http://www.nhtassoc.org
President — Jack Yazinski, 403 Bible Hill Road, Claremont, NH 03743; 603-542-3367
Vice President — Larry Torr, 41 Moharimet Dr. Madbury, NH 03823, 603-842-5311
General Organizer — Roger Burnham, 159 North Shore Rd., Hebron, NH 03241; 603-744-3561;
nhtrapper@metrocast.net
Secretary/Membership/Web Director — Kathy and Brian Denutte, 9 Badger Glen Dr., Belmont, N.H. 03220
Treasurer — Mike Kazak, 72 Riverview Dr., Charlestown, NH 03603; 603-826-3959
Education Director — Mike Morrison, 49 Laura Lane, Keene, NH 03431; 603-209-3823
NTA/FTA Director — Gene Dabrowski P.O. Box 3 Georges Mills, NH 03751, 603-387-0697, gened912@gmail.com
Fish & Game Committee Member — Fred Shepard, P.O. Box 23, Deerfield, NH 03037; 603-463-7473
Fish & Game Committee Member — Dwight Pennell, P.O. Box 136 Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816; 603-539-7954
Fish & Game Committee Member — Roger Burnham, 159 North Shore Road, Hebron, NH 03241, 603-744-3561
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $24
• Family with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $30
• Junior (under 16) with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $12
• Lifetime membership with subscription to Trapper & Predator Caller — $300
• Life (over 65) — $100
• Life (over 75) — Free w/previous continuous three membership
• The NHTA requires a Mission Statement for all new members to be signed and dated. The Mission Statement is on the application. Please send a letter, call or e-mail requesting a membership application to Kathy Denutte at the address below.
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
NHTA Membership Director
Kathy Denutte
9 Badger Glen Dr.
Belmont, N.H. 03220
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Once again, the New Hampshire Trappers Association successfully cooperated with other state and national outdoor organizations to fight proposed legislation that would have effectively ended trapping in New Hampshire. The original language of HB 1579 was removed and replaced with language increasing penalties for violations and establishing a study committee to review trapping regulations. The amended bill now goes to the Senate. That’s the good news, what follows is the bad news.
Early on a Saturday morning I received a call from a trapper in Southern NH. He called to complain about one thing or another. When asked if he belonged to the NHTA or any national organizations he said no but he said, “you all do a good job.” When asked if he knew about HB 1579 and the potential to end trapping he responded no, and he wasn’t worried, “because that will never happen in NH.” Well it will happen in NH if other sportsmen and woman do what this guy does, and that’s to rely on someone else. There are nearly 300 members of the NHTA, your association. Paying your dues once a year isn’t enough. The Association needs you to come to meetings and share your ideas. Your help at shows and the rendezvous is needed. When you get a call from a director for help do all you can so you and your children will have the ability to continue to trap and your grandchildren can look back with appreciation for the legacy you left them.
On behalf of the NHTA special thanks to the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation, National Trappers Association and United States Sportsman’s Alliance for your support. Finally, every member should thank Fred Shepherd, Larry Torr, Dan Teague and Dwight Pennell for their endless hours of work on HB 1579.
Make plans now to attend the NHTA Fall Rendezvous, September 20, at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center. It will be bigger and better than ever. Don’t forget to come to a monthly meeting the first Tuesday of every month at the old Boscawen Town Hall. — Jack Yazinski
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
NHTA had a monthly director’s meeting February 4th, 2014.
Miss NH, Samantha Russo of Nashua, and the Miss NH Pageant Coordinator Claudette were on hand for a short meet and greet with those in attendance. Miss Russo relayed some of her experiences as Miss NH, including her participation in the Miss America competition. She remarked that the Fisher jacket has come in handy, as many of her public appearances have been during the lengthy cold snap that has gripped the northeast this winter. She posed for a group picture.
Paul DeBow and Mike Morrison volunteered to be committee contacts and attend hearings as needed for the state house of representatives new “study” committee established to review NH Fish and Game regulations pertaining to trapping – as mentioned in the president’s report above. This should start up later this year.
Gene Dabrowski has volunteered to replace out-going NTA Director Peter Laughlin as our new dual NTA and FTA Director.
Jim Harris, field representative for Maine Wildlife Council (a sportsmen’s group comprised of several clubs – such as guides, bear hunters, small game hunters, bow, bait and hounds man) was in attendance. He briefed the association on the on-going effort to battle back against a strong fight by the U.S. Humane Society to outlaw the taking of bear in Maine by bait, hounds and trapping. After losing in the Maine legislature, the Humane Society used a grass-roots campaign to collect 78,000 votes to get this issue on the ballot. They have reportedly allocated three million dollars to the cause. Mr. Harris is looking to raise money – upwards of 2.5 million for the Maine Wildlife Council to buy television advertisement time ahead of the vote. After Mr. Harris left, the association discussed waiting a month to consider an amount to donate.
I was personally unable to attend this years banquet but heard it was a success. Thank you to vice president Larry Torr for organizing and coordinating the venue and raffles. Thank you to the directors who helped run the event – and to those that made auction donations.
Those of you that may catch an otter this winter/spring; the Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory in Pennsylvania is looking for tissue samples. If you would like to participate by supplying samples, please contact Nikolia Kolba at 570-422-7892 or nkolba@live.esu.edu.
Next up for the Association is setting up and manning our NHTA display/booth at the “Discover Wild NH” day at the NH Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord, NH, on Hazen Drive. Brian Denutte will haul the trailer with all the mounts and tables. Please contact Brian (603-267-6947) to volunteer to help set-up and take down the display or to offer a portion of your day to hang at the booth to interact with the public. If the weather is good, this event is very busy with patrons from the public, not all of who are sportsmen: a great opportunity to interact positively with the public.
Best always. — Paul DeBow, Grafton County Director
