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; e-mail: iantadtr@mchsi.com
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
Patty Kempf
3371-130th St.
Jamaica, IA 50129
http://www.iowatrappers.com
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Greetings to all. As you read this, it is only about a month til the 50th ITA Fall Convention. The convention will be held Sept. 11-13 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hampton. Convention will run from noon Friday to noon Sunday, but beware of Sunday as some dealers will depart on Saturday afternoon or early Sunday. If you are planning to come on Sunday, give me a call before you leave as I don’t want anyone to waste a trip as I did one time in the past. I got there about noon on a Sunday and found the building to be almost bare. I thought it was open longer on Sunday, but was not.
It was my fault for not paying more attention to schedules. Inside dealer buildings will open at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and close at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Friday evening will be the potluck supper — everyone is welcome. It is a freewill donation event that has really grown over the past five years or so. Two years ago, over 300 people went through the line to eat! The evening is a great time to just sit back, eat, relax and share stories with friends. Come and socialize the evening/night away, it is a good time to be had by all.
Anyone willing to help with some donation of fish or small turkeys, about 10 pounds for turkeys is about the right size, give me a call or e-mail me to let me know what you would be willing to bring. Thank you in advance.
Saturday at 1:30 p.m. will be the General Membership Meeting. Officer positions up for election this year are Vice President and Secretary. Nominations from the Board of Directors are Randy Mitchell for Vice President and Patty Kempf for Secretary. Nominations will remain open until the General Membership Meeting for these officer positions. Nominations may also be received for these positions from the membership, provided the nominees consent is obtained before his or her name is placed in nomination. Election of these officer positions will take place during the Membership Meeting on Saturday. Any questions or comments you may have may be brought before the Board at that meeting or at any Board of Directors Meeting. If you are an ITA member you are entitled to attend any of the Board meetings, so please come and attend!!!
The White Elephant Auction will be Saturday evening. Sunday will be a clean-up/tear down day. The ITAs’ contract with the fairgrounds states that all campers have to be cleared out by 1 p.m. on Sunday due to other activities on the grounds that afternoon and for inspection of the grounds by both parties involved. Camping is $10 per night primitive and $15 per night w/electricity, gate fee is $5 per person 14 and over. As mentioned last month, a special 50th Anniversary medallion will be minted for this years convention. They will be minted in either silver or nickle-plated.
Stop by the ITA booth to view and purchase them along with other ITA merchandise. While there, don’t forget to renew your membership or if you are not a member sign up there as well. For $15 you receive an ITA membership, 10 issues of the Trapper & Predator Caller magazine. The T&PC has trapping and calling articles, fur market reports, association news, upcoming events and ads for about everything your trapping wishes or needs desire.
Better go for now. As I write this, I am about 24 hours from hitting the road to Lima. Hope to see some of you Iowans there and if not there at Hampton in Sept. Check the Iowa Trappers Association Web site at www.iowatrappers.com for convention info.
Til next time, have a safe and enjoyable summer and Labor Day weekend. My contact info is e-mail at hightoweria@aol.com or cell at 515-306-9385. Hope to see you all in Hampton.
— Craig Sweet
NTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Because we are leaving for the National Convention in Lima, Ohio on Monday, July 27, details of that great event will necessarily have to wait until the next issue. I do hope that all of you were able to attend for at least one day.
For those who have forgotten, the 2010 will be hosted by the Wisconsin Trappers Association at Marshfield, WI. The site is the Central Wisconsin Fairgrounds, Aug. 5-8, 2010.
The Natural Resources Commission of the IA DNR will be holding their September meeting on Sept. 10 in Dickinson County. They will be meeting Oct. 8 in Monroe County, Nov. 5 in Delaware County and Dec. 10 in Polk County. Exact locations are listed on their Web site.
Please attend a meeting in your area.
The Western NTA Regional Convention will be held in conjunction with the Montana Trappers Association convention Sept. 18-20 in Lewistown, MT.
Hope to see everyone at the Iowa Trappers 50th Anniversary Convention at the Franklin Co. Fairgrounds, Hampton, IA, Sept. 11-13.
— George F. Scalf
