Arkansas Trappers Association September 2013 Report

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 Trapper & Predator Caller — $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,

By the time this comes out the NTA Convention will be over, and we will be preparing for the ATA Convention at Petite Jean State Park on Sept. 6 and 7. We had a large attendance last year, and I hope we have an even bigger turnout this year. Mike Fischer is this year’s coordinator, he told me that there will be a variety of demos this year. I am looking forward to seeing them, Mike always gets good instructors.

The old ATA cargo trailer will be sold by sealed bids at the ATA Convention with a $750 minimal bid. Anyone who is interested may bid on it on the day of the convention. The trailer is 10 ‘long x 6’ wide, and about 7’ tall, single axle, 2002 model, Cargo brand trailer, with a single door on the passenger side, and double doors on the back. The trailer has served the ATA well, but we need more storage space with easier access, which the new trailer will provide.

The Trappers Workshop will be on Oct. 25, 26, & 27. Check in will start 5 pm Friday evening. Breakfast is usually ready by 7:00 am, followed by a short orientation. Classes start at 8:00 am and continue until 5:00 pm, with dinner from 12:00-1:00. The classes will cover trapping and snaring, on raccoon, mink, muskrat, beaver, otter, bobcat, fox, coyote, trap modification, trapline safety and ethics. The instructors that teach these classes, and the wives that get up sometimes at 4:00 am to cook and prepare these meals are all volunteers who believe what they are doing is worthwhile and worth passing on. So tell all of the Instructors and volunteers thank you.

Some people are already sending in applications, so I expect to see a lot of new faces. If you have any Questions call me at 479-997-5361. Remember that the first-time attendees have priority.

If anyone has any news to be passed on, give myself or the ATA editor, Gary Helms, a call.

I really appreciate all the people who have worked so hard and given so much of their time to make the Arkansas Trappers Association what it is and will continue to be.

On a final note , I want to send our deepest sympathies out to the ATA families who have lost family members recently, and a get well soon to the ones who have been sick.

Till next time. Hoping your traps are full. — Aaron Hitchcock

 

EDITOR’S REPORT

Convention time is fast approaching! This issue should reach you within two weeks of our annual Fall Convention at Petit Jean State Park. I’m going to re-list the Convention info from last month’s report for our new members receiving their first issue of this magazine. Our state convention will be Sept. 6th and 7th this year at Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton. Friday night will start off the weekend with a meal at 6:30 p.m. The main course, side dishes and drink are supplied, just bring your appetite. A Board of Directors meeting will be held directly afterwards. All day Saturday you can look forward to: Trapping Demonstrations, Kids and Ladies Activities, Vendors, Tailgaters, Potluck Lunch, 2012 General Business Meeting, Awards Ceremony and Auction. Mather Lodge reopened last year after extensive renovation. All 24 guest rooms and other facilities at the lodge are now open. There are also 33 cabins and 125 campsites available for rent. Call 1-800-264-2462 for lodge and cabin reservations, 501-727-5441 for campground reservations. Dardanelle, Russellville and Morrilton may have hotel rooms available. District 5 is hosting the convention this year. For more information, contact Convention Coordinator Mike Fischer at 501-939-2325. Remember to give Aaron Hitchcock a call at 479-997-5361 or Charlie Bass at 870-698-1154 with nominations for “Trapper of the Year” and “Mr. & Mrs. Trapper.” For the ladies reading this, Strawberry and Chocolate are two good choices for dessert flavors … hint, hint! We have some wonderful cooks in our Association and nobody leaves hungry! As for the fundraising auction, if everyone showed up with an item or two to donate, there’s no telling how much money could be raised. Most anything will do. Your items don’t have to be trapping related. I’m bringing some of my homemade plum jelly. Don’t forget to go through all of your traps and gear to figure out what all you need and make a list. You can pick up supplies at the Convention and save on those shipping costs! I’m hoping for as big a turnout this year as last year, if not bigger!

I mentioned last month that a NTA Southeast Regional Convention may happen September 2014. We won’t know for sure until the NTA Board meets in Lima, Ohio on July 30th & 31st. As I write this on July 27th, the meetings have not yet taken place. District 7 Rep. Brad Townsend and I met with the staff at the Hope, Ar. Fair Park. They have an excellent facility for a Convention, and are excited to hear that we’re interested in hosting one there! They have everything we need, along with RV hookups, showers, and air conditioning! Whether it’s an NTA Regional, a Multi-State, or an ATA Fall Convention, I’m excited to see our Association moving things around the state to reach more potential members! It’s worked for other states, and it’ll work for us here in Arkansas! We’ll update everyone at Petit Jean and here in next month’s Trapper issue.

Our Trapper Education Workshop will be here before you know it. The deadline for registering is fast approaching. If you can’t make it, consider sponsoring a youngster this year. Whether you bring along someone new to trapping, or sponsor someone new, look at it as an investment in their future and the future of trapping! Here’s all the info:

2013 Arkansas Trappers Workshop

October 25, 2013 – October 27, 2013, Camp Clearfork

Sponsored by Arkansas Trappers Association, Southwest Arkansas Fur Takers,

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and North American Fur Auctions

Trapping Demonstrations and Education

Land Trapping, Water Trapping, Fur Marketing, Fur Handling,

Ethics and Safety, Snaring and much, much more.

Location

Camp Clearfork, US Forest Service Facility

20 miles west of Hot Springs, Arkansas on US Hwy 270 W

GPS Coordinates for Camp Clearfork: N34 30 32 W93 23 29

Lodging

Lodging in Rustic Cabins and Meals are included in the cost (*Bring your own bedding)

Overflow tent camping area available

Camping facilities and motels are available nearby

Groups (Scouts, 4-H, etc) are welcome

Check In: Starts at 5 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2013

Check Out: by 1 p.m. Sunday, October 27, 2013

Cost

Up to age 18 – $10.00, age 19 and over $20.00

Make Check or Money Order payable to Arkansas Trappers Association

**First Time Attendees Have Priority**

For more information call

Aaron Hitchcock, 479 -997- 5361

*******************************************

Reservations must be received by Friday, October 11, 2013

Make Reservations Early, Space is Limited!

Name: ______________________________________

Age: ________

Address: ____________________________________

City: _______________State: ___ Zip: ____________

Phone: _________________________

Arrival: Fri PM ___ Sat AM ____

Have you previously attended an Arkansas Trappers Workshop? Yes ___ No ___

Will you be staying in cabins? Yes ___ No ___

Please list all names, ages and addresses in your group on a separate page

Mail reservations to:

Arkansas Trappers Workshop

c/o Aaron Hitchcock

9331 Sister Lane

Mulberry, Arkansas 72947

Everything kicks off right after breakfast Saturday morning and lasts all day and into the night. Sunday morning is when the fur handling begins. With fur prices the way they are, you’ll want to learn the latest techniques and the proper way to get the most money for your hard earned fur! If you have any questions, give Aaron a call.

Don’t forget about our website at www.arkansastrappers.org. It’s got all the dates and info on each of our upcoming events. My tip for this month is don’t forget to include your Free Trappers Permit with your Hunting License purchase. Also, remember to put trap tags on every trap and snare. If you need more, now’s the time to get them ordered. Read over your regulations and stay legal! After I send in this report, I’m climbing in the truck and heading for the NTA Convention in Lima, Ohio! With fur prices on the rise, I’m expecting a huge crowd and an exciting National Convention! I’ll tell ya all about it next month. Until next time! — Gary Helms

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