www.patrappers.com
President — Brian Mohn, 138 Farview Road, Hamburg, PA 19526; 610-562-1790; papatrees@aol.com
Vice President East — Joel Whitehead, 845 Snake Hill Road, Thompson, PA 19526; 570-756-2714;
JFRED@nep.net
Vice President West — Charlie Sykes, 1265 Airport Road, Stoneboro, PA 16153;
trapper_66@windstream.net
Secretary — Don Klinger, 522 S. Pancoast, Reynoldsville, PA 15851; 814-371-1170;
advantage16@verizon.net
Treasurer — Donna Spittle, P.O. Box 708, Hummelstown, PA 17036; 717-239-9267;
spittlefam@paonline.com
Editor — Ed Price, 3833 Old Newburg Turnpike, Union Dale, PA 18470; 570-679-2318; pricee@nep.net
NTA Director — David Shuttleworth, 5452 Tamarack Drive, Sharpsville, PA 16150; 724-962-4260;
dianeshutts@aol.com
FTA Director — Mark Kasten, RR2 Box 2287, Hallstead, PA 18822; 570-278-2553; willsher@epix.net
Public Relations Director — Barry Warner, P.O. Box 223, Dallas, PA 18612; 570-675-7041;
beavernbass@comcast.net
Website Designer — Barbie Bankston; barbiebankston@gmail.com
Membership Options:
Individual membership including subscription to T&PC — $30
Individual membership without subscription — $10
Junior, age 16 and under without subscription — $5
Lifetime membership with subscription — $500
Lifetime membership without subscription — $250
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
PTA Treasurer
Donna Spittle
P.O. Box 708
Hummelstown, PA 17036
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It is a good thing that we have extended daylight in the summer to get all the work done. Now, if only I had some time to work on my trapping equipment. I always try to make time to scout my trapline, but my equipment is the last to be finished. By washing and cleaning my traps at the end of the season, I reduce my prep time and have a good idea of the repairs that need my attention. Working long summer hours allows me to look forward to trapping season that much more as well as getting me in shape for the trapline.
There is one form of preparation that cannot wait and there is never too much! I am referring to reaching out to educate the general public about how trapping is an intricate part of sound wildlife management. We are in the heart of Fair Season and the Pennsylvania Trappers Association is very active in participating at these fairs. The opportunity to answer questions that the visitors may have is both fulfilling for them and rewarding to us. I want to thank all the volunteers who give of their time and extend an invitation to any member to contact our association about volunteering.
The importance of education cannot be emphasized enough. We spend equal amount of time instructing our members and new trappers on the newest techniques, trapping regulations and Best Management Practices so they are better informed when interacting with the general public.
Maine’s Sportsman, Forester and Farmers are fighting a tough battle right now to educate the large populations of the urban areas that can swing a vote on Bear hunting and trapping. The Pennsylvania Trappers’ Association has supported their efforts and I encourage you to help by donating to the United States Sportsman Alliance or Maine’s Wildlife Conservation Council on behalf of our friends.
I have been receiving calls and emails about the outcome of the Best Management Study on Cable Restraint lock that Pennsylvania Trappers were a part of. I anticipate the final report any week and then we can follow up with a meeting with the Pennsylvania Game Commission on implementation. All preliminary reports show positive results from the trapper’s part of the study.
Please remember to support your local District by attending their fall meeting and helping at the trapper training schools.
“OUR IMAGE IS OUR FUTURE” — Brian Mohn
VICE-PRESIDENT WEST REPORT
I attended the 55th Annual National Trappers’ Association Convention at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba, Michigan. The Pennsylvania Trappers’ Association had a booth set up at the convention and we were able to sell some merchandise. We also picked up a few new members. I would like to extend a special thanks to Dan Lewis and Dave Eckels for watching the booth while I was in FBU meetings and when I shopped for some “odds and ends”.
Remember to support the trapping school that is coming up in your district. These are good opportunities to teach and engage our youth in trapping.
