Arizona Trappers Association December 2008 Report

President — Rick Van Horn, 4185 N. Irving Street, Kingman, AZ 86409; phone: (928) 757-3860; e-mail: rgvan@npgcable.com

Vice President —  Mike Burris, 5452 E.  Farmdale Avenue, Mesa AZ, 85206; phone: (480) 654-1411; e-mail: bda30@cox.net

Recording Secretary — Mike Huffer, 7720 E. Beatrice, Scottsdale, AZ 85257; phone: (480) 970-5904; e-mail: mjwildlife@aaahawk.com

Treasurer — Mike Hull, P.O. Box 3355, Chinle, AZ  86503; phone: (928)674-9542; e-mail:  trapper7772003@yahoo.com

Membership Secretary
— Amanda Prosser, P.O. Box  4111, Chino Valley, AZ 86323; phone: (928) 499-2114; e-mail: atamembershipsecretary@yahoo.com.

Fur Auction manager — Bill Strauss, P.O. Box 183, Seligman, AZ 86337; phone: (480) 375-1183

NTA Director — Cindy Seff, P.O. Box 762, Seligman, AZ 86337; phone: (480)390-0723; e-mail: AzTrappers@hughes.net

Scent Post — Winter/Duncan Davis, P.O. Box 86783, Phoenix, AZ, 85080; phone:(623)466-6799; e-mail: dunksdonk@yahoo.com

Membership Options:

• Adult membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $30
• Junior (under 16) with subscription — $20
• Family membership with subscription — $35
• Oldtimer membership with subscription — $75
• Lifetime membership with subscription — $275

Complete membership application on first page of
association section and send dues to:
ATA, Membership Secretary
Amanda Prosser
P.O. Box  4111, Chino Valley, AZ 86323
Phone: (928) 499-2114


President’s Report
Recording Secretary’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
NTA Director’s Report



PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Hey Trappers,

Well another month has come and gone. Trapping season is here so get out there and do what you can! I know with high gas prices, layoffs, the world economy and Lord knows what else, it’s tough out there. Even if you only trap at Christmas break, do what you can. I wish everyone the best of luck to go along with your skills.

We had a “Trappers Education Blitz” throughout the state at the beginning of the month and I thought it turned out quite well, considering the time frame we had. My thanks goes out to Ron Day from the Arizona Game & Fish, as well as the following members: Cindy Seff, George Seff, Stan Schepers, Mike Huffer, Scott Trowbridge, John Henry, Joe Milton, Kurt Bonnewell, Ed Walker and Swede Hendrickson for all your help and dedication to make this a success. All of these people did an outstanding job. I am proud and honored to know each and every one of you.

Ed Walker is our new Mohave County Director. He is very knowledgeable in the trapping field and will be a great asset to the ATA.

See ya.

— Rick Van Horn
 
RECORDING SECRETARY’S REPORT

Hello trappers.

I am the new recording secretary. Everything is going well. Not much to report here with my new position. I am planning this year’s trapping season, and hope to be setting traps in a couple days. I am still waiting for the cooler weather, hope it comes soon.

— Mike Huffer

TREASURER’S REPORT

Today I set traps for the first time this season. What a great time of the year to be out. What we call Indian summer, the Chinese called the fifth season. Football, trapping, hunting — it doesn’t get better than that.

I wish everyone a great time trapping and predator calling this new season. Regardless of your politics, pray for our troops.

— Mike Hull

NTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The NTA Conservation Director, Jim Curran, attended the three-day White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy. The conference was held in Reno, NV. Over 500 wildlife professionals and interested sportsmen attended as well as Vice President Cheney, Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer and Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service Hall.

The purpose of the conference was to discuss the implementation of President Bush’s Executive Order #13443. The purpose of the Ex. Order is to direct Federal Agencies that have programs and activities that have a measurable effect on public land management, outdoor recreation and wildlife management to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitats. The important aspect of NTA’s involvement is that trapping is included in the definition of hunting. American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) which NTA is an active member of was very involved with creating the plan for implementing the order.

The NTA DNIA, Dave Miller, attended the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference in Saratoga, New York. One of the contacts made was Gene DeGayner, who works for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has a real interest in trapping. He also attended the Human Wildlife Conflict Group meeting, where representatives from several state agencies reported on issues within their state; of discussion more people invading areas that have traditionally been wildlife habitat creating conflict. Speakers at the meeting were Ben West, National Outreach Coordinator for Berryman Institute. Berryman Institute provides training facilitators for those working with wildlife possibly something NTA should look into for media training. A workshop will be held next summer in Wyoming dealing with response to Human/Wildlife Conflict Emergencies.

