Vice President — Adam Duryea, 80406 Victoria Springs Rd, Merna, NE 68856; phone: 308-643-0430; cell: 308-643-9178
Secretary — John Self, 2072 CO RD K, Hooper, NE 68031; phone: 402-654-2913
Treasurer — Dave Kuhlmann, 70767 626th Ave., Pawnee City, NE 68420-2570; phone: 402-852-6173
Legislative Representative — George Wagner, 201 Main Ave., Winnetoon, NE 68789; phone: 402-847-3398
Public Relations Director — Doug Eskew, 41521 Rd. 764 Gothenburg, NE 69138; phone: 308-537-2919
NTA Delegate — Jason Reynoldson, 2142 State Highway 14, Albion, NE 68620-5033; phone: 402-395-6805; cell: 402-649-3832
FTA Delegate — Roy Greenfield, 16535 145th Rd., Amherst, NE 68812; phone: 308-826-5155
Web Site — Tom Riblett, tmrs@gpcom.net; http://www.nebraskafurharvesters.com
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Hello Everyone,
As I write this, we have two days left in badger season. So, I have been driving with my head out the window, scanning the countryside for fresh badger mounds. They seem to be getting a little more active as it warms. When it gets into March, those mounds will be appearing everywhere.
I have heard some reports of some positives in the fur market; perhaps not the prices we want to see, but not all that bad. At this point, it is good to see some goods moving.
If you haven’t heard, seen on our Web site, or somehow learned, our Spring Meeting will be at Hooper (just down the road from WestPoint) on April 11 at 9 a.m. at the Fire Hall. The business meeting will be after lunch. Doug Eskew will have a presentation of what he has going so far for the Fall Convention. We still do not have a site selected for the 2011 Fall Convention. If you have something in mind, have some information and bring it forward.
If you have pictures or something that you can bring, I’d like to see some of the things that you catch, find or trip over while trapping. I found a cemetery once while trapping or prospecting. I had lived and trapped around Loup City for 25 years and never knew about it. It had six graves with markers along the edge of a field. I can’t bring that, of course, but if you have something strange or interesting, bring it to show-n-tell.
Hope to see you all on April 11.
— Don Miller
FTA DELEGATE’S REPORT
Spring is almost here! It is time to clean the equipment, review the note books and start shifting to the summer season. Recently, a portion of the fur prices have advanced, but we have a ways to go. As the grass starts to turn green, it is easy to place fur harvesting to the back of one’s mind. Those who would see our chosen way of life end do not waiver from their goals. This is why every member who can needs to attend the NFH spring meeting.
John Self will be hosting the event in Hooper, NE on April 10, 2010. By his e-mail, we will have no problem finding the fire hall when arriving in town. He is planning to start a few demos at 9 a.m. The NFH is of the members, by the members and for the members. Each member’s voice is equally important so plan on attending.
The FTA National Rendezvous will be held in Columbia, Indiana this year. The June 10-12 event is shaping up to be a big one. Located in the center of hardcore trapping country and having an extremely experienced and motivated host crew promises to provide a memorable trip the entire family will remember. One might see the details in the Fur Taker Magazine or the FTA Web site at www.furtakersofamerica.com.
At this time, I am not aware of any fur harvesting issues being faced in Nebraska. We are more fortunate than several states and each trapper is to be complimented for being in the field this past winter.
Remember to mark Sept. 24-26 on your calendar for the NFH Fall Convention. Doug and the crew are doing an outstanding job of organizing the event being held in the Lexington Fair Grounds. It sounds like we will have a very diverse attendance this year.
— Roy Greenfield