We are currently still working with Justin on getting the PTA website back up and running. Thank you to everyone that has sent me information and suggestions on how to enhance our website. I am looking forward to seeing them implemented.
The state has a new t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts for sale. Ask your district director for more information if you are interested in purchasing one of these new items.
God Bless. — Charlie Sykes
PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR’S REPORT
In previous reports I encouraged you to financially support, when possible, our fellow trappers in other states. Obviously, this can also be accomplished by supporting the NTA, FTA, and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. Helping each other is the only way we can expect to enjoy our way of life for years to come.
Another way for us to support trapping is through communications with those individuals that may be directly impacted by wildlife damage, but have little or no knowledge of the battles we are fighting to maintain our important role in wildlife management. These individuals may be farmers, timber operators, managers of municipalities, and many others. When these individuals find themselves in need of wildlife/human conflict, who do they call? Yes, they know we can help, but are they aware that our help could be lost or severely restricted if good conscientious people do not stand-up against the antis and ill-informed. Try to be knowledgeable of the negative legislative and public relations efforts of these individuals so you can inform these groups who can be severely impacted.
On a more positive note, September is a beautiful time of year. This is, hopefully, cooler weather and a good time of year to do our scouting.
Additionally, September is not too late to take advantage of one of the many trapper training programs still being conducting. You are able to locate many of these events through the district reports listed in this column. Other certified courses may be found through the PA Game Commission’s web site. If you know of a young individual, or older novice, that would enjoy this experience, please take them. You may find you enjoyed the event as much as the young or novice trappers. Who knows, they may be there for you in years to come when those beaver are much heavier to lug out of the swamp then they were in past decades. — Barry L. Warner
FTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. This month I’ll be attending three conventions and a local fair. I received a call from United States Sportsmen’s Alliance. Seems they are still in need of donations to help fight the anti’s in Maine. In Maine there will be a vote on the ballot in November whether or not to allow bear hunting over bait or with dogs or with foot snares. It is critical that we win this vote. So far the anti’s have come up with $750,000 for TV ads. The FTA and USSA are asking for each District to donate $250 or whatever they can afford. So I urge each district to donate what they can afford. If we lose this vote all trapping in Maine is next. Let’s show those HSUS jokers we mean business. If this bill were to pass it would end the livelihood of many people in Northern Maine. We’ve often said you can’t legislate wildlife conservation. It has to come from sound scientific wildlife management.
That’s about it for this month. Stay safe and remember Our Image is Our Future. — Bill Kasten
DISTRICT 1 REPORT
Hello trappers,
The district held its summer picnic on July 13th, and what a great time it was. I hope to see more trappers and their families attend next year.
Looking back and seeing what districts hosted the state conventions over the years, I have noticed it has been a few years for our district. I feel this would be the perfect opportunity for the members of District 1 to think about hosting the State Convention.
Trapping School – September 13th registration is from 7:00 am – 8:00am, and the school will last to 4:00pm. It will be held at the Dan Lewis residence at 106 Bestwick Rd., Jackson Center, PA. 16133. To sign up call Walter Greathouse 724-967-5147
Fall Meeting- September 20th, it will be hosted by Warren County, at the Spring Creek Sportsman’s Club. The address is 611 Turner Hill Rd, Spring Creek, PA. 16436. The demos will begin at 9:00am, and the meeting will begin at noon.
If any trapper has any questions or concerns, I can be contacted 814-823-5429
Our Image Is our Future. — John W. Chase
DISTRICT 3 REPORT
Hello All,
Everyone should have received their fall newsletter and scholarship information by now. If not, give me a call and I’ll get you one right out. By the time you read this, all four of the county fairs will be just about done. Thanks to all that helped with the fairs this year, our district also sponsored the 4H kids at our fairs this year, with the purchase of a lamb or hog at each fair that was re-auctioned for their scholarship program. I’ll give a full report on it in the next issue, along with the winners of the gun raffles. If you get this report in time, don’t forget about our pig roast / picnic on August 23, at Cedar Creek Park in Belle Vernon. We’ll have a small after convention meeting there after the meal.
