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President's Report - Fall 2008 Greetings again from Pike County. Hope everyone and their families are having a good summer. Hope you all are getting plenty of squirrels and fish. The Fur Takers Convention was a big success even with the high gas prices and the flooding and the farmers having to be in the fields on account of the late spring. I want to thank anyone who had anything to do with the Fur Takers Convention. I will not try to name everyone - I do not want to miss anyone. But I have to give a big hand to the main gears of the convention. Without these people, it would not have happened. The committee chairmen were Robert Waddell; Brian and Rosa Cunningham; Paul and Elaine Webb; and Hank and Ingram Wendt. Gary Bonnott constructed the demo area and came back on Sunday afternoon to take it down and clean up. Dale Verts put together the program and solicited the ads. On a sad note, Wally Schmieg passed away and was buried July 1, 2008. He was one of the first officers of the Missouri Trappers Association and founder of the Fur Takers of America. I was unable to reach his wife, for further details. I will report more later. I hope to see everyone at the 50th Anniversary Fall Rendezvous. Take a kid hunting, fishing and trapping this year. State President - - - - - - - - Vice President's Report - Fall 2008 The Fall Rendezvous is coming together. Mark your calendar for September 18, 19, 20, and 21. There will be a lot of things a little different for our 50th year. We will have special demos, special auction Items, special memorabilia. District 4 has already done lots of things in preparation for this 50th anniversary celebration. We will need some extra help on Thursday morning when we can get into the facility. With all that will be happening, I want to thank everyone now for your help. This will be a very special Rendezvous so don't miss out. Come and celebrate our 50 years! On to one of the issues that we have - our membership renewals and new memberships. We have been able to make some positive adjustments to the procedure for the way renewals and memberships are processed. This should simplify the procedures our secretary has to follow. There are some things we all can do to help. Be sure your renewal and membership forms are filled out with all the information so the Secretary doesn't have to get more information to complete the process. In this time of instant communication, it still takes time for the mail and checks to clear, etc. There has been a bright side to all the calls I have received. It has been good to talk to some of the members that I didn't know. Like a man, in Alabama, who is 71 years young. He has spent most of his life in service to our country, to his family, to wildlife, and to helping our association. A man in the northern part of our state wants to help us with some of the products we produce. A man and wife in the southwest part of the state want to help train young folks. If we but look, there always is a bright side to challenges. We are going to try a new way to sell fur at the auction. To me, there will be a chance for all of our membership to sell their goods at a lower commission rate. I feel there will be a few more adjustments to help on the young trapper's opossums and rats, etc. I think that the bright side is that we will be able to produce a better, higher quality product than we have ever had. Albert asked me to make a fur report for this paper, but even with what we know today, things change. However, I feel that you may want to target 'coon, cats, and beaver this season. There are some other challenges that are looking at us. Be assured that some progress is being made. As we move forward into the unknown, sometimes it is advantageous for us to take time to listen to all our membership. Hope to see you at the Fall Rendezvous at the Cape. Thanks for letting me serve you and this great Association. State Vice President - - - - - - - - Secretary's Report - Fall 2008 Well, here it is time for another Mountain Men Newsletter. I must apologize for not getting a report in the last time. By the time you read this, the MTA 50th Anniversary Fall Rendezvous at Cape Girardeau will be just around the corner. So you might as well make plans to attend and help with the celebration. Another very good reason to attend will be the Fall General Meeting. Your voice can't be heard if you're not there to let it be heard. There are a lot of very important issues concerning this association that need to be addressed and will probably be discussed at the meeting. I know it is a long drive for a lot of us. It was also a long drive when it was in the other corners of the state as well. As long as I'm on the subject of the Fall Rondy, my good friend, Brian Cunningham, had a great idea. For the 50th Anniversary, we would like to do something special with trap tags from members of the association. I was asked to take on the task of doing this. I'm asking