President — Bob Newberry, 5595 Waddletown Rd., Bland, VA 24315; phone: 276-688-3670; e-mail: sandyhollow@embarqmail.com
Vice President — Mike Perdue, 9150 Poor Mountain Rd., Bent Mountain, VA 24059; phone: 540-929-4412; cell phone: 540-589-4508; e-mail: Bentmtntrapper@aol.com
Membership Secretary — Norm Mullins, P.O. Box 802, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609; phone: 276-963-0642; cell phone: 276-971-1856; e-mail: nsmullins@naxs.net
Recording Secretary — James G. Covais, 10401 Moore Ct., Spotsylvania, VA 22553; phone: 540-760-9694; e-mail: jcovais@comcast.net
Treasurer — Thomas Teague, 2920 Cross Keys Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801; phone: 540-564-1930; e-mail: thomasteague@verizon.net
General Organizer — Bud Jenkins, 33423 Seacock Chapel Rd., Ivor, VA 23866; phone: 757-859-6868
Training Coordinator — Ed Crebbs, 175 Waldrop Rd., Gordonsville, VA 22942; phone: 540-832-2708; e-mail: edcrebbs@yahoo.com
NTA Director — John Coakley, 1188 Turkey Knob Rd., Quicksburg, VA 22847; phone: 540-477-3440; cell phone: 540-335-6088
Membership Options:
• 1-year membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• 2-year membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $38
• Junior (under 16) with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $10
• Lifetime membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $250
Complete membership application on first page of
association section and send dues to:
VTA, Membership Secretary
Norm Mullins
Box 802, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609-0802
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Hello again from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is hard to believe that we are getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July already! I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. It sure looks as if we are going to have plenty of food for the critters this time. Nuts, acorns, berries, cherries and we had an abundance of bloom for the honeybees. We are in the second good week for haying, which is producing great amounts of abundant hay for winter.
The Furbearer and Trapping amendments that were before the VDGIF board at the June 2 meeting were all approved. Many thanks to Mike Fies and all the VDGIF board of directors for supporting trapping issues in our great state.
Convention time is here again. I hope a lot of Virginia trappers will be able to make it to the 50th anniversary National Convention Lima, Ohio July 30, 31, Aug 1 and 2. I know fur prices are sluggish, but, as for myself, I went through this in the ’80’s and early ’90’s and if the Lord is willing, I’m going full steam this next season. Clint told me to keep plugging along!
Some dates to keep in mind: D-1 Picnic Rural Retreat Lake Shelter No-2 Aug. 22 and Our State Convention Sept. 11-13 Page County Fairgrounds Luray, Va. Don’t forget to tell someone about our great heritage. If I can be of assistance to anyone, please let me know.
— Bob Newberry
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
OFFICERS ELECTION — The 2009 VTA Officers election will be held next month by sealed ballot. The duties and responsibilities of each position are listed in the Association bylaws; available on the VTA Web site at www.virginiatrappers.org. Details of the election process and biographies submitted by the candidates are provided in the latest edition of the Virginia Trapper newsletter.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE — The Nominating Committee is comprised of two District 7 members; Mike Brookover and Phil Ballard; and two District 8 members; Art Foltz and Jim Longo. If you have any questions about the election process, please contact the committee chair by phone at 804-448-0853 or by email at foltzas@verizon.net.
VOTER ELIGIBILITY — All lifetime and regular memberships are considered voting members of the VTA. A current membership is required to receive a ballot so accordingly ballots will not be mailed to members whose membership expired in August 2009 or before. Ballots will be available at the September VTA Convention for renewing members and new members joining the Association.
OFFICER CANDIDATES — Your candidates for the 2009 election are:
President: Steve Colvin and Willie Ernstes
Vice-President: John Bedwell and JR Bowling
General Organizer: Tony Jonas and Glen Mabe
Treasurer: Scott Dean
Membership Secretary: Dickie Craig
Recording Secretary: Jim Covais
NTA Representative: John Coakley and Larry Kline
Please take the time to thank each candidate for their decision to accept the nomination for officer candidacy. The decision is one of personal sacrifice and commitment; offering their time, services and dedication to our Association.