Our Trapper’s school will be held on Saturday, September 20, at the East Monongahela Sportsmen Club. If you would like to attend, or know someone wanting to attend the school, give me a call to pre-register. Our schools have been well attended in the past, so we’re expecting a good turnout.
Our fall rendezvous will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds 4H building, on Sunday, October 5. This is always a great place to get all of your last minute supplies for the upcoming season. As always, we’ll have vendors, food and a couple demos
Hope to see you at one of the district events. — Dave Eckels
DISTRICT 5 REPORT
Summer rush is on and we continue to have enough rain to keep everything green. I hope this pattern continues on into the fall and water levels remain adequate. I know I need to get started preparing traps and equipment for the upcoming season and I’m sure some of you are well ahead of me. I keep reminding myself that now is the time, don’t wait.
The fall meeting will be held on September 20, 2014 at the Indiana Fox & Coon Hunters Association.
Our district officers are as follows: Bob Custer – Director, Mike Ridilla – Assistant Director, Deborah Sedlmeyer – Treasurer, and Harry Wade – Secretary.
Please feel free to contact me with any information you would like to see in this report or any questions you might have. I can be reached at (814) 686-0497 or e-mail me at bdstern@atlanticbb.net.
Thanks for reading. — Brian Stern, Tipton, PA
DISTRICT 8 REPORT
I’d like to start out with congratulating Dave Eckels and the members from District 3 for putting on a great rendezvous. I would like to congratulate Ronald “Zeke” Myers for getting into the PTA Hall of Fame. Zeke has done a lot for the district over the years – from teaching at trapper training schools to helping at shows and much more. I would also like to congratulate Autumn McEntee for winning state youth trapper of the year. Autumn attends all of our meetings and always is asking what she can do to help. She helps at our outdoor show at East Waterford. If we can find more young trappers like her our association will be in good hands for years to come.
We had our meeting at Twin Bridges on July 27. We have our new district clothing line which includes t-shirts, sweat shirts, polos, and hoodies. A big thanks to Tereasa Houtz for getting the work done for this. She did a great job! Contact me if you would like to purchase anything.
August 16 we will be holding our trapper training school at Mercersburg Sportsman Association. We voted earlier this year to give all students 16 and under a membership without publication. Hopefully this will help to get the younger crowd involved. September 5-7 we will be attending the Carlisle Sports Outdoors Nationals. The district will have a booth up along with KIFE. We will also be doing demos each day. The following weekend we will be having our outdoor show at East Waterford. As of now, we have 8 tables left inside the building and plenty of space for tailgaters. To inquire for a spot, contact Chuck Filler at 717-953-2013. Our last meeting this year will be held at Blain Picnic Grounds on October 26. It was brought up at our last meeting to try to get all of our meetings for following year set up so we can put it on a refrigerator magnate. We are doing this to save postage.
Lastly, I would like to thank George McEntee for volunteering to be my assistant director. He has been a big help so far and I am blessed to have a lot hard working guys and gals in our district. — Pete 717-331-6786
DISTRICT 9 REPORT
It’s getting close to the trapping season, and everyone should be getting equipment and trapping locations ready. I awoke this morning and was entertained by 5 otters hunting in my pond and swamp here at home. They are amazing critters to watch, and are quite thorough in their technique when hunting in a pack.
By the time you read this, the Troy Fair will be history, and the Harford Fair is going on. Thanks to all those who helped manning the booths and selling PTA raffle tickets. The fairs are great places to do PR work, and sometimes you even get new contacts on places to trap.
It’s still not too late to sign up for our trapper training school to be held on Sept. 6 & 7 at Camp Lackawanna. The registration fee is $25 and includes a bunch of food and trapping equipment. Call or e-mail me at pricee0503@hotmail.com, phone # – 570-679-2318.
Our mini-rendezvous will be held on September 14 at the Triton Hose Co. in Tunkhannock. In the last issue of The Trapper I reported that we were planning to have a cable restraint class in the afternoon. At this time that HAS BEEN CANCELLED. There will be a sportsmen’s flea market and trapping demo’s, as usual. If you are a dealer interested in setting up, the spaces are free on a first come – first served basis.
