President — Rick Tischaefer, P.O. Box 334, Butte, ND 58723-0334; 701-626-7150; tischrc@ndak.net
Vice President — Glen Baltrusch, 312 Alder Ave., Harvey, ND 58341; 701-341-1261
Secretary —
Treasurer — Linda Penry, 3235 Crested Drive N., Mandan, ND 58554; 701-667-9380; lpenry@wildblue.net
Fur Harvester Education Program Coordinator — Rick Tischaefer, P.O. Box 334,Butte, ND 58723-0334; 701-626-7150; tischrc@ndak.net
Membership Options:
• Junior (14 and under) membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $12
• Adult membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Family membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Lifetime with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $250
• Lifetime (62 and over) with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $150
Complete membership application on first page of the association news section and send dues to:
NDFHTA, Treasurer
Linda Penry
3235 Crested Dr. N., Mandan, ND 58554
http://www.ndfhta.com
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Greetings everyone! Just a few items for this month.
1. Yes, we will be collecting donations for deer hides (or pretty much any hide from a hoofed animal) and a pelt or two for the wild fur drawing. Everything is pretty much the same as last year – deer hides should be rolled and frozen if the weather is too warm – you can coordinate collection with your director or any officer, or I can pick them up on the fur route in January – collections will be over shortly after the close of the archery season. Two tickets per deer hide (or similar species) and we’ll have the drawing sometime this winter. Like the wild fur drawing, it’s a 50/50 split with the association. Tickets for wild fur vary and depend on the species and should be stretched and dried.
2. Stephanie Tucker (NDGFD furbearer biologist) asked me to include this information for you: “Some of our cooperators from Iowa and Missouri are undergoing the important task of determining the genetic structure of gray fox across their range – which includes North Dakota. The “prairie gray fox” has been petitioned for listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The prairie gray fox has been previously (1981) identified as a subspecies of gray fox inhabiting Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. However, no one has yet to conduct a formal determination of the genetic validity of the prairie gray fox as a separate subspecies. Considering a federal listing of the prairie gray fox has the potential to seriously impact management of the species in the states where it’s found, we’re pleased that a rigorous genetic examination is underway.
Therefore, if an opportunity presents itself, we’d like to assist in collecting genetic samples of gray fox from North Dakota for this analysis. I realize that gray fox are few and far between in North Dakota, but should you or someone you know come across one, please contact me and we’ll do our best to collect the necessary genetic tissue. All that is needed is a small pencil eraser-sized piece of muscle tissue, toe pad, or hide and the collecting of such would not devalue the pelt. So, please spread the word and contact me if you have any questions.” Stephanie Tucker is at (701) 220-1871 or “satucker@nd.gov”.
My personal note to this is the genetic testing should be done before any federal listing – just to make sure everyone is talking about the same animal. For those folks that reside outside of North Dakota and read this article, contact your furbearer biologist to see if the gray fox you catch can help out with the study. The states are listed above.
4. NDGFD Advisory Council meetings are scheduled for later this month and early December. Check out the Game and Fish website or call them to find out when the meeting will be held in your area. These meetings are important opportunities for you to interact with the Game and Fish representatives and provide your ideas and input. Take the time to attend – it’s important!
5. Calendar Alert – The Winter Meet will be Saturday February 22nd, 2014 at the Extension Office in Bismarck. If you have something you would like to see covered, demonstrations, or any activities, let me know. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information on both events.
6. Some of the e-mail addresses we have on file aren’t good anymore, and there may be some of you who now have and check your e-mail accounts. Please update the association membership information by e-mailing Linda (lpenry@wildblue.net) to make sure we’ve got you covered. Things happen fast now-a-days and e-mail is a good way of getting that information out to you.
7. If you hear of anything negative related to trapping or fur hunting, please let me know. When you are trapping and fur hunting, do a good job out there. Be professional, responsible and a risk manager – there is no need to give folks from the anti-trapping and trap restrictions crowd any fodder or reason to limit our activities.
8. Remember to keep your membership current so you stay informed. Until next time, take care, be safe out there, and have a Happy Thanksgiving! If you enjoy your freedom, take the time to thank a Veteran.
Catch ‘ya. — Rick
