Arizona Trappers Association March 2010 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, P.O. Box 11474, Scottsdale, AZ 85271; phone: 480-970-5904; e-mail: mjwildlife1@yahoo.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 — Mike Huffer, P.O. Box 11474, Scottsdale, AZ 85271; phone: 480-970-5904; e-mail: mjwildlife1@yahoo.com

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 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

NTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The NTA was notified the first week of December that Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), the Plaintiffs in the Maine lynx case, have appealed the District Court’s Judgment. The judgment is extremely favorable and important for trapping and the future impact of the federal Endangered Species Act on trapping. This will be the first federal Appellate Court decision directly on ESA and incidental trapping issues. The NTA has filed a notice that we intend to participate as a party and file briefs in support of the District Court’s Judgment. The Maryland Fur Trappers, Inc. has another obstacle to overcome.

The MD DNR has eliminated the Furbearer Program in that state. This doesn’t mean that trapping will stop, but there is concern that without up-to-date science supporting the harvesting of furbearers to control populations, protecting habitat and assure public safety, there will be a real possibility that with a poor political climate at the state level, trapping could come under further attacks from the anti’s.

Earlier this fall, we sent to all of a copy of HB3710. This is the bill proposed to prohibit the use of traps on the National Refuges. Currently, this bill is sitting in a committee with very little support and with the current issues facing the House and Senate in DC; the chances are any such bills will go nowhere. We encourage that you contact any legislature from your state whose name appears on this bill. Ask them to please remove their name as a sponsor.

In addition, another bill was also introduced and is at the opposite end of the spectrum — HB3744. This Bill guarantees hunting (trapping by definition), shooting and fishing are allowed on federally owned lands. This is another one of those lingering bills at this time. Contact those from your state who’s names don’t appear and encourage them to add their name.

Another owl was captured in CT in a foothold trap. The latest situation needs to be monitored very closely, but for now there hasn’t been any new anti legislation being introduced. The situation this year is being handled much better by the agencies involved and should help prevent the same sort of problem that occurred last year.

The MT ballot initiative is on track to reach the voters in 2010. The NTA is working with the MT Trappers and the Ballot Initiative Coalition (BIC) to help provide financial support for this upcoming battle. The NTA would encourage any affiliate to consider providing additional financial assistance earmarked for this effort.

The NTA was very fortunate to have received financial advice from our Merrill Lynch advisers. The lowest our estimated account value (it only estimated until it is cashed in then it becomes actual) was recorded last February. By heeding the advice of our advisers, our account has regained 31 percent as of December 2009 and continues to increase.

The 2009 Merchandise Flyer that was sent in September is final now and it netted over $6,600 while clearing out some older merchandise. The 2010 Cash Calendar is almost over with a net income over $20,000 so far. We have had a tremendous response to the membership certificate along with a sizable number of donations. The result is that this effort has netted over $7,600 in just over a month. We have received over 250 memberships from the Holiday mailing fundraiser.
We now have the 2009 Demo DVDs in stock and on sale for $20 each.

The dates and locations for the Leadership Conferences are as follows.

Midwest : March 13, 2010, Signature Inn, 101 Southern Veterans Parkway Normal IL 61761; Ph: 309-454-4044; cutoff date for reservations Feb. 12, 2010.

Western: March 27, 2010, Super 8 Motel, 4250 Koval Ln. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Ph: 702-794-0888; cutoff date for reservations March 16, 2010.

Southeast: April 9, 2010, La Quinta Inn, 150 Cracker Barrel Dr. Calhoun GA; Ph: 706- 629-2559. The meeting will be held at the fairgrounds conference room.

Northeast: April 17, 2010; Fairfield Inn & Suites Saratoga-Malta 101 Saratoga Village BLVD Malta NY 12020; Ph: 518-899-6900. Cutoff date for reservations is March 16, 2010.

Tom Krause and Jim Curran attended the annual BMP meeting on Jan. 27 and 28 at the Rockefeller Wildlife Center in Grand Chenier, LA. This meeting is sponsored by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Furbearer Technical Work Group so there is no cost to the NTA.

2010 Conventions: The NTA’s 7th Annual Southeast Regional Convention will be held on April 9 through 11, 2010 in Calhoun, Georgia. The NTA’s Annual Northeast Regional Convention will be held May 21 through 23, 2010 in Greenwich, New York. The NTA’s Annual Western Regional Convention will be held June 18 through 20 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The 51st National Convention will be held in Marshfield, Wisconsin Aug. 5 through 8, 2010. Refer to the NTA’s Web site for more information on these events. Anyone interested in vendor booth space and or sponsoring a building, demo area, volunteer t-shirts or trap setting plaques, please contact our Convention Coordinator Dan Skurski.

For more info on ATA fur sale, contact Fur Manager Mike Huffer at 928-970-5904.

I will close by reminding you if you need more information, check out NTA’s Web site at: www.nationaltrappers.com.

Also, if you are not a member or need to renew, you can do so on the Web site or by sending $30 for one year to: National Trappers Association, 2815 Washington Ave. Bedford, Indiana 47421. Or for questions call Headquarters at 812-277-9670.

If you ever need anything, I can do to assist you or answer questions, please call. If I don’t know the answer, I will get it. Remember, I am only a phone call away 480-390-0723.

Catch ya next Time.

— Cindy Seff

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