President — John Clark, 907 Holmes Flat Rd., Redcrest, CA 95569; phone: 707-722-4259
Vice President — James C. Schmerker Jr., P.O. Box 1166, Bethel Island, CA 94511; phone: 925-684-3855; e-mail: animaldamagecontrol@netzero.com
Membership Secretary — Rita Clark, 907 Holmes Flat Rd. Redcrest, CA 95569; phone: 707-722-4259
Secretary — Leona Hencratt; phone: 530-547-3240
Treasurer — Walter Hawering, 900 Hillgate Rd., Arbuckle, CA 95912
Membership Options:
• Family membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Junior membership with subscription — $15
• Lifetime membership — $300
• Subscription cost for life members — $10
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
CTA, Membership Secretary Rita Clark 907 Holmes Flat Rd. Redcrest, CA 95569 707-722-4259
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Howdy, folks, sorry we have been so conspicuously absent for the last several issues. Hope your season is safe and productive. The animals are out there for the catching.
We are seeing a boom in populations in the Bay Area here. Gray fox have moved all the way into downtown Oakland and Alameda’s Bay Farm Island; that probably doesn’t mean much to most of you, but suffice it to say these areas are highly urbanized and remote from the wild. Wild turkeys are pushing into everywhere. Even bobcats are in town; too bad I can’t find a way to access them.
As trappers, I suppose, we as a group form personal opinions very strongly about the function of our equipment. I really was unhappy when a very successful drainpipe-bodied no-spray skunk trap with sliding doors went to a hinged contraption. I couldn’t run it up against structures to force denners into it; it would jam on junk, rant, rant, rant. Well, Joe Shreve of Klamath Falls, OR, a lifetime California Trappers’ Association member, has started producing, in small numbers, a trap that has the best combination of features in a no-spray trap that I have seen. It has a super-rugged trigger, minimal moving parts; doesn’t trip in high winds or high angles like the original sliding-door style; can be opened on both ends and cleaned out easily, baited, and rebaited without trouble. Pretty neat.
As soon as news becomes available, I will try to pass it along. Remember to call John Clark if you want a fur sale; if he doesn’t hear from you, he can’t plan. No news, no numbers, no sale. Talk to you soon.
— James C. Schmerker Jr.
