President — Steve E Colvin, 2000 SB Rd, Barboursville, VA 22923; phone: 434-996-6067; e-mail stvcolvin@aol.com
Vice President — John Bedwell, 210 Fairway Lane, Wytheville, VA 24382; phone: 276-620-5145; e-mail: sinkthemink@hotmail.com
Membership Secretary — Dickie Craig, 2714 Knollwood Dr., Staunton, VA 24401; phone: 540-886-3937; e-mail: ddcraig9@gmail.com
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, VA 22801; phone: 540-564-1930; e-mail: thomasteague@verizon.net
General Organizer — Glen Mabe, 211 5th St., Luray, VA 22835; phone: 540-860-2634;
e-mail 19612004@yahoo.com
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: 540-335-6088
Membership Options:
• 1-year membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• 2-year membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $38
• Junior (under 16) with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $10
• Lifetime membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $250
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
VTA, Membership Secretary
Dickie Craig
2714 Knollwood Dr.
Staunton, VA 24401
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT
Hello VTA Members,
The end of 2010 is almost here. Alot of you are probably busy on the trapline. With the leaves off the trees, I’ve noticed hornet nests that are high in the trees. Doesn’t that mean deep snow for the winter?
The VTA executive board voted to raise the membership rates for 2011. We have been receiving members renewing with the new renewals from the T&PC for the first months of 2011. These have our old rates on them, and have been honored at those rates. But now that T&PC has been notified of the rate change, the renewal notices for after Jan, 2011 or (maybe after Feb 2011) should reflect the new rates. And on Jan. 1, 2011 our VTA website should have our membership forms with the new rates.
Also, T&PC’s new renewal form is now an entire page ( not 2 coupons) of which the ENTIRE page is to be sent to me. The added top page (along with copy 1 and copy 2), is to put your (optional) e-mail address. I send the top and copy 1 to T&PC and retain the bottom (copy 2) for VTA records. Just make sure you send me the entire page with your check or money order for your renewal.
The next VTA event will be our Fur Sale at Expo in Fishersville in March. For those of you planning on selling fur, make sure you pre-register with Ed Crebbs. Walk-in’s without pre-registering will have to wait at the end of the list to sell. Also, don’t forget to donate fur for our 50/50 auction when you arrive.
Our VTA membership now totals 598 members. We need to improve on this number, as it was once close to 700. Keep up your membership, and ask a friend or relative to join the VTA. Until next time, have a good winter. Your VTA Membership Secretary.
— Dickie Craig
DISTRICT 4 REPORT
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
When you are ready to sell fur, remember the VTA Fur Auction. The price for fur at the auction is usually good and selling at the auction helps the VTA. Date and location of the auction in next issue of T&PC.
If you have any questions or concerns contact me at (540) 886-8014.
— Billy Price
DISTRICT 8 REPORT
Hopefully, many of your stretchers are full by now and your season has been exciting. Since the deadline for this report is December 1st I can’t tell you how we’re doing. Dad and I don’t plant steel until late in the season when dog encounter is less likely.
In the last report I promised to provide a Fredericksburg Watershed Management Plan update. The final public hearing on the issue was held by the City Council on November 23rd. Once again we had a good showing with twelve trappers. City Planner Eric Nelson briefed the final draft to the Council that incorporated hunting and trapping desired changes. Two Council members questioned the elimination of the safety buffer zones around the campsites and asked for rationale. Mr. Nelson provided excellent justification for the removal of the zones. Two other city personnel were called to offer their opinion on the issue. By the end of the session, it appears the council is going to consider a compromise; remove the buffer zone from all of the campsites except at the confluence. Our own Larry Kline spoke on the benefits of allowing trapping on the property and gave further justification to remove the safety buffers.
Additionally, Todd Cocker and Frank Wade from two of our brother waterfowler associations spoke and emphasized the benefit and need for trapping on the watershed. During the entire council session and public hearing, no negative comments were presented regarding trapping the land. Unless something drastic happens, the trapper friendly language will remain in the management plan. Our next action is to change the City Code that prohibits trapping on the property.
The 2011 VTA Convention flyer, schedule of events, vendor layout, and volunteer list are posted on the VTA web site. Please contact potential vendors and demo providers and inform them of the event. We’ll need a host of volunteers to run the event so if you’re willing to help, give me a call [540-630-1756] or send an email [artfoltz@comcast.net] to add your name to the list.
Our next district meeting is scheduled for March 6th, 2011 at 6706 River Road, Fredericksburg. The meeting is purposely set one week prior to the VTA Fur Auction so we can present a fur grading and valuation demonstration. 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 for details and directions.
— Art Foltz
