I hope that everyone is having a good summer and is getting all the rain and moisture that they need. I would sure like to share some of what we have been getting with you guys that are a little dry. As I am doing my report today we got drenched last night with over six inches of rain. Yesterday we had an inch and a half and the day before that we had an inch and a quarter. The bridge at the bottom of the hill was under water.  After the water receded, we discovered that most of the dirt that was behind the wing walls had washed away. The road had about ten feet cut out of it right next to the bridge piers. Past our house the road turns to clay, so I got to stay home today.  

If any of you have never been to a Fall Rendezvous, you really need to put attending one high on your priority list. It is a great experience to enjoy fellowship with so many good people that share some of our same interests. Lifetime memories are made and great friendships are made with fellow trappers. It is also your way to get involved with the decision making process of our association. The Fall General Meeting, which is always held on Saturday afternoon, is where most of the decisions are made that affect the path our association travels down. We need everyone to try and get more involved if they can. From everything that I have heard, we are going to have a very nice fall convention. It sounds like there is going to be a lot of different demos and activities for all to enjoy.

There has been another great opportunity present itself that is too good to pass up. The NTA was contacted by Alan Probst with an opportunity to act as one of the sponsors for a special, all trapping series called F&T’s North American Trapper. Alan currently hosts the show, All Outdoors, and it is available in more than 28 million households across the country. This is not a two-minute segment on trapping, but the entire show. Thirteen half hour shows and 65 reruns are guaranteed. This would equal 2,340 minutes of all trapping. The show would promote trapping in a positive manner and the NTA would be given specific advertising spots presented by Alan. The sponsorship will be offered to the NTA at a discounted price and would equate to about $6.41 per minute. Fur Bearers Unlimited has agreed to provide a grant to get this project started. The total for our sponsorship is $15,000.  There are also several other generous sponsors for this program.  We will be updating all of you very soon with the progress. Alan does an extremely good job with his programming and we look forward to working with him on this.  

The show will be broadcast on the “In Country Television” channel, which can be found on basic subscription packages on DirecTV channel 344 and Dish Network channel 230. “F&T’s North American Trapper” will air every Wednesday at 6 p.m. EST and every Thursday at 11 p.m. EST. There will be 13 episodes in the first season, which will run through the end of September with rebroadcasts through December.  Jim Spencer, Charles Probst, Johnny Thorpe, Mark June, Tera Roach, John Graham, Mike Gurski, Kirk DeKalb and Brad Harris will be among those featured in the first season.

The show will also be available for viewing after television airings on "North American Trapper's" website at www.NATrapper.com. The website will launch on or about July 15 and will also feature various other clips and merchandise. It's a great program for trappers of all ages and skill levels.

The Maine lawsuit is into the next stages. Each side has filed all the briefs and comments to the other side’s briefs. We are now waiting for information from the court regarding oral arguments, the dates for these oral arguments, and also how many people the court will allow to speak from each side.  We will keep you informed.

For many years the NTA has worked tirelessly forming and building relationships that provide the best method to defend trapping across the USA. It is these various alliances and affiliations that provide the NTA with the connections required to apply the proper amounts of pressure when most needed. The NTA Executive Council, at the annual EC meeting in Vegas, voted to affiliate with the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC). This group is made up of state legislatures from 38 different states. They are continuously working to increase this number. This gives the NTA and our affiliates direct connections to the legislators and various sportsman caucuses within that state and have a voice strong enough to be heard. We have already recognized the importance of these connections with the bill introduced in New Hampshire last winter. The NASC connection was on our side, familiar with the New Hampshire Trappers Association and worked diligently to a successful outcome for trappers. We will be having a presentation from NASC at the NTA Board of Directors meeting in Marshfield this year.

Our affiliations and involvements with other organizations or groups are only of benefit if we have the opportunity to utilize them as they are intended. We are completely dependent upon our affiliates to inform us when they have a situation that they are dealing with. It is the policy of the NTA to not force ourselves upon our affiliates nor try to circumvent their efforts. Over the last several months the NTA has had communications with many different individuals informing us of concerns they have about legislation or various meetings that may impact trapping. The NTA always forwards these concerns on to the state affiliate and provide these concerned individuals with contact information. The NTA will not act based upon the call of an individual without the affiliate support. We simply cannot function in this manner.  The NTA needs to have the affiliates contact us when things are going on; we have many tools through our associations that will help.  The more positive connections we have from more angles, the better and more successful we will be. So please keep the NTA informed so we will be better prepared and capable of providing assistance.  

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has partnered with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to produce a public service announcement “don’t touch baby animals”. This PSA asks the public to not touch baby animals if they happen to be found. It is not uncommon for the mothers to leave the young unattended to feed and that removing the animal from its natural habitat could have adverse affects and may actually cause the young to die. So The DNR chose to partner with HSUS, and HSUS actually participated in the writing of the PSA, according to reports. The Wisconsin Trappers Association along with the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is extremely upset with this decision. The NTA stands with the Wisconsin Trappers Association and has joined in on writing letters and informing the WDNR that we are opposed to this sort of relationship. There are many reasons, but we need only look to the last few months where HSUS named WDNR, along with other Great Lakes state agencies, in a lawsuit to prevent the managing of the expanding wolf populations. It has been proven over and over that the animal rights groups are hypocrites and that such a partnership adds credibility to their overall cause. The different sportsmen groups in Wisconsin have had a pretty good working relationship with their DNR over the years. This relationship has been one the NTA has mentioned and used as an example in the past, of how things could be with a state agency. The fact that the WDNR didn’t contact its usual partners is very disturbing. As I’m writing this the NTA, WTA, FTA and others are strategizing a further course of action. This is not over and we will continue to stand with the WTA. Some points to consider; the NTA will not cancel the National Convention in Marshfield, WI, as this would only serve to harm our affiliate. The WDNR will have a booth, as is common practice at the Nationals. This will give trappers a place to voice their opinion directly to DNR personnel. Even though those present may not have been involved with the decision they will take the message back to the proper individuals. The NTA will be offering WDNR personnel the opportunity to directly address the Executive Council and also the Board of Directors during the meetings at the Nationals.

The NTA has received sad news that Past President, Vice President, Regional Director, and Affiliate Director, Steve Fitzwater is suffering from a terminal disease. This disease is a form of dementia. He has lost his ability to speak and related functions of his throat, and many of his motor skills. He has not been able to work and his insurance is about to run out. There are some immediate needs to make changes in his home allowing for ease in his care and accessing the bathroom.  Steve served as President from 2004 - 2006 when he was forced to give up his Presidency because of work related issues.  Steve was always a straight shooter, with a quick wit, and always sought to protect and provide protection for traps, trapping, and trappers.

The NTA has started a benefit fund for Steve’s family to help them deal with his physical condition. Please find it in your heart to provide some assistance. Please send all contributions to the NTA Office at 2815 Washington Ave, Bedford, IN 47421. Make checks payable to the NTA and include in the Memo portion, Steve Fitzwater. The NTA is obligated by law to then forward all proceeds to his family on his behalf.

I hope to see everyone at the Fall Rendezvous at the Missouri Trapshooters Association grounds near Linn Creek in District 6. The NTA Convention at Marshfield, WI will be history when this comes out. I would like to close with a request that you join the National Trappers Association, if you can. By joining you will further equip the NTA in the fight for traps, trappers, and trapping. Thank you,

___Ron Pantry.