The NHTA once again had a booth set up at the Franklin Sportsman show for the purpose of education and public awareness. Miss New Hampshire, Rachel Barker came by for a visit wearing the beautiful fisher fur coat that was donated to her by the NHTA. Brian Maxham of MaxiTraps in East Dixfield, Maine www.maxtraps.com donated a fine ice fishing trap that Miss NH signed. This trap will be utilized in an upcoming fund raiser to benefit the NHTA. Thank you very much to our friends Rachel and Max.

Miss NH with Roger Burnham of NHTA on her left and Brian Maxham on her right.

New Hampshire Trappers Association – November 2008 for Dec. Issue of T&PC

Note to Editor: The following list of County directors includes the officers of the NHTA. They do not need to be included in the following paragraph if they will appear as usual in the heading. Please note that there is a new Vice President and new NTA director.

Association News:

As of the September 2008 NHTA Annual Fall Meeting the updated list of officers and county directors is as follows: President – Dwight Pennell, PO Box 136 Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816 (603) 539-7954
Vice President – Larry Torr, 75 Polly Ann MHC Gerrish Rd Dover, NH 03820 (603) 742-7554
Membership Director – Roger Burnham, 159 North Shore Rd Hebron, NH 03241 (603) 744-3561
Clerk – Bill Anderson, Box 114 South Springfield, NH 03284 (603) 763-5548
Treasurer – Mike Kazak, 72 Riverview Dr. Charlestown, NH 03603 (603) 826-3959
Fish & Game Liaison – Fred Shepard PO Box 23 Deerfield, NH 03037 (603) 463-7473
NTA Director – Steve Bennett 16 Spruce Cove Rd, Northwood, NH 03234 (603) 496-4353
Education Director – Mike Morrison, 49 Laura Lane Keene, NH 03431 (603) 352-8468
Belknap County: Dan Dockham Jr., 86 Hilltop Farm Rd Gilmanton, NH 03237 (603) 267-6065
Carroll County: Bonnie Pennell, PO Box 136 Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816 (603) 539-7954
Cheshire County: Art Whipple, PO Box 62 West Swanzey, NH 03469 (603) 352-2975, Gary Speed, Maple Grove Rd Walpole, NH 03608 (603) 756-3702, Raymond Russell, Box 317 Columbia Rd Fitzwilliam Depot, NH 03447 (603) 585-6664
Coos County: Lawrence Stanton, RFD 1 Box 21 Colebrook, NH 03576 (603) 237-4178, Rueben Parker PO Box 27 Pittsburg, NH 03592 (603) 538-7707
Grafton County: Rocky Jones, Box 566 North Woodstock, NH 03262 (603) 745-9085, Paul DeBow 467 Main St. Plymouth, NH 03264 (603) 536-0007, Scott Borthwick, PO Box 81 Canaan, NH 03741 (603) 523-9284, Mike Monaghan, 1443 Woodsville Rd Monroe, NH 03771 (603) 747-4097
Hillsboro County: Bill Swanson, 431 Elm St. Goffstown, NH 03045 (603) 497-3051, Daniel Teague, 69 Colburn Rd New Boston, NH 03070 (603) 487-2330
Merrimack County: Karola Owen, PO Box 32 Epsom, NH 03234 (603) 736-8096, Jack Moody, 15 Juniper Lane Concord, NH 03301 (603) 224-0930, Bill Bailey, 290 Corn Hill Rd Boscawen, NH 03303, Jim Hawkins, 1140 Pleasant St. Webster, NH 03303 (603) 648-6171, Sean Williamson, 94 Morse Hill Rd, Newbury, NH 03255 (603) 938-5184
Rockingham County: Steve Schlangen, 22 Hillside Dr. Raymond, NH 03077 (603) 895-0686
Strafford County: Robert McMaster, 5 Gina Dr. Rochester, NH 03867 (603) 332-6805
Sullivan County: Gene Dabrowski, PO Box 3 Georges Mills, NH 03751 (603) 763-2687, Wesley Charles, 404 Sanborn Hill Rd West Springfield, NH 03284 (603) 763-5078, Jack & Ethan Yazinski 403 Bible Hill Rd Claremont, NH 03743 (603) 542-3367.

