President — Rick Tischaefer, P.O. Box 334, Butte, ND 58723-0334; phone: 701-626-7150; e-mail: tischrc@ndak.net
Vice President — Marty Beard, 9101 119th St. SE, Bismarck, ND 58504; phone: 701-224-0878
Secretary — Jeremy Duckwitz, 361 78th Ave. NE, Carrington, ND 58421; phone: 701-674-3535;
e-mail: yodelyote@hotmail.com
Treasurer — Linda Penry, 3235 Crested Drive N., Mandan, ND 58554; phone: 701-667-9380;
e-mail: lpenry@wildblue.net
Fur Harvester Education Program Coordinator — Rick Tischaefer, P.O. Box 334,Butte, ND 58723-0334; phone: 701-626-7150; e-mail: tischrc@ndak.net
Membership Options:
• Junior (14 and under) membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $12
• Adult membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Family membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Lifetime with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $250
• Lifetime (62 and over) with subscription to The 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. I failed to mention this last month and I apologize. 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. I can pick them up on the fur route. 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. More information is available on the Web site (www.ndfhta.com) and as always, call if you have any questions.
2. I mentioned in September that North Dakota would be involved with collecting data on captured skunks in a 6-inch bodygripping trap. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the Best Management Practices (BMP) for Trapping program has been conducting trapping related research on all 23 species of furbearers in North America. BMP’s for most species are done and can be viewed from a link on our Web site (www.ndfhta.com). As of this writing, data is being collected by Ken Blotter (trapper) and Kelsey Blotter (data technician) in the greater Turtle Lake area. Both completed rigorous training prior to starting the project and I know that both will put 110 percent into the project. I’ll have more for you next month as to the results of their efforts. I think that Ken and Kelsey will do a presentation at the winter meet and I’m also soliciting Ron Wilson (Editor of North Dakota Outdoors) to publish an article in a future issue of that fine magazine. It’s good that North Dakota is involved with this research and that we are a part of a national program that will secure a future for trapping.
3. I received many inquiries about how the fur market would be as a result of the market turmoil from September and October — and today. My experience shows two differing approaches to a season like this. It’ll be good if you do have fur as most folks won’t make any serious effort (because of costs and uncertainty) and the collections at the auction house will be really low, prompting higher than normal prices for limited goods; or, it’ll be a good year for practice. Try new things and see how they work. That way when things do settle down in future seasons, you won’t be wasting time “practicing” when the prices are a bit higher. My personal rule is trap when you can trap.
4. Closing on a serious note — the legislative session will be starting soon. If you hear of anything 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.
Remember to keep your membership current so you stay informed.
Until next time, take care and be safe out there.
Catch ‘ya.
— Rick Tischaefer
