UPCOMING EVENTS
Trapper Training Seminars
Recreational Furbearer Trapper Training Seminar: February 3-4- 5, 2012
Richloam Wildlife Management Area near Brooksville, FL.
Cost is $50.00 for non members ($25.00 goes to FTA Membership) and $25.00 for members. Remember, your membership includes your immediate family, so bring your kids and let’s help them learn about trapping furbearers. (You can camp out or stay close by.)
You will need a current Florida Trappers License, a Wildlife Management Area Stamp, and your own snares and cage traps. Deadline for registration is January 15. Contact Cody Sikes 352-398-4945 or Carol Lokken 941-475-1206 for details and registration forms.
Professional Trapper Training Seminar - Phase II: February 24-25-26, 2012
Two Crow Plantation in Madison, FL.
Cost is $100.00 non member ($25.00 goes to FTA membership) or $75.00 for members. Must have current Florida Trappers License. Traps will be furnished by our instructors. Deadline for registration is Feb. 1. Contact Bill Crowder 850-973-4830, Philip Hackle 850-673-7860, or Carol Lokken 941-475-1206, for more details and registration forms.
We highly encourage every trapper to get all the professional training that he/she can. These training seminars offer much valuable information, training, knowledge and how to’s. As FTA preaches , we must be professional at our trade and we need to learn the best ways to lure, trap, handle and process the animals. The more we learn, the better results we can have in the field.
FLORIDA TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION
2011 RENDEZVOUS RECAP
We always say, "You missed a good one"! And we sure missed those who couldn't attend.
Friday started with the arrival of members to Dave and Judy Enfinger's farm to help set up chairs and tables. By the middle of the afternoon, more members arrived and started setting up camp for the weekend. Mike and Kelly Townson put out a great hotdog and chips dinner along with some fresh, deep fried gator, compliments of Joe Everett. The Board of Directors held their meeting that evening while the rest of the group met at the campfire to swap stories, tales, and experiences.
We awoke to a slightly overcast morning, hot coffee and fresh donuts and pastries. More members and guest arrived throughout the morning. By 9:00 am, we got underway. President, Cody Sikes welcomed everyone. Secretary-Treasurer, Carol Lokken made 2 brief announcements. We acknowledged the passing of 2 of our members, Keith Rose and Ron Reeves. We also extended congratulations to our Vice President, Bill Crowder and his lovely lady Rosa Hunter, who got married in July. We were invited to join them when they cut their wedding cake, furnished by the Florida Trappers Association.
Demonstrations got underway, starting past President and past NTA Director, George Dykhuizen. He spoke on the NTA and related items along with fur Selling. John Whitfield and Frank Miller followed with a talk on trapping in Florida and snare building. Our new NTA Director, Steve MacKellar spoke of the raccoon market, including the fur and meat markets. This was accompanied by a raccoon skinning demonstration by Sylvester Tobler. Bill Crowder and Ralph Pfister talked about coyotes, steel traps and permits. Gary DePalma rounded out the talks with a discussion on nuisance wildlife removal, including being in business.
A tasty lunch followed the morning demonstrations. Fried and baked chicken with all the fixin' fed a hungry crowd. We were also treated to some smoked and some barbequed raccoon. And there were no leftovers!
After lunch, Bill Weeks talked about cage traps and live animal trapping. Randy Engleman, a USDA trapper gave a demonstration on "remakes" of sets. And finally, President Cody Sikes spoke of trapper training and "passing it on".
A brief business meeting was held. Cody gave a recap of the directors meeting. He announced a Recreational Furbearer Trapper Training Seminar to be held February 4-6, 2012 at Richloam WMA, Brooksville. This training will be geared towards the furbearer trapper utilizing snares and live traps. He announced our new membership incentive. The first member to sign up 10 new members to the Florida Trappers Association and the National Trappers Association will receive a Dunn Knife Small Bird and Game.
Vice President, Bill Crowder announced plans for Phase II Professional Trapper Training Seminar to be held February 24-26, 2012 at Two Crow Plantation in Madison. This will be an intense seminar for those who want to take their trapping skills to the next level with respect to coyote trapping.
We presented George Dykhuizen with a Certificate of Appreciation for his years of service to the Florida Trappers Association and the National Trappers Asssociation.
Secretary-Treasurer, Carol Lokken gave the annual financial report, offering copies to members. Election of officers followed. Due to an uncontested race, a unanimous ballot was cast by all attending members. For the years 2011-2013, the officers are: President-Bill Crowder, Vice President-Phillip Hackle, Secretary/Treasurer-Carol Lokken.
And then it was time for our "world famous" auction. Auctioneer, Dave Enfinger got us bidding. And the items went fast. Traps, artwork, lures, drags, books, a smoker, and so much more! We had to be careful because Dave is very good at getting us to bid against ourselves.
After the auction, raffle winners were pulled. We want to congratulate winners Eddie Yerdon,
Mark Smith, Ray Tolbert, Rick Samples, and John Dunlap. And many thanks to all who purchased raffle tickets.
Then it was time to wind down, count the proceeds and get ready for a shrimp boil, compliments of Mike Trowel. Those who were spending the night gathered 'round to recap the day and set the wheels in motion for the upcoming year.
Our goals are set and we have positive momentum. We look forward to seeing everyone at next year's Rendezvous!
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who made this Rendezvous possible and successful!!!