U.S. Senator John Sununu visited the NHTA board and directors at their October 7th monthly meeting. Senator Sununu spoke briefly and answered questions. He stated that he has a common interest with the Association as he supports access and use of federal lands for hunting, trapping and other recreational pursuits. The annual banquet will be held in Concord at the Cat & Fiddle Restaurant February19, 2009. Tickets are $30 each and are available through county directors. This year there are 150 tickets available. There will be a silent auction so contributions will be greatly appreciated. You may contact Mike Kazak at 603-826-3959 or Gene Dabrowski at 603-763-2687 to donate bid items or purchase tickets.

The Annual NHTA Fur Sale will be held this year on January 17, 2009, at the Springfield Fire Station. Doors open at seven in the morning – a vendor will be available for coffee and doughnuts. Deer hides are not to be brought indoors. Furs to be shipped will be accepted by dealers after the completion of the auction. The Association will collect fisher for the coat that is donated to the Miss NH Pageant winner – any other fur donations will be accepted for fund-raisers/education kits.

NHTA Directors agreed to set up a booth at this year’s NH Farm and Forest Exposition at the Center of NH in Manchester. The forest show will be held February 6th and 7th 2008.

Best to all,
Paul DeBow – Grafton County director

The NHTA Annual Fall Weekend was held September 20th and 21st this year at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH. For a change we had fantastic weather both days. The temperature was a bit chilly to start on Saturday morning but there was plenty of sun both days. Thanks again to the vendors that set up and stayed the weekend. Art Whipple, Bob McMasters, Toby Edwards, Roger Burnham, Bill Bailey, Steve Bennett, Larry Torr and Mike Kazak all put on great trapping demonstrations to a healthy crowd of older and young trappers. NH Fish and Game Hunting Education Coordinator Tom Flynn volunteered both days to assist Sean Williamson and Paul DeBow with activities for children. The kids enjoyed shooting .22 rifle’s and gave skeet shooting a try at the ranges located at the Owl Brook Center. For the smaller children there was instruction with the tomahawk throw and “Indian” tug-o-war.

Association President Dwight Pennell and Director Bonnie Pennell did the lion’s share of providing meals: a full country breakfast (including awesome blueberry pancakes) in the morning and a pig roast at noon. Thanks again to Bonnie and Dwight as well as to the volunteers who helped them set up, serve and clean up. The pies entered in the pie-baking contest were heartily devoured for dessert. This year’s pie contest winners: 1st – Kurk Coponen, 2nd – Frank Burnham and 3rd- Sarah Mae Jefferson.

On Sunday, prior to the Fall Business meeting, NH Fish and Game Biologists were on hand for short overviews and a question and answering session regarding identifying and avoiding the trapping of pine marten, bobcats, lynx and wolves in NH. There have been a few incidental marten captured as far south as Moultonboro and occasional reports of wolf and lynx sightings: a mix of misidentifications and far-ranging wandering individuals.

Before the start of the business meeting NHTA President Dwight Pennell introduced several guests. The new NH Fish and Game Executive Director Glen Normandeau, Fish and Game Carroll County Commissioner Robert Rowan, recently retired NH Fish and Game Colonel Jeff Gray, NH F&G biologists Mark Ellingwood, Pat Tate and Jillian Kelley, and NH F&G Hunting Education Coordinator Tom Flynn where all in attendance. Executive Director Glen Normandeau addressed the crowded room; providing a quick overview of the financial concerns of the past few years that the department has had to weather. He reports that the department found a surprising bump in revenues generated from ice fisherman during the long winter and that over all the department has faired well compared to other state agencies.

President Dwight Pennell introduced new National Trapper’s Association Director Steve Bennett. Steve will represent the NHTA at the national conventions. He briefed us on a few issues going on around the country including the troubles that Maine is having with ant-trapping law suits. He encouraged members to consider traveling this summer to the annual NTA Convention as it is going to be held in eastern Ohio – a location likely to be the closest to NH for the event to be held.

Strafford County Director Larry Torr was voted in as vice president. The remaining board members have agreed to stay on at their respective posts for another year. Dwight said he initially wanted out after two years but has received a lot of support from volunteer directors that has made his job easier.

