www.arkansastrappers.org
President — Aaron Hitchcock, 9331 Sister Lane, Mulberry, AR 72947; 479-997-5361; AHITCH81@YAHOO.COM
Vice President — Charlie Bass, 6755 Bethesda Lane, Batesville, AR 72501; 870-698-1154; trapper38@hotmail.com
Secretary/Treasurer — Gary Gray, PO Box 493, Arkadelphia, AR 71923; 870-403-2469; secretary@arkansastrappers.org
NTA Director — Mike Fischer, 13823 Masoner Road, Lonsdale, AR 72087; 501-939-2325
Editor — Gary Helms, 1092 Vanderbilt Rd., Texarkana, AR 71854; 870-772-3834; TrapperGWH@aol.com
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to T&PC — $22
• Family membership with subscription — $27
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
ATA, Secretary/Treasurer
Gary Gray
PO Box 493
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Hello Trappers,
Its still hot as I write this, but with September just around the corner, it should start to cool off a little. As we get into September hunting seasons start with Squirrel and Dove, then moving into Archery and muzzle loader, and modern gun, for Deer, in October and November.
By then every one will be getting ready for Trapping season. A lot of trappers will start on opening day, but I will wait till after Deer season is over, then most of the deer hunters will be out of the woods and maybe the Fur will be a little more prime. With fur prices up last season, I think there will be a lot more people trapping this year. Remember to have I.D. tags on both traps and snares.
The Arkansas Trappers Convention will be over by the time this gets out. I am looking forward to attending and seeing old friends, and making new ones. I have been told a lot of people from other states like, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, may be attending.
The Trappers Workshop will be held in October, on the 25, 26, & 27, at Camp Clear Fork, about 20 miles West of Hot Springs on Highway 270. I am looking for a full house again this year. I have already received several Reservations from people who are first time attenders. As in the past First Timers have priority.
I have rounded up a couple of new instructors for this year, but still need a few more to fill up the roster. If any one is interested in being an instructor, fill free to give me a call at 479-997-5361. The hardest thing about picking instructors, is picking from all of the TOP QUALITY trappers we are so blessed to have in the state of Arkansas.
The Coordinator for Arkansas Fur Sale will be Heath Shaw, call 501-889-4619 for information.
There will be more information next month, on the workshop and fur sale.
Till next time. Hopin’ your traps are full. — Aaron Hitchcock
EDITOR’S REPORT
Summer is done, and Fall has begun in Arkansas! I hope everyone had an eventful Summer and enjoyed their break from trapping. Our State Convention will be over with by the time you read this, and everyone should be getting excited about our upcoming trapping season! Have I ever mentioned how difficult it is to write these reports a month or two in advance? As I write this the Convention is less than a week away, so it’ll be another month before I can write that report. The workshop at Camp Clearfork is coming up, but chances are it’s already booked up so I hate to advertise it this late. I had a big write up on it here last month and the info can be found on our website at www.arkansastrappers.org. Check with Aaron Hitchcock at 479-997-5361 to see if any openings are left. I’ve been trying to keep everyone updated on the possibility of a big convention next September. Currently, everything’s up in the air until this year’s Petit Jean Convention. Such matters are voted on by the membership at our annual convention. If you were there, you’re caught up. If you didn’t make it to Petit Jean, I’ll fill you in next month. (See what I mean by hard to write these articles?)
The NTA Convention in Lima, Ohio was a bit soggy this year. The temperatures were GREAT, but I believe the rains probably lowered the overall attendance some. I haven’t heard an official count, but from my perspective it was lower than last time it was held there. There was certainly no shortage of vendors! There was half a dozen buildings crammed full, and tailgaters set up everywhere! If you couldn’t find what you needed there, it must not have been invented yet! Hang on! Somebody’s likely working on it as we speak. The demos were great as always. seeing a few demos by experts from around the Country and getting your questions answered is worth way more than the price of admission! If you’ve never been to one, and get a chance to go…take it!
My tip for this month is check your rubber boots and waders for leaks NOW! You don’t want to wait until the season gets here to find out the hard way that you’ve developed a leak. Check them now, repair or replace, and be ready to roll when trapping season gets here! Until next time! — Gary Helms
