Good Day Trappers.

Spring 2022 Donations to the MTA Tanned Fur Project from February through April came from the following generous members and conservation officers:

TRAPPERS:

• Frank Brula – 5 Red Fox, 4 Otter, 1 Cross Fox, 1 Fisher, 1 Marten, 1 Mink                                
  
• Gary Peters – 5 Coyote, 2 Raccoon, 1 Mink                                                                                          
  
• Dan Collins – 2 Squirrels
  
• Bert Highland – 2 Coyote, 7 Squirrels, 6 Mink
  
• Terry Netland – 4 Mink, 4 Muskrat
  
• Phil Mannon – 1 Marten
  
• Jade & Casey Cumberland – 9 Muskrat, 7 Raccoon
  
• Rusty Cumberland – 7 Muskrat, 2 Raccoon, 1 Mink
  
• Scott Hill – 20 Raccoon
  
• Doug Abel & Doug Padgett – 103 Raccoon, 40 Coyote, 18 Beaver, 17 Muskrat, 9 Red Fox, 6 Mink
  
• Ben Hillesheim, - 14 Raccoon
  
• Myron, Lyle, Greg, and Jeff Fluegge – 48 Raccoon – Fleshed and Stretched by Brian Fischer
  
• Brian Fischer – 3 Coyote, 3 Red Fox, 3 Raccoon, 3 Opossum, 3 Muskrat
  
• Dale Jindra – 1 Black Bear
  
• Walt Gessler – 10 Muskrat, 2 Beaver, 2 Ermine, 1 Raccoon, 1 Mink
  
• Bill Hanson – 11 Red Fox, 9 Raccoon, 7 Beaver, 13 Muskrat, 2 Mink, 1 Otter
  
• Ben Hillesheim – 13 Coyote – Put up by Brian Fischer
  
• Jeff Bussler – 4 Skunk
  
• Isaac Hahn – 1 Otter, 1 Raccoon
  
• LaRae Roseen – 3 Raccoon
  
• Rick Olson – 5 Coyote, 2 Bobcat, 1 Red Fox, 1 Raccoon
  
• Lac Qui Parle DNR Wildlife – 1 Otter
  
• Team Trapline (Flor, Hilburn, and Hilburn) 15 Red Fox, 14 Raccoon, 10 Opossum, 3 Coyote, 2 Otter
  
• Mike Mills – 8 Muskrat
  
• In Memory of Erin Fischer and Jill Thompson – 2 Blue Fox
  

CONSERVATION OFFICERS:

• Officer Kylan Hill – 1 Bobcat
  
• Officer Matt Frericks – 2 Otter, 1 Bobcat
  
• Officer Kip Duncan – 3 Fisher, 3 Marten, 1 Bobcat, 1 Muskrat
  
• Officer Mitch Lawler – 1 Fisher
  
• Officer Dustin Miller – 7 Beaver
  
• Officer Demo Regas – 12 Otter, 6 Muskrat, 1 Bobcat
  
• Officer Keith Bertram – 4 Otter
  
• Officer Trisha Plautz – 7 Otter
  
• Officer Anthony Bermel – 2 Otter, 2 Marten, 2 Muskrat – Put up by Frank Brula
  
• Officer Don Bozovsky – 1 Fisher, 1 Marten
  
• Officer Shane Zavodnik – 1 Otter
  
• Officer Duke Broughton – 5 Otter, 3 Muskrat
  
• Officer Best – 1 Otter
  
• Officer Schmidt – 1 Otter
  
• Officer Willis – 1 Fisher
  
• Officer Matt Loftness – 1 Otter
  

We received some very nice donations in recent months. Thank you to all donors whether you donated 1 skin or 100, all are greatly appreciated.  It is very encouraging to see new names on the list of Conservation Officers that are working with the MTA Tanned Fur Project. These Conservation Officers provide us with a large percentage of the otter, fisher, marten, and bobcat that we receive each year. In turn, the MTA supplies tanned skins to CO’s so that they can go to schools and educate students on the furbearers in our state. It’s a good trade with all sides winning. Tanning costs just like gas, food, and about everything else have gone up dramatically. I had a nice talk with Marc Berman owner of Tubari, Ltd. who has done a lot of tanning for us over the years.  We discussed the Tanned Fur Project and Mr. Berman wants to help and be involved. We will work out the details over the coming months, but it was refreshing to have him step forward to work with us, especially during this time of hyperinflation.

Usually, by this time of year, we have little fur going out to schools as the school year is winding down. That is definitely not the case this year as our fur sets are becoming more and more popular. We were able to award another permanent set of fur to a great pro trapping teacher last month. Thank you for all your donations that keep this very worthwhile program growing.

Each year the winner of the Tanned Fur Project pelt donation contest gets their name on the back of the large traveling plaque. They need to get it back to me prior to the summer convention so that the new winner’s name can be added. It has been decided that we will still engrave the winner’s name on the big plaque, but the winner will receive a smaller one that can be kept permanently at their home or office. The large plaque that has all winners on it since day 1 will travel to conventions so that folks can see who has gone the extra mile for the MTA over the years. The deadline for this year’s competition will be July 1^st so there is time to have the plaques engraved prior to the convention in Wadena.

Have a great spring and summer and we’ll see you in Wadena. Be well.

Tim Caven

Tanned Fur Project Coordinator

7444 County Road 27 NW

Pennock, MN 56279

tim@mntrapline.com