President — Bill Applegate, Box 883, Marfa, TX79843; phone: 432-729-3349; fax: 432-729-3623
Vice President — Dan Hepker, P.O. Box 399, Bastrop, TX 78602; phone: 512-303-1995
Secretary — Deborah Pilgrim, 1323 RR 2341, Burnet, TX 78611; 512-756-4609
Treasurer — Keith Jackson, 306 CR 2717, Alto, TX 75925; phone: 936-675-2047
Membership Administrator — Tasha Jackson, 306 CR 2717, Alto, TX 75925; phone: 936-858-3384
Public Relations Officer — David Pilgrim, 1323 RR2341, Burnet, TX 78611; 512-756-4609
NTA Director — Mark Davis, 11919 CR 1200, Malakoff, TX 75148; phone: 903-681-4230
Membership Options:
• Family lifetime (husband & wife) — $300
• Lifetime (payable $25 monthly) — $250
• Lifetime oldtimer (age 70 or over) — $25
• Business membership — $25
• Family membership (2 members) — $20
• Single membership — $15
• Junior membership (under 16) — $5
• 1-year subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller (members only) — $10
Payments for dues are non-refundable.
Complete membership application on first page of
association section and send dues to:
TTFHA, Membership Administrator
Tasha Jackson, 306 CR 2717, Alto, TX 75925
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Please be advised that we have new procedures regarding trapping tip submissions and prizes as well as display advertising; look for them in the July issue of the Texas Fur Trails. A special thanks to Tom Fisher of Real Ecology for donating the KB Compound Predator Traps that will be awarded to the winners of the trap tips. In October, our rendezvous will be in Junction; contact Dan Hepker if you have any ideas or suggestions for that gathering. Dealers are welcome and will be able to set up in doors at no charge.
We secure the building each night. Individuals are encouraged to bring their unneeded supplies or other items to trade or sell. Make plans now to bring a youngster or two to the rendezvous as well as the entire family; everyone is welcome. The youth are the future of our organization and they must be identified, recruited and trained now to lead the charge when the rest of us have been put out to pasture. Our spring rendezvous will be held in Fort Stockton, April 9 & 10. This is one week earlier than usual but is necessary to secure the building. Bear in mind that the Association has standing policy disallowing live animals in the building and we will enforce that policy in the future.
Be looking for your board member ballots in early September and contact the Secretary if you don’t receive one. Nominees are: President – Bill Applegate, Vice President – Dan Hepker, Treasurer – Keith Jackson, Secretary – Deb Pilgrim, Membership Administrator – Tasha Jackson, Public Relations Officer – David Pilgrim, District 2 – John Shadix, District 4 – Billy Chambliss, District 6 – James Stone, District 8 – Dave Pilgrim.
In the July issue of the Texas Fur Trails is a Trapper of the Year Nomination form: consider nominating someone you believe is deserving. The membership number in District 7 is very low and the board would like your thoughts on the possibility of merging this district into one or more surrounding districts.
Contact me with your comments. I realize how hard it is to interest or motivate people when fur prices are low and that is one reason to focus on nuisance animal work. Your Association has established a Nuisance Animal Control program for its members. The names and contact information of trappers willing to participate are provided to state agencies as well as individuals and companies looking for someone to help them out. We also post this list on our web site. I have personally received work from this program. Contact Ricky Cox at (512) 468-5112 if you have an interest. Members, don’t forget to take advantage of free classified advertising in the Texas Fur Trails.
Dave Hastings still needs your stories, news, pictures and anything else of interest to keep the Texas Fur Trails first class. Material from all across the country is welcome. He is particularly looking for some Texas photos to be used for the covers of future issues of the magazine. We really need you to send in something for the magazine; some of us are pretty well tapped out on ideas and stories. I would really hate to see the quality of the magazine deteriorate, but this is likely to happen if the members don’t help out.
Everyone has at least one story of an event that took place during his or her lifetime. After spending a little time in East Texas, I have learned there are some interesting gator catching stories on both sides of the state line. We can use stories from just about anywhere. Dave is willing to work with anything, even a story hand written on toilet paper. He will make sure that all submissions are professionally presented in the magazine. This really is a growing concern or I would not be begging for material. If you have any reservations or concerns about sending in something, call Dave or call me and we will do our best to put you at ease. Those of you who have submitted material for the magazine are most appreciated; without your effort the Texas Fur Trails would not be the fine publication it has become. Share your thoughts with any board member regarding what you would like to see our Association accomplish. Many of the achievements we have made are results of membership input.
Texas Parks and Wildlife did not hold an expo in 2009 and I have been told it will not take place in 2010 either due to low participation. Our Association has derived quite a bit of our operating income from this even. We now must look for other income sources to restore a sufficient income level. Board members are selling raffle tickets on behalf of the Furbearers Unlimited for chances to win a .308 rifle. Tickets have been limited to 100 at $20 apiece. The FBU will share 50% of the profits with the association. Give your officers and district directors a hand and call them up to request a ticket or two. If you have any questions about this offer, contact Mark Davis at (903) 681-4230 and he will gladly answer them. We plan to conduct another 50/50 coon drawing next season.
Congratulations to Jackson Dowling who won the cash from the last drawing.
If you are ready to help out with promoting and preserving trapping, let us know. We would like to put your unique talents to work for the benefit of all and future generations.
— Bill Applegate