We are hosting a Successful Furtaking class at my house on October 11th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. To register, go to the Game Commission website. Taking this course does qualify you for cable restraint certification.
Our October meeting will be held in Wayne County at a site as yet to be specified. Watch your mail for the postcard announcement.
The Northeast Regional Coyote Hunt will be held on February 6, 7 & 8, 2015. This is a week later than previous years (this is NOT Super Bowl weekend).
Make sure you read your Hunting and Trapping Digest as there are changes to the regulations every year.
That’s all for now. Hope you are getting ready for the upcoming season. I always boil and wax traps on Labor Day weekend. Remember: Our Image is Our Future! — Ed Price, Treasurer, District 9
DISTRICT 10 REPORT
Hello to all,
It is just about time to get geared up for the upcoming season. As most of you already know, the future of the fur market is uncertain at this time. The best thing to do is get out there, have some fun, and see how things play out.
The Monroe County and Northampton County Conservation Schools were held in July. I want to thank everyone who helped give the kids a great week at their respective schools. Both weeks are packed with outdoor activities and educational opportunities. If you know anyone age 14-17 that may be interested in either of these schools for next summer, please contact us. There are plenty of sponsors to go around.
The Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza will be held at the Kempton Fairgrounds on August 22, 23, & 24. We will be manning a booth at the event, and are looking for any volunteers willing to take a shift at the booth. We will also need some hands to help set up and take down the display. Call Bob Counterman if you are willing to help out at 610-759-9203.
Monroe County Youth Field Day will be held at Camp Trexler. Steve Wentzel is looking for some help with running the trapping presentation. If you are available on September 6th, please consider giving Steve a hand. He can be reached at 610-797-7944.
The Fall Mini Convention and Sportsman Show is our next big event. It will be held at the West End Fairgrounds, in Gilbert, PA., on September 26th from 12-6pm & Sept. 27th from 8am-5pm. There will be Dealers, Tailgaters, Trapping Demonstrations, Trapper Training, and a Cable Restraint Certification Class. Deer Dave will be in attendance, and we have two full buildings so far. There are still openings for Demos if anyone would be interested in doing one. Set up is Friday morning, call Scot Mucha, 610-863-9759, or Bob Counterman 610-759-9203 to help. Please call us if you have time to volunteer or put on a demonstration. Clean up and a meeting will be on Sunday, September 28th. Again, please let us know if you can help with anything.
The Trapper Training Day will be held on Saturday, September 27th at the convention and will begin at 9 AM. The training is open to all ages and experience levels. Pick up some new techniques and get the supplies you need, all in one day! To register FREE of charge, call Bob Counterman at 610-759-9203. We will go over Game Laws, Trap Tuning, Land Trapping, and Water Trapping. Meet at the main stage at 9 AM. Lunch will be provided, and it should be a fun hands on experience for all involved. Remember to register in advance so we have enough food and equipment.
The Cable Restraint Certification Class will also be held on Saturday the 27th during the convention, and will begin at 9 AM. If you are interested in taking this class you must register on the Pennsylvania Game Commission Website. Cost for the class is $15.
An item in the works right now is the consideration of putting on a Successful Fur Taking Course in October or November. This is the advanced course offered by the Game Commission. The cost would be $15, and registration will be on the Game Commission website. You can go to the PGC website and watch for when it is posted there.
That’s all for now. Good luck this season, and don’t forget to introduce a young person to the outdoors whenever you get the chance. We hope to see many of you at the Fall Mini Convention & Sportsman Show.
Some dates for your calendar:
August 22-24- The Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza, Kempton, PA (www.lvhfe.com)
September 6- Monroe County Youth Field Day @ Camp Trexler.( www.mcyfd.org)
September 26,27- District 10 Fall Mini Convention & Sportsman Show, West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA
September 27- Trapper Training Day @ Fall Convention, Gilbert, PA. Meet @ stage 9am
September 27- Cable Restraint Certification Class @ Fall Convention (Register on www.pgc.state.pa.us)
September 28- Fall Mini Convention Clean up and Meeting @ West End Fairgrounds
January 11, 2015 – Fur auction planning meeting. 1:00 pm at Belfast-Edelman Sportsman Club.
