Nevada Trappers Association November 2014 Report

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,

It sure feels good to have those temperatures dropping. That fall feeling in the air in the mornings sure is sweet.

The southern part of the state received a lot of rain this summer. Too much in some places. But the desert sure looks green and healthy. Rabbits seem to be making a comeback and the fur predators have to be enjoying it as well. Speaking of predators, I have a prairie falcon showing up at my house about every day. I can always tell he is here because the doves and small birds disappear.

I just returned from a muzzleloader hunt in SE Utah and that country has responded to the rain as well. I have never seen so much small game sign. They have prairie dog colonies over there but outside of the dog towns are an abundance of medium size burrows just about everywhere on the valley floors. And coyotes galore. Utah went to a bounty system on coyotes for predator control a couple of years ago, paying $50 each. I am very interested in seeing how this program turns out.

In NV I don’t think fur trappers get enough credit for the valuable predator control services we provide. Statewide. And free of charge. Not only free, but we pay for the privilege with licensing and bobcat tag fees. I can’t think of one mountain range that doesn’t have at least one trapper working there during the open season. If anyone knows of such a place, please let me know.

Fur prices for this year are anyone’s guess. Prices were disappointing last season after record prices in 2012 and 2013. Unfortunately we never really seem to know what is going on until the first big sales of fresh goods take place in Feb.

The NVTA fur sale will be in Fallon as usual and the third weekend of Feb, as usual. Feb. 20, 21, and 22. Bobcat season this year ends on Feb. 21 and not the end of the month. The biologists actually did us a favor, they originally were going to end it on Feb. 15 but decided to coincide the season ending with the fur sale which gives us one more week. Jim usually puts something in this newsletter concerning the sale in the Dec. or Jan. edition.

Politically things are finally quieting down after about 4 years of non-stop fighting with the anti-conservationists. We have some new faces on the Wildlife Commission which should make a difference. And the next session of the legislature will be interesting. It was invaluable having Joel go to Carson City last session representing us. And I am sure we will want to have that kind of representation again. In the meantime there is an election coming up this Nov. A few votes one way or another can make a huge difference in whether we have to defend hunting and trapping all the time or whether we don’t. So please mail in your ballots or go to the polls and vote for pro sportsmen to represent us in the state assembly, the state senate, and all other elected positions.

And best of luck in the field this fall. I hope your hunting efforts are rewarded and the fur gods smile too. Take a kid or a friend if you can. And be safe. Accidents and injuries can happen fast so please be careful. — John Sullivan

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