that MTA Members please send one of your trap tags to me at PO Box 92, Newburg, MO 65550. It doesn't matter what shape it is in, as long as the name can be read. The more used the better, as this will add character to the project. I have two large wooden coyote stretchers that I will affix the tags to and coat it with polyurethane. This will show who was a member of the association at the 50th anniversary. It doesn't matter if you have been a member for one year or have been a member since day one. After this is finished, it will go into the auction on Saturday night. I don't know for sure, but rumor has it that one member has said it will be bought at any price and donated to the association to go into the MTA Trappers Museum. By the time you read this, all members should have received their membership cards and new member packets. At this time of writing, all membership renewals and new memberships that I have received, have been put into the computer. All membership cards and new member packets have been mailed, and all information has been forwarded to the Trapper and Predator Caller Magazine. If you have mailed a membership renewal or new membership before July 1st, and have not received anything back, please contact me. On a more personal note, I know that over the last few months I've been rather hard to contact. I'm not going to make excuses because no matter what I say it will be wrong. All I'm going to say in my defense is, I have a regular job, I have a family, and they will always come first - period. I know that over the last few months I've been slacking on my duties as the MTA Secretary. I'm ashamed of myself and I need to publicly apologize for letting down this great association. I also let down the association members, the people who put their trust and confidence in my ability to do this job and voted for me. Last but not least, I let down myself by allowing issues get to me so badly that I let my work habits, morals, and ethical judgment lapse. I hope that the members of this association will accept my sincere apology. All I have ever wanted was what was best for this association. Which I think is the greatest trapping association, bar none. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer. Remember to take a youngster or a newcomer into God's gift to us, the great outdoors. Make some memories today, for both of your tomorrows. Until next time - may your chains be tight, your stretchers be full, your shots be true, and may the good Lord richly bless you and yours. State Secretary - - - - - - - - NTA Director's Report - Fall 2008 Good News from Minnesota! This regards the lawsuit between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Animal Protection Institute. The judge accepted the recommendations of the MNDNR. Following are a few items that will become law in the areas specific to the case. This will affect the area known as the Arrowhead Region. This is the part of Minnesota that lies east of Highway 53, which runs north from Duluth to the Canadian border. 1) All snares 5/64" and above, but not to exceed 1/8" diameter, and loops of 8-10" side by side will be allowed. Water sets excluded. 2) 160 and 220 body grippers must meet the requirements of being set at least 3 feet off the ground or surface of the snow, and be on a leaning pole or tree no larger than 6" in diameter. 160 and 220 body grippers may also be used on the ground, provided they are inside a cubby or box and inserted a minimum of 7" from the front. (Body grippers, smaller than a 160 and body grippers used as water sets, have no restrictions.) 3) There are no restrictions on foothold trap sizes however; they must be staked with drags not being allowed. Also, the chain or cable securing the foothold trap must be no more than 18" long and have at least two swivels. 4) No hare or rabbit may be used as bait. 5) No flagging may be used within 20 feet of the trap. I attended the FTA Convention in Columbia in June. Kraig Kaatz, President of the NTA, asked me to serve as the NTA delegate to the FTA. I attended the Governing Board Meeting all day Wednesday and the National Council Banquet on Friday evening. It was very encouraging to know how much the FTA and the NTA have been working together on different projects. We all need to remember we have the same goals in mind. Working as a team will help to accomplish more to preserve our trapping heritage and ensure our trapping rights. I enjoyed meeting the FTA officers and wish to thank them for their hospitality. I also worked the NTA booth. Kraig Kaatz made it to the convention and was there all day Saturday. I have definitely found out that I have really big shoes to fill. A lot of people that stopped by the booth asked for Bill Geiger. Bill was able to attend and help at the booth. His opinion is highly respected in the NTA and hopefully I can serve as well as he did. Delbert Biswell of Elmer, Missouri, was the winner of the free NTA membership I sponsored as a drawing prize. Matt