Awards Committee Chairman Gary Speed presented this year’s trapper of the year award to Carroll County Director Bonnie Pennell. Gary was surprised when Director Steve Schlangen presented him with this year’s induction into the NH Trapper’s Hall of Fame. This year’s Octave Delude award was presented by Director Fred Shepard to NH F&G Biologist/Administrator Mark Ellingwood for his cooperation and collaboration on many trapping related issue over the last few years. Retired NH F&G Colonel Jeff Gray was awarded a lifetime membership and a 50th anniversary commemorative NHTA belt buckle. Our best wishes to Jeff and hope to see him around. Mark and Jeff both spoke highly of the NHTA’s commitment to supporting the Department’s management ideals based on sound science and the strong relationship the Association has continued with the NHF&G Department.

NHTA welcomed new Merrimack County Director Sean Williamson. New lifetime membership certificates were presented to: Dan Kokus, Ken Tetrault, Arnold MaKinen, Norman Demers and Bill Anderson.

Again this year Lloyd White sold the most gun raffle tickets (218) and was offered his choice of a case of body-grip traps. Rubin Parker sold the 2nd most (145) and was awarded a case of body-grip traps and Craig Williams sold the third most (93), winning a pair of hip boots. The Association appreciates the contributions of all members with the sale of each individual ticket, but these three are to be recognized for their extra effort. Thanks again, Lloyd, and thanks to Steve Schlangen for organizing the raffle. This year’s gun raffle winners: Chris Jacobson of Auburn, NH won the Browning X-bolt Hunter .30-06, Tex Austin of Sunapee, NH won the Browning X-bolt Hunter .270, Carl Someuo of New Ipswich, NH won the Remington Model 7-CDL .243, Kenneth Salisbury of Hudson, NH won the Remington Model 870 Express 12 gauge., Brian Tilton of Grantham, NH won the Remington Model 710 .30-06, Paul Hammond of Raymond, NH won the Savage 93 R17 GV .17 HMR, John Wiltshire of Alexandria, NH won the Marlin 336W .30-30, Bob Nay of Bennington, NH won the T/C Pro Hunter Muzzleloader .50 cal., Robie Speed of Walpole, NH won the T/C Triumph Muzzleloader .50 cal. and Fred Equonis of Boscawen, NH won the Ruger 10/22 .22LR.

Next month: a complete list of officers and directors and details on the upcoming benefit banquet scheduled for Feb. 19th, , 2009, to be held at the Cat & Fiddle in Concord, NH.

Best to all;
Paul DeBow – Grafton County director  

Association News:

The Annual NHTA Fur Auction was held this year at the Springfield Fire Station on January 20, 2008. The Association was happy to have three buyers on hand to offer sellers a competitive bid. Buyers bid on a total of fifteen lots. The totals are as follows:

The Association would like to thank the town of Springfield for the use of the facility and to Bill Anderson and Wesley Charles for working out the details with the Fire Station.

The NHTA officers and directors met January 20 th for a monthly meeting following the NHTA Annual Fur Auction at the Fire Station. This meeting was held in place of the monthly meetings scheduled for January 1 st and February 5 th.

The Association was contacted by Furbearers Unlimited requesting a donation. Members agreed to donate a NTA 2XL wool jacket from inventory.

The new Furbearer biologist for the NH Fish and Game Dept., Patrick Tate, was on hand to introduce himself and provide a run down of several proposed changes for the 2008-2009 trapping season. NHTA officers will meet with Pat and Fish & Game administrators to work out some details on the allowable season take on fisher and season start and close dates. Details will be available next meeting. The Association extended an open invitation to Mr. Tate to attend our monthly meetings that are held the first Tuesday of each month (except Nov.).

NHTA Directors agreed to set up a booth at this year’s NH Farm and Forest Exposition at the Center of NH in Manchester. The forest show will be held February 8 th and 9 th 2008. The Association will also have a booth at the Franklin Sportsman’s Show in Franklin, NH to be held March 8 th and 9 th at the Franklin Middle School.

