President — Randy Barrows , 88 North Road, Milton, Vermont 05468; phone: 802-893-4258; e-mail: critrgitr@msn.com
Co-Vice Presidents— Joe and Deb Epler, P.O. Box 12, Chester, VT 05143; phone: 802-875-4511; e-mail: jdepler@vermontel.net
Secretary — Deb Epler, P.O. Box 12, Chester, VT 05143; phone: 802-875-451; e-mail: jdepler@vermontel.net
Treasurer — Jim Calchera, 233 McCaffrey Rdg., Putney, VT 05346
NTA Director — Dave Perrin, 2600 Vt. Rt. 12A, Randolph, VT 05060; phone: 802-728-5935
Membership Director — Paul Ainsworth, P.O. Box 118, Eden, VT 05652; phone: 802-635-7343
Membership Options:
• Individual adult membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Family membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
• Oldtimer (65 & up) with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $10
• Lifetime membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $300
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
VTA, Membership Director
Paul Ainsworth
P.O. Box 118, Eden, VT 05652
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Hello Vermont Trappers,
Well, summer certainly flew by this year, what little we had. It was more like a long spring, with the last couple of weeks of August with summer temps and weather. As I write this, it is about 50 degrees out with clear skies and beautiful, early fall weather.
VTA has been busy attending most of the major fairs in Vermont and New Hampshire. These fairs are one of the most important venues to show what we do as trappers and why we trap. It totally amazes me how the majority of folks have no idea we even exist. I want to thank everyone who worked at these fairs, taking time of from jobs and family to spread the word of what VTA is all about.
VTA Rendezvous is Sept. 12 and 13 at the Orleans County Fair Grounds. This event gives you the opportunity to stock up on trapping supplies and attend seminars to learn a new trick or two. It is also the annual membership meeting on Sunday, so if you got a question or comment this is the chance to vent. Hope to see you there.
By now, your equipment should be ready to go and you should be getting permission to trap. I have done both and am now waiting for the big day. By the amount of road kill I am seeing, there is no shortage of critters this year. We could talk about what we will get for these critters, but there is no need to start any depression in our lives. By what I have read, it will not be good. Having said that, if you are in this sport to get rich, you are fooling yourself.
At one of the fairs I attended, an older fella came up to me and complained about the price of furs. I asked him if he hunted out of state and he responded yes. I asked him what he spent and he said $2,400. I asked what he got and he said he got skunked last year. So, the price of fur might be low but when compared to what he spent to go on an unsuccessful hunt, I would think trapping looks attractive. Most trappers do it for the fun of being outside and not the mighty buck.
VTA was advised last fall that there is a possibility that wardens will no longer respond to your house to tag animals taken by trapping. I am not sure if this is going to happen, but if it does, I guess I got an issue with it. I will get a clarification soon and will report what I find next month. I think it is high time to go to a self-reporting system where the trapper fills out an annual report on what species he harvests, similar to what we do now. I understand the importance of the fish and wildlife folks to conduct some research on some animals, but this has gone on for years. I guess I personally would need to know what is gained. I do believe it will be a pain in the packbasket to hunt down a warden during their busiest time of the year. I will keep you posted on this issue.
It is also a good time of year to grab a law book and brush up on the rules. They change every year and it is your responsibility to know what the laws are and abide by them. A warden might not be around to tag your furs, but if he catches you trapping illegally, I would bet you a beaver he will stop and visit.
I want to wish everyone a successful trapping season. Enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. Don’t forget to take a kid along with you.
— Randy Barrows