Lumley, with the FBU, contacted me around two months ago to let me know that the $50,000 cost share money had almost been used up. He knew that the MTA wanted to purchase additional packets. I called the MTA executive officers and got approval to order 1,000 of the FBU educational packets. This program has been very well received across the state! Of the 1,100 packets ordered, we have distributed approximately 680 to the district directors and others for use in the youth trapper training workshops. It is great to see all the members across the state putting on the workshops for our youth. If you are putting on a workshop and would like some packets, give me a call. I look forward to seeing everyone in August at the NTA in Mason City. The convention runs Aug. 7-10. Don't forget MTA's 50th in Cape Girardeau, September 18-21. If you call the host hotel, make sure you tell them you are with the MTA so they don't tell you they are out of rooms. There is a block of rooms reserved but if you don't tell them, they don't know. Looks like it is shaping up to be a GREAT TIME! Stan Berkbuegler, Doren Miller, and District 4 have put in a lot of hard work. NTA Director - - - - - - - - FTA Director's Report - Fall 2008 I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Henry (Hank) Wendt. I live in Oregon County, MO, which is in District 9. I first joined the Missouri Trappers Association in 1987, and have been active for the past seven years. On July 1, 2008, I was appointed FTA Director by the President of the MTA. I accepted the appointment for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, I am a Missouri Trapper; therefore, I believe the MTA is the priority organization. This is not to say I do not support both national trapping organizations. But the MTA comes first. Because I believe this so strongly, I feel it is imperative that the MTA is kept informed of everything the national organizations are doing. As the FTA Director, I will pass on everything the FTA is involved in just as soon as the information becomes available. FTA Director's Report - - - - - - - - Mountain Man Newsletter Report - Fall 2008 This is the coolest, greenest summer I ever remember. It sounds like the guys in the boot-heel are not so lucky. We are still trying to put up the first cutting. Most of it is getting rained on. I'm not complaining though, we have lots of pasture. This year I made it to my first FTA Convention. I can never make it to the FTA because it always comes during fescue seed harvest. This year we got rained out for a few days. I spent quite a bit of time in our MTA booth. That brought me the privilege of hanging out at the booth with our newly crowned Miss Missouri, Lacey Fitzgerald. After thinking you might like a picture, I headed for my pickup to get a camera. On my way, I stumbled over Bill Applegate, from Texas, practicing setting a bear trap for the contest. I told him to take his trap to our MTA booth and demonstrate it for Miss Missouri; she would be tickled. Bill was flattered and proud to get his picture taken with Lacey! Our own MTA Rendezvous is fast approaching. Unfortunately, I don't believe Miss Missouri, Lacey Fitzgerald, will be able to come to our rendezvous. We will have plenty of attractions anyway! The biggest event will be the General Meeting on Saturday. This is your association. Come to the meeting and be heard. One request - please leave your temper at the door. Little is accomplished when everyone is angry. If someone says something offensive, we will accomplish much more if we just bite our tongue and go on with business. I don't do the 'web' thing, but I keep hearing complaints of bitter arguing on our MTA website. Is there any reason why we can't just post positive things that will benefit those who come to our site? When someone posts a negative comment, often they are only baiting someone to start a juicy argument. Let it go. I have in front of me a bull catalog that came in the mail a couple of days ago. On the cover is something to ponder. Cowboy Logic: "Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted". Enough from me. Now let's hear from you. Send me your stories, pictures and reports by October 25th for the next Missouri Mountain Men. God bless you. Mountain Man Newsletter Committee - - - - - - - - Ways And Means Committee Report - Fall 2008 Hello from Rosebud. Raffle ticket sales at the FTA Convention went pretty good. We took in a little over $900. The raffle ticket returns from individuals through the mail has also been going pretty good. The raffle is one of the MTA's fundraisers, and as you all know, an organization as big as the MTA needs considerable funds to operate successfully. I had no idea how much until I started making up a budget. Printing and postage alone are much more than I ever imagined. This is our organization and the raffle is one of the best ways to support it. You buy a ticket, the MTA is helped, and you get a chance to win one of five very nice guns. If you haven't