President — Paul Kelley, P.O. Box 75, Hudson, IL 61748; phone: 309-726-1443; e-mail: pkelleyp@aol.com
Vice President — Mike Gragert, Box 20, New Douglas, IL 62074; phone: 314-713-7976
Secretary — Dean Corgiat, 620 Clarksville Rd., Pittsfield, IL. 62363; phone: 217-285-4984; e-mail: dcorgiat@verizon.net
Treasurer — Timothy M. Kelley, 17458 Tice Rd., Petersburg, IL 62675; phone: 217-632-3521; e-mail: tmkelley69@warpnet.net
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
ITA, Treasurer
Tim Kelley, 17458 Tice Rd.
Petersburg, IL 62675
http://ilta.we.bs
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Well here it’s already the first of December. Have you been doing well with your trapping? I had plans, but they don’t always work out the way you wish they would. Just before the opening of our season, I was helping finish combining corn, and missed a step on the ladder of the combine, top one to be exact. Landed on the heel of my right foot and been hobbling since. I just set out some cages that I could tend from the truck, only because I couldn’t really bear much weight on my right foot. Caught a few ’coons, tons of slick tailed critters and about every cat within two sections of ground.
Not too much in the way of profit, but just enough to keep me out of the tavern. Foot is doing much better at present and plans are to get a few beaver sets out to keep some of the landowners happy. Yesterday, I woke up to 6 or so inches of new snow, which certainly will slow the ’coon down. Water is still open at present so a few sets in the water to challenge a mink or two is also in order. Not really much to jaw about so far this season, catch wise or prices.
Plans for the fur auctions are still in the works. Dates for the northern auction is Jan. 10, at the Odell Community Center. Odell is about eight miles north of Pontiac right off I-55. The Community Bldg., is east of the railroad tracks at the north end of the business district. Doors will open for receipt of furs at 6 a.m. and the auction will start at 10. 4 percent commission on sales for ITA members, 10 percent for non-members. Furs have to be green skinned or dried, with no animals in the round being accepted. Sellers have to settle their sales commissions with ITA before receiving their checks from the buyers.
The Fairfield auction is in the same location as its been for several years, that being the Wayne County Fairgrounds, and times for opening, and other regulations will apply to both sales. Doors open at 6, sales start at 10. Contact Carroll Williams at 618-516-2275 or Paul Kelley at 309-726-1443 for information. Both auctions will again conduct a 50/50 ’coon raffle, whereby one donates a 2X or larger pelt either a green or dried pelt of equal size in order to have your name placed into the drawing. Pelts are bundled accordingly and auctioned off at the halfway mark of the sale. Proceeds are divided equally between the person drawn and the ITA. Last years split at Fairfield was $266.50 to the winner. This always delights the winner, but also helps defray the cost of the facilities.
The Deer and Turkey Classic dates for 2009 are Feb. 27, 28 and March 1 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. We need help for the event, so if you want to help please call me at the number I have listed above before the first of January.
I wish each of you a pleasurable if not profitable season, and Best wishes for the Holiday Season.
God Bless till next time.
— Paul Kelley
