President — Ron Leggett, 7308 Monroe Rd., Boonsboro, MD 21713; phone: 301-432-8480
Vice President — Alfred E. Bradford, 4665 Back Shelltown Rd., Marion Station, MD 21838; phone: 410-957-0183
Membership Secretary — Reed Muse, 3499 Niner Rd., Finksburg, MD 21048; phone: 410-795-8076; cell: 410-790-6475; e-mail: frmtrapper@verizon.net
Recording Secretary — Jaime Glenn, 9 Jeanna Ln., Falling Waters, WV 25419
Treasurer — Ed Davis, 5122 Paw Paw Rd., Cambridge, MD 21613; phone: 410-228-8181
NTA Director — Morgan Bennett, III, 6838 Hunting Creek Rd., Hurlock, MD 21643; phone: 410-943-4623
Membership Options:
• Yearly individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
• 3-year individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $70
• Lifetime individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $250
• Yearly family membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $27.50
• 3-year family membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $80
• Lifetime family membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $400
• Yearly junior (17 and under) membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $10
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
MFT, Membership Secretary
Reed Muse
3499 Niner Rd., Finksburg, MD 21048
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
We would like to thank all the following individuals for attending the MFTI BOD meeting held on Oct. 18 at United Communities Volunteer Fire Department 9406 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville, MD: Ed Davis, Ron Leggett, Jaime Glenn, Butch Glenn, Reed Muse, Robert Colona, Richard Garrett, Tommy Tucker, Paul Burkhardt, Dan Tucker, Roger Ringgold, Anita Moore, Donald Moore, Jerry Heimbrock, Mary Tucker, Marty Campbell, Leslie Schunick, Betty Leggett, Charlotte Leggett, Gene Garrett, Jamie Garrett and Scott van Ess.
We have used this location for our meetings several times an it is central for most of the BOD which lets everyone share travel time. It is very important that every one stay in touch as we are going into legislative session the first week of January 2010.
It has been a sad time for the MFTI BOD and members to hear that two of our very dedicated members had to resign. Vice President Alfred Bradford resigned due to unseen circumstances as of Sept. 1, 2009. Morgan Bennett I reported resigned in August. I want each and every one of you to thank them for all their past dedication to support trapping. Not only in MD but across the nation. They always put their heart and soul into fighting for what we all believe in and I am sure that will never change. If you see them or ever get the chance to talk to either one of them, PLEASE say THANK YOU. We owe them a lot.
At the BOD meeting on Oct. 18, I asked that Jaime read the by-laws to the group about replacing the vice president. I suggested that all MFTI members present be allowed to vote. There being no objections, Ed Davis nominated Butch Glenn. Butch accepted the nomination and Tommy motioned that nominations be closed. Leslie Schunick seconded the motion, and Butch was elected as vice president. Butch asked that everyone work with him as he makes the transitions into the V.P. position and that he looks forward to the new role.
Office of NTA director is appointed by the president, so I appointed Jerry Hemibrook. Jerry encouraged the group to look for a permanent NTA director, as he only plans to hold the position for a short time as they might be moving to VA. Gene Garrett had expressed interest in that position. So I explained some details about the position and relationship between MFTI and NTA to Gene. Gene has taken a BOD site for the remainder of Butch’s term and said he would like to spend time talking to Jerry before he would agree to take on the NTA position.
The state Trappers Education course is moving forward with three districts now holding class’s. Ralph and Ethan Mink, Butch and Jaime Glenn and Richard Garrett are holding class’s. Jaime Glenn has taking on the roll for the DNR as a chief instructor that would coordinate the scheduling on classes across the state. Jaime agreed to take on the responsibility of the Trappers Education Course. Jaime discussed the importance of trapper’s education and topics that were discussed at the update workshops for instructors. We are in need of new instructors statewide. Anyone who is willing to volunteer their time but does not want to be an instructor could be a helper during the classes. Jaime suggested holding a mini seminar at next year’s convention that would touch on these topics for people who might be interested in helping the program. Jaime also discussed developing standardized tool kits that would be used for the classes. Robert is going to ask the hunter’s education program to pay the expense of the kits. If they are not able to pay, then MFTI might be willing to cover the cost.
Dan Tucker and I attended a meeting with DNRP on Oct. 13. DNRP held the meeting to open communication between sportsmen and the NRP.
FBU Banquet: The date has been changed to April 17, 2010. Donations are needed now and it would be to your benefit to help at this fundraiser. Melinda needs at least a list of donations for the event so they can be prepared for the banquet. Richard Garrett talked to an auctioneer that is willing to attend and auctioneer the live auction.
The next board meeting will be March 21, 2010 at the same location. If you have any suggestions for MFTI or the state, please let us know by email at rleggett@dishmail.net or call 301-432-8480.
— Ron Leggett
DISTRICT 8 REPORT
We had attendance of six for our season’s first meeting. I was happy with that as trapping season has not begun. Next month should be even better. We had one new face with Ed Myers of Worton, MD. I sure would like to see us have a new face for each meeting. How about we make your face one of them? Come one, come all.
Most of tonight’s meeting was a review of the last three director meeting minutes and a discussion on the current status of the NTA and the general health of MFT. Our state memberships are holding very decent for the current times. Naturally all the attending members are planning to still trap this year, or else they would not have shown up. Where were you?
Each trapper was given time to reveal his trapping plans for this season. The area fur buyers were discussed along with shipping. We will have many good trapping stories as the season progresses.
District 8 encourages visitors. We meet on the fourth Tuesday during trapping season at 7 p.m. at the home of Robert Calloway at 14313 Cherry Lane. His house is near Tuckahoe State Park between Centreville, MD and Ridgely. MD. Call Bob at 410-634-2501 for further directions.
I can be reached at 410-634-2552 or e-mailed at rogerringgold@yahoo.com.
— Roger Ringgold