District 7
Director: Leon Windschitl
Co-Directors: Shannon Cohrs & Jordan Budenski
District 7 Director of Minnesota Trappers Association
Director Report
Hello fellow trappers. Trapping Season is here.
District 7 held its fall meeting September 3 at Schmitt Enterprises. The meeting was well attended. We held elections and I was re-elected as Director for another two years. Co-Directors are Shannon Cohrs and new elect Brian Fischer. District 7 will be well represented.
It was talked about having a skinning bee at the spring meeting in Dovray. We would skin and put up fur that would then be donated to the Tanned Fur Project. We wouldn’t have any demos, but people will be able to watch different species being put up and get pointers to help them in the future. Keep this in mind though out the trapping season to hold back some animals for the skinning bee.
The winter meeting is on January 7, 2012 at East Central School in Askov, MN. This is a location change. You will be able to talk trapping, sell furs, watch demos, dealers will be on hand to buy supplies, as well as contests happening throughout the morning. The general meeting starts at 10 am. Doors open at 8am. This will be a great day!
The annual pelt handling contest will once again be held at the winter meeting. Please think about entering your pelts into the contest. It is a great way to learn or teach others on proper handling. Please be sure to look at the this newsletter for all the details regarding the Pelt Handling contest.
The 2nd annual Legal Defense Banquet will be Saturday, January 7 at 4:30 pm following the activities of the winter meeting. This is at the Askov Community Center/American legion. This is a nice evening out. Limited tickets are available, so be sure to contact Gary Meis if you want tickets.
Also, remember to donate pelts to the Tanned Fur Project. We need to restock the pelt numbers, as inventories are low on many species.
Until next time.
Leon Windschitl
District 7 Co-Director of Minnesota Trappers Association
Co-Director Report
Hello from the trapline: I hope everyone is doing well on their traplines this season. What a great fall so far, with the moderate temps and dry weather. It really has not rained in some Southwestern Minnesota counties, since July. And we are one of them. Water levels have dropped in the lakes and streams, with many small streams that are completely dry. It was so dry here this late summer that the Coons were carrying water to the sweet corn patches. All in all it makes for wonderful dry land trapping. It sounds like the fur market will be up somewhat compared to last year on some furbearers. I have been hitting the coyote and fox early, with coons a week later. I got into a slough for muskrats for a few days and found out that I was not as young as I thought I was. If you want details, talk to the wife on that one. Even though death crossed my mind out there, I did get a good haul of muskrats in few days. The coon and mink waterline started last week for me and it has been very good with the poor water levels. I think it will be short lived, because with no moving water and the drop in temps, things are getting ice on them as I write this report. I can't wait for Bobcat and Marten season! I am going with a couple of Minnesota’s finest trappers and it should be a blast, if the weather is good. So my fingers are crossed!
As for upcoming meetings and such, we are having our winter meeting in Askov and Legal Defense Banquet at Banning Junction on January 7th. Be sure to make it ,if you can. Last year’s Banquet was a great success and this year’s is going to be better. For District 7, we are looking at February 18 for our Spring meeting in Dovray. We are not going to be doing any demos that day, but we are going to be putting up a lot of fur for the Tanned Fur Project. So there is a chance to see and learn the best ways of putting up fur. We are looking for many donations from District 7 for this event, but please bring them that day thawed out and ready to process. Maybe this year we can get the Top Gun award for our donations. So hope for good weather like last year and without the snowstorm for those who stayed overnight, and had to make that nasty drive home in it. "DAVE"
A little update on my son/soldier. He is doing great and getting antsy to get home to see us and his fiancée. He thanks everyone for letters and care packages sent to him. He will be home around Christmas for leave then has to go back again to finish his year. He says he used to dread the fur shed when were knee deep in coon to process, but he says this fall he wishes he was right beside me. Next year Caleb, you can do them all! LOL
Almost forgot to tell you. I have a new co-director and his name is Brian Fischer from New Ulm. Welcome to the Board Brian!
Well everybody stay healthy and have a great & safe trapping season. See you on the line! Shannon Cohrs
Co-Director Report
Hello my friends,
Took in my first official MTA Board meeting at the end of September. Thank you all for the welcome and to our directors and officers for their dedicated service. The MTA is a better place with all the committed individuals. I won’t dwell on the meeting just read your minutes and check your regulations book for changes. Note the proper means of tagging and transporting Otter, Fisher and Pine Marten.
In September, at our 2011 fall meeting I was elected to serve as co-director to District 7. Thank you for the opportunity. I take residence in south central, Courtland MN between the cities of New Ulm and Mankato. Coyote trapping and snaring is my passion and that’s what makes my season; a part time trapper by taking advantage of morning and lunch hour runs. One at a time and soon the smile comes from the face as the fur hangs.
Off-season I encourage gatherings and public speaking from the educational side of the fur industry and always plugging our rights for the sport of trapping. In the past I have given coyote demos at national, state and district levels; represented our American Heritage through presentations to Rotary, Scouts, schools and community events. There is always the excitement present for handling and seeing pelts of all species. This excitement is not only present in the kids but also interesting to adults. Believe me after doing a few of these programs it’s not just the kids that gain education. I am always open to people wanting to ride along on the trap line, and always willing to talk and share thoughts and ideas.
As our 2011-12 season approaches I ask all my fellow trappers to be respectful in the broad sense. Don’t trespass, use proper disposal methods, respect landowners and fellow outdoors people. Remember we can be the farmer’s and hunter’s best friends. Let’s promote that way and we, as trappers are further ahead.
Good luck, stay safe and let’s pass it on,
Brian