Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance September 2011 Report

President — Tom Peterson, phone: 918-241-2677

Vice President — Shannon Sheffert, 1301 Old Bumpy Rd., Stillwater, OK 74074; cell phone: 405-742-7884; e-mail: ssheffert@odot.org

Secretary — John Weygandt, 4720 S. 26th W. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74107; phone: 918-645-5667;
e-mail: j.weygandt@maccor.com

Treasurer — Vivian Scott, P.O. Box 179, Alderson, OK 74522; phone: 918-426-6918;
e-mail: littlerockmeme@msn.com

FTA Director — Terry Thornton, Rt. 2 Box 71, Hartshorne, OK 74547; phone: 918-297-2073

NTA Director — Leo Farmer, phone: 918-616-7662

Membership Options:

• 1-year membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Family membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
• Lifetime (Over 70) with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $150
• Lifetime with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $300
• Youth membership — $10

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

OFBA, Treasurer
Vivian Scott
P.O. Box 179, Alderson, OK 74522

918-426-6918; littlerockmeme@msn.com

http://oktrapper.com

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

I am starting to sound like a broken record, its HOT! I believe as I write this newsletter on the 1st day of August, we are up to 35 official days over 100 degrees this summer! And no end in sight. Hopefully by the time we get our September issue of the Trapper Newspaper, these hot summer days over 100 degrees will be a bad memory and we are off to some needed rain and cooler temperatures. And one of these days, summer, then fall will transition to winter and trapping season.

I guess that trapping season has been ‘on’ for us nuisance trappers (at least that is what Cathy calls me) all summer long. I have had my busiest month of June and July that I have ever had, but it is all about skunks and armadillos. The critters have moved to the lawns where people are watering and the skunks and armadillos are just trying to make a living. The problem is that the armadillos must all be mangy as not a single one of them has had a decent coat of fur.

Just want to let you know about a few things before the fall meeting. The fall meeting is going to be at Crowder on October 8th. We still have time for nominations for officers. All officer positions are open as are all 8 district directors. Please send or call or email nominations, and you can send in your own name, to John Weygandt (918) 645-5667. We need nominations by September 12th and we will have ballots in the mail by September 20th. Please mail back your ballot or bring it to the fall meeting.

The new hunting regulations have been printed and there is only one main change in this years laws regarding furbearers. Erik Bartholomew wanted you to note that the gray fox season dates are still the same, December through February, but the season is statewide instead of just east of I-35. Good change for you western trappers. Also for you fur buyers, I know it is still a while off, but your applications have been mailed out and if you have not received one, please contact Erik, the states Fur Bearer Biologist at (405)385-1791.

One last suggestion came from Bob Walshaw. The hot temperatures and low water creates both problems and opportunities. The problem is that the creeks are drying out and many fish are being trapped in every shrinking water holes. The opportunity is that this is where a trapper can gather up a bunch of carp or gar real quick for trapping bait. Just go in with a dip net, seine or go bow fishing and in a short while, you will have more carp than you can use in a couple seasons. If you don’t have a chance to get out yourself, check with some local bow fishermen and they will probably bring you a pickup load of rough fish as they are always looking for somewhere to dispose of the catch. Then start with your favorite recipe and by season beginning you should have many pints or quarts of fish ready for pocket sets.

Hopefully by the time you read this we will be enjoying some fall rains and cooler temps. Then again the other evening, Cathy commented that the evening felt nice. There was a breeze blowing, the sun had gone down about an hour before and the weather felt nice. What’s funny about that is when we got into the truck to go home, the temperature sensor said the outside temp was a cool 99 degrees. Its all relative, last winter we were trying to keep sets operating in – 10 degrees and that is a distant memory.

Good luck in your early fall season fishing, dove hunting, bear season, or for some of you lucky ones, a trip to Colorado to hunt elk or other big game.

Thanks.

— Shannon Sheffert

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