President — Don Miller, Box 15, Loup City, NE 68853-0015; phone: 308-745-0572; cell 308-440-2951
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. I hope all of you are having a good season; it will be 3 weeks before anyone reads this and spring beaver trapping will be upon us. Today when I fell out of bed it was 8 degrees and it’s now 6 degrees with the wind whipping an occasional snowflake past.
I attended the annual main meeting and wildlife feed for the Legislature on January 25, for the Nebraska Coalition of Sportsmen’s Clubs. They work closely with Nebraska Game and Parks and they have several active members who spend a lot of time at the Legislature lobbying and testifying. They monitor for bill that affect sportsmen in some way. When we were fighting the “Right of Way” and getting LB5 passed 3 of their members testified on our behalf.
This year, so far, there doesn’t appear to be anything that would impact us adversely. The Game and Parks umbrella bill contains provision to allow possession of pelts so long as the fur harvester has a valid permit to take. Getting away from the having to dispose of within 10 days after the close of season or get a “permit to hold” from a Conservation Officer. Nebraska Fur Harvesters had worked on this through Sam Wilson, the non-game biologist with NE Game and Parks.
Also quite a bit of time was given to Mark Brohman, head of The Environmental Trust, who spoke on 4 (I believe) bills that would take the funds from that fund and one that would dismantle the trust altogether. Nebraska Environmental Trust gets its funding from a share of the lottery proceeds. I think as sportsmen and outdoorsmen we should be concerned about these bills.
Another topic, Wes Sheets announced that HSVS has established an office in Nebraska now (Lincoln, I believe) – they didn’t do this for no reason!
Spring meeting, details will be coming next month, but for now Jason Reynoldson will be hosting April 10 in the basement meeting room at Cornerstone Bank in Albion, located at the intersection of Highway 14 and 91. Plan to attend; there are important issues to address.
— Don Miller
FTA DELEGATE’S REPORT
We in Nebraska are fortunate! The information below was sent my way by Ron Leggett. Ron is extremely active on the political front and we share information via the web and at the Trappers College each year. I give credit for the article to the Nebraska Farm Bureau.
There are countless states where the elected officials are biased against the consumptive use of our natural resources. Only by sound judgment by the voters will this change. We just came out of the elections but now is the time to watch as the next round in 2012 progresses. Our state must look to its outdoor industries for guidance. If you have the opportunity explain to those who do not have the rural knowledge to make sound decisions please do so. Only by doing so will we be able to continue the way of life we chose to live.
See you at the spring meeting.
— Roy Greenfield
Nebraska Governor Promises HSUS ‘Fight of Your Life’
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman (R) on Monday reiterated his opposition to the Humane Society of the United States in remarks at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Lincoln. “If HSUS attempts to force legislation in Nebraska, it will get its butt kicked,” Heineman said.
“You (HSUS) come to Nebraska and you’re going to have the fight of your life. If you think you can intimidate Nebraskans, you’re kidding yourself. I’ll organize the whole state if that’s what it takes,” Heineman said. He also pledged that he would work nonstop if HSUS pushes a ballot initiative, “to be sure all the state’s citizens understand HSUS’ agenda and what it would mean in a state where livestock is the leading industry.”
People in Lincoln and Omaha (the state’s largest cities) will be looking to farmers and ranchers in the state for leadership regarding HSUS’ actions, the governor said. He encouraged the use of social media to connect with all Nebraskans, in addition to talking about HSUS in every conversation after church and in the coffee shop. Nebraska Farm Bureau story on Facebook