The Association would like to congratulate Karola Owens as she is set to begin her term as Vice President for the NTA beginning August first of this year.

NHTA awarded Brianna Donovan of Deerfield, NH, the Sinclair Grant Scholarship again this term. She is currently a student at the University of NH. Her essays can be found on the NHTA website (www.nhtassoc.org) under “Service Projects”.

The Annual Spring Meeting will be held at the Springfield Fire Station on April 27, 2008.

Best to all;

Paul DeBow – Grafton County director

New Hampshire Trappers Association – December 2007

Association News:

Hope you have all been able to spend a little time in the woods this season. It appears we are having a “regular” winter for once; like the older gents go on about. It took me a while to find my snow shoes last week after organizing the barn last summer. Well, actually it was my wife that spotted them overhead in the rafters. I was certain I had left them on a beaver lodge last March.

The NHTA officers and directors met December 4 th for a monthly meeting.

The Association received a “thank-you” card from retired NHF&G Biologist Eric Orff for the lifetime membership that was offered to him by NHTA.

The annual banquet will be held in Concord at the Cat & Fiddle Restaurant February 9, 2008. Directors have tickets so try and sell a few so that collectively we can sell out the dinner. There are a total of 100 tickets available. There will be a silent auction so contributions will be greatly appreciated. You may contact Steve Bennett to purchase tickets or donate items at 603-736-8096. To date Steve has collected several nice auction items including two new firearms that the association was able to get at cost from Marshall’s Gun Shop. Along with the silent auction there will be a: “buy a dollar-ticket-put-it-in-the-item-cup” drawing (there has got to be a more politically correct name than “Chinese Auction”) and a door prize.

The Annual NHTA Fur Sale will be held this year on January 20, 2008, at the Springfield Fire Station. Doors open at seven in the morning. The first lot will be offered at nine. There will be doughnuts, coffee and hotdogs for sale. Deer hides are not to be brought indoors. Furs to be shipped will be accepted by shippers after the completion of the auction. The Association will collect donated fisher for the coat that is donated to the Miss NH Pageant winner – any other fur donations will be accepted, and greatly appreciated, for fund-raisers/education kits.

The monthly NHTA meeting for the month of January was postponed for the holiday and will be made up at the January 20 fur sale at the Springfield Fire Station. So if you think you missed the meeting, and you get this edition of the T&PC in time, you can attend the meeting. Hope to see you there.

The date for the Spring Meeting was chosen - April 27, 2008. The location will be decided at the January meeting – most likely Springfield, but details will be passed along as soon as plans are finalized.

NHTA Directors agreed to set up a booth at this year’s NH Farm and Forest Exposition at the Center of NH in Manchester. The forest show will be held February 8 th and 9 th 2008. The Association will also have a booth at the Franklin Sportsman’s Show in Franklin, NH to be held March 8 th and 9 th at the Franklin Middle School.

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Best to all;
Paul DeBow – Grafton County director

New Hampshire Trappers Association – November 2007Association News:A few left over items from the September, 2007, annual fall meeting: The winners of the gun raffle- Karen Combs won the Browning A-bolt Hunter .30-06, Pam Larson won the Browning A-bolt Hunter .270, Bonnie Pennell won the Remington 7-CDL .243 and the Savage-Stevens Model 200 .30-06, Bill Farrar won the Remington Model 870 Express 12 ga., Anthony Gentile won the Savage 93 R17 GV .17 HMR, Robert C. won the Marlin 336W .30-30, Don Westcott won the T/C Encore Muzzleloader .50 cal., Nick Gile won the T/C Omega Muzzleloader .50 cal. and Fred Bent Jr. won the Ruger 10/22 .22LR. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to Steve Schlangen for running the raffle.The NHTA met for a monthly director’s meeting October 2, 2007. Recently crowned Miss NH Rachel Barker was at the meeting along with pageant organizer Claudette Jolin. Rachel presented NHTA President Dwight Pennell with a plaque recognizing the contribution of the fur coat and continued support of the Miss NH program.Steve Bennett filled us in on the details for the fund- raising banquet. The banquet will be held in Concord at the Cat & Fiddle Restaurant February 9, 2008. Directors have tickets so try and sell a few so that collectively we can sell out the dinner. There are a total of 100 tickets available. There will be a silent auction so contributions will be greatly appreciated. You may contact Steve Bennett to purchase tickets or donate items at 603-736-8096.The Annual Association Fur Sale will be held this year on January 20, 2008, at the Springfield Fire Station. Doors open at seven in the morning. Deer hides are not to be brought indoors. Furs to be shipped will be accepted by dealers after the completion of the auction.The date for the Spring Meeting was chosen - April 27, 2008. The location will be passed along as soon as plans are finalized.NHTA Directors agreed to set up a booth at this year’s NH Farm and Forest Exposition at the Center of NH in Manchester. The forest show will be held February 8 th and 9 th 2008. The Assoc. will also have a booth at the Franklin Sportsman’s Show in Franklin, NH.Best to all;Paul DeBow – Grafton County directo

