President — Shawn Johnson, 6122 McQuade Road, Duluth, Mn 55804; phone: 218.525.4970; e-mail: mcquaderoadfur@msn.com
Vice President — Dave D’Aigle, 29765 Holly St NW, Isanti, MN 55040
Secretary — Linda Salo, 5927 McNiven Road, Chisholm, MN 55719; e-mail: linda.salo@mwcradio.com
Treasurer — Tricia Coons, 403 Wood Ave., Bemidji, MN 56601; phone: 218-444-8244;
e-mail: MTATrish@paulbunyan.net
Membership Coordinator — Kathy Peterson, 57124 Cty Rd., Northhome, MN 56661; phone: 218-659-4535; e-mail: kpeterso@paulbunyan.net
Director of Trapper Education — Deb Offerdahl, 14788 Lynx Rd., Milaca, MN 56353; phone: 320-983-6023
Mandatory Trappers Education Director — Shawn Johnson, 6122 McQuade Road, Duluth, MN 55804; phone: 218-525-4970; e-mail: mcquaderoadfur@msn.com
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
• Junior (under 16) with subscription — $15
• Lifetime membership with subscription — $400
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
MTA, Membership Coordinator
Kathy Peterson
57124 Cty Rd., Northhome, MN 56661
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Greetings Trappers,
Winter looks like it’s going to be staying for the duration. Floodwaters, wet heavy March snows in November along with a sloppy warm- up and single digit temperatures have challenged even the most dedicated trappers this season.
Hopefully fur prices that will be paid will help ease some of the pain? We’ll see what January brings.
By the time this issue arrives, the Winter General Membership Meeting at the IREC in Isle will be very close. I urge all that are able to attend our annual get together.
DNR folks will once again provide tagging opportunities for otters and bobcats at this year’s meeting. A reminder that these animals must be pelted- carcass animals will not be tagged. Of greater importance is the necessity of surrendering those bobcat carcasses. The membership is very close to losing this convenient service if the number of bobcat carcasses continues to lag far behind the number of pelts presented. If this service is of value to you, please remember not to abuse the privilege.
On our Rule change agenda, snaring issues are at the top of our wish list and we’ll be working hard to obtain some meaningful changes in these rules over the coming year. There is much work to be done here, but I’m hopeful that we can make some headway at long last.
Convention preparations for Redwood Falls continue and more detailed plans for hosting the NTA Convention in Owatonna in 2012 are being solidified. Much work remains in preparation for these events and the membership is encouraged to lend a hand wherever it’s needed.
One final note, Mark Palas District Six Director for the past several years has decided to retire from the Board but has agreed to continue to head the Help a Beginner Program. Mark has worked very hard in service to the members in the metro and he deserves words of appreciation for all his efforts. I for one would like to publicly thank Mark for his passion and selflessness in service to the members of the MTA. Mark has informed me that he feels he can better serve the Association through Trapper Education Classes and other areas of need and he’ll be focusing his attention in these directions.
Jim Dufour has answered the call to fill the District 6 Director’s chair and is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.
Here’s to full traps and generous fur buyers!
Have a merry Christmas Season.
— Shawn Johnson
DISTRICT 1 REPORT
Hi folks, I hope everyone is having a good trapping season. I hate to complain about the weather but this trapping season has been a real tough one on northern Minnesota trappers. It started with 4 or 5 inches of rain, then it finally stabilized, then it sort of froze, now it seems like a decent snowfall every few days. It has made for difficult travel in the woods and ice conditions are terrible. I urge everyone to use extreme caution if they decide to venture out on the ice.
I haven’t heard a whole lot on fur prices yet. Both auction houses market forecasts are cautiously optimistic. We should have a better idea after the January auctions. Keep your fingers crossed!
Mink populations appear to be down significantly in the Arrowhead region. I have talked to 5 or 6 other trappers from this area and all agree the population is way down and had differing ideas on why this is occurring. I also talked to area DNR wildlife people about this to see if they had any ideas. Hopefully this downward population trend will turn around soon.
Remember our winter general membership meeting and legal defense banquet on Jan. 8. It should be a real good time! Well that’s all I have for now. Here’s wishing you and your families a very Merry X-mas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
— Bert
DISTRICT 7 REPORT
Hello fellow trappers.
The Winter meeting is January 8 in Isle. The doors open at 8am. The general membership meeting starts at 10am. It will be a fun day. You should really think about attending.
The Pelt Handling contest will be held again this year. Enter your pelts to see how you can do. Cumberlands is sponsoring the contest again this year, and will be providing prizes for each species and a gift certificate for the Master Fur Handler of the year.
We are starting to plan the District 7 Spring meeting. Be sure to watch for upcoming reports for details.
Until next time.
— Leon Windschitl
