Association News

Next Deadline: June 10, 2022

Email reports to Chris.Berens@Media360LLC.com

Arkansas Trappers Association

California Trappers Association

President — John Clark, 907 Holmes Flat Rd., Redcrest, CA 95569; 707-722-4259

Vice President — James C. Schmerker Jr., 3345 Bixler Road #1806, Discovery Bay, CA 94505; 925-684-3855; animaldamagecontrol@netzero.com

Membership Secretary — Rita Clark, 907 Holmes Flat Rd. Redcrest, CA 95569; 707-722-4259

Secretary — Leona Hencratt; 530-547-3240

Treasurer — John Clark, 907 Holmes Flat Rd. Redcrest, CA 95569

Colorado Trappers & Predator Hunters Association

www.coloradotrapper.com

President — Dan Gates, P.O. Box 128, Canon City, CO 81215; 719-275-4077; Dan@ColoradoRidACritter.com

Vice President — Chris Jurney, 574 Legion Street, Craig, CO 81625; 970-620-1454; cjoutfit@gmail.com

Secretary/Treasurer — Karen Gates, P.O. Box 193, Canon City, CO 81215; 719-275-4077; office@coltpha.com

Fur Auction Manager — Greg Ashmore, 38967 County Road 24, Hugo, CO 80821; 719-743-2552; ashmore@esrta.com

Raffle Manager — Kacy Townsend. 1635 County Road 293, Rifle, CO 81650; 970-379-4680; klherrman@yahoo.com

Northeast Director — Naomi Yates, 38921 Poudre Canyon Hwy; Belllvue, CO 80512; 970-420-4250; naomiyatesgtb@gmail.com

Southwest Director — Christy Cressler, 2375 Road 1.7; Dove Creek, CO 81324; 970-739-6437; skylinetaxidermy77@gmail.com

NTA Representative — Dan Gates, PO Box 128, Canon City, CO 81215; 719-275-4077; Dan@ColoradoRidACritter.com

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The thrill of victory and the concerns over the agony of defeat:

Thanks to the thousands of emails, phone calls, in-person testimony, along with the hundreds of substantial financial contributions through the organization of the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management. The attempt at banning mountain lion and bobcat harvest with Senate Bill 22-031 was defeated by a margin of 4 to 1 at the state Capitol in the Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee.

A sigh of relief. Temporarily. After partnering with dozens of other organizations and creating a coalition to stand united and support science based wildlife management and the North American model of wildlife conservation, we helped lay the groundwork for continuing to fight this and future issues that we know are inevitable.

We strongly believe that another version of this misguided assault could be possible in another bill form or even worse, through a ballot measure as early as this November.

Strategies are already being devised and strengthening the coalition is already a top priority. A coalition of efforts including, but not limited to, Safari Club International, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society, Mule Deer Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Wildlife Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Colorado Bowhunters Association, Colorado Outfitters Association, Colorado Wildlife Foundation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, National Wild Turkey Federation, Boone and Crockett Club, Sportsmen for Community, Keep Routt Wild, Trout Unlimited, Colorado Trappers & Predator Hunters Association, Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation, Rocky Mountain Roosters, Colorado Muzzleloaders Association and the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management have provided the structure that the CTPHA not only is part of, but needs if we are to survive.

We recently had a successful Stockshow, and considering the landscape and state of affairs, the annual Fur Auction was a success.

Organizationally, the upcoming raffle, which was postponed because of some issues with the Secretary of State and technology upgrades, are in the works, and the Sportsmans Banquet, that we are back on track with after COVID will be in Grand Junction on April 16, 2022. The Convention is scheduled over Labor Day Weekend September 2, 3 and 4, in Craig, Colorado, and there are dozens of other events that we are participating in from conferences, to commission meetings, to other association banquets and so on.

These functions are just the tip of the spear as the Legislative Session runs through May 11th, and if a Ballot Initiative does arrive, it will be the biggest thing that we have had to deal with since Amendment 14 in 1996. This next move could be a game ender, not a game changer.

While we can temporarily relish in our recent victory, we can not sit idle on our asses and wait to see what happens. That’s why we are working so hard at so many levels to maintain our relevancy. No longer are the days that we can sit back and sing the blues of our losses and just be thankful for what we have left. We, along with the many partnerships that we have developed, need to be proactive, while also at the same time plan on how to be reactive.

This takes time, effort, vision, strategy, partnerships and MONEY.

Educate yourselves. Pay attention. Step up. Participate. Engage in the process. DONATE. As the anti-movement stays the course in trying to take away EVERYTHING at EVERY LEVEL. We need to remain vigilant and be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

If you were not at the Capitol on February 3rd, you should have been. It was the largest gathering of sportsmen and women at the Gold Dome in many decades and they were from all avocations, pursuits, enthusiasts and methods of take.

It was a PROUD day. 10 degrees, with a common goal. To defeat the anti’s and support science based wildlife management and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

Help make sure, no matter what lies ahead, that we conquer our enemies. The CTPHA’s involvement and support for the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management has made all of this possible. CRWM is the only sportsman organization in the state that has a lobbyist working the Gold Dome and representing common interests and goals, and without it we cannot survive. Dig deep inside, whether financially or otherwise, to help the cause. Defeating SB 22-031 in the manner in which we did was monumental, but dealing with what is yet to come will be 20 to 30 times the effort and money that will be needed.

Reach out to any of the Board Members. Check the websites for more info.

Aim small, miss small,

Dan Gates

MARCH SECRETARY REPORT

Hi Everyone! We would like our new members Mike Martinez, Big Timber, MT; David Riley, Hugo, CO; Brian Shellberg, Lamar, CO; Dwayne Frasch, Windsor, CO; Jeremy Weese, Grenville, NM; Allan Nall, Haxton, CO; Skyler Rains, Sharon Springs, KS; Kevin Heyl, Sharon Springs, KS; Dave Fogey, Pierce, CO; Northern Colorado Fur, Wellington, CO; Marvin Cattoor, Craig, CO; Randy Wetherbee, Genoa, CO; John Ball, Hugo, CO; Michael Savage, Windsor, CO; Mike Kelly, Lake George, CO; Jordan DePriest, Rockyford, CO; Bill Yates, Livermore, CO; Christopher Harper, Deerfield, CO; American Hide & Fur, Burns, OR; Travis Black, Wiley, CO; Tom Schmid, Colorado Springs, CO; Dewayne Zimmerman, Craig, CO.

Our Sportsmen Banquet is scheduled for April 16th, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Contact Kandy Herrman at 970-379-6024 for more information on how you can help. Don’t wait for somebody else to do it. Step up. It is always a great time.

Chris Jurney is currently working on the Convention this year, which will be held at the Moffat County Fairgrounds, 640 E. Victory Way, Craig, CO 81625. September 1-4, 2022, over Labor Day weekend. Will keep you and the website updated with the most current information. If you have not already ready received a vendor/sponsorship sheet, please let me know and I will send you one. Let’s make this year’s Convention bigger and better!! This is a huge fundraiser for the Association, so please attend and join the fun.

I would like to remind everyone, please continue signing up new memberships. This has always been important, but especially now.

Please make sure if you have an email address I have it. This is the only way we are keeping our membership up to date with the current information and events in website. You can renew your membership or join our association. We also have merchandise that is available for purchase. This tool has been very effective and efficient so far. Please make sure you continue to check out the website for updated information. This will be the most current.