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. Well another regular trapping season has come and gone, except for beaver, which closes on April 1. Another season for which memories have been made for my personal files. My last set was closed at 11:54 p.m. on Jan. 31 under clear skies and 36 degree temps.
After that last set is pulled, I always sit there, listen and reflect upon the past season. Thankful for the country lifestyle for which I was raised, thinking what if I was raised in the city, would I have been introduced to trapping at all? Would I have been so keen to the sights and sounds of the world that I, as a trapper, so now possess? Thank my father for the teachings and telling of stories that introduced trapping into the life that is now a part of me.
My mother, why she put up with the skinning of critters in the basement, but never skunks! Or the time that — sure two plastic bags will surely seal out the skunk smell when the pelt was put in her deep freeze — WRONG! Not much was ever said — it’s a wonder. Thanks to you all who have introduced that youngster to that heritage we all know as trapping.
At this time, if you have not heard, it sounds as if all license fees will increase. Furharvester license has a proposed increase from $21 to $36 — the largest increase of all licenses. For some it may be hard to spend that extra money for a trapping license. If figured by the approximate days in regular trapping season the increase amounts to 17 cents a day or a total cost of about 41 cents a day. If you extended that to include beaver season, the increase amounts to about 10 cents or a total cost of about 25 cents a day. Figure what we have to pay on car/truck license, drivers license or that beer or soda we drink during the year. I would much rather spend the extra towards the trapping I enjoy than something else that I would not enjoy as much — these are my thoughts only!
Don’t forget to attend the 7th Annual Furbearers Banquet. The banquet will be held on March 14, 2009, at Assembly Hall, 1250 NE 56th St. Pleasant Hill, IA — same as last year. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and dinner will be at 7:30. Tickets are $20 each for adults and $10 each for kids and include dinner.
Seating will be reserved for the first 350 people with no late entries or walk-ins, so reserve your seats early or no later than March 11. For more info or to donate, contact Pat McAninch at 515-681-5470, Gene Purdy at 641-201-0452 or Cody Hutton at 641-201-0452 or by e-mail at cthutton@netins.net. Hope to see you all again this year!
Hope you all had a safe and enjoyable trapping season. Til next time, be safe and enjoy the outdoors.
— Craig Sweet
TREASURER’S REPORT
Other than beaver, another trapping season is done. Hopefully everyone had a productive and safe season.
Another year coming to an end soon is the school year. Seniors keep in mind the Iowa Trappers Association has a $500 scholarship available. This is a great opportunity for financial help with college expenses. Applications are due June 1. The applicant must be a senior graduating this year and either be a member of the ITA or a family member of an ITA member.
Scholarship applications are available online at the ITA Web site at www.iowatrappers.com or contact Gene Purdy, 641-745-8841, gene_purdy@yahoo.com.
— Chris Grillot
NTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Time is running out to get your tickets for our big FurBearers Unlimited Banquet here in Ottumwa at the Hotel Ottumwa on Saturday, March 21. Contact me for tickets.
The latest report from our national office indicates that several of you have chosen not to renew your membership in the NTA at this time. With the new administration, it is very crucial that you keep your membership current. The Humane Society of the United States is certain to find a number of legislators willing to further HSUS’s extreme agenda.
Dues in the NTA are only $30 per year, which is a little over 8 cents per day. Surely your trapping rights are worth that much, aren’t they?
In just two short months, our first Regional Convention will be held. The Southeast Regional in Williamston, NC will be held May 1 to 3.
Also, the first Regional Conference will be Saturday, March 28 in Bloomington, Illinois for the Midwestern Region. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me so that I can present your views.
— George E. Scalf
