President — Craig Sweet, 1825 Kirkwood St., Saint Charles, IA 50240; phone: 641-764-2758
Vice President — Randy Mitchell, Iowa Fall, IA; phone: 641-648-6787
Secretary — Patty Kempf, 3371 130th St., Jamaica, IA 50128; e-mail: itasecretary@iowatelecom.net
Treasurer — Chris Grillot, 2769 110th Ave., Wheatland, IA 52777; phone: 563-374-1074; e-mail: itatreasurer@fbcom.net
FTA Director — Gene Purdy, 521 Edwin Place, Fontanelle, IA 50846; phone: 641-745-8841
NTA Director — George Scalf, 123 N. Madison Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501; phone: 641-682-3937
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $15
• Lifetime membership with subscription — $250
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
ITA, Secretary
Dita Mallon
1021 E. 13th St., Sumner, IA 50574
http://www.iowatrappers.com
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Greetings to all. Hope you are enjoying the spring as along with it also comes cleaning, turkey and morel hunting, fishing and graduations. Busy time of year for all.
At the Spring ITA Board of Directors meeting, some members were present to voice their comments on the pre-staking issue. After all the discussion, the BOD rescinded their February motion back to a motion that was made in 2005. That motion was to allow pre-staking two weeks prior to opening of season on public road right-of-ways and to have all equipment removed at seasons close. A challenge to that vote has been made at this time. I want to thank the members who took the time to call or attend the meeting and express their comments and concerns before the board. Also, Tom Walters presented himself and was accepted by the board to be the District 7 director as he had in the past. Tom has for years been the person who has acquired and organized the giving of the ITA fur coat to Miss Iowa every year at the Miss Iowa Pageant.
Thanks Tom for all you have done. Also the Director at Large 5 position was open. Nominations for that position were George Scalf, Chris Pohl and Joe Aeschliman. After the voting, Joe Aeschliman was elected to fill that position. Joe resides in West Des Moines. He also owns and operates his own business. Welcome aboard, Joe. Thanks to George and Chris for presenting themselves for the position. Officer positions up for election this fall are vice president and secretary. Nominations from the board are Randy Mitchell for vice president and Patty Kempf for secretary. Nominations can be received from the membership provided that the nominee is a current member of the ITA and consent is received from the nominee prior to nomination. Nominations will remain open until the Fall Convention.
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the ITA. Special plans are being made to commemorate the 50 years at this years fall convention. The convention will be held Sept. 11-13 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hampton. The grounds are located on Hwy 3 on the west side of town. Hotels in town are Hampton Inn & AmericInn. The direct phone line for reservations are Hampton Inn 641-456-3680 and Americ Inn 641-456-5559. Don’t forget the Friday night potluck. Come early, come hungry and enjoy the evening. Hope to see everyone there.
On April 17, I attended the 81st Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Des Moines as the ITA has sponsored the Ag Proficiency awards in the past. I was there on behalf of the ITA to present the first and second place awards in 1 field of Ag Proficiency. I enjoyed the time spent talking to and swapping stories with the young men at my table. There were many young ladies there also … at the luncheon after the awards.
The next ITA Summer Directors Meeting will be June 28 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Start time is 10 a.m. Better go. Have a great summer and safe holiday coming up. Til next time.
— Craig Sweet
NTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Our March 21, 2009, FURBEARERS UNLIMITED Banquet in Ottumwa was a huge success with 232 going through the food line for a feast of prime rib and ham with all the trimmings.
Last year’s split with FBU was 60 percent to FBU and 40 percent to the ITA. This resulted in $7,778.82 for the ITA.
This year, the split was 50/50 and the ITA’s share from our banquet was $7,958.83.
We have set the date for next year’s banquet, so mark March 20, 2010, on your calendar.
By the time this issue hits your mailbox, two of the NTA’s Regional conventions will be history. I certainly hope you were able to attend one. These are great fun events.
And, of course, the big 50th Anniversary NTA Convention will soon be here so make your plans to head for Lima, Ohio the last of July.
This will, incidentally, also mark the 50th anniversary of the Iowa Trappers Association. The National Trappers Association is incorporated in the state of Iowa.
The NTA will be holding election for president and general organizer. Bruce Hutton of Iowa, whom I replaced as NTA Director back in 1984, is running for president against incumbent Kraig Kaatz. Todd Roggenkamp is unopposed as General Organizer. At their April 19 meeting, the ITA Board voted to endorse Bruce Hutton for president of the NTA. You cannot vote if you are not a member of the NTA. Ballots will be mailed out to all eligible members at least 40 days before the July 31, 2009, deadline.
Hope to see you all in Lima, Ohio!
— George E. Scalf
