President — Bill Applegate, Box 883, Marfa, TX79843; phone: 432-729-3349; fax: 432-729-3623
Vice President — Dan Hepker, P.O. Box 399, Bastrop, TX 78602; phone: 512-303-1995
Secretary — Deborah Pilgrim, 1323 RR 2341, Burnet, TX 78611; 512-756-4609
Treasurer — Keith Jackson, 306 CR 2717, Alto, TX 75925; phone: 936-675-2047
Membership Administrator — Tasha Jackson, 306 CR 2717, Alto, TX 75925; phone: 936-858-3384
Public Relations Officer — David Pilgrim, 1323 RR2341, Burnet, TX 78611; 512-756-4609
NTA Director — Mark Davis, 11919 CR 1200, Malakoff, TX 75148; phone: 903-681-4230
Membership Options:
• Family lifetime (husband & wife) — $300
• Lifetime (payable $25 monthly) — $250
• Lifetime oldtimer (age 70 or over) — $25
• Business membership — $25
• Family membership (2 members) — $20
• Single membership — $15
• Junior membership (under 16) — $5
• 1-year subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller (members only) — $10
Payments for dues are non-refundable.
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
TTFHA, Membership Administrator
Tasha Jackson, 306 CR 2717, Alto, TX 75925
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
In recent years we have been experiencing poor attendance at our spring rendezvous and it has been suggested that we consider eliminating our spring meetings. I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.
Any changes will require a bylaw amendment voted on by the membership at a membership meeting. We will be holding our April 2012 meeting in Burnet. The October 2011 rendezvous will be in Junction on the 14th and 15th. Bring your surplus equipment to sell or trade. We anticipate several supply dealers will be present. The Saturday noon meal will be served as usual; however you will need to make other arrangements for your other meals.
Our kitchen staff has done a remarkable job preparing all of the meals over the years, but time has come to give them a break so they can enjoy the rendezvous the same as the rest of us. If you have anything you can donate to the auction, it would be most appreciated as it is one of our main fundraisers.
By the way, our fundraising options have been drying up over the years for one reason or another. If you can’t attend the rendezvous, send your donations with someone or mail them to Keith; your help will go a long ways in keeping the Association afloat. We are attempting an antler drive to generate income for the Association. Bring whatever you can part with to Junction or send them with someone else as we do have buyers for antlers of all conditions. Bear in mind that no live animals are allowed in the building.
Don Erdek, the maker of our fine award plaques, has offered to give a free gourd to any student or educator that attends the rendezvous. He will also drill a hole in the gourd to make a bird house. Ask him about it in Junction. Please be advised that we have new procedures regarding trapping tip submissions and prizes as well as display advertising; look for them in the Texas Fur Trails. A special thanks to Tom Fisher of Real Ecology for donating the KB Compound Predator Traps that will be awarded to the winners of the trap tips.
I realize how hard it is to interest or motivate people when fur prices are low and that is one reason to focus on nuisance animal work. Your Association has established a Nuisance Animal Control program for its members. The names and contact information of trappers willing to participate are provided to state agencies as well as individuals and companies looking for someone to help them out.
We also post this list on our web site. I have personally received work from this program. Contact me if you have an interest. Members, don’t forget to take advantage of free classified advertising in the Texas Fur Trails.
Dave Hastings still needs your stories, news, pictures and anything else of interest to keep the Texas Fur Trails first class.
Material from all across the country is welcome. He is particularly looking for some photos to be used for the covers of future issues of the magazine. We really need you to send in something for the magazine; some of us are pretty well tapped out on ideas and stories. I would really hate to see the quality of the magazine deteriorate, but this is likely to happen if the members don’t help out.
Everyone has at least one story of an event that took place during his or her lifetime. We can use stories from just about anywhere. Dave is willing to work with anything. He will make sure that all submissions are professionally presented in the magazine. This really is a growing concern or I would not be begging for material. If you have any reservations or concerns about sending in something, call Dave or call me and we will do our best to put you at ease.
Those of you who have submitted material for the magazine are most appreciated; without your effort the Texas Fur Trails would not be the fine publication it has become. Bear in mind the deadline for January submissions is December1.
Share your thoughts with any board member regarding what you would like to see our Association accomplish. Many of the achievements we have made are results of membership input. The Association is in process of reviewing and restructuring all committee assignments. If you would like to serve on a committee or offer your services in some other way, please contact me or any other officer or director.
Since animals reproduce, trapping and fur harvesting utilizes a renewable resource. Many of the furs harvested in America are exported which helps to reduce the federal trade deficit – trappers are working to strengthen America, not to destroy her. If you are ready to help out with promoting and preserving trapping, let us know. We would like to put your unique talents to work for the benefit of all and future generations.
— Bill Applegate
