President — Gene Pritchett, 107 Seaboard Road, Jesup, GA 31545; phone: 912-586-6905
Vice President — Gary Newman, 1182 Hwy 107, Denton, GA 31532; phone: 912-375-3795
Correspondence Secretary — Steve Rainey, 1923 Beattie Road, Albany, Ga 31707; phone: 229-449-9533
Membership Secretary/Treasurer — Tommy Key, P.O. Box 1005, Pine Mountain, GA 31822; phone: 706-628-4686
Legislative Director — Ted Gustin, 494 Eastside Drive, Thomaston, GA 30286; phone: 706-648-1951
NTA Director — Rusty Johnson, Rt. 1, Chula, GA 31733; phone: 229-382-2499
F.T.A. Director — 92 Rocky Point Road, Covington, GA 30014; phone: 404-402-2207
Executive Director — Chris Johnson, 2448 U.S. Hwy 411 S.E., Fairmount, GA 30139, phone: 706-337-5608
General Organizer — Teresa Keys, 3158 East Fairview Road, McDonough, GA 30252; phone: 770-388-7951
Membership Options:
• Regular membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
• Lifetime membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $300
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
GTA, Membership Secretary/Treasurer
Tommy Key
P.O. Box 1005, Pine Mountain, GA 31822
CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY’S REPORT
Several years ago in South Carolina, my young neighbor and a friend decided to camp out on their property. The place consisted of several hundred acres of open land, fallow fields, and woods that bordered the Saluda River. There was also a small pond , the perfect setup for wildlife, and indeed there were coons, red and gray foxes and even bobcats to be found there.
In order to give them something to do on their campout, I helped them set a few traps to check the following morning. As I drove down the woods road to their camp site the next morning, I could see the two boys dancing around in a circle and occasionally throwing sticks and rocks at something. I soon found the object of their amusement was a large bobcat held in one of our traps.
I killed the cat and then gave them a demonstration on how to skin it. While skinning it I kept looking at the large loins and thinking it would be a shame to waste so much pretty meat. So we didn’t!
I took out the loins and back straps and soaked them in lightly salted water overnight in the refrigerator. The next day I rolled the pieces in flour, browned them, and then put them in the pan with gravy and served them over rice. I swear you couldn’t tell it from venison! The real test? My young neighbor’s teenage brother, an especially picky eater, ate it and enjoyed it.
A recent letter in the Fur Fish & Game magazine asked about eatable furbearers , such as beaver, coon, muskrat, and possums. I’m telling you they should definitely add bobcat to the list!
I got the idea the other day to start working on a history of the GTA. I certainly can’t do this by myself , so I’m asking for recollections from old members, former members, anyone with something to contribute. This could be a really neat project with everyone’s help , so pitch in and provide anecdotes, pictures , any information that would round out the history of our association.
— Steve Rainey
