I hope this issue of the MTA newsletter finds everyone happy, healthy and as prosperous as can be. Before getting on with business, I would like to quote MTA member and NTA General Organizer Todd Roggenkamp who during the winter general membership meeting in Isle on January 5th asked for the floor and before the membership quoted, "The MTA Newsletter Is By Far The Best And Greatest Newsletter Of Any Trapping Association In the United States". Being in Todd’s political position he would know too. I agree with Todd as I’m sure everyone else does and we all owe Kathy Peterson and Tricia Coons a great big thank you for making the newsletter the quality piece of work it is.

I would guess that most everyone is waiting on my report regarding the hearing held on January 17th pertaining to the lynx lawsuit. On January 17th 2008, the Judge heard oral arguments from all parties concerning the Motions for Summary Judgment which had been filed by API, the DNR, and by the Trapping Interveners (MTA, FTA, NTA, USSA, Cory VanDriel and Todd Roggenkamp). The hearing lasted approximately an hour and a half. The Judge took the matter under advisement to consider the written briefs and oral arguments, and will issue an Order with his decision. There is no specific time frame for when the Judge will issue the Order. The Judge could issue an Order within a few days, or a few months, or longer. There is also a wide array of possible outcomes from the Judge’s Order. The Judge could grant any of the motions in full and essentially resolve the case. The Judge could also grant any of the motions in part, resolving some of the issues in the case, but set a hearing to consider additional matter as determined by the Judge. The Judge could also deny all of the motions and set the case for trial. We will know when we get the Order.

I know that everyone, myself included wanted the case to be over and done with and the results be rendered in our favor on January 17th. Unfortunately that did not happen and we are now in a waiting game. We can only cross our fingers and hope for the best. As I have stated before, we won’t give up the ship. We will fight and claw for everything. I also cannot give enough thanks to our MTA legal counsel Gary Leistico for the superb way he has handled this case. Along with Gary we need to send thanks to the NTA, FTA, USSA and their attorneys who have helped us. Also involved and supporting us are Safari Club International.

Your MTA held a board of directors meeting on January 4th. You will see the results of that meeting in the minutes printed in the newsletter. As usual the meeting lasted a long time and much was accomplished. As a matter of fact we were not able to cover the entire agenda because we had to vacate the building by 10:00 P.M. Unfinished business will be carried over to the next board meeting. Please contact your district director with any questions you may have.

The 2008 Legislative session is about to begin. As of right now I know of no threats to trapping but they can surface at any time. We have many watch dogs at the Capitol such as MOHA, MCF, etc. Please don’t relax. If you hear of anything threatening at the State or community level let us know so we can be on top of it. Several items we are working on that hopefully will not take Legislative work are getting the coon/fox season moved to our original requested date of the Saturday closest to the 15th of October. Also being pursued is a set of trapping regulations that cover all of the rules not just a couple of pages in the hunting synopsis.

In closing I ask that you put your trust and support into the MTA. Please continue to support your MTA as your MTA supports you. Everyone may not always agree with everything but in the end we give 100% of our effort to protect and promote traps, trappers, and trapping. Make plans now to attend your district meetings, the summer MTA convention and maybe even volunteer to lend a helping hand at any MTA booths your district may have. One thing we can all do is buy or sell your MTA raffle tickets. Remember, we are obligated by state law to spend 100% of our proceeds on youth education. That makes us all winners.

Until next time....be safe,
Gary