North Carolina Trappers Association December 2008 Report

President — Jimmy Pierce, 201 Rhodes St., Wendell, NC 27591; phone: 919-365-4961;cell phone: 919-801-2562; e-mail: beaverstop@nc.rr.com

Vice President — Tonnie Davis, 167 Ole Cabin Rd., Roxboro, NC 27573; phone: 336-597-3619

Secretary — Sharon Underwood, Rt. 1 Box 416, Peachland, NC 28133; phone: 704-272-7876

Membership Secretary — Karen Rose, 1220 Cross Rd., Roper, NC 27970; phone: 252-793-5191

Assistant Membership Secretary — Krista Rose, 1220 Cross Rd., Roper, NC 27970; phone: 252-793-5191

Treasurer — Wayne Rose, 1220 Cross Rd., Roper, NC 27970; phone: 252-793-5191

General Organizer — David Underwood, Rt. 1, Box 416, Peachland, NC 28133; phone: 704-272-7876

Education Coordinator — Todd Menke, 2663 Tar River Rd., Creedmoor, NC 27522; phone: 919-528-9063; e-mail: minkster@netzero.net

NTA Director — Tim Wilson, 5320 Stokes Ferry Rd., Salisbury, NC 28146; phone: 252-758-8191

Newsletter Editor — Vacant

Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Youth membership (under age 16) with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $10
• Lifetime membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $250
• Senior citizens 70 years or older with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $12

Complete membership application on first page of
association section and send dues to:
NCTA, Membership Secretary
Karen Rose
1220 Cross Rd., Roper, NC 27970

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Greetings to all and I hope that this writing finds you and your family in good health. It is the last day of October and trapping season opens tomorrow except for districts 1 and 2.

It is both a good and worrisome time. On the good side, we are able to get out and do that which we all love and anticipate for most of the year. On the down side, the current economic situation raises doubts about the return financially that we may receive for our efforts. The very high gas prices that we all feared are not a factor at this time, but the overall worldwide economic blips will most definitely hurt the fur market. To what extent this situation will affect prices remains to be seen. I have heard everything from no market to half or less of the prices paid last year for the very best offerings. The buyers will not commit to a price or even speculate about what they may pay later on. Our buyers are not enthusiastic about buying fur harvested before Thanksgiving anyhow as it will be thin and flat in most cases. By Thanksgiving, northern states will be in full swing and some market trends should be established.

Until then, it is a wait-and-see game for us. Personally, I do not intend to sit home and bemoan the loss of the otter, fox and ’coon markets. There is always the live market option for those of us able to trap fox and coyotes. As far as fur, you can’t sell what you don’t have. Just approach it from the standpoint that expectations don’t always evolve into reality.

Wayne Rose and I met with the NTA General Organizer, Dan Skurski, and the folks in Williamston for a planning session for the NTA Southeast Regional on Oct. 21. We still have a few rough edges to smooth out, but everything is progressing well for the event. We will have further information about the event, facility and local attractions on the NCTA site very soon. It is shaping up to be an exciting event with lots of vendors and outstanding demos. Mark your calendars for May 1 to 3, 2009.

I will have the schedule and our items that will be on the agenda for the NCWRC public hearings that will begin in January in the next report. As always, the NCTA, in cooperation with the NCWRC, is working to propose changes that are not harmful to the resource and that benefit North Carolina trappers.

The Davidson County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a local law fox season in the county that follows the established trapping season without a tagging provision, limit or trap restrictions. I attended both hearings on the matter and I was impressed with the turnout by trappers from Davidson and surrounding counties. I expect to see other laws enacted in counties near Davidson as word spreads among local residents and county leaders. Of particular concern to them is the explosion in the coyote population. The reports of pet loss and livestock depredation have fueled these concerns recently.

Thanks to Darien Huffman for getting the ball rolling on this and for his work with local government and related boards and associations to get this passed. The local law route is the way to enact a fox trapping season in your area. You do not have to be a politician, biologist or wild canine expert. Contact your NCTA district director and we will help and advise you with this process. Call me if you do not know how to contact you district director.

Well, time to close and go load the truck. Just one brief reminder, please be sure to wear some form of hunter orange while in the field. It is not required for trapping, but some folks just may mistake your form for a deer while you’re bent over making a set. People are killed in hunting accidents every year under more bizarre circumstances.

Please be safe and introduce someone to trapping and the outdoors.

— Jimmy Pierce

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