www.uptrappers.com
President — John Gunville, N 125 Co. Rd. 577, Vulcan, MI 49892; 906-563-5940; jgunville@hotmail.com
Vice President — Luke Tomasoski, W 7705 E Bar D Dr, Iron Mountain, MI 49801; 906-212-8946; tski350@yahoo.com
Secretary — Mike Lewis, N 5246 M-95, Iron Mountain, MI; 906-774-3592; Louie.builds@live.com
Treasurer — Dan Absolon, 598 Premo Creek Road, Crystal Falls, MI 49920; phone 906-822-7764;
elkhunterdan97@yahoo.com
NTA Director — Bob Steinmetz, 4984 Karen 17.25 St, Escanaba, MI 49829; 906-786-6265; bobsteinmetz@charter.net
FTA Affiliate 10-D (District 3) — Duane Halvas, W5623 River Meadow Lane, Norway, MI 49870; 906-563-9559;
lutefisk642@hotmail.com
Website — Russ Brittain, 7321 Lake Bluff 19.4 Rd, Gladstone, MI 49837; 906-428-1429; rbrittain@chartermi.net
Membership Options:
• One-year membership with subscription to T&PC — $27
• One-year membership without magazine — $15
• One-year junior membership (16 & under) including subscription — $27
• Junior membership without the magazine — $3
Complete the membership application on the first page of association section and send dues to:
Dan Absolon, Secretary
598 Premo Creek Road
Crystal Falls, MI 49920
Please specify which district you want to join: District 1 (Keweenaw, Houghton and Baraga counties); District 2 (Ontonagon, Gogebic and Iron counties); District 3 (Delta, Menominee and Dickinson counties); District 5 (Marquette, Alger and Schoolcraft counties).
NTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT
In 2014, the U.P. Trapper’s Association will have the honor of hosting the National Trapper’s Association Convention and Outdoor Show in Escanaba, Michigan. With each NTA convention I attend, I become more excited about actually hosting one!
This year, I attended the NTA convention in Lima, Ohio with several other members of the U.P. Trapper’s Association. We attended many of the trapping demonstrations, toured the show, and met with many of the convention workers. We saw new techniques and inventions that make trapping easier and more efficient. This year, for instance, a new conibear trap clip was demonstrated. Fully adjustable to work with any size trap, this new clip can be positioned anywhere on either plastic or steel stakes. It can be used for water or dry land sets. Another interesting new tool is a stake puller / hammer. It is similar to a fence post hammer but works both ways. What a perfect tool for pounding those stakes in frozen ground and getting them back out again. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been trapping, you are guaranteed to learn something new at an NTA Convention.
During our stay, we distributed thousands of brochures for the NTA convention in Escanaba and numerous tourist packets. People are really looking forward to visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The NTA coming to the U.P. will be great for the local economy. Hotels, restaurants and all other businesses are sure to profit from this huge event. Attendees will benefit from the great deals on trapping supplies and outdoor gear. Everyone wins!
I met for two days with the NTA’s dedicated board of directors, taking care of business. I would like to draw attention to a couple of the great people who serve the NTA. Gary Leistico is the NTA’s Attorney and has won countless battles protecting our trapping privilege. He is also a great resource for legal questions and ethical advice. Dave Linkhart is the Director of International and National Affairs. Dave and his wife Karen are extremely warmhearted people and have the skills and the contacts to get things done. They are our informational highway to the legislators, the NTA, and to trapping and outdoor organizations throughout the country. They keep the trappers informed of pending changes to rules and regulations and they make sure our voice is heard. They are an important part of the NTA’s new alert system.
Just experiencing the sounds, sites, and smells of a National Trappers Convention and Outdoor Show is something you won’t soon forget. Your first two stops at an NTA convention should be the NTA booth to join or renew. You, the members, make all of these fabulous conventions possible. The next stop, especially if you live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is the UPTA booth to renew or join. And while you’re there, give the workers a big “Thank You” for all their hard work and for making the conventions possible. I could write a book on how being an NTA member, attending an NTA convention, as well as belonging to your local trapping organization, can benefit you personally.
We, the U.P. Trapper’s Association, invited the NTA to visit this great land in the north. Let’s all pull together and makes this the best NTA convention ever. With your help, we can do it! Enjoy the convention, but also do your part to make it great. Add your contact information to our volunteer list and be an actual part of this memorable National Convention. Don’t forget to list the days and hours you would like to work the show and send it to me. But don’t wait too long to sign up! We need to be READY long before the convention starts! Helpers will be needed beginning Saturday July 19th and ending with grounds clean up on Sunday afternoon July 27th. (Sunday morning is when remaining vendors are closing shop and often selling things dirt cheap so they don’t have to haul it home. Don’t miss out. You might just regret it.)
If you aren’t from Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula check out the many things to see and do while you are in our area. Bring your family to the U.P. for a vacation to remember. Make sure this vacation allows enough time to enjoy the entire convention. As time goes on, we will add more information on tourist attractions, motels, camping and the convention to our website. Be sure to visit us at www.uptrappers.com and also, visit the NTA website at www.nationaltrappers.com.
For questions about the convention and dealer inquiries, please contact;
Tamara Masterson, Convention Coordinator, National Trappers Association, (248) 568-5804.
The members of the U.P. Trappers Association will do everything in our power to make your experience a memorable one. Hope to see you at the 55th Annual NTA Convention at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba Michigan on July 24 – 27!!!
Special thanks to John Gunville, Mike Lewis, Ryan Koivu, Larry Potter, Roy Dahlgren, and Roy’s daughter Alexis for their help distributing flyers and tourist packets, manning our two booths, and making many valuable contacts while in Ohio. Your help and dedication was greatly appreciated! — Bob Steinmetz
