District 5
Director: Pete Jonas
Co-Directors: Mark Melby and Jerry Larsen
District 5 Director of Minnesota Trappers Association
Director Report
Hello everyone,
We had our spring meeting on Saturday, February 6th at Johnson Fur in Willmar. We had another good turnout of people. Thanks to Scott Johnson for letting us have our meeting at his place along with his "Customer Appreciation Day".
We would like to thank Minnesota Trapline Products, Melby Fur, Cory Van Driel, Roger Degner, Kay Bachman, Richard Raeker and Ron Hauser for donating door prizes
for the meeting.
Thanks also go to Kay Bachman and Jason Smith for doing demo's again this year on clean skinning beaver and putting up fur.
A district 5 member submitted a proposal to change the coon and fox season to the closest Saturday to October 15th, for the whole state. The district members voted this down unanimously, most concerns being the primeness of the fur. There are two items still being pursued at the legislative level. Run otter and beaver trapping seasons together at the same time, and set a quota of muskrats taken incidentally in sets made for beaver and otter to be included in the legal take.
The second being setting a fox and raccoon trapping season that would begin on the Saturday closest to October 15th but not before October 15th in the north mink, muskrat, beaver and otter zone.
Please keep Richard Raeker and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I'm sure he would appreciate a call, or card, or even a visit. A fund has been set up at the Freeport State Bank in Melrose for Richard and his family. If anyone would like to help out the address is:
Freeport State Bank of Melrose, P.O. Box 232, Melrose, MN 56352.
Write Richard Raeker fund on the envelope.
Our next Board of Directors meeting is March 6th in Barnum. If you would like anything brought up let me know.
Pete
District 5 Co-Director of Minnesota Trappers Association
Co-Director Report
Hello Everyone,
We had a good turnout at the winter district meeting at Johnson Fur. Thanks to all that attended. It is great to see our president find his way around on the prairie. Especially nice to see Richard Raeker there as well. Please keep him in your prayers and thoughts. To those who missed it, you missed out on some good demos and conversations about trapping. There were a few new people who joined the MTA, and that is always a good thing. One concern that was talked about is poisoning of coon in some areas. Please, if you hear of any of that, take the time to educate those who need it. This is a terrible waste of a good resource and also very dangerous to pets, and other critters.
If you have any fur that you could donate, please do so. I overheard the vice -president say something along the lines of District 4 was going to be top dog in donated fur. I think the fine trappers of District 5 will have something to say about that.
We do have some in the field training to do. So, if you can help out let Pete, Mark, or me know.
Start making plans for the summer convention. It will be here before you know it. Help is always needed, and believe me it is greatly appreciated, and you will get more out of it than you put into it. Speaking of the convention, keep selling those raffle tickets. Some great incentives and a good cause.
Well, I think I'm done rambling for now. Any questions or concerns give me a shout or email me at j.larsen29@yahoo.com.
God Bless,
Jerry Larsen
District 5 Co-Director of Minnesota Trappers Association