New Hampshire Trappers Association – September 2007Association News:The NHTA Annual Fall Meeting is being held September 15^th and 16^th, this year; again at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH.  There will be trapping demonstrations all day Saturday.  Bring a few dollars for the noon dinner; this year it will be a pig roast.  Vendors are eager for your business so do a little preseason inventory and bring your grocery list.  There will be activities for children.  If you want to enter a pie in the baking contest please have it there by 10:30 am for the 11:00 am voting.  Coffee and donuts will be available Saturday morning at 7:00 am.Friday, September 14, is the date for the “Poor Man’s Seminar”.  This year the Association has asked two veteran trappers from the northeast to host a private instructional session.  Neil Olsen from Maine will be leading off the morning with land trapping; including coyote sets.  Bob McMaster of Rochester, NH, will cover water trapping in the afternoon.  There is limited space so check your calendar early.  There is a $40 fee.  Bring your lunch.  It will start at 8:00 am at the Owl Brook Education Center in Holderness, NH.   NHTA president Dwight Pennell can be contacted to secure a spot on the line.  His number: 603-539-7954.The guns have been purchased for the gun raffle.  Directors have tickets. All members can help fund raise by contacting county directors for tickets.  They are $10 each.  This is our largest fund raising event so let’s make sure we sell all the tickets.The Association is also looking for donations for the auction that is held each year at the fall event. Any item – even if it is not trapping related – is appreciated.Best to all;Paul DeBow – Grafton County directorNew Hampshire Trappers Association –June -July 2007Association News:NHTA members and officers pitched in as sportsmen to help defeat a bill that had passed the NH House of Representatives to ban baiting for deer.  A strong letter writing campaign and deluge of phone calls to the Governor’s office and NH State Senators killed this bill.  Thanks to all of you who took the time to be heard on behalf of all sportsmen.The NHTA officers and county directors have started preparing for the annual two-day fall meeting, scheduled this year for September 15^th and 16^th.  It will again be held at the Owl Brook facility in Holderness, NH.  The guns have been purchased for the gun raffle.  Directors have tickets. All members can help fund raise by contacting county directors for tickets.  They are $10 each.  This is our largest fund raising event so let’s make sure we sell all the tickets.The Program for the fall meeting is in need of advertisers.  Ads cost $25 for a quarter page ad, $50 for a half page, $75 for a three quarter page and $100 for a full page.  Contact a director if you are interested.  These Ads will run for a full year on the NHTA website under “Supporters”.  The deadline for the Ad book is August 2^nd.  A simple business card is adequate. The Association is also looking for donations for the auction that is held each year at the fall event. Any item – even if it is not trapping related – is appreciated.This year the Association has arranged for a couple of local veteran trappers to host a “Poor Man’s” seminar.  This is a one day walk around with experienced trappers through woods, field and water for instruction on how to trap fur.  There is limited space so check you calendar early.  There is a $40 fee.  Bring your lunch.  It will be held at the Owl Brook Education Center in Holderness, NH September 14^th, 2007.  NHTA president Dwight Pennell can be contacted to secure a spot on the line.  His number: 603-539-7954.NH Trappers would like to thank Hunter/Trapper Education Coordinator Sean Williamson for his years of support and help - especially at the Owl Brook Education Center.  We have learned that Sean will be taking a similar position in Vermont.  Good luck and best wishes to Sean.  Score one for Vermont.NH Trappers would also like to wish another farewell to our good friend Eric Orff.   The majority of Eric’s years as a biologist for NH Fish and Game were served as furbearer biologist.  We have been fortunate to know him and will miss him greatly.  Good luck Eric!  Stop by and see us. Steve Bennett is working on organizing the next Sportsmen’s Banquet.  The event is tentatively scheduled for February 16, 2008.  Steve is looking in the Concord area for a restaurant and is looking to keep the cost of the banquet a bit lower this year.  