Virginia Trappers Association August 2013 Report

www.virginiatrappers.org

President — Steve E Colvin, 2000 SB Rd, Barboursville, VA 22923; 434-996-6067; e-mail stvcolvin@aol.com

Vice President — John Bedwell, 210 Fairway Lane, Wytheville, VA 24382; 276-620-5145;
sinkthemink@hotmail.com

Membership Secretary — Diana Craig, 2714 Knollwood Dr., Staunton, VA 24401; 540-430-2161;
ddcraig9@gmail.com

Recording Secretary — David Brugh, 240 Cherry Lane, Christiansburg, VA 24073; 540-230-4260;
apexwildlifecontrol@ymail.com

Treasurer — Francis Richards, 10721 Thompson Lane, Spotsylvania, VA 22551; 540-840-5542

General Organizer — Glen Mabe, 211 5th St., Luray, VA 22835; 540-860-2634; e-mail 19612004@yahoo.com

Training Coordinator — Ed Crebbs, 175 Waldrop Rd., Gordonsville, VA 22942; 540-832-2708;
edcrebbs@yahoo.com

NTA Director — Larry Kline, 3707 Overview Drive, Fredricksburg, VA 22408; 540-891-4282; larrynta@aol.com

 

Membership Options:

• 1-year membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $25

• 1-year membership without subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $15

• 2-year membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $48

• Junior (under 16) with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $18

• Lifetime membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $300

• Lifetime membership without subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $150

• Organization membership — $40

• 2-year organization membership —$75

• Lifetime organization membership — $350

 

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

VTA, Membership Secretary

Diane Craig

2714 Knollwood Dr.

Staunton, VA 24401

 

DISTRICT 3 REPORT

Hello to all fellow trappers in District #3 and all others throughout the Great Commonwealth of Virginia. I would like to start off by providing some information that trappers have long discussed the consequences of leaving human odor at coyote trap sets. In the past, many wore gloves to keep their scent off traps and snares. Many modern-day trappers do not take these precautions because they feel that gloves, which can easily become contaminated with lure or other materials, may transmit more odors than clean, bare human hands, also coyotes can tell the difference between fresh and old scent. If they sense that a person is nearby, their strong survival instinct tells them to avoid the area. Still, coyotes are regularly caught within a few hours after a trap or snare is set. Some people believe that coyotes are afraid of the scent of steel. If it were the case, coyotes would avoid fences, idle farm machinery and junk piles. It is important, however, that traps be kept clean. Coyotes sometimes dig up traps that have not been cleaned after a coyote or other animal has been caught in them. They may be attracted to the smell of fecal matter or to the smell of the lure transferred to the trap from the trapper’s hands or gloves with that being said coyotes aren’t always responsible for digging up traps. Raccoons and other animals are attracted to freshly dug dirt. Sprinkling water over trap sets to form an old-looking crust can help keep some non-target animals away.

All trappers need to keep in mind when it comes to traps, common sense is the rule. It isn’t necessary to boil, dye and wax traps to catch coyotes, but they must be clean. Dyeing and waxing, however, are good ways to prevent traps from rusting, especially in winter when salt is used to keep the dirt over the trap from freezing. A rust-free, dyed and waxed trap is a fast trap. A fraction of a second can make a difference in catching a coyote or having it jerk its foot and get away.

On another note one thing that I would like to address in summer trapping for ground hog and coyotes is ethical trapping make sure that when and where you set a trap, be it a leg hold, conibear, or snare make sure that it is safe for pets and people. Make sure that you don’t set beside a pedestrian trail or walkway. The outcome of a miss- set trap can and will be disastrous to both parties please remember to trap ethically and work nonstop to foster the image of trapping.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE and have a great summer. — Gregg Mason

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