Trapper Training Seminars
Recreational Furbearer Trapper Training Seminar: February 3-4- 5, 2012
Richloam Wildlife Management Area near Brooksville, FL.
Cost is $50.00 for non members ($25.00 goes to FTA Membership) and $25.00 for members. Remember, your membership includes your immediate family, so bring your kids and let’s help them learn about trapping furbearers. (You can camp out or stay close by.)
You will need a current Florida Trappers License, a Wildlife Management Area Stamp, and your own snares and cage traps. Deadline for registration is January 15. Contact Cody Sikes 352-398-4945 or Carol Lokken 941-475-1206 for details and registration forms.
Professional Trapper Training Seminar - Phase II: February 24-25-26, 2012
Two Crow Plantation in Madison, FL.
Cost is $100.00 non member ($25.00 goes to FTA membership) or $75.00 for members. Must have current Florida Trappers License. Traps will be furnished by our instructors. Deadline for registration is Feb. 1. Contact Bill Crowder 850-973-4830, Philip Hackle 850-673-7860, or Carol Lokken 941-475-1206, for more details and registration forms.
We highly encourage every trapper to get all the professional training that he/she can. These training seminars offer much valuable information, training, knowledge and how to’s. As FTA preaches , we must be professional at our trade and we need to learn the best ways to lure, trap, handle and process the animals. The more we learn, the better results we can have in the field.
FLORIDA TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION
2011 RENDEZVOUS RECAP
We always say, "You missed a good one"! And we sure missed those who couldn't attend.
Friday started with the arrival of members to Dave and Judy Enfinger's farm to help set up chairs and tables. By the middle of the afternoon, more members arrived and started setting up camp for the weekend. Mike and Kelly Townson put out a great hotdog and chips dinner along with some fresh, deep fried gator, compliments of Joe Everett. The Board of Directors held their meeting that evening while the rest of the group met at the campfire to swap stories, tales, and experiences.
We awoke to a slightly overcast morning, hot coffee and fresh donuts and pastries. More members and guest arrived throughout the morning. By 9:00 am, we got underway. President, Cody Sikes welcomed everyone. Secretary-Treasurer, Carol Lokken made 2 brief announcements. We acknowledged the passing of 2 of our members, Keith Rose and Ron Reeves. We also extended congratulations to our Vice President, Bill Crowder and his lovely lady Rosa Hunter, who got married in July. We were invited to join them when they cut their wedding cake, furnished by the Florida Trappers Association.
Demonstrations got underway, starting past President and past NTA Director, George Dykhuizen. He spoke on the NTA and related items along with fur Selling. John Whitfield and Frank Miller followed with a talk on trapping in Florida and snare building. Our new NTA Director, Steve MacKellar spoke of the raccoon market, including the fur and meat markets. This was accompanied by a raccoon skinning demonstration by Sylvester Tobler. Bill Crowder and Ralph Pfister talked about coyotes, steel traps and permits. Gary DePalma rounded out the talks with a discussion on nuisance wildlife removal, including being in business.
A tasty lunch followed the morning demonstrations. Fried and baked chicken with all the fixin' fed a hungry crowd. We were also treated to some smoked and some barbequed raccoon. And there were no leftovers!
After lunch, Bill Weeks talked about cage traps and live animal trapping. Randy Engleman, a USDA trapper gave a demonstration on "remakes" of sets. And finally, President Cody Sikes spoke of trapper training and "passing it on".
A brief business meeting was held. Cody gave a recap of the directors meeting. He announced a Recreational Furbearer Trapper Training Seminar to be held February 4-6, 2012 at Richloam WMA, Brooksville. This training will be geared towards the furbearer trapper utilizing snares and live traps. He announced our new membership incentive. The first member to sign up 10 new members to the Florida Trappers Association and the National Trappers Association will receive a Dunn Knife Small Bird and Game.
Vice President, Bill Crowder announced plans for Phase II Professional Trapper Training Seminar to be held February 24-26, 2012 at Two Crow Plantation in Madison. This will be an intense seminar for those who want to take their trapping skills to the next level with respect to coyote trapping.
We presented George Dykhuizen with a Certificate of Appreciation for his years of service to the Florida Trappers Association and the National Trappers Asssociation.
Secretary-Treasurer, Carol Lokken gave the annual financial report, offering copies to members. Election of officers followed. Due to an uncontested race, a unanimous ballot was cast by all attending members. For the years 2011-2013, the officers are: President-Bill Crowder, Vice President-Phillip Hackle, Secretary/Treasurer-Carol Lokken.
And then it was time for our "world famous" auction. Auctioneer, Dave Enfinger got us bidding. And the items went fast. Traps, artwork, lures, drags, books, a smoker, and so much more! We had to be careful because Dave is very good at getting us to bid against ourselves.
After the auction, raffle winners were pulled. We want to congratulate winners Eddie Yerdon,
Mark Smith, Ray Tolbert, Rick Samples, and John Dunlap. And many thanks to all who purchased raffle tickets.
Then it was time to wind down, count the proceeds and get ready for a shrimp boil, compliments of Mike Trowel. Those who were spending the night gathered 'round to recap the day and set the wheels in motion for the upcoming year.
Our goals are set and we have positive momentum. We look forward to seeing everyone at next year's Rendezvous!
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who made this Rendezvous possible and successful!!!
