Director: Ray Sogard
Co-Directors: Arnie Peterson and Russ Sikkila
Greetings fellow trappers!
I would personally like to thank the association for trusting district one to host the 50th anniversary convention in 2009. The City of Chisholm, the St. Louis County Agricultural Fair Association Board and the Chisholm Chamber of Commerce are buzzing with excitement at the mere mention of this convention. This can be witnessed, by the welcome letters they wrote for this issue. Since the association began in this district I can honestly say that district one is up for the challenge. We promise to host a convention that makes each of us burst with pride to belong to an organization that has survived fifty years and spent most of that time attacking each other. Imagine what could happen if we worked together for a common goal such as the survival of trapping, doubling or tripling our membership or going five years without a lawsuit.
In this issue you will see a page called Lynx Talking Points. Please review each of these points, in addition, to those points I wrote in my June issue report. With all those before you, you should be able to write an inspiring letter denouncing this Critical Habitat area. This is not a northern Minnesota issue, it is a trapping issue and we need your help. Family, friends and relatives either in state or out of state can write letters and we need each one of them to do so. Remembering that most animal rights groups come from the western states and would like nothing more, than to shut down Minnesota, should be reason enough to write as many letters as possible. By the way there is no age restriction.
District one would like to congratulate District Three for a very successful convention in Fergus Falls. Butch, Dave and Duane you are to be commended for your hard work and leadership to make this year’s convention a smashing success. In addition the Presidential, award winner, T.J. Johnson deserves even more credit than he has already received but I’m afraid he may ask to get paid for all his work if we praise him to much. (Sorry T.J.)
I was unable to change the date of the next District One meeting at the Clinton Town Hall so the meeting will be on Saturday, September 13, 2009 at 10:00 am.
Think trapping!
Ray
Anyone that wasn’t in Fergus Falls missed another great convention. Carl Ernst’s belly flop in the mud and water was the top event I’ve ever seen at any convention and I have been to quite a few. That flop raised $450.00 for our Legal Defense fund. Thanks Carl and Virginia for all you do.
Special thanks to district 3, Butch, Dewey and T.J., and your entire crew. You did a bang-up job. The MTA has lost a great anchor man in the retirement of Butch Dykhoff as District 3 director. Thank you Butch for all you have done for trapping and thank you f or being a friend to Kathy and me.
Well, next year the convention is coming back to its 50th year birthplace, namely District 1, and right in the heart of our district, Chisholm. Ray is working hard to make this convention the best ever. As you know these conventions take a lot of work, so guys and gals jump aboard and volunteer to help. Just give us a call, and we will write you name down.
Chisholm and the iron range has a lot to see, and also some good fishing in near-by lakes, so folks you might want to spend a couple of extra days.
The MTA has been a strong organization under its present leadership, but I understand there will be changes due to retirements. So, when we consider future leadership, we must choose wisely as there will be many more obstacles such as the lynx lawsuit for us to overcome.
In regards to the lynx lawsuit, it was not perfect for anybody East of Highway 53, especially regarding the 50 square inch opening for 220’s. Hopefully that can be worked out. But we are all trapping, pretty much in full force. When we as trappers stick together, we are strong enough to withstand anything the antis throw at us. Anybody who knows me knows I don’t want to give in one inch.
Enough politics. They are talking good prices for fur. Well, we’ll see, but regardless, I’m going out and have some fun.
So to trapping, have fun, stay safe, and God Bless.
Arnie