President — Mike Renfro, 401 Norton Hollow Road, Erwin, TN 37650; phone: 423-330-8134
Vice President — Jerry Scott, 190 Mockingbird Drive, McMinnville, TN 37110; phone: 931-692-2035
Secretary — Cindy Jacobsen, 938 Tyree Springs Rd., White House, TN 37188; phone: 615-672-8546
Membership Secretary/Treasurer — Cindy Jacobsen, 938 Tyree Springs Rd., White House, TN 37188; phone: 615-672-8546
State Organizer, NTA Director and FTA Director — Chris Jacobsen, 938 Tyree Springs Rd., White House, TN 37188; phone: 615-672-8546
Trapper Education/Public Relations Coordinator — Jackie McMurtry, 143 Pond Rd., Cottontown, TN 37048; phone: 615-672-4163
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $18
• Family membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Junior (16 & under) with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $12
• Lifetime membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $200
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
TFTA, Membership Secretary/Treasurer
Cindy Jacobsen
938 Tyree Springs Rd., White House, TN 37188
615-672-8546
http://www.tennesseefreetrappers.com
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Hello Tennessee Free Trappers.
The First TFTA Fur Auction that was held in Bulls Gap on Jan. 2, 2010 was a no show for trappers in Eastern TN with any fur to sell. However, there were fur and root buyers present.
The most recent fur auction that was held Jan. 30, 2010 in Waverly was sparsely attended by trappers who had fur to sell. Auction tables were reserved by TFTA members, however I believe most trappers did not show up due to the snow and ice accumulations and bad driving conditions. Five tables were ran through the auction with four fur buyers in attendance.
I believe the economy also has a large effect on fur prices this season. Not many trappers out there this season. With fur buyers speculating, some species of fur will bring a better price than others.
The TFTA auction that was held in Waverly had a double whammy due to heavy snow falls, bad travelling conditions and also not many trappers out catching fur due to low prices this season. The Waverly auction is usually one of the better fur auctions. At any rate, the results of the fur auction in Waverly are as follows:
Listed by SPECIES; QTY; HIGH; AVERAGE; TOTAL
Muskrat — 72; $6; $5.89; $424.50
Raccoon — 46; $6.25; $3.60; $165.75
Mink — 1; $2; $2; $2
Gray Fox — 12; $12; $6.25; $75
Opossum — 32; $0.50; $0.27; $8.75
Beaver — 6; $6; $2.60; $974.25
Coyote — 7; $8; $3.43; $24
Otter — 8; $28; $14.88; $119
Bobcat — 12; $25; $14.71; $176.50
Skunk — 4; $2; $2; $4
TOTAL — $1,019.50
Many thanks to Jerry Pangle for his assistance in the fur handling demonstration at our Waverly fur auction. The TFTA appreciates his volunteer work in helping fellow trappers put up their fur correctly in order to obtain the best price possible. Well-handled, put-up fur brings higher prices. Thanks to John Coakley for attending this sale and for having trapping supplies available.
THE REMAINING TFTA FUR AUCTION FOR THIS SEASON IS AS FOLLOWS:
Auction #3 — Alexandria, Tenn – DeKalb County – Feb. 27, 2010 at 9 a.m. CDT. This auction will be held at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria, Tenn. Directions: From I-40 take exit 254 (Alexandria Exit). Turn right off the interstate. Stay straight continuing on Hwy. 53 South, then take a right on Hwy. 70 in Alexandria and follow the TFTA signs.
Remember, you are responsible to have your otters and bobcats tagged with the US cites tags before bringing them to the fur auction. There is no guarantee that a TWRA officer will be present to tag otters and bobcats. Arrangements have been made for a TWRA officer to be attending. Contact your regional TWRA office for information on how to obtain the cites tags for otters and bobcat in your county.
If you are selling your fur green, please do not bring it to the auctions wet and muddy. Be sure it is clean, thawed, the fur is dry and not full of burrs.
To view the results of the fur auctions this season, visit the Web site at www.tennesseefreetrappers.com.
To reserve your table, contact Jackie McMurtry at 615-672-4163.
SPRING MEETING 2010 — The TFTA is planning a Spring Meeting. Look for more information in future issues of the Trapper & Predator Caller magazine.
FALL MEETING 2010 — The TFTA is planning a Fall Meeting at Mark Griffith’s place. This will be a three-day event. Let’s get started early. Please plan on attending and helping out. It takes a lot of planning and volunteers for a three-day event. Please contact myself or any of the officers if you would like to volunteer. Trapping supply dealers and tailgaters are also welcome free of charge. This event will be next year some weekend in September near the end of the month. Look for more information in future issues of the Trapper & Predator Caller magazine.
FUR HANDLING and TRAPPING SEMINARS 2010 — At the TFTA fall meeting, we also discussed having fur handling and trapping seminars. Consider saving any of your unwanted catch for these seminars. More information to come in future issues of Trapper & Predator Caller Magazine.
— Mike Renfro
