Director — Kenneth Cordoza Jr., 150 Lost Coon Tr., Whitefish, MT 59937
Director — Don Bothwell, 110 Cardiff Ave., Kalispell, MT 59901
Director — Rick Hawk, P.O. Box 381, Kalispell, MT 59903
Director — Robert Howard, P.O. Box 164, Martin City, MT 59926
Director — Larry Keyes, 235 Martin Camp Rd., Whitefish, MT 59937
P.O. Box 3481, Kalispell, MT
e-mail address: mtfurs@gmail.com
Membership Options:
• Regular Membership — $25, Choose magazine – Trapper & Predator Caller, Trappers World or Predator Extreme
• Sustaining Membership $20 – No Magazine
• Junior Membership (under 18) $15 – Choose magazine above
• Family Membership — $30, Choose magazine above
• Charter Membership — $100
• Foundation Membership — $200
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Guys & Gals,
It’s 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2008, as I write this. I received a phone call just an hour ago from the Associated Press reporter in Helena wanting my reaction and comments on a lawsuit that was filed today to get the USFWS to list the wolverine as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act. My comments were brief and I made a point of saying that I didn’t think it was a necessary listing. I agree with the USFWS that the wolverines in Montana and other western states are part of the larger wolverine population to our north in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. I reiterated that wolverines don’t know or respect political boundaries and therefore travel back and forth as the weather, terrain and food sources dictate. I expect that we’ll see our FWP Commission enact some type of emergency moratorium on our upcoming wolverine season at their next meeting. I hope I’m wrong.
At our recent membership meeting, we discussed our prototype trapper education program. The education sub-committee has the book we’re hoping to use so they can review and edit it as necessary to suit our needs in Montana. We hope to have the program ready to present to FWP by the middle of November. This is the program that we’ve tested in three classes already. It went over well with the students.
One of the other discussions was about holding a “Howler Hauler,” a coyote harvesting contest. We’ll see who can haul in the most “howlers” in a two-week period. We’ve made contact with FWP on the subject and they have no objections. The details are being worked out and we’ll let you know as soon as they’re finalized. In a nutshell, it looks like it’ll consist of two-person teams that can take coyotes by gun or by trap. The winners will split the pot with the association.
We also recognized that we’re now a year old! Membership renewals will be coming out by e-mail or snail mail if you don’t have computer access. Bob Howard was recognized as our first “Foundation Member”. Thanks again, Bob.
Ken Cordoza recruited a computer helper to keep the membership records. That’s an area that we directors feel is very important, accurate and confidential membership info. Your name, address, phone numbers or e-mail will NOT be shared with anyone.
To wrap up the meeting, I shared my observations of the Wisconsin Trappers Association rendezvous that I attended at the beginning of the month. All I can say is WOW! Those folks really know how to put on a rendezvous. With four exhibit buildings full of vendors and tailgaters all over, it was hard hanging on to my wallet. There were first class demos by some of the big names in trapping and almost continuous skinning demos by a NAFA representative. Surprisingly, I had a vendor there ask me about attending our little picnic/rendezvous. We’ll be working on that later in the year.
That’s your update for now. I hope your trap prep is almost done. Best wishes. — Don Bothwell
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