— Art Foltz
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT
Membership has dipped to 645 members during the off-season. I suppose it’s to be expected, as with the changing season most have their minds on fishing or gardening and not on trapping. Lackluster fur prices this past season have, no doubt, caused some to lose interest. I cannot express enough, however, our need for continued member support. Threats to our trapping rights are present year ‘round, not just during trapping season or when fur prices are high. The more members we have, the more clout we wield. So, please keep your membership up to date. And, as always, we need to sign-up new members at every opportunity to make-up for those folks that decide not to renew and to try to grow a little.
One of your most important benefits as a member of VTA is your right to vote in VTA elections. I think it is not only a benefit, but a responsibility as well. Ballots should be out some time in August. The candidates’ bios were in the last newsletter. Please take the time to read them, and then mark and mail your ballot.
I’m looking forward to seeing you at the convention in Luray. As always, if you should have a question about your membership, please feel free to contact me.
— Norm Mullins
DISTRICT 8 REPORT
District 8 met on May 31 in Spotsylvania County. We had a good turnout with 26 trappers, guests and family members. After the meal, we caught up on the numerous topics and upcoming events regarding the trade:
– DGIF final staff recommendations for changes to trapping regulations
– Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit requirements
– Upcoming NTA and VTA Conventions
– VTA Officer election process
– NAFA and VTA fur auction results
– NAFA Web site and online account management
– HSUS Change Agenda for Animals Wish List 100 sent to the White House
All of the VTA Officer Candidates were invited to our meeting. Steve Colvin (President Candidate) and Larry Kline (NTA Representative Candidate) attended and were afforded an opportunity to brief the group on their goals for the VTA if elected. We thank the officer candidates for their participation in our meeting and expressing their views for improving the Association.
Additionally, local DGIF wildlife and land managers were invited to the meeting. Mike Dye (Wildlife Biologist) attended and fielded questions regarding changes in wildlife populations and other wildlife issues affecting trappers. We appreciate Mike taking the time out of his schedule to be with us and continued support from the DGIF to our district meetings. I’ll continue sending invitations to our VTA Officers, our local DGIF Managers and the VTA Officer Candidates.
After the official business/discussions, we had one demonstration; the baited cement block ’coon set (Published in FTA Favorite Sets of Top Trappers, page 117 – Bob Noonan). The cinder block is pre-rigged with bait and trap for rapid setup. Obviously, the size and weight of the rig limits set location to vehicle approached sites. One of our district members reported using the set with excellent results.
We have two more district meetings scheduled prior to the trapping season; Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. in Spotsylvania County and Sept. 27 in Caroline County. A meeting announcement with site directions will be sent to district members and guests however, the event is open to all trappers or trapping-interested persons. If you would like to attend, please contact me at foltzas@verizon.net or 804-448-0853 for details and directions.
— Art Foltz
DISTRICT 10 REPORT
Greetings all. Here on the peninsula, we’re finally enjoying some days where it isn’t raining. Not sure exactly how many inches we’ve had in the past 30 days; but it’s been quite a few. I guess the silver lining is we should see lots of nice antlers soon with all the shoots and tendrils available.
Our May meeting was cancelled because all our normal hosting locations were booked with one thing or another. The June meeting was held June 21 at Nike Park. We all came prepared to grill a fine meal with all the fix’ns. The event was scrapped due to the lack of participation. Again, I thank those of you who spent your time and money and came prepared to put on a spread.
The meeting agenda was the usual stuff, the 2010 Convention being the focal point. Based on meeting attendance trends, we voted to hold the next meeting at the 2009 VTA Convention in Luray.
Be sure to take the time to read the biographies of the candidates running for office during the 2009 VTA elections. They’re posted on the VTA’s Web site. You can’t miss the link on the home page.
You can e-mail me at rob.brewer@us.army.mil or werjello@verizon.net. Please be sure to put VTA in the subject line, so I do not delete it as spam. For those who would rather pick up the phone, my cellular is 757-869-9822. ‘Til next time.
— Rob Brewer
