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 T&PC — $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
Greetings Trappers,
I am heading up to Ely tomorrow for the rendezvous which promises to be the biggest and best in NVTA history. Joe Bennett has done a fantastic job organizing this. From great demos, to lots of vendors, to kids events and super prizes, to a big raffle, it is all there. He even has live music lined up for Saturday night except the musicians don’t know it yet. This is shaping up as more of a convention than a rendezvous. As they say, the more the merrier.
Only problem is: after this, it will be a tough act to follow. Joe might have to be the permanent rondy coordinator. I do like the Ely area because of the cool summer weather, fishing opportunities, and is close enough to neighboring states to get some of the bigger vendors to attend. We might want to make this an annual event.
Anyway, it will all be in the rearview mirror by the time you get this magazine. I hope to see everybody and know it will be a good time.
I don’t think I mentioned it last time but we are expecting a shorter bobcat season this coming season. Reduced by five weeks. It will be Dec. 1 through Feb. 21 as of the last recommendations. Of course check the regs before setting traps but that will probably be it.
This recommendation is coming from the NDOW biologists based on the kitten recruitment ratios they are seeing from the jaw data program. Every part of the state is showing slightly lower kitten ratios than we want to see for long term sustainability. Not every trapper thinks the kitten ratios is perfect science. But most of us think it is the best way to manage these furbearers and far better than the guess and prayer methods used by other states. I have to say that there is a trust relationship between NDOW and the NVTA on this subject. We believe that the best science is being used and most of us support the program even if that means lopping off 1/3 of the season when the ratios say it is necessary. Last time we did this were the 2009 and 2010 seasons. After shortening the season for two years, the numbers bounced right back where they should be, showing excellent kitten reproduction and NDOW promptly recommended returning the season to the normal 120 days. Hopefully this will be the case this year and next.
I won’t set for cats in the Southern part of the state where I live until around Dec. 1 anyway so it doesn’t affect me much. But some of you guys and gals who are chomping at the bit might consider a “fun” trapline this Nov., target something other than cats like coyotes or beavers. The landowners will love you. And it might be fun to trap without worrying about the bottom line. With current prices on coyotes and beavers there won’t be a bottom line so no reason to worry about it.
On grey fox the latest recommendations look like the season will remain the same with a Nov. 1 opening. There are a lot of greys in some ranges in the southern part of the state. NDOW estimates 88,000 statewide and I think they are more concentrated than they are widespread. In other words some places are overrun with them. It is a good animal to target for beginners and kids. Our own Tracy Truman has a great book and video out there about trapping greys. He has wracked up some huge numbers on his traplines in recent years and is an expert on these feisty little predators.
Well the summer is about over, the best time of the year is here. Hunting season followed by trapping. The guns are cleaned and sighted in. The traps dyed and waxed. The creaking old body gotten into shape. Well, wishful thinking on the latter. Anyway, it is good to be alive and well in Nevada this time of year.
Best Regards. — John
