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 All,
I for one will be delighted when this summer is finally over. If it wasn’t raining it was unbearably hot here in my neck of the woods. Cool autumn days will be a much welcomed change. As I write this report the MTA Board of Directors meeting has not yet taken place and consequently the Non Resident Trapping Survey results are not yet known.
As I mentioned in my report in the Newsletter magazine, the response was poor in my opinion so little will be gained in accurately gauging the opinion of the membership at large on this issue. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank those of you who took the time to make their feelings known on this issue.
The MTA Board of Directors is still in the process of soliciting applicants for the NTA Director’s position. Between the leadership ability of Tim Bauer, Todd Roggenkamp and Gary Meis duties for the Owatonna NTA convention this summer (2012) will be in competent hands but the NTA Director’s position needs to be filled ASAP to insure that Minnesota has a voice in goings on at the national level as well.
Should an applicant be chosen prior to that time it would be of great advantage to give them the opportunity to work with these men and familiarize themselves with the workings of the NTA to get a better feel for the directorship.
Those considering applying for this post should keep in mind that although they are a representative for the interests of trappers in the state of Minnesota, the applicant must have the capacity to see things from a national perspective keeping in mind the interests of trappers at a national level and the well being of the sport on a larger stage. Although some things may be beneficial for Minnesota trappers the benefit of trappers nationwide and the expansion and promotion of the sport in general should be in mind foremost.
Travel to attend NTA meetings and other functions is a necessary component of the job so potential applicants should keep that in mind as well when considering the position. Ideally a retired person or someone with liberal vacation time etc. at their job would be well suited to the position. Mileage reimbursement and a limited amount of lodging will be covered by MTA while performing in an official capacity as NTA Director from Minnesota. Any interested in learning more about the position are encouraged to contact me for additional information.
A reminder to those that have not yet purchased their 2011 trapping licenses to remember to request site validation coupons for fisher/marten/otters from the ELS vendor at the time of purchase. For those that have already bought their licenses, remember to pick up those coupons before season begins to avoid any potential hassles It has been around ten years since site validation has been required and no doubt some will be presented with a system they are unfamiliar with regarding fur animals. The process is basically identical to that which has been in place for years for big game and turkeys. Specifics are provided in the September 2011 issue of the Newsletter magazine courtesy of Jason Abraham for your benefit.
Please read what he has to say before you call St. Paul or your local C.O. for clarification. It is a new process with the majority of the objections leveled against the old metal tagging system eliminated from the new. Once we have a season behind us the new process should prove to be relatively painless.
Please mark your calendars if you plan on attending the MTA General Membership Meeting this January 7, 2012 in our new location at East Central High School 12 miles north of Hinckley off of 35W near Banning Junction. If overnight accommodations will be necessary, please make reservations well in advance particularly if you are planning on attending the second annual Legal Defense Fund Banquet as well. The Banquet will be held at a nearby location at the Askov Community Center. Donations are encouraged from both individuals and businesses that wish to support our dedication to protecting fur trapping in the state of Minnesota from future legal threats.
Please contact Buzz Neprud 218 546 8213 for additional information or Gary Meis for tickets necessary to enjoy a fine prime rib as well as participating in the various games and perhaps winning a prize or two to take home with you. Please do your part to support the sport we love and enjoy a fine evening to boot!
I’d also be remiss if I neglected to thank the folks at North American Fur Auctions for the second check they provided to the MTA in proportion to 1/4 of 1% of the proceeds generated from the sale of Minnesota wild furs.
Please remember to support those businesses that support us!
Keep your skinning knives sharp,
See you at the East Central School in January!
— Shawn Johnson
DISTRICT 1 REPORT
Hello District 1 trappers,
By the time you read this report alot of our fall hunting seasons will be going in full swing. Bear opens on Sept. 1, archery deer & small game on Sept. 17 and waterfowl on Sept. 24. I hope everyone can get out and enjoy them, it’s a great time of year. And remember take a young person out with you !
Frank, Mike Zupetz, Butch Sherek, and myself got together and built 40 marten nesting boxes. Frank & Mike had been doing this pretty much on their own, so it was nice to have the extra hands helping out. We got a lot accomplished, ate good food, shared many a story, and had a lot of laughs! We’ve been talking to several state park managers and a county land & timber dept. and they all seem very interested in being involved with this project.
It’s been real busy at our home with harvesting and canning garden produce and wild berries. It seems everything is running about 2 weeks or a little more behind what it normally is, but with all the rain we’ve had this summer it’s producing very well. Heck, if it doesn’t freeze for another week or so we’ll even have corn!
Well that’s all I have for now. Get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather and remember trapping season is just around the corner! Take care and above all be safe.
— Bert
DISTRICT 4 REPORT
Where has the time gone? Convention season has come and gone. Tomorrow some of the first hunting seasons open and in a short 7 weeks fur seasons will be going strong.
September 1st, you should be able to get your fisher, marten, and otter tags. The new hunting regulations are out and there aren’t any new rules as of yet.
We will be having our District meeting December 5th, at Wealthwood Gun Club, same place as last year. Doors open at 5:00 and the meeting starts at 6:00. Hope to have someone to tag fur and hopefully have a fur buyer on hand. It’s also election year. I have enjoyed serving as your Director the last 2 years and would do it again if you so choose to have me represent you.
And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 218-851-5989 or 218-546-8213 or neprud@crosbyironton.net.
Till next time.
— Buzz
DISTRICT 5 REPORT
Hello everyone,
I will be having an in-field training for who ever has not completed this part of the trappers education course. I will be having this at the Kimball Rod & Gun Club Saturday, October 8th starting at 8 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m.
Pre registration is required for this so that I can have enough supplies on hand.
It looks to be a good trapping season coming up. A lot of fur is sold out so prices hopefully should be good.
Take care.
— Pete
DISTRICT 7 REPORT
Hello fellow trappers. I am writing this just before the District 7 fall meeting. There is not a lot of news to report.
I was able to attend the District 8 fall meeting at Cumberland’s Open House. They had a very nice turnout. Congratulations to Brad, Jim, and Bill on being re-elected. The leadership of these three will make sure District 8 is well represented.
Be sure to check the upcoming reports as the next report will have information regarding the District 7 Fall Meeting and the Board of Directors Meeting that will be on September 24 that I will be attending as well.
Until next time.
— Leon Windschitl, Director District 7
