Pennsylvania Trappers Association, Inc., October 2011 Report

President — Brian Mohn, 134 Fairview Road, Hamburg, PA 19526; phone: 610-562-1790; e-mail: papatrees@aol.com

Vice President East — Joel Whitehead, RR#2Box 90, Thompson, PA 18465; e-mail: JFRED@nep.net

Vice President West — Ned Weston, 120 Swope Road, West Sunbury, PA 16061; phone: 724-894-2239; e-mail: Nweston@netzero.net

Secretary — Tereasa Houtz, 300 Flint Lane, Landisburg, PA 17040; e-mail: PTASecretary@embarqmail.com

Treasurer — Chad Kijowski, P.O. Box 614 , Dayton, PA 16222; phone: 814-257-9846;
e-mail: HKijowski@yahoo.com

Editor — Russ Ford, 309 Pine Dale Road, Carlisle, PA 17013, phone: 717-249-7271, fax: 717-249-8509; e-mail: Ptaeditor@pa.net

NTA Director — David Shuttleworth, 5452 Tamarack Drive, Sharpsville, PA 16150; phone: 724-962-4260; e-mail: Dianeshutts@aol.com

FTA Director — Mark Kasten, RR2 Box 2287, Hallstead, PA 18822; phone: 570-278-2553; e-mail: willsher@epix.net

Public Relations Director — Mike Gontor, 87 West 7th St., Jim Thorpe, PA 18229; phone: 570-325-4974; e-mail: FuFiGa@ptd.net

Membership Options:

Individual membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
Individual membership without subscription — $10
Junior, age 16 and under without subscription — $5
Lifetime membership with subscription — $300
Lifetime membership without subscription — $100

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

PTA Treasurer
Chad Kijowski
P.O. Box 614
Dayton, PA 16222

www.patrappers.com

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Last month I wrote that our weather has been very hot and dry, well August certainly brought us a change. Still hot but very wet, too late for the crops but I’m hoping the aquatic furbearers made the necessary adaptations.

Our family spent the last weekend of August at a trapper’s convention in Ontario, Canada. We were welcomed back into the states with hurricane Irene coming up through New York. We skirted any real damage that the chainsaw can’t take care of but we have been without electric for the past five days and not expected to be turned on for a few more. We are learning to adapted and realize how much we are a creature of habit. Right now I could be easily trapped with a gallon jug of water for lure.

Life is about adapting to what comes along. Trappers and people who make their living off the land understand this better than anybody else. This year we must adapt to some knew trapping regulations for use of Bodygripping traps in Artificial Cubbies; Opening restrictions on our Species Specific traps, and beaver trapping near dams and lodges.

Implementing these changes will keep you within the law and teach us a different method to achieve the same results, making you a little bit more knowledgeable about the furbearer.

I encourage everybody to attend your district meeting this fall. This is the meeting where we poll our members for season and bag limits to forward to the PGC in January. The meeting is also a place to pick up the last of supplies you will need for the upcoming season.

Good day.

— Brian Mohn

NTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The National Trappers’ Association Convention in Columbia, Missouri went well. There were 2,974 paid gate admissions. There were approximately 700 vendors and 110 tailgaters. The following awards were presented by NTA: Conservationist of the Year – Bob Bluett (Illinois), Affiliate of the Year – Alabama Trappers Association, Benefactor Award – North American Fur Auctions, David Reed Memorial Award – Ohio State Trappers Association, Leadership Award – Randy Zarnke (Alaska), Director of the Year – Charlie Rath (Director at Large), President’s Award – Kansas Fur Harvesters Association, Trapper of the Year (East) – Danny Redwine (Mississippi), Trapper of the Year (West) – Bob Gilman (Oregon), and In Memoriam Awards – The families of Mr. George Scalf and Mr. Ray Bruedigam. Jim Curran and W.E. Pete Askins were inducted into the National Trappers’ Association Hall of Fame.

FurBearers Unlimited hosted the NTA Awards Banquet at the convention on August 4th. Awards were presented to the following for their outstanding dedication and support: Maryland Fur Trappers Association, Iowa Trappers Association, Paul Dobbins and Friends of Trapperman.com, Billy and Melinda Rice, Richard Garret, Tommy Tucker, Cody and Tracy Hutton, Anna Marie Scalf, and with loving memory, George Scalf.

At the most recent board meeting, the 2012 budget was adopted. The following were elected: Regional Director (Midwest) – Ken Stewart, Board Representative to Executive Council – David Shuttleworth, and Directors-at-Large – Matt Lumley and Chris McAllister.

Committee chairmen and members were selected and a list will be available soon. The contracts for the editor, the convention coordinator and the Linkhart Group will be offered an extension of their current contracts for one year with no major changes in the terms.
Chris Horton, the Midwestern States Director for Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Linkhart Group and several state affiliates gave presentations at the board meeting. The site of the 2013 national convention will be Lima, Ohio, as long as negotiations with the venue are successful.

