Director: Dale Hayes
Co-Director: Terry McElmury
I just returned from the summer convention yesterday and the first thing I need to do is thank the district 8 members who helped at the gate and the MTA booth. With the NTA close to us in southern Minnesota this year there were not a lot of district members in attendance. I really need to thank the district six members who stayed a little longer at the gate on Saturday. As usual, I do not want to forget anyone, so if you helped, thank you.
It was great seeing everyone again, although I believe the attendance was down a little. This may be due to a couple of reasons, including fuel prices.
Next year the convention will be in Chisholm starting on the 14th of August. District one will be the hosts. Start making plans to attend this one as it will be the 50th anniversary of the MTA. There is a good chance there will be some special events. Maybe Carl will do an encore of his belly flop.
The fairs will be over by the time this newsletter reaches everyone. Thanks to everyone who found time to help out at one of these events. So far the fairs have been successful, hopefully that trend will continue.
Northwest Trappers will have their 8th annual trappers’ appreciation day on September 13th 2008. Hours will be 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. If it is like the past years, people will be standing at the gate, chomping at the bit, for the best deals. Make plans to spend the day and watch the demos by well known trappers. A district 8 meeting is usually held about noon or shortly after, I will try to not take up a lot of time but I expect a special presentation will be held. It will be a good time to purchase those needed supplies and get updated on any new laws. Food and drinks (water and soda, sorry) will be provided. Most likely, we will have a drawing for raffle/door prizes and also a donation jar for our legal defense fund.
The next board meeting is set for October 11th, please inform Terry or I if you have concerns for the board. Then on January 3rd, 2009 the winter meeting will take place in Isle, Minnesota. More details and information will be made available soon.
I know the tanned fur contest will be mentioned by others. First, I would like to congratulate Mark Melby for winning the individual award for donations to the tanned fur project. Second, I would like to say thank you to all the members of district 8 for their generosity. Because of their donations, we came in first. I might also add it was only by 5 points. It will be very difficult to repeat. Thanks to all the trappers in Minnesota and the trappers in other states that donated to the fur project. The big winners will be the people who will touch and feel the fur in the classrooms and other locations.
Be sure to read the other reports for updates on the Lynx lawsuit, education classes, raffle and other convention items. Hope to see everyone at Cumberland’s on September 13th. Until then, if you have a chance to trap, trap hard but trap safe.
Dale Hayes
trappergabby@hotmail.com
Hey Trappers,
Just a few things to mention. First, by the time you read this we will have had our spring highway clean-ups and I would like to thank all the volunteers that take the time out of their busy schedules to get this done. It only takes one or two hours for the clean-up, it's the tailgate gab session that makes it fun!!
This year District 8 will have an extra event on June 27-29. It's called Tri-State Outdoor Festival and it's a hands on event for all ages. We will have a booth set-up where we can sell fur, raffle tickets, hats etc. but we also will have an outside area where we can do demo's, show kids how to set the different traps, let them participate in building sets for the animal of their choice, and just go with the flow with each group of kids or adults that stop by!! It's the first event of its kind in this area and they are expecting over 20,000 in attendance. There will also be shooting events, bow and arrow, air gun and paint guns, a skeet shooting simulation, fishing and casting classes, rock climbing, duck and goose calling, and ATV safety just to name a few. For more information go to www.tristateoutdoorfestival.com. This event will be held at the Winona County Fairgrounds in St. Charles MN. I will need volunteers to help at the booth and with the outdoor activities. Give me a call if you can help out.
Also, we will have a booth at the Winona County Fair which is only two weeks after the Outdoor Festival, on July 9-13. Again, volunteers are needed.
Hope you all can make it to the Summer Convention this year at Fergus Falls. Gabby and I toured the grounds and it seems like a great location with plenty of room for tailgaters and vendors.
I don't have the dates for the Houston County Fair, but it usually is a couple weeks after our Convention and if you can help out with that event call David Rask from Caledonia and he will be more than happy to line you up.
That's it for now. Have a great summer!!
Terry McElmury