For the fund raiser to be a success we will need a few more donations for the silent auction, any item is appreciated.Best to all;Paul DeBow – Grafton County directorNHTA News: February 2007 LEGISLATIVE ALERT:NH Trappers turned out in force February 22, 2007 to oppose NH House Bill 0565 (a bill to outlaw the use of foot and body grip traps) at the Fish and Game Committee hearing held in Concord at Representatives’ Hall.  Thank you all for taking the day to stand strong against this anti-trapping bill that seeks to take away the rights of NH sportsmen and sportswomen.  Thanks also to those agencies and groups that responded to our call and spoke on behalf of trappers and trapping.  Included in our supporters were:  NH Fish and Game Dept., NH Farm Bureau, NH Dept. of Transportation, NH Timberland Owners Association, NH Wildlife Federation, town road agents and others, including a few former Representatives. The turn out of those opposing the bill to those in favor was roughly three to one.This fight is not over as the political powers that be will allow this bill to come out of committee and make it to the full house where public testimony is limited.  We all need to contact our local state representatives immediately.  A date has not yet been posted for the house debate – stay in touch.  A complete list of representatives with contact information is available on the internet at nh.gov.The New Hampshire Trappers Association assembled on February 6, 2007, for a monthly meeting.  Dwight Pennell called the meeting to order at 7pm and welcomed visitors which included NH State Representative Frank Tuffer of Canterbury.  Regarding HB 0565, our NTA Director, Karola Owen, coordinated a conference call with NTA board members to brain storm about the effort to combat the bill.  Karola, Dwight, Fred Shepard and Scott Borthwick will participate in the call.  Karola will also look into obtaining a number of copies of “Destroying the Myth” CD/Video for the association to have for distribution. NHTA Board members attend NH Fish and Game hearings at the State House in support of the NH Fish and Game Department as there were two bills introduced for the formation of committees to study the possibilities of breaking up the NHF&G Dept. into other state agencies.Sean Williamson, NHF&G Trapper/Hunter Education Coordinator, was on hand to outline the proposed new trapper education format that would get study packets to individuals through the mail so students could show up ready to take the test at the start of class: leaving more time for the hands-on field study portion of the course. The NHTA recognized clerk Bill Anderson for his effort in organizing the NHTA fur sale.  Thanks again, Bill.Steve Schlangen announced that he is looking for contacts from members for gun shops/dealers that are interested in submitting bids for the annual fall gun raffle.
 The Association welcomed new Strafford County Director Larry Torr.Directors discussed offering a payment plan for those NHTA members that are interested in purchasing life memberships.  Secretary Roger Burnham stated that he has allowed individuals to submit partial payments for the life membership previously and will continue to offer that option.The Association voted in favor of purchasing tickets for four members to attend the March 31^st NH Wildlife Federation annual banquet.UNH student Brianna Donavan, recipient of the NHTA Sinclair Grant, submitted a letter to the Association thanking us for supporting her education.  She has submitted an application for the grant for the upcoming semester.  A motion was made and accepted to award her the grant. The NHTA will have a booth at the Franklin Sportsman’s Show.  The show will be held again this year at the Franklin Middle School on March 10, and 11, 2007.  Please come and visit our volunteers and directors. Bill Bailey donated a four ounce bottle of Carmen’s Fox lure as a door prize for meeting participants.  Bob McMaster’s name was drawn from a hat.NHTA’s first fundraising dinner, held at the Rochester Country Club February 17^th, was well attended.  All had a good time and enjoyed the farm-raised wild game.  The buffalo round was fantastic.  A few items where substituted for the alligator, which was unable to make the trip.  Thank you to the Country Club for a fine dining experience.  Bailey’s Trapping Supply provided several items for the silent auction.  Thanks also to Dwight Pennell for donating a large pack basket as a door prize and Gene Dabrowski for donating a large framed print for the silent auction.  Miss NH gave a short presentation on the Miss NH program.  She looked great in her fisher jacket.  Thanks also to Mike Kazak for providing us with a stand-up comedy act.Best to all;Paul DeBow – Grafton County director