I gave a report for FBU that included information about the new logo being created. FBU is offering the Gun of the Year Program which features the Ruger M77GS Gun Site Scout Rifle. FBU is also working with organizations to help them raise funds through banquets. If you would like more information, please contact me.

The bylaws committee presented two amendments which were adopted for presentation to the membership. One amendment was concerning moving forward the dates for nomination and acceptance of candidates to ensure adequate time to submit information to the American Trapper. The other amendment is in regards to establishing a procedure to ensure that all NTA members receive a ballot.

This is a current policy; however, it is not in the bylaws. A motion that the bylaws committee be directed to prepare a bylaws revision for consideration by the board no later than the 2012 convention was defeated because of financial considerations.

There was discussion regarding Regional Conventions. The staff and executive council are going to review procedures to help ensure that the regional conventions break even. The office is implementing recommendations made by the new accounting firm that conducted the annual audit. Donations received in memory of George Scalf will be placed in a scholarship fund in his name.

I would like to thank everyone that supported NTA during the convention through their attendance, assistance with the booths and banquets, and their financial support.

— Dave Shuttleworth

DISTRICT 1 REPORT

Hello Members. Trapping School was hosted by Mercer County this year at Pymatuning State Park. There were 26 kids and a handful of parents in attendance. Thank you to Donna Murphy for the excellent food and to the members for the instruction and organization. It was a nice day for the kids to learn about trapping.

The fall business meeting will be hosted by Warren County. It will be at the Spring Creek Sportsmen’s Club at 525 Turner Hill Road, Spring Creek, PA 16436 on September 24th. The doors will open at 9 AM with the meeting starting at Noon. There will be vendors, demos and possibly some tailgaters there. If you need directions, please contact Bill Cummings at (814) 723-8824.

Antler and Angler will be having their Sportsmen’s Show on October 1st and 2nd at the Crawford County Fair Grounds. We are hoping to work with other districts and build a demo area. Jim Murphy and I met with Joan from Armstrong Cable to begin conversations about constructing the demo area for this event. This is a way to obtain good PR for PTA.

We are still waiting for Joan to get back to us.

Erie County is hosting a trapping school in September in Union City. For more information, call Darrel Mook at (814) 796-4545.

Thanks to all the counties that put forth the extra effort to attend the fairs, Heritage Fests, Pumpkin Fests, etc. Your efforts are really appreciated!

The Spring Gun Raffle will be held on April 7th at Sparrow Pond Recreation and Camping.
God Bless.

— Charlie Sykes

DISTRICT 3 REPORT

Hello all,

I wanted to give you a quick update on district events. On August 27, we held our summer picnic / pig roast at Cedar Creek Park. I didn’t get a complete count, but I think, somewhere around 45 to 50 people who showed up.

Once again, the food was outstanding and, of course, thanks goes to all who attended and brought the food. I think everyone took home a doggie bag for later, but mine had to wait until Sunday after eating for about 5 hours there. It was nice seeing everyone and their families having a good time, we’ll have to do this again. Big thanks also go out to Doug and Rachel Bergman, who lined up the pavilion and coordinated the picnic.

We sold all of the raffle tickets on the Henry Golden Boy rifle, as I’m writing this the drawing is still two days away, so I’ll report on the winner in the next issue. Thanks to all who helped at this year’s fairs, it is great public relations for us to be there.

I’m not sure if you’ll receive this in time, but our trapper’s school will be held on September 24, at the Youngwood Sportsmen Club. We are combining our school with the Pa. Game Commission’s “Successful Furtaking Class”, and all attendees will receive their cable restraint certification after testing. Signups are through the Game Commission’s web site, under education classes.

When you receive this report, the D-3 scholarship will be winding down, so if you’ve postponed or forgotten about it, time is running out. Deadline is September 30, so remind your college aged writers to forward their essays.

Don’t forget to mark our fall rendezvous on your calendar; the date is October 2, at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Hope to see you at one of our events.

— Dave Eckels

DISTRICT 5 REPORT

I hope you have all had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to the upcoming fall season. These cool mornings have me thinking about the hunting and trapping days ahead. I encourage you to start planning your “line” now rather than waiting until the last minute.

I am sad to report the passing of a fellow trapper Bill Elders. District 5 did send our expression of sympathy to the family and I received a thank you card from them.
The trapper school was held at Camp Harmony again this year with 37 students attending, the highest attendance on record! The PA Game Commission had a representative there and the weather was good for the duration. Thanks to all who helped out with the school and made it a success.

Our fall meeting will be Sunday, October 2nd at 1:00 PM at the Jerome Sportsmen’s Club in Jerome, PA. Take the Jerome exit from route 219 and follow the signs. The meeting will consist of an election of officers; a trapping demo, a supply dealer, general meeting, and lunch will be provided. Please plan to attend and support our district.

Please feel free to contact Pat Wess @ (814) 262-9455 or me with any information you would like to see in this report or any questions you might have. I can be reached at (814) 686-0497 or e-mail me at bdstern@atlanticbb.net Thanks for reading.

