Northern Great Lakes Fur Harvesters, Inc., February 2011 Report

President — Ken Mills, 13004 W H-40 Hwy, Rudyard, MI 49780; phone: 906-478-6631

Vice President — Lloyd White, 2739 W M-28, Dafter, MI 49724; phone: 906-632-6071

Secretary — Jim Neitling, PO Box 171, Kinross, MI 49752; phone: 906-495-5233

Treasurer — Mark A. Spencer, N4552 Spencer Lane, Moran, MI 49760; phone: 906-292-4779; e-mail: spenfurs@lighthouse.net

Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $21
• Junior (16 & under) with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $16

Complete membership application on first page of
association section and send dues to:
NGLFH Secretary
Jim Neitling
PO Box 171
Kinross, MI 49752

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Here it is 2011 already. I really wonder where the time goes. I really mean it, what happens to it? I know for one thing you can never get it back. It only leaves memories. I have some good ones from last year.

I hope everyone got what they wanted for Christmas.

I have heard that the prices have gone up on a lot of the species of fur. Sounds good for those of you who have their fur done up and ready to sell. Whether it is at one of the auctions or to a local buyer.

I mentioned earlier that there was a meeting with the DNRE about cable restraints. This is the recommendations to the wildlife division. The DNRE is to test a 3.5” minimum loop stop as well as making the diameter of the relaxing lock hole two times the circumference of the cable that is to be used. I have no idea as to how they are going to measure this. A reverse bend washer will be the relaxing lock for the test. The DNRE will make a determination on the stop type, for example wire or ferrule, that will be used.

The intent is to have a stop that will not slip when pressure is applied. In addition, cable restraint sets will be made using Wisconsin’s entanglement regulation. Set only where the extended cable and restrained animal cannot be entangled in any rooted woody vegetation larger than ½ inch in diameter. The results of the test will be presented to the fur taker’s group for consideration. They are hoping by the March meeting. The group also agreed that if a dog dies in the legal cable restraint within 3 years of testing the regulations are to return to 4 ¼ inch minimum loop size.

There is going to be a meeting with the fur takers group on January 8, 2011 and March 12, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm at the Quality Inn in St. Ignace. The following is the topics up for discussion at the January meeting. (1) Increase the otter limit in the lower to 2. (2) Marten and fisher season and bag limit. They are going to recommend changes to reduce the number of animals taken. This may be by shortening the season, reduce the bag limit or both. (3) Extend the beaver and otter season. (4) Extend the muskrat and mink season. (5) Add raccoons and opossums to the list that can be hunted at night with a call. (6) Allow buckshot to be used for nighttime predator hunting. (7) Allow trappers to possess a .22 cal. or smaller firearm while checking traps in the shotgun zone during firearm deer season to dispatch animals.

The annual trapper’s dinner will be on the 19th of February. The cost will be $9 each for a trapper and 1 guest. The cost of each additional guest will be $12. There will be a happy hour from 6pm to 7pm with dinner at 7pm. Make sure you have your reservations in by the 10th of February. Send your check to Mark Spencer.

The next meeting will be on January 19th, 2011. It will be in Gaylord at the Northland Sportsman Club at 7:30pm. The meeting after that will be March 16th in Rudyard at the Lutheran Church at 7:30pm.

I hope everyone’s New Year will be a very good one.

— Jim Neitling

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