President — Randy Barrows, 88 North Road, Milton, VT 05468; phone: 802-893-4258; e-mail: critrgitr@msn.com
Co-Vice Presidents— Joe and Deb Epler, P.O. Box 12, Chester, VT 05143; phone: 802-875-4511; e-mail: jdepler@vermontel.net
Secretary — Deb Epler, P.O. Box 12, Chester, VT 05143; phone: 802-875-451; e-mail: jdepler@vermontel.net
Treasurer — Jim Calchera, 233 McCaffrey Rdg., Putney, VT 05346
NTA Director — Dave Perrin, 2600 Vt. Rt. 12A, Randolph, VT 05060; phone: 802-728-5935
Membership Director — Paul Ainsworth, P.O. Box 118, Eden, VT 05652; phone: 802-635-7343
Membership Options:
• Individual adult membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Family membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $25
• Oldtimer (65 & up) with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $10
• Lifetime membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $300
Complete membership application on first page of
association section and send dues to:
VTA, Membership Director
Paul Ainsworth
P.O. Box 118, Eden, VT 05652
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Hello Vermont Trappers. I hope all is well. Trapping is kind of winding down at this point. For some of us it ended early this year due to the weather. As I write this, it is snowing like H—, with up to a foot forecasted. This is on top of the 2 feet we have already, with a thick layer of ice in between the two. If you have traps out to catch snow, you are in luck. Hmmm, wonder if it brings more than fur prices?
Regardless, it’s a good time of year to reflect on last year’s season. Did I trap? For sure. Was it a good year? NOT! I went out with high expectations, but mother nature was cruel to me. Regardless, I had fun and that is what it is all about. The high fur price checks are nice, but what monetary value can you put on the memories? The fox that figured out your trap and dug it out, the fisher that checked out the bait but did not take the plunge or the farmers dog (less than friendly) who reminded me that I can still climb a tree and be comfortable for the half hour I waited for him to leave. These are all priceless memories that money can not pay for.
Hopefully things will warm up for a little spring rat trapping, it will have to come quickly though.
It’s a good time of year to clean up the traps and make a list for what will be needed for this fall. It all takes time, but will save you this fall. And most importantly, the thank you cards and small gifts to the landowners who let you trap on their property. This small gesture will help to get your foot in the door for next year.
Also, let’s talk recruitment. In last month’s Trapper & Predator Caller editor’s column, you heard about not promoting our sport and the adverse effects it can have. At our board of directors meeting, we discussed the same issue. Some say do what we have to to promote trapping, and some are scared to death to think of this. I see both sides and present an argument. If we don’t come out of the closet, this sport will die. But if we do, and it’s not done properly, we will die. The association has agreed to look at this issue closely in the upcoming months. If we do nothing, I feel we are doomed, but in the past we have had articles done by the press that did not portray us as good folks. Our thoughts are to appoint someone who will have a good rapport with the press who could closely monitor what goes to press, and it could only go with our blessing. I, and this is my opinion only, think this approach will work. Time will tell.
The Yankee Classic was a huge success for the VTA. In tough times, folks still were buying our wares. The surprising fact was the amount of folks who wanted to take a trapper education class. I said I would handle everyone who wanted a class in my area. OOPs, I might have bit off a big chunk. At last check, the number was near 35 and growing. Oh well, I promised and I will welcome the new trappers. Also, the call for new directors has gotten results, which I will cover in next month’s column.
Our annual banquet for VTA is March 28, 2009, in Montpelier, VT. Hope you have your ticket for this outstanding event! Details are on our Web site.
Our directors’ meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at the Hilltop Inn in Barre, Vermont. Please join us if you can. Admission is free and the value of what you get is high!
Time for another log on the fire. See you on the trapline. Be sure to take a kid outdoors with you.
— Randy Borrows