— Brian Stern, Tipton, PA

DISTRICT 7 REPORT

August 20 was our trapper training school at the Lions Club grounds at White Deer. I would like to thank Joe Mast and all the instructors who helped.

One of our members, Tony Stabinski was in a bad accident in July and has been in a coma since then, he could use some prayers from all of us.

On August 27 we participated in a youth field day at the North Montour Sportsmens Club, about 51 youngsters attended.

2012 PTA Banquet—District 7 is hosting the 2012 PTA banquet. It will be at the Hughesville Fire Company Social Hall in Lycoming County on March 31. The doors open at 4 pm and the meal will start at 5 pm. Miss Pennsylvania and Miss Teen Pennsylvania will be there. We are having an auction and a ticket raffle. If you would like to help collect items or help at the banquet, please let me know.

— Pete, 570-437-2679, MINKMAN46 @AOL.COM

DISTRICT 9 REPORT

There will be a cable restraint class at Mount Pisgah State Park (Bradford Co.) on October 16 starting at 1:00 PM. If you need details, call the Park office at 570-297-2734. As of this writing this class is not on the PGC website.

Our Wayne Co. meeting is also scheduled for October 16 at 2:00 PM at Dave Costanzo’s house. You will be receiving a card in the mail with directions and more details.

We’ve been pretty busy in the last month or two. Members manned a booth at the Troy Fair in Bradford Co. in July. We also had a successful stint at the Harford Fair in August. As of this writing, the trapper training school on Sept. 10-11 has not taken place. We have 40 applicants so far. Our mini-rendezvous is being held on Sept. 18 at the Triton Hose Co.

And finally, we have ironed out difficulties with the Susquehanna Co. PFSC youth field days, which will be held on Sept. 24 at the Harford Fair grounds. We will be doing a one-hour presentation after lunch to all 11 to 16 year olds. I will have more to report about these latter events in next month’s Trapper.

As usual, we awarded the Harford and Troy Fair Queens a $200 check each. Both young ladies were very appreciative and said the money would definitely help with college expenses. This gesture is good PR for the District and portrays us as community-minded.

Congratulations to both the girls.

We did not have the success we normally have in selling the PTA sweepstakes tickets at the fairs. I don’t know whether it’s a sign of the times or we just don’t have a prize package that people like.

All this PR should not overshadow the fact that trapping season starts this month. Hope everyone is ready to go. It looks like fur prices will be somewhat favorable, so get out there and set some traps.

— Ed Price – 570-679-2318 – pricee@nep.net

DISTRICT 10 REPORT

Hello to all. Hope you are gearing up for the upcoming season. Fur prices look very favorable.

District 10 fall convention will be held Sept. 30 and Oct 1 at West End Fairgrounds. The hours will be Friday 3:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There will be plenty of food, demo’s and raffles. We can use help to set up and clean up and also during the show.

Our District fur sale will be held Jan. 14, 2012, at Belfast Club. Seems like a long way off, but it will be here before you know it.

District 10 will be hosting the State Convention in 2013 at the West End Fairgrounds.

Dates will be June 6 to 9. Please plan on helping in some small way. We will be discussing this at upcoming meetings and will also have a sign-up sheet at the fall convention.
I want to take time to thank our dedicated bunch of guys that keep District 10 running.

You all know who you are – so thanks for the help for so many years.

That’s it for now. Enjoy the fall season and take a kid with you on the trapline.

— Scot Mucha – 610-863-9759

DISTRICT 11 REPORT

I want to start by saying thank you to Terry and Brock for hosting our meeting at Millcreek Sportsmen’s Assoc. on August 7th. We were the beneficiaries of leftover pork they had from an event the day prior to our meeting and man was it good. After we enjoyed a real good lunch together we visited for a while and then got into our meeting.

We took a look at the rendezvous results in detail and thanks to everyone’s effort in this project we did really well. We took in $1175 from the quilt raffle and decided to donate all of it to the State Scholarship Fund. We also donated $5000 to KIFE; $200 to the Auburn Ambulance Association and $200 to the Farm Museum at the fairgrounds. The rest of the pile of money we invested in a CD.

Hopefully by now you are all aware of the new regulations on body grip traps that we must abide by. Ralph informed us of a little fact about the dog proof traps – new regulation is less than a 2” opening and he says that the Alkatraz trap is bigger than what is allowed. If anyone has these traps, you may want to check into this. We took a vote of the members present at the meeting of those in favor or not of Sunday hunting so Ralph knows how to vote for us at O & D. It was a vote of 14 to 1 in opposition of Sunday hunting.

We talked a bit about the fur sale for 2012. It will be January 7, 2012, which is early compared to some other years so be aware of this and mark your calendars now. It will be at the Berks County 4H center, Bernville, PA.

Our next business meeting will be at Middlecreek Wildlife Center on Sunday, Oct. 2 in the parking area by the Sunfish Pond at 2pm. Hope to see you there.

— Mike Spittle, (717) 367-2637

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