http://www.nvtrappers.org
President — Joel Blakeslee (Sherri), 4905 Jackrabbit Rd, Reno, NV 89510; 775-742-1308
Vice President — John Sullivan; 702-493-8342;
johnsull4@aol.com
Secretary/Treasurer — Judi Curran, 4170 St. Clair Rd., Fallon, NV 89406; 775- 867-2239
Fur Manager — Jim Curran, 4170 St. Clair Rd., Fallon, NV 89406; 775-867-2239
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Husband & wife with subscription — $22
• Junior (under 16) with subscription — $10
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
NTA, Secretary/Treasurer
Judi Curran
4170 St. Clair Rd.
Fallon, NV 89406
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Hello Trappers,
I hope the early weeks of the season have been enjoyable and productive. Any day spent outdoors is a day well spent. Especially if shared with a family member or friend. Trapping seems to be more of a solitary activity then other outdoors pursuits for some reason. Maybe because it is such hard work. But the best trapping memories for me were always those spent with my boys.
The fur market seems to be excellent right now. A full fledged boom. It seems to have started with one or two species and is spreading to every item, one at a time. Bobcats were one of the first to see the increase. Then muskrats. Then martens. Now red fox and coyotes and good badgers have increased. There are still a couple of furs lagging, like beaver. But very few.
On the regulations front, you have probably received a letter from NDOW about registration. It said mandatory registration is cancelled for now. If it is to be made into law, it will have to be addressed by the legislature in 2015. It seems that the law was written incorrectly. Something about the intent of the legislature was to exempt registering traps used on private property, but that exemption never appeared in the law.
From my perspective it was a huge bruhaha for nothing. The NVTA fought it down to the wire. The antis fought for it all the way and appeared to have got it done. Now we get to fight it out all over again in 2015. But it should be considered another bite of the apple. Another chance to stop it or put in some things we want to be changed.
I know we have some friends in the legislature that helped us in the end. Particularly members of the Legislative Commission chaired by Senator Kirkpatrick. We need to thank these elected officials and continue to maintain these important relationships.
Unfortunately the issue of shortened visitation requirements is still in the works. The Wildlife Commission is to consider shortening visitation “in close proximity to a populated or heavily used area”. This definition does not limit the discussion to Washoe and Clark counties. In fact one commissioner said as much and named Tonopah and Elko. So every trapper in every county has a dog in this fight.
One thing I have heard again and again at these hearings is that Nevada has some of the loosest trapping regulations in the country. That claim is always made by the antis but I even heard a game warden say it at a hearing. And it is simply not true. We have one of the strictest use of baits laws in the country. Likewise with offset jaws. Likewise with trapping near roads. In many Midwestern states trapping is allowed on the right of ways of roads and highways and underneath bridges and culverts, even if there is private property at both fence lines. Not here. Our visitation law is very much in line with other western states which have vast areas of public lands like we do. The Nevada visitation requirement is much more restrictive than Montana and slightly less than Idaho. So the next time someone tries to tell you how loose it is here compared to other states, you can set them straight.
And last but not least, our website is bigger and better than ever, much thanks to Karen Smith. And we have a Facebook page as well. We are trying to put more up to date and pertinent items out there to keep our membership informed. So please check it out when you get a chance and check back in to the sites from time to time as we may need your help in writing letters or sending emails.
And hey, be safe out there. Tell someone where you went and when you will be back. — John Sullivan
