President — Kevin Peacock, P.O. Box 522, Orangeville, UT 84537; phone: 435-884-4382
Vice President — Ronnie Hunt, P.O. Box 65, Teasdale, UT 84773
Secretary — Paul Jarvis, P.O. Box 571, Santaquin, UT 84655; phone: 801-754-3739
Treasurer — Leroy Loftus, 1465 E Hwy 119, Richfield, UT 84701; phone: 435-896-8913
Public Relations — Sanford Randall, P.O. Box 252, Monticello, UT 84535; phone: 435-587-2776
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Family membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $30
• Junior (under 16) with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $8
• Senior membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $15
Complete membership application on first page of
association section and send dues to:
UTA, Secretary
Paul Jarvis,
PO Box 571, Santaquin, UT 84655
FUR SALE REPORT
As all trappers know, the trapping season is upon us. The weather has been just about perfect for trapping so far this year. Access to most areas have not been hampered hardly at all. If things continue on this way, we should expect a good harvest.
This is a really different year as far as planning the fur sale. The markets are all up in the air and most of the buyers are currently going to be quite conservative. There are a multitude of reasons for the price back off, and I won’t attempt to explain why one buyer is offering a certain price and another buyer may not even be interested in your fur. That is up to the buyers and their manufacturers. The bottom line is this: these markets can and do change over night. If an order comes in, then your fur will sell. I just want everyone that brings fur to the fur sale to realize that this year is not last year and fur prices change usually from day to day. What you receive this year may be less than last year or then again it may sell for more. The UTA has no control over the prices that the trapper receives or the prices that the buyers offer. The reason that I am bringing this up is that every year someone brings in a poorly handled low-quality bobcat and wonders why he doesn’t receive $600 for that cat. The blame is usually directed at the UTA and the UTA has no control over the prices that you receive. You can feel assured that whatever price you receive for your pelts is the top price that is being offered that day.
We are picking up some orders for your frozen pelts and carcass animals. There is a good demand for frozen ringtail cats, spotted skunks, badgers, mink and ermine. There is also a need for some frozen muskrat pelts, raccoon, beaver and skunk. These can be skinned or whole. You need to let me know ahead of time if you have anything frozen, so that preparations can be made for it. The sooner that I know on your frozen pelts the better chance you will have to sell it at a good price. Feel free to call with questions.
Don’t forget that there will be donated fur this year. Everyone that donates fur will be eligible for prizes. All of the proceeds will go to the scholarship fund. It is a good cause.
The sale is Feb. 13, 14 and 15 at Nephi. Please let one of the officers know if you will be able to help on any or all of those days. Your help is needed.
I know that I should be talking about the fur sale, but I want mention something of a personal nature. A few weeks ago, my father passed away after a long and really nasty battle with cancer. It is never easy so see or have a loved one pass away. It becomes an emotional roller coaster that you want to get off of, but there is just no way to. So, as with most things in life, you just ride it out. As I came home from making funeral arrangements, there was a plant that the florist had left at my door step. When I read the card, there was a tear in my eye. It was from the Utah Trappers Association. Talk about making a sad day into an extremely meaningful day. The following days I received cards from UTA members and calls from members expressing their sympathy. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to the UTA and to the wonderful members in the UTA. As I have said for many years, the UTA is just like a big wonderful family. It is a family that I am truly proud to be a part of. Thank you so very much.
If you have questions on the fur sale, please call 435-245-4508.
Best of luck.
— Stan Bassett