President — Charlie Rath, 1501 Shelby Forest Lane, Chelsea, AL 35043; phone: 205-678-6146
Vice President — Mike Flohr, 297 Kingfisher Rd., Greensboro, AL 36744; phone: 334-624-3747
Secretary/Treasurer — Gary Kramer, 5525 Pearl Dr., Bessemer, AL 35022; phone: 205-426-7045
Recording Secretary — Danny Foster, 315 Ross Rd., Wetumpka, AL 36092; phone: 334-391-5027
NTA Director — Jackie Malone, 111653 Crocker Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405; phone: 205-366-9604
Membership Options:
• Family membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Lifetime membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $300
Complete membership application on first page of
association section and send dues to:
ATPCA, Vice President
Mike Flohr
297 Kingfisher Rd., Greensboro, AL 36744
334-624-3747
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
I am writing this article on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. The reason that I am mentioning this fact is that tomorrow is the deadline for submitting Association News for the March 2009 T&PC Magazine. Earlier this week, I received a copy of the proposed legislation from Senator Poole’s Office to amend the Code of Alabama, Section 9-11-59(b). The legislative change would delete the requirement to have to put your fur catcher’s license (trapping license) number on your trap tags. The ATPCA needs your help to get this legislation passed. The annual session of the Alabama Legislature will start on Feb. 3, 2009, and end on May 19, 2009. By law, the bodies can only deliberate for up to 30 days during this time frame.
You will need to contact your State Senator and Representative as soon as the bill numbers has been assigned to the legislation. The best way to find out if a piece of legislation has been assigned a bill number is to go on the Internet at www.legislature.state.al.us and check. If you do not have a computer, ask a family member or friend for help and/or the public library. While you are on the Internet, look up your State Senator and Representative’s name and contact information. There is a section entitled “zip code look-up,” click on the link and follow the instructions. You can contact your representative by telephone, e-mail or a USPS letter. All correspondence should be directed to their State Capital address in Montgomery, AL. The written work is the best means of communication. When you correspond with a legislative representative refer to the bill number, give your name, address, telephone number and the reason you are asking them for their support of the legislative change. In this case, the current law puts an unnecessary economic burden on Alabama trappers because they have to purchase new trap tags each year because their fur catchers license (trapping license) number changes each year. Also mention that the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is in agreement with the proposed changes.
The ATPCAs Spring meeting will be held in Cottondale, AL at Steve Phillip’s house on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Stop by anytime after 9 a.m. and talk trapping. Lunch will be at noon. Bring a dish to pass. The ATPCA will be providing the meat and drinks. Business meeting will be at 1 p.m. NAFA fur pick-up will also be available. Current ATPCA members will be receive a flyer on the event at the end of February.
The U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance and the Tukabatchee Area Counsel of the Boy Scouts of America will be holding a Trailblazer Adventure Day at Camp Tukabatchee, Prattville, AL on April 4, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ATPCA, NTA and Alabama DCNR will be manning a booth about Trapper Education. If you have time please give me a call and volunteer. This is a great opportunity to portray traps, trappers and trapping in a positive light.
When you receive your membership renewal, please do not delay in sending it back to Mike by the 10th of the month to prevent a lapse in your T&PC magazine subscription.
Reminder: Alabama Regulation 220-2-.32 requires that each trapper report their harvest by number and species to the DCNR within 45 days after the end of the season. You can obtain a copy of the form at www.outdooralabama.com.
See you at the Spring Meeting — Charlie Rath
