District 5
Director: Pete Jonas
Co-Directors: Mark Melby and Jerry Larsen
District 5 Director of Minnesota Trappers Association
Director Report
Hello everyone,
The MTA will not be mailing out incentive traps effective this year, because of the high cost of shipping. Please either pickup your traps at the convention or have someone pick them up for you.
I am planning on having a trapper education class again in September. If anyone is interested in attending the class, or helping with the class, please call. The class will most likely be held over 2 Saturdays. I would like to spend one day on in-field training and skinning and the other on classroom. The class will most likely take place at the Kimball Rod and Gun Club.
District 8 is hosting this year’s convention in Barnum, if anyone can help out, or if you get up to the convention early, extra help is always needed with setting up on Thursday before the convention and cleanup on Sunday after the convention. District 5 will need help on Gate Duty and behind the MTA Souvenir Booth. Our hours are Friday, 10:45 – 2pm for MTA booth and souvenir duty, and on Saturday from 11:45 – 4pm we have gate duty. Your help is always appreciated.
I have extra raffle tickets, if anyone needs some.
We lost a fellow trapper, friend and very dedicated MTA member, Richard Raeker. I have known Richard for about 10 years; he was a very skilled trapper, and a hard working volunteer for the Minnesota Trappers Association, as well as many other organizations. I went to his auction in January and bought a few of his traps. When I use them I will think of Rich. It meant a great deal to him to see so many of his trapping friends at his auction. He was having a good day and enjoyed being able to visit with his friends. Rich also donated some of his trapping supplies to our last two district 5 meetings. It was good to see past and present board members and fellow trappers attend his funeral. Not surprisingly, the church was packed. Rich was well known, and respected in the area. He will be missed by many.
Take care,
Pete
District 5 Co-Director of Minnesota Trappers Association
Co-Director Report
Hello Everyone,
First, I would like to ask everyone to please pray for the Rich Raeker family, as he is home now with the Lord. I know this is a great loss, not only to his family, but to us trappers as well. He was a true mentor for all of us; remember him in your thoughts and prayers. The summer convention is coming up very soon. Do not forget to keep selling raffle tickets. This is the big fund raiser of the year, with great incentives for selling them. Speaking of which, do not forget to pick up your incentives at the convention. The incentive traps will not be mailed in order to cut down on costs. Make arrangements with someone, to pick up your traps if you are not going to make the convention. If you have not made hotel arrangements for the convention do it soon, or you will have to camp out by me. If you have any concerns about trapping please let Pete J., Mark M., or myself know so we can help get these addressed. Heard lots of good reports about spring beaver trapping. Hope everybody got out and caught some. The MTA had a place at Camp Ripley for the Boy Scouts. Rainy weather did not help anything at all, but we managed the best we could. It is always fun to watch kids put their hands on the tanned fur and watch trap demos. We even get to educate some parents of the necessity and value of trapping. I also joined Eugene and Karen Anderson at the Fish and Wildlife Habitat Day at the regional office. Good turnout and once again, promoted trapping and the MTA for future generations and education of the public. There were many questions about traps, the MTA, and fur from parents as well as the kids. If anyone has an idea for the 2012 convention site, please let Pete or myself know. He and I have been tossing around some potential sites, but could use some more ideas. If you come to the convention, please take some time and help out. It is always needed, and you have fun doing it. I guarantee you will meet some great people. Just a reminder, the coon will be moving quite a bit again. If you hear of somebody talking about poisoning, please educate them - poisoning ruins this great resource and could cause some damage to other animals including pets. Well I think I'm done rambling for now. Feel free to email me at j.larsen29@yahoo.com or give me a call 320-444-8398.
God Bless,
Jerry
District 5 Co-Director of Minnesota Trappers Association