Trappers Win the First Round

Minnesota Trappers Successful in Lawsuit

It is with great pleasure that I'm able to inform the trapping community that we have come out successful in the lawsuit brought upon us by the HSUS. Last week the HSUS asked for a settlement in the lawsuit. HSUS asked the Federal judge for a 45 day delay to work out the settlement. The judge denied the 45 day delay. Consequently the HSUS laid their cards on the table and said that they would drop the lawsuit without prejudice (standard in civil lawsuits) if the MN DNR would agree to pay a total sum of $25,000 in court and attorney costs. In return the HSUS will give a grant in the sum of $12,500 to the Minnesota Nongame Wildlife fund to be used for Canada lynx programs such as critical habitat. It was further agreed upon that the defendant (MN DNR) will be able to apply for an "incidental take permit" with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This maneuver will protect trappers by allowing trapping even if lynx may be accidentally caught while trapping. It was extremely important that we had the assurance of all non trapping parties in this agreement that we would not be punished while waiting for the permit. If you recall in my reports I could not expose numerous parts of our game plan. I still can’t tell you everything, but I can tell you, the “incidental take permit” was a very important part of our strategy. Both the plaintiff and defendants have agreed to all of the above. In short we wont lose any of our traps or geographical trapping range from the outcome in the HSUS suit. You may ask if there is a huge problem with the USFWS issuing the permit. The answer is "no". In the 2000 Federal register, the USFWS has already stated that trapping under the current Minnesota regulations for trapping hold no ill effect on lynx populations. Another interesting thing is these permits are NOT suppose to be politicaly motivated. All this gives us confidence that an “incidental take permit” will be forth coming without changes to the existing trapping regulations. We don’t intend to just leave this be. The MTA and our legal team will follow the “incidental take permit” process just as closely as we did the HSUS suit. This is a good outcome for Minnesota trappers.
You may ask why did the HSUS drop the case. Myself and our legal team can give numerous reason but rather than gloat lets just be happy that we came out victorious and let a sleeping dog sleep. Obviously being prejudice I would like to give the MTA and out attorney Gary Leistico top billing for this victory but in all fairness it was a total team effort. The MN DNR, MN Attorney Generals Office, USSA, FTA, NTA, affected trappers Cory Van Driel and Todd Roggenkamp all played an equal and integral part in this lawsuit and without each party doing their assigned responsibilities the victory may not have been attainable. I would also like to express my gratitude to all of the trappers around the United States who have so unselfishly donated money to our legal defense fund.
In summary, we have won the first part of the battle. We still have the API lawsuit to deal with and we have been assured this will be no small battle. The legal fees are going to get larger so anyone caring to donate we would be more than honored to accept your donation. In the mean time I'm going to get my first good nights sleep since last summer. This is a huge weight off of my back as well as the backs of all involved.

Respectfully,
Gary Meis, President
Minnesota Trappers Association

LEGISLATIVE ALERT !!!     LSR 2007 - H - 910 - R    PROHIBITING THE USE OF FOOTHOLD TRAPS AND   "CONIBEAR" TRAPS      SPONSER: STEVE VALINCOURT.        This LSR  is in the process of being put into a bill and will be heard by the Fish & Game Committee some time in late January or early February. All NHTA members and supporters are duty bound to contact their legislator
www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/whosmyleg/ 
and tell them you oppose this bill. If you cannot access this site contact me Scott Borthwick at 523-9284 or borthwick@endor.com 

There is a whole new legislature now and we don't know how they will vote. We must let them know the NHTA has a strong voice in this state. So please contact your legislator NOW!!    

                                             Scott Borthwick