bought your raffle ticket yet, you still have time. Don't miss out on your chance to win. Ways & Means Committee - - - - - - - - Conservation Director's Report - Fall 2008 Summer time is here in full swing. Gini and I have been picking green beans, squash, and cucumbers. This is one of the few things I enjoy about hot weather. Of course, fishing, floating, and the grandkids are the best! Grandkids, gravel bars, and crawdads are hard to beat. Summer time is preparation time for trappers, or at least it should be. I always struggle with this and usually preparation loses out to haying, fishing, or the dreaded 'honey-do's', (Gini will laugh at this) Most of you have heard us discuss the Conservation Federation of Missouri. As MTA members, you are all associate members and some are sustaining members. I signed up my three adult children this year as part of their Christmas, so that they will receive the CFM magazine, Missouri Wildlife. We raised our children to respect and appreciate the outdoors and all facets of the environment. I mention this because I feel very strongly about what the CFM stands for. The federation is comprised of a very diverse group of people who love the outdoors and have many different viewpoints. I cannot always agree with their decisions. However the ability to 'agree to disagree' is the very catalyst of any organization's strength. Our very own MTA should take a lesson from this, and let our differences of opinion become our strength by listening to each other and not over-reacting!!! The latest issue of Missouri Wildlife had several interesting articles, one on the latest information about Online Hunter Education and another on CFM sporting clays. But the one I found most interesting was about the Conservation Leadership Corps. The CLC is a group within the CFM made up of young people from high school juniors through college seniors who excel in conservation activities. The idea is to reach out to the up coming generation and encourage them to think conservation. By seeking out students that are motivated and have already achieved academic success, they have shown that the program is going to achieve great things. The CFM is looking for new recruits for this youth leadership program. To nominate a student, who has these outstanding qualifications, fill out the form below and send it in by October 3, 2008. You may just be nominating a young trapper who could be the future CFM Director. Dave Murphy is the current Executive Director of the Conservation Federation and Dave is also a trapper, I just thought you all should know. For more information or forms go to www.confedmo.org Conservation Director - - - - - - - - Pageant Committee Report - Fall 2008 It was my pleasure, along with Debra Lark Lemberger of Fur Arts Inc., to present a beautiful otter and raccoon jacket to Miss Missouri 2008 in June. Lacey Fitzgerald, originally from Richmond was crowned in front of a large crowd at the Missouri Military Academy. The MTA is now in its 19th year of sponsoring Miss Missouri. Lacy was our guest at the FTA Convention only two weeks into her reign. I gave her some insight on what it takes to create a beautiful fur garment such as hers. After watching a fleshing and stretching demonstration, meeting Ken Cook, and seeing the finished product, Lacey wanted to watch a skinning demo. She intently watched a beaver lose his clothing to the knife. We both found out Lacey does not care for the smell of fresh castor. I don't think any of us have to worry about Lacy running a trapline but, educating her to some of the ways of the trapper should help our cause. Sydnee Stottlemyre from Chesterfield was crowned Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen. She was presented a fur teddy bear from the MTA and furrier Ken Cook. If you have an opportunity to meet either one of these young women, please do so. Pageant Committee - - - - - - - - District 1 Report - Fall 2008 Hello everyone, hope your summer is going great. It's sure been hot and humid this week. But, at least the heavy rains have stopped. It sure has been busy with three kids in ball. I'm getting started working on equipment for the soon approaching season. It'll be here before you know it. District 1 ran the ball toss at the FTA Convention. Had a great time and made a lot of kids smile when they would win a trap. I want to give a big thanks to everyone that helped by either covering the booth or gathering donations for prizes. Again, a big thanks. On July 19th, I put on a trapping demonstration in Kirksville. The local QDA (Quality Deer Management Association) Chapter had different groups put on demos to try to get kids involved in outdoor sports. We didn't have a large crowd but the ones that were there asked lots of questions and were very interested. That is great to see. We need to help the youngsters all we can. In closing, I want to let District 1 members know we will be having a meeting on August 17th at 5:00 PM. It will be at Lake Showme just