Spring 2012 Minutes

Nebraska Fur Harvesters Spring Meeting

Convention site, Broken Bow, NE,  April 1, 2012  (revised 4-20-2012)

(official Minutes—taken by Stephen M. Vantassel, Secretary, Accepted Sept 29, 2012)

15 in attendance

Officers and representatives present

Don Miller, President

Stephen M. Vantassel, Secretary

Jason Reynoldson, Treasurer

Wynn Hall, NTA Rep

Call to Order

President Don Miller called the meeting to order. 10:30 A.M.

Presentation

Mike Lance presented on habitat and carrying capacity for fur bearers. Ended 11:15 A.M.

Business Meeting

Began at 11:52 A.M.

Nebraska Game and Parks Report

Dave Hastings presented Sam Wilson’s (NGPC Furbearer Biologist) Report included below.

1. Regulation Change: I am presently working on a definition of dog-proof traps and special allowances for their use on Wildlife Management Areas that do not allow trapping until after Dec. 15^th (just a couple of big WMA’s near Lincoln). Trapping is not allowed because these areas are dog hunting/training and pheasant areas so they didn’t want dogs caught in footholds there. I do not believe there will be any conflicts with the new dog-proof traps (small change really).

2. River Otter Update: KS got their quota of 100 otters a couple months before the season would have ended. We will be able to estimate the population in NE by the end of the summer. If we propose to delist otters and begin a harvest season, the KS example will be very helpful.

• · We documented otters on the Missouri near Lewis and Clark Lake, and down near Decatur. These are the 1^st confirmations on the Missouri in NE. We will survey these areas this summer.

3. Bobcats: Harvest look to be over 1,700 which will be a new record if it stands.

4. Mountain lions: The Commission has a bill (LB928) that would allow lion hunting. I want to point out that although it is worded like the bighorn sheep permit, we can issue any # of tags and have those people check a quota if we have a season. With bighorn sheep you issue 1 tag per sheep. With lions, as an example, we could issue 100 tags to hunt for 4 lions and all 100 would have to check the quota each night. The statute is short and simple, all other decisions will be made by Commission meetings. This bill may not pass this year due to short session of Legislature.

• · Any ideas on how harvesters could trap bobcats but not mountain lions? We had 3 mountain lions trapped in footholds in Dawes County this year with none ever documented trapped before.

v Reminder that under the changed holding furs law you need a valid fur harvesting permit to hold raw furs and carcasses. So make sure you get the next years permit by Jan 1 If you have anything in your freezer or fur shed!!!!!!!

Thanks to both of you, sorry I could not make it this year.

Sam Wilson Furbearer/Carnivore Program Manager Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2200 N 33rd St. P.O. Box 30370 Lincoln, NE 68503 402-471-5174 sam.wilson@nebraska.gov

NFH Proposals to NGPC

1. 1.       Request that NGPC study the possibility to extend badger season into mid-March.
   1. a.       Dave Hastings called for motion
   2. b.      Joe Jack seconded
   3. c.       Motion carried by unanimous vote
   4. 2.       Request that NGPC consider allowing any body-gripping trap over 8 inches to be submerged up to half height (to the rivets) in water after December 31.
      1. a.       Mike Lance called for motion
      2. b.      Mike Boyle seconded
      3. c.       Motion carried unanimously

Adjourned for lunch 12:25 P.M.

Meeting Resumed 1:32 P.M.

Secretary’s Report

Dave Hastings (acting Secretary in Fall of 2011), submitted minutes from Sept 24, 2011. Minutes were read at 2:22 P.M.

1. a.       Jason Reynoldson motioned to accept the Minutes
2. b.      Joe Jack seconded
3. c.       Minutes were accepted unanimously

Dave Hastings reported

1. 1.       NTA’s work with Sportsmen’s Caucus
2. 2.       NTA is requesting a donation
3. 3.       Concerns about the NFH website, and solicited ideas
4. 4.       NFH Fundraiser—NAFA/Gary Macke organized a raffle where trappers donate skins—those skins get the donor one chance at the raffle prize, which is a portion of the sale of all the submitted furs. The other half of the fur sale proceeds go to NFH. Also a kids’ raffle, similar to this, except all proceeds paid back to kids who entered. Gary called to report that he didn’t have very many entries, and Dave suggested that the NFH take responsibility for promotion of this fund raiser. This item referred to later in minutes, under “Donate a Fur.”

Secretary’s Report

                Stephen brought up the request of PCS Outdoors for the NFH to link to them.  After much discussion, it was decided that more reflection was needed before a decision was made.

Don Miller wondered if advertising on the website would raise issues with taxes and the IRS.

Stephen said he would notify PCS Outdoors of the decision.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Jason Reynoldson distributed the checking ledger.

1. a.       Dave Hastings motioned to accepted the Report
2. b.      Roy Greenfield seconded
3. c.       Motion carried unanimously

Fall Convention Report by Wynn Hall

• Spoke on items for raffle
• Updated dealer’s list
• Issue of membership mailing list (Policy not to give out membership list was reaffirmed)
• Food vendor needed to be chosen
• T-shirts were discussed

Additional Topic: Kids Bucket Program

Other Business

Don Miller

• Announced elections will be taking place at the Fall Convention
• Volunteers for 2013 Convention should contact him
• He stated that donations were made to
  • Friends of Agriculture $400.00
  • Hat for Cattlemen’s Ball $400.00
• He then called for donations to the following organizations
  • NTA $500.00
  • FTA $500.00
  • U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance $1000.00

1. Dave Hastings called for the motion
2. Roy Greenfield seconded
3. The motion carried unanimously

 

Dave Hastings

Dave Hastings requested that

• A flyer be prepared for “Donate a Fur”
• ·         A sign be purchased for “Donate a Fur”

1. a.      Motion was seconded by Wynn Hall
2. b.      Motion was carried unanimously

Roy Greenfield

Roy Greenfield spoke on the Sportsmen’s Alliance and their June 9^th Consumptive Use event at Cabela’s stores. He requested NFH representation. Several members said they were interested.

Meeting adjourned at 3:52 P.M.

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