Presidents Report - Shawn Johnson
President of Minnesota Trappers Association
Greetings all,
Trish is cracking the whip about deadlines so I'm writing as fast as I can. Between work and the line plus throwing in a little deer hunting when I can, free time has been severely limited. Construction work later in the year is a mixed blessing. The paychecks are still nice and help to make up for the month I ended up losing thanks to our elected officials and the Minnesota Government Shut-Down but the length of the trapline has suffered. I've been severely limited with the number of traps I can maintain along with everything else. As to be expected, the return in fur has also been similarly underwhelming.
Exceptionally low water has contributed to the frustration and to make matters worse-raccoons are coming out of the woodwork in my neck-of-the-woods! Maybe all that flooding in southern Minnesota caused a northern migration of displaced raccoons? As a result, three day checks are pretty much out of the question with all these "tourists" traipsing the countryside ending up in my mink sets and generally aggravating me.
I've always considered myself a mink trapper and I find it impossible to be pleased with a raccoon tangled up in one of my sets! To put it another way- I've been less than pleased TOO MANY TIMES so far this season! Thankfully I've had several pull out of my traps so I didn't have to carry any more of those greasy animals to the pickup! At least it's getting colder so those obnoxious raccoons will hopefully find somewhere far away to hibernate (preferably Mankato!) Hopefully word will get out that the floodwaters back home have receded and they'll migrate back home! We don't want your ringtail kind on the North Shore! I've been told by a local trapper that at least one timber wolf killed a trapped raccoon and carried it off to part unknown. (and leaving a few patches of coon hair scattered between here and wherever there is.) Maybe the wolves will take a liking to eating them? I guess then that problem will take care of itself and perhaps give our moose a little break as well? Unfortunately, so far this wolf only decided to eat one! If wolves won’t take care of all these raccoons, maybe some of you folks that come up north to trap fisher and marten should consider coming up earlier to thin some of these coons down too? I'm certain with all the experience most of you have with raccoons it wouldn't take you any time at all to clean ‘em out with my blessing! (Leon, I'm probably going to have to purchase some of those coon boards from you this year and pay even closer attention to your put-up demos.) I don't mind putting up an occasional skunk but coons?
To Unknown Trapper with Sets on the L.R. Road near Duluth
You unknowingly made a pocket set about twelve inches away from mine sometime during the first week of the trapping season. I had a crawdad hole set hidden under the grass in an undercut bank that you couldn't see. As luck would have it, a few days later a mink was caught which wouldn't have been a problem however, it had a front foot in my trap and a hind in yours! I took the mink and left a note for you to call me which you did. You apologized for crowding me and told me that it was accidental and that you pulled your sets. Unfortunately, you didn't leave your name or number on the answering machine so I couldn't return your call. I wasn't the least bit angry about you accidently setting so close to me and that's not what I wanted to speak with you about. You've got half a mink coming from me, I just want to know if you want the front half or the back? Please give me another call and leave your name and number this time if you get the machine.
Much appreciate.
Shawn
As most have no doubt been made aware by this point the Non-Resident Survey confirmed what most had suspected - the membership is divided nearly 50/50 if those that made the effort to return theirs are any indication. The "NO's" prevailed by eleven I believe.
The MTA has been invited once again to meet with DNR representatives this winter to discuss our "wish list" and any regulation changes/clarifications that we'd like to see occur. In the past, we have had very poor participation from the membership in bringing forth areas of concern. If you have something that you think needs to be addressed please pass your suggestions off to Dave D'Aigle, your district director or to me personally so we can bring them to the table. Your participation is essential to insure needed changes occur. We've been invited, lets not arrive empty handed.
The General Membership Meeting and the Second Annual Legal Defense Fund Banquet will be held this January 7. 2012 in the Askov/Finlayson area. The General Membership meeting will be held at the East Central High School while the Legal Defense Fund Banquet will be held at the Askov Community Center (four miles away.) Those that plan on staying are encouraged to make lodging arrangements early. Although I've been selected for jury duty during that time, I anticipate being present at both events barring any major catastrophe. (Unfortunately - I've been allowed my one and only postponement already.) If all else fails, VP Dave D'Aigle can figure out how to use a microphone if he has to and find room for my prime rib dinner at the Banquet as well if I'm sequestered against my will. Good to know you've got my back Dave! To the rest of the membership, remember to save a chunk of that generous fur check for the LDF Banquet contact Buzz Neprud on ticket information. (218-546-8213) There are a limited number of tickets available and when they're gone- they're gone. A gentle reminder to bring the checkbook but please leave the kids at home. This is the closest thing my wife Linda has to a night on the town so I'd better not screw this up! Besides what kind of a juror would a trapper make anyway? Unless of course it was a PETA member on trial!
Souvenir Coordinators - Terry and Josie McElmury will be retiring from this position after this summer's convention and the Board is looking for applicants to take the reins after Terry and Jo's retirement. They would be pleased to discuss the position with any interested. For additional information please contact me for their telephone number.
NTA Director - The MTA is still seeking applicants for the NTA Director's position. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have a representative to attend NTA meeting etc. and this position is vital to keep the MTA involved in the defense of trapping at a national level. Those interested in more information, please contact Todd Roggenkamp interim NTA Director.
Welcome Mitzi Heavirland from Grand Rapids to the position of Membership Coordinator. Kathy will continue to show her the ropes. Thank you for stepping up.
Marten Nest Box Proposal - Although the paperwork wasn't completed in time for the first round of grant consideration, we're anticipating having all the "I's" dotted and "T's" crossed for the spring review. Senator Bob Lessard continues to be our greatest advocate and the DNR is currently reviewing why so few applicants are being considered despite the many dollars available.
If all goes well, the MTA will be happy to receive some of those dollars for this worthwhile project. With the devastating forest fires we experienced this summer, suitable habitat will be all that more important in the future as the forest slowly recovers.
Beaver Trappers - As many of you are aware, the MTA has been at the forefront in fighting beaver dam removal after freeze-up and unnecessary beaver trapping by government entities in situations where local trappers could've taken care of the problems to begin with for the most part. In response, the MTA is looking to develop a list of willing trappers to take these problem animals. Ideally during the course of the regular trapping season or at least when the pelts are still salvageable. Several counties have responded favorably to our suggestions but unfortunately, at this time we have a very limited number of trappers from across the State that have had their names put on the list. For the most part these counties are from the northern portions of the State and requests continue to come to me for assistance in these areas. If you're interested in this cause and would like to add your name to the trapper list, kindly contact MTA's own Furbearer Specialist Con Christianson- 651 462 4363.
Thank you to Bill Schuster from Side Lake for his generous donation to the MTA and to Gill and Ardell Eia from Beltrami for their donation to the Legal Defense Fund as well. Thank you for thinking of MTA.
Please be in prayer for the Schmitt Family from New Ulm who have been faced with health issues. Gerald and Doreen have been huge advocates of the MTA as well as personal friends of many in the trapping community.
Please continue to lift them up in prayer.
Have a great season and a Merry CHRISTMAS! I never cared for that "Happy Holidays" stuff.
Keep your skinning knives sharp!
Shawn