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Minnesota Trappers Association
Legal Defense Fund / Banquet

Don McGaffey
9811 Chippewa Heights
Brandon, MN 56315
(320) 815-0047
ddmcgaffey@gmail.com
The Minnesota Legislature determines what will and will not become law. Literally. The Senate and House of Representatives meet in regular session each biennium for a total not exceeding 120 legislative days to make or not make our laws. Per Minnesota Statute Section 3.011, the Ninety-third Session of the Minnesota Legislature will begin on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 12:00pm. Why is January 3, 2023, the first day of Session? Again, according to Minnesota Statute Section 3.011, “the legislature meets on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each odd-numbered year, unless the first Monday in January falls on January 1, when it meets on the first Wednesday after the first Monday.” Seems easy, or not. Even numbered years are easier: “In even-numbered years, the legislature convenes on a date set by joint agreement of both bodies.”
Regardless of when Session starts, the process of making or not making laws is important to everyone, and if you want to continue to meaningfully trap or benefit from those that do trap, you need to be involved during the Legislative Session. In 2023, the Minnesota Trappers Association, as with other state trapping associations and national trapping associations, will be involved at the state legislative and national legislative sessions around the country.
Involvement in the last two Sessions has in large part been limited by COVID restrictions. The 2023 Session should be more open to getting involved. A Trappers Day at the Capitol, in-person committee hearings and meetings with legislators should again be available to the public. You should take the time to “show up.” You should and need to support state and national trapping associations so they can show up. You can do this first by being a member, but also by volunteering and financially supporting your associations. Meaningful trapping is literally one legislative session away from being part of history and not part of the future. So, support and show up. I look forward to seeing you in St. Paul this Session.
Gary R. Leistico- MTA Legal Counsel
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Gary R. Leistico is an Attorney along with Attorney Jayne E. Esch at the newly established law firm of Leistico & Esch, PLLC., and has practiced civil and criminal litigation concentrating in the areas of natural resources, environmental, and agricultural law for the past 29 years. He is general counsel to the National Trappers Association and Minnesota Trappers Association.

Winter 2025 Report

Greetings MTA members, by the time you are reading this, the winter meeting will be upon us as well as the Legal Defense Fund banquet. Hopefully, you have your tickets tucked in your pocket and are ready for an exciting and fun event!!! The committee has put together another fantastic lineup of games and prizes that will suit anyone who wins (and there’s plenty of opportunities for winning).  If you’re reading this more than two weeks before the event, you still have time to purchase tickets and still enjoy the prime rib. The Legion needs to order the prime two weeks before so any tickets bought after that will be devouring the delicious breaded walleye. The fun starts at 5:00 on January 17th following the conclusion of the winter meeting. We will be again meeting at the American Legion in Brainerd. If you’ve never attended the banquet, you don’t realize how much fun you’re missing. And, most importantly, you will be helping provide funding for keeping our way of life alive and thriving. Our legal team fights hard for our rights and the monies raised at this event are the primary source of those revenues. So come join us for an evening of fun and fellowship and help accomplish great things in the process. We have booked a block of rooms at the Americinn by Wyndham and more information regarding that can be found within these covers. We’re looking forward to seeing you there and we welcome you as we all work together to keep our heritage thriving for the generations to come. 

Thank you,

 Don McGaffey, LDF chair

Hotel Information For Winter Meeting/ LDF Banquet
Americinn by Wyndham Baxter Brainerd 
7836 Fairview Rd, Baxter, MN 56425, United States
Or call 218-833-2062 for reservations

Group Name MTA Trapping Assn.
Group Confirmation Code GS011626MTA
Arrival Date January 16, 2026
Departure Date January 18, 2026
Number of Rooms Per Night– 20
Rate per Room Type 10 Single $104.00+ 10.87% Taxes
10 Double  $113.00+ 10.87% Taxes
Cut-off date for group: December 16, 2026
Billing Details Each person pays for their own rooms Book your rooms via link below before cut off date above, very important

Booking Link http://www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/51950?checkInDate=Jan16/26&checkOutDate=Jan18/26&groupCode=GS011626MTA

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