National Trappers Association, Inc.

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Hello Friends,

The anti’s wasted no time in attacking our rights this past legislative session. Thanks to our friends in “high places” we trappers have been very successful in defeating them. When legislation is introduced at the state level it adds an entirely different dimension when we try to rally our forces to stop legislation. Some state affiliates have long relationships with their state wildlife agencies and these relationships cannot be overstated and work to fend off anti attacks.

The NTA has become heavily involved with the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) which is made up of state legislators from 39 states and various other sportsmen representatives. Over the last three years Jim Curran has represented the NTA at the annual NASC meetings which are held at various locations across the country. Jim has hosted optional seminars on the values of trapping at two of these last three meetings. They are attended as one of many optional seminars offered during the course of the three day meetings and attendees choose to attend. Jim has made connections with individuals which have proven valuable in dealing with anti legislation. There were a couple of dozen attendees over the two years Jim did seminars. There is no tangible way to gauge the value of the information provided to those who attended. It is safe to assume that not only is there a one on one connection but also a law maker can utilize the information he received to convince other lawmakers that pending legislation is inappropriate and could damage efforts to manage furbearer populations. The NTA has heard from many lawmakers who feel they have been given information to help them make wise decisions when voting on trapping legislation.

These optional seminars are great but this year, 2012, the NTA has the opportunity to make a main assembly presentation. This will allow for the entire assembly to hear the presentation about trapping and the values of controlling furbearer populations as well as some of the tools trappers find most useful. The complete agenda hasn’t been finalized but we are putting everything we have into this presentation. There are state lawmakers from 39 states as well as wildlife agency and other sporting groups as members of NASC. Putting positive information in their hands will provide trapping, successes in ways we never thought possible. This opportunity will be rather costly. There is an additional $5,000.00 sponsorship fee required to have trapping included as a main assembly item. The NASC Regional Directors have never failed trappers and their efforts to support us are outstanding, but getting in front of all these people at one time will be an opportunity that doesn’t come up very often. The meetings will be in early December. We will be sending Dave Linkhart, Director of National and International Affairs, Jim Curran, who will be the past Conservation Director, and also our new Conservation Director (running unopposed) Rick Friedrich. We must make and retain all the personal connections we possibly can.

The NTA and our friends who may be the next ones facing anti trapping legislation need your help. Please donate what you can.

Kraig Kaatz

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