January 16, 2015 – Set up for fur auction 6:00pm at Belfast-Edelman Sportsman Club.
January 17, 2015 – Live Bid Fur Auction – Doors open 8:00 am. Sale starts at 9:00 am. Belfast-Edelman Sportsman Club, Belfast, PA. Call Scot or Bob.
If you would like to receive District 10 information electronically, via email, please send an email to Nate Roberts at patrapd10pr@yahoo.com. He will be happy to put you on our mailing list. — Scot 610-863-9759, patrapd10pr@yahoo.com
DISTRICT 11 REPORT
There is really nothing new to report to you this month. Our August meeting is coming up this weekend as of this writing so I will have to give you those details next month. Both the Lebanon and Schuylkill County fairs are set up and going on now. A Big Thank You to all who are helping out at each of these events.
We did have another great day at the Ned Smith Arts & Outdoor Festival at Millersburg on July 26th. As I said before this crowd is not the kind of folks we normally hang out with but I think we do a lot of good PR at this event.
I will give you the dates and contacts for the trapping schools one more time so you or someone you know can attend if you so choose.
York County Trapping School – August 16th – contact Brett Spangler 717-659-7265
Lancaster County Trapping School – August 23rd – contact Terry Suter 717-393-4738
Schuylkill County Trapping School – Sept. 13th – contact Brian Mohn 610-562-1790
Dauphin County Trapping School – Sept. 20th – contact Mike Spittle 717-367-2637
There will be a Successful Furtaker Course offered Sept. 13th at the Kittatinney Hunting & Fishing Club in Lebanon County. Register for this through the PGC website.
Till next month. — Mike Spittle, (717)367-2637, spittlefam@paonline.com
DISTRICT 12 REPORT
As I’m sure most of you have noticed, summer time is disappearing quickly. Between a full work week, keeping up the house and the yard, and family commitments, the weeks are an absolute blur. Hopefully somewhere in the mix everyone is finding some time to scout locations and prepare traps for the upcoming season.
The joint PTA / FTA 2014 Convention came and went, but the good times will not soon be forgotten. I’d like thank District #3 for putting on a great event. The weather held out for the most part and the attendance seemed to be very strong. There was no shortage of help either from the district members which was nice to see.
Please be sure to mark down a few important dates on your calendar for the month of September. Rodgers Hides and Supplies will once again be hosting the annual pig roast and trapper training school on the weekend of September 19th. The pig roast will be held on Friday night the 19th, followed by the trapper training school on Saturday the 20th, and the weekend will wrap up with the cable restraint certification course on Sunday the 21st. The pig roast will start at 6 PM and the cost will be $10 for adults and $5 for anyone 16 and under. This is always time well spent with family and friends sharing a good meal and enjoying live music and a bonfire. The trapper training school will consist of a full day of 8 demos given by some of the best trappers that PA has to offer. One demo will even be given by a PTA Hall of Fame member, and there will be a guest appearance by a champion coyote trapper. Demos will begin at 8 AM, however it would be wise to show up early to register for the training school. The cost will be $20 for adults and $5 for anyone under 16. Whether you are new to trapping or not, this course is guaranteed to leave you with some valuable knowledge to apply to your trapping endeavors. Rick is working with the PGC to have the cable restraint certification class added to the online calendar, so check the PGC website periodically to see if the course is open for enrollment. This class fills up very quickly each year so please do not delay in getting signed up. The class is tentatively scheduled to start at 1 PM and run until 5 PM. This is always a big weekend for District 12 and its members. We look forward to seeing all of you there and hope that you can join us for all of the festivities. Please contact Dave Rodgers with any additional questions: (610) 273-7946. Rodgers Hides and Supplies is located at 458 Mount Pleasant Road, Honey Brook, PA. 19344. — Joel DiLorenzo