west of Memphis, MO. At this time, I don't know of anything else going on. If anyone has questions or suggestions, feel free to give me a call. District 1 Director - - - - - - - - District 2 Report - Fall 2008 The next event for District 2 will be a youth trapping clinic co-sponsored with Missouri Department of Conservation at Williamsburg on Oct 11 and 12. We will enroll up to 25 kids. We have had this clinic on a smaller scale for several years and have always been successful. The kids caught enough fur for each of them to get to skin at least one animal. We may still need a few instructors. If you are interested give me a call (573-929-3632). We try to get one instructor for each two students, which gives each student personal attention. You may get to see an excited youngster catch his/her first furbearer. The event runs from noon Saturday to about noon Sunday with MDC providing the meals. Doren Miller, Stan Berkbuegler, and others have been working hard on the Fall Rendezvous to make it a memorable event. That time of year, everyone starts getting excited about the upcoming trapping season and the Fall Rendezvous is a great place to start talking trapping and get those needed supplies. See you there District 2 Director - - - - - - - - District 3 Report - Fall 2008 Hello fellow trappers. Summer is here in full force and boy are we feeling it. I didn't get to go to the Fur Takers Convention, but I heard from several that it was a good time and a wonderful turn out. I went to the summer meeting in Columbia. I didn't feel that there was much accomplished. Several topics that needed to be discussed were over-looked. It sounds like Stan Berkbuegler and Doren Miller have a good handle on the 50th Anniversary Rendezvous. They have planned a lot of entertainment for the whole family. District 3 has done several small shows and fairs. I would like to say thanks to everyone who has helped. District 3 voted at our spring meeting to have our own set of by-laws. Those by-laws were sent to Lewis McVeigh for approval. They have been approved and adopted by District 3. District 3 is planning a summer meeting, on Sept 1, at Meramec State Park, Pavilion #3. at 1:00 PM. No meal is scheduled. We will have drinks. Hope to see everyone there. There are several things that need to be discussed. We have ordered a trap for the Fall Rendezvous. I should be receiving it anytime now. This trap will be donated to the auction. A few people have called me because they did not receive their Trapper and Predator Caller and their Mountain Men Newsletter. If anyone knows of someone else not receiving theirs please contact me or Troy Crooks. We are having a raffle for District 3. If anyone would like some tickets, please contact me. They are $1 each, 6 for $5, or 13 for $10. First place is a Lifetime MTA Membership or $300 cash. Second place is one dozen Lil Grizz traps. If there are any district members that would like to help at the Fall Rendezvous, please contact me and I will put you on the list. That's about it for now. I hope to see everyone at the summer District 3 meeting and at the Fall Rendezvous. Have a safe and wonderful summer. Remember that the youth is the next generation of the Missouri Trappers Association. So teach a young person something about the great outdoors. District 3 Director - - - - - - - - District 5 Report - Fall 2008 Hello, District 5 members and your families. I just returned from the Fur Takers Convention in Columbia and spent too much of last year's fur check. I would like to say it went towards trapping supplies, but I'm like everyone else, making the oil companies happy. There was a good turn out at the convention and the Missouri Trappers Association was well represented. District 5 will be hosting its first youth trapping clinic on October 18. This event will take place in Dade County at the Hulston Mill Historic Park. The starting time is set at 8:00 AM, and will conclude at 5:00 PM. If you are interested in the future of trapping for our youth, a registration form is available from John Evans at 417-818-7308, or me at 417-858-2279. In order for the events to be productive and educational, we are limiting enrollment to thirty youths. Please register by October 1, 2008 so that we will know the number of people attending for food, drinks, and something the kids can take home and use on the trap line. The daily agenda and a map, with directions on how to get to the event, will be included with registration confirmation. Water and land trapping demonstrations will be presented, along with other information designed for youth interested in trapping. Please let us know if you are interested in assisting with the clinic. Another trapping clinic will be presented by the Missouri Department of Conservation in cooperation with the Missouri Trappers Association in Lawrence County at the Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area. This two-day event will take place on September 27, 8 AM - 5 PM and September 28, 6 