He also attended the annual meeting of Fur Wraps The Hill (FWTH) in Washington D.C. to take part in meetings with some Members of Congress. The FWTH meeting dealt largely with the Asian Raccoon fur (Raccoon Dog) issue and domestic terrorism, some of the attacks on fur ranches and feed operations make pretty amazing stories. Suggesting to invite one of these people to speak to the directors next year at the convention.

While the issue of Asiatic Raccoon fur may not seem a great concern to trappers, it is a very big issue in the fur industry and it is most important that NTA and the individual states watch it very closely.  These folks from the fur trade and fur garment industry are some of our strongest allies. Their support at the national level is critical and we need to be sure that we do our part to help them. It was asked to keep an eye on what happens with this issue in our states and report back any developments. Two days was spent with legislative staff on the Asiatic Raccoon issue with some of the ranchers telling about some of their experiences with terrorism.

Safari Club International Headquarters was the next stop to attend a Ballot Issue Committee (BIC) meeting, then the Congressional Sportsmen’s Federation Banquet.

September ended in New York City to attend a meeting of the board of the Fur Information council of America (FICA). Legislative issues discussed were much the same as those at the FWTH meeting. Much of the discussion is about the actual garment industry, really about the end product. Garments, fashion, things that really affect trappers.

Everyone should have received or should be receiving their 2009 cash calendars. Please get yours filled out and mailed in, buy some extras for Christmas gifts. What a great way to support NTA as well as give a gift that may win monies all year long.

The office discovered an old color tri-fold brochure that the NTA once used for recruitment and information. We have updated the information and added new photos as well as some changes to the design. It should be available in a few weeks and will available to affiliates, free of charge.
We have also been reviewing shipping costs on all our merchandise in an effort to be fair and profitable. We have changed our method of shipping some items and therefore need to adjust the charges for shipping.

The NTA has entered into the new legal battle in Maine. Again joining forces with the ME Department of Inland Fisheries, ME Trappers, FTA and USSA (represented by Jim Lister) in an effort to derail the attempt of the Animal Welfare Institute and Wildlife Alliance of Maine to end trapping in certain areas of that state. This suit claims that the previous settlement was ineffective as eight more lynx were captured and released unharmed in the areas where these regulations had been implemented. NTA Legal Counsel, Gary Leistico, will be working with Jim Lister on this lawsuit. They had worked together on the MN API Lawsuit.

A Federal Court has vacated the determination of the USFWS to remove the wolf in the Great Lakes States from the Endangered Species list in a lawsuit brought by HSUS and other similar organization filed against the Department of the Interior disputing the delisting of the wolf.
“It may not be as dire as the general word on the street is. The order does set the process back, but the order is based on the USFWS not following the appropriate procedure, not on the use of bad biology, etc. Hopefully, USFWS will move ahead under what the court allows as the “correct” procedure and again delisting the wolf in the Great Lakes States. That would still allow for future legal attacks on biology, etc., but USFWS should prevail on those,” from NTA Attorney, Gary Leistico.

Below is opening statements from Bill Horn to the noted Congressional Subcommittee. Although the overall purpose of his testimony dealt with more broad-based management and funding issues, Bill took the opportunity to include trapping three times in his opening statement. We thank him for making a conscience effort to inform this subcommittee that trapping opportunities are important on the National Refuges. (Full transcript is available for viewing on the NTA Web site)

"Madame Chair: My name is William P. Horn appearing on behalf of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA). We appreciate the opportunity to appear before the Subcommittee to discuss issues facing the National Wildlife Refuge.  USSA is a national association of hunters, anglers and trappers, and sporting organizations representing over one million members and affiliates committed to protecting and advancing America’s heritage of hunting, fishing and trapping. USSA has long been committed to ensuring a vital well managed Refuge System that conserves our incomparable wildlife resources while providing important opportunities to hunt, fish and trap.
I was notified Tuesday, Oct. 21 by Chris McAllister that Lamar Jones won the gun the Arizona Trappers Association donated to the NTA sweepstakes prize #14 Savage 10 Predator Hunter.
I then received a call from Lamar later Tuesday morning. He lives in Calienta, Nevada. He drove to Seligman on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 24 hours later and arrived at 9 a.m. to pick up his gun in person from me that the ATA bought at my house. Not many will collect their prizes live and in  person."

The link to the NTA Web site is http://www.nationaltrappers.com. Stop by and visit for current information as well as contact info for your national organization.

I will finish this newsletter off with the request that if you are not a member of the NTA, please get yourself signed up. You can send your $30 for your year’s subscription to the NTA, which includes the American Trapper magazine to: National Trappers Association, 2815 Washington Ave., Bedford, IN. 47421.

I am only a phone call away so don’t hesitate to contact me with concerns or comments.

Catcha Next Time

— Cindy Seff

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