I reported last month on some changes in this year’s regulations – ones that at least I knew about. Seems there was one that no one bothered to mention or simply had no intention of seeking any input from the trapping community. If you get a pamphlet in your hand, check out the trap restrictions section. The Game and Fish felt it necessary to add a paragraph that covered the March 15 – Apr 30 time frame and further restrict sets that apply to spring beaver trapping. This decision was totally uncalled for, under the table, and made with the door closed. That is not the way business is to be conducted and I’ve made that point perfectly clear to those involved. We’re working at getting some resolve in this matter and will keep you posted.
Until next time, enjoy and be thankful for all that God provides! Catch ‘ya. — Rick Tischaefer
October Issue Report
Greetings everyone! Let’s just slow things down for awhile and have October and November for about six months. How does that sound?
Fur Harvester Education Classes – Seventy one individuals graduated from the North Dakota Fur Harvester Education Program in August and September. Classes were held in Bismarck, Dickinson, and Jamestown. My appreciation goes out to the volunteer instructors who took their time to schedule, coordinate, train, and share their knowledge with those attending. If you haven’t taken the opportunity to attend a class, please consider it for 2013 – you will not be disappointed.
Donations Needed for Fur School-Fur Harvester Education – If you’d like to donate one or more carcass animals from trapping season this year, we’ve got a use for them. Tickets will be provided for your donation (like the 50/50 program) and a drawing held in 2013. The animals will be used in our fur harvester education classes. Animals should be in good condition and preferably double bagged, compressed, and frozen. Arrangements can be made with your Director or I can get them on the fur route.
2013 50/50 Deer Hide and Wild Fur Program – If you have hides or pelts to donate, contact your Director or me for arrangements to drop off or pick-up. This is a great opportunity to help the association and win some cash. You receive tickets for your donation, and once the hides or pelts are sold, the amount is split between the association and one lucky winner drawn from the pool of tickets. There is a separate drawing for hides and pelts.
Measure 5 – You’ll have the opportunity to vote on this ballot initiative on November 6th – or earlier if you vote by mail. Measure 5 is sponsored by HSUS and they have no business influencing what happens in North Dakota. I will tell you that the legislative process to update the Century Code began long before HSUS took any interest in ripping off North Dakotans using the guise that our animal cruelty laws aren’t what they should be. HSUS = PETA = Animal Rights = Trouble for North Dakotans. HSUS uses animal related emotional issues to conduct nothing more than what amounts to a money laundering operation. Want the facts? Check out North Dakota Animal Stewards at www.ndanimalstewards.com or North Dakota Animal Care at www.ndanimalcare.com. Pass this information along to your friends, co-workers, relatives, and everyone you know and ask them to NOT support Measure 5.
Upcoming Election – I’m sure you are as sick as I am after listening to all of the paid political advertisements. A great deal is at stake for North Dakota and the United States with this election. Make your vote count – our state, our country, and our future depend on it!
Advisory Board Meetings – The fall advisory board meetings should be scheduled shortly and will probably be towards the end of November. One question that may be asked – either this fall or next spring – is your thoughts on tagging all capture devices. Make it a point to find out when and where your district meeting will be held and attend! If you’re boiling mad about the trap placement restrictions for spring beaver trapping like I am, that is one more place to let folks know just how you feel – not only about how it was done (without public input – see #4 above), but that it was done for no good reason, science, or necessity. Make it a point to attend and become involved!
Enjoy your time in the field and marshes this fall, and take the time to thank a veteran for the freedom we enjoy. Remember to keep your membership current so you stay informed. Until next time, take care and be safe. Catch ‘ya. — Rick Tischaefer