AM - 12 NOON. The clinic will be conducted in a one-on-one setting with students working side-by-side with experts in the field. For anyone who wishes to become cable restraint certified, they may do so on the 28th from 1 PM - 5 PM. You do not have to attend the trapping clinic to get cable restraint certified. A pre-registration is also required for this clinic and the cable restraint course. For more details or to pre-register phone 1-417-461-0668. Any Missouri Trappers Association member interested in assisting with this clinic may contact me at 417-858-2279 (Hm) 417-294-149 (Cell). Just a reminder, the MTA will be hosting a Fifty Year Anniversary/Rendezvous in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on September 18 - 21, 2008. This is going to be a very special event, so try to attend. In closing, remember the future of trapping is dependent on how we educate our youth, and society. District 5 Director - - - - - - - - District 6 Report - Fall 2008 Hi everyone. The FTA Convention has come and gone. All in all, it was a good convention. I think Robert Waddell did a great job of planning this out. To all of the people who helped in any way - a Big Thanks! The MTA can be proud of the people who stepped up and put on this convention. Now comes the Fall Rondy and it's the 50th Anniversary of the MTA. It should be a good one. I have been your District 6 Director for three years this fall. I have enjoyed this job a lot, and tried to do the district a good job. But I have decided to give up the job and let someone else take over. I would like to see someone step up that has time to give to the job. 2010 will be District 6's turn to host the Fall Rondy. At the District 6 spring meeting, we voted to have a fund raiser. We will be selling two decks of cards at the Rendezvous. The drawing will take place Saturday. First place is 1 dozen MB 550 traps, second place is 1/2 dozen 330 Belisle or 1/2 dozen 5X5 (winners choice), and third place gets what is left. I hope you have a good and safe summer. See you at the fall Rondy. God bless. District 6 Director - - - - - - - - District 7 Report - Fall 2008 Hello from District 7. The FTA Convention, that we hosted in Columbia, is now over. It was a lot of work, but well worth it. I was there from Tuesday afternoon until Saturday night. It was a good time with a lot of people there. I've been to several FTA conventions over the years and this was definitely the biggest one I've ever attended. I took a head count in the demo area Friday afternoon and there were 200 people in the two demos. We had 1203 paid admissions counting dealers. I would like to personally thank several good friends who helped me with the dealers and tailgater registration. They put in a lot of time and we had a blast doing it. You guys know who you are. I look forward to seeing you all again at the Fall Rendezvous in Cape Girardeau. These are the kind of guys who are the future of the MTA. The rain has finally slowed so I can get something done. I've been in the woods a lot and the fur sign looks good. I've been seeing a lot of animals moving during the day. The fur prices are up and it looks to be a good year. Gas is high so you just have to trap smarter. I'm hoping these higher fur prices will bring some new faces into trapping and the MTA. I'm planning on having a district meeting again this fall but don't have a definite date yet. Be careful out there. District 7 Director - - - - - - - - District 8 Report - Fall 2008 Summer is going fast and it's time to think about starting to work on our traps for the upcoming season. From what I hear, the prices should be good, for the most part, but the price of fuel will hurt a lot of us. Please remember the District 8 Fall Meeting, which will be September 27, starting at 10:00 AM, just north of Chillicothe at the church campground on MO Route 190. There will be signs at the highway directing you into the campground. Demonstrations will start at 10:15 AM and continue throughout the day. One special event will be a 'coon skinning and fleshing demo by Doren and Lynn Miller along with instruction from one of the best raccoon graders from Fur Harvestor of Canada. These two demos will help you get more for your fur. This fall we will have games and some special events for the youngsters. If you would be willing to donate your time as an instructor, please call me so I don't have to "volunteer" folks. I have tickets for the association raffle and hopefully you have gotten yours by the time you read this article. As soon as I get a current list of District 8 members, they will be mailed. Cabelas has given us permission to use their store to sell tickets so I need volunteers to help with that. Please try to attend the fall meeting and volunteer to help. There will be no speeches this fall - just excellent demonstrations by top trappers. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me. 816-393-5335 District 8 Director
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