Try out this new site (under construction)

 

 

   The  MFZTA Trappers Convention & GUN SHOW,   will be Aug. 9-11,  2013,  at the Embarrass Fair Grounds.    Plans are being made.   Vendors are asked to call or email for a registration form.  mfzta@q.com    

 

 

 

 

      The Minnesota Forest Zone Trapping Association  {MFZTA} was formed by a group of trappers that decided it was time to have a 'voice' in the management of the sport. 

      The forested region of Minnesota has dense cover and abundant water.  This region has distinct climate variations from the rest of the state.   Freezing temperatures and snow can come at any time during the season start in late October.   Trappers have to have the ability to recognize potential problems, as mentioned above,  and have the equipment needed to be able to get to their trap line, regardless of the weather.  It takes an experienced trapper to be able to handle what nature puts out.

 

      The MFZTA will  have a number of programs that will enhance the sport of trapping in Minnesota.   We will educate all new trappers and the public on the values of trapping.  We will promote good sportsmanship,  good trapping ethics, and safe trapping practices.  We support wildlife research and  provide information to wildlife biologists.  We support the enforcement of regulations,  and will promote trapping methods that will prevent incidental catches of non-target fur-bearers.  Trapping instruction classes are another item on our agenda.   We will have classes for trapper certification.   We will promote trapping for youths.   The MTA trapper certification courses will be used and taught by MTA certified instructors. 

 

   We have a lot of trappers in the designated  Lynx Management Zone.  The western boundary of this zone follows State Highway # 53 from Duluth, north, to International Falls.  All land east and north of this line,  is the "Lynx Zone";  therefore,  trapping regulations have been modified to restrict, or eliminate the incidental take of Canada Lynx in this area.  The www.dnr.state.mn.us  has more information about this zone.

 

   The National Forest Lands in Northern Minnesota are open to many public uses, including trapping.  There are many special designated areas within the National Forests that have additional restrictions on the use of the lands.  OH V's  (4-wheelers) are banned in all of these designated areas.  A trapper has to be familiar with 36 CFR Part 261,  to trap in these areas.  It takes a lot of dedication and knowledge of the sport,  to pursue any type of fur-bearer in the Forest Zone.

 

   This new organization is going to work hard for the rights of trappers in the Forest Zone,  and will work with the MN DNR to enhance the trapping experience.  We need you as members to make the organization as strong as possible....Please join today. 

 

 

   The MFZTA was  'formed';   and we are gaining members steadily as other trappers hear about us, and understand our commitment to trapping in the state of Minnesota.

 

     We support all areas of the state in maintaining resident trapping rules and regulations.   You can be a member no matter where you live,  your membership status is a 'supporting member', and all that means is that you cannot vote on issues in the Forest Zone,  unless you live in the Forest Zone.   We will listen to your ideas no matter your status.

 

  If you are a member of the MFZTA,  get your friends, your neighbors, your family  to join us...

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Above map courtesy of St.Louis Cty., MN. and  MDHA     Around 90% of all public land in Minnesota,  is in the Forest Zone.  

 

 

*** If you have not seen a new DNR Hunting and Trapping rule book,  there are a number of changes that affect trapping in the state.   The first is the fisher/marten limit is still 5,   but only 2 can be fisher.....and at registration,  you must bring in the fisher head, as well as marten heads...Also, the DNR set  April 30, 2013 as the last day of spring beaver season.  . We are waiting for the new Hunting and Trapping rule book from the MN DNR,   All the new changes for this coming season 2012/2013  should be in the new book.........

 

 

 

 

 

If you do not receive the 'Trappers Post',   It is a good magazine and a lot of other trapping organizations are joining in and offering it to their members.   It is only $12 a year for our MFZTA members. 

 

 

 

 

 

  We have added our own bobcat and raccoon to our wildlife display.  We also have Lynx on loan form the DNR for our display.   Our newest member is the wolverine.  It came from the Churchill, Manitoba area of Canada.

 

 

 

 

Our annual 3-gun raffle tickets are being sent to members. 

 

We also have a 3-Canoe raffle ticket book.  

 

All raffles are open to the public.  and you do not have to be present to win.  

 

Tickets are available,  email us for locations. 

 Please check out this new website. 

  There is a lot of information here and interesting articles.  

 

 

 

 

  I will put in a new membership application box on the next page. We now have a new mailing address

It is MFZTA,  Box 367,  Hibbing, MN. 55746   There have been some problems downloading the large page.   Hopefully,  you should be able to print out the application..... High lite the smaller application, go to File,  then click on print. contact me if it doesn't work yet...or you have not heard from us.

 

 

 

We are studying another event in July in Littlefork, MN.  

 

 

The MFZTA has been active in informing dog clubs on the use of 'conibear' type traps.   We have talked to a few groups and demonstrated how to remove these traps if their dog happens to get caught.   Very few hunting dogs get caught,  because the owners have control over the animal and make them "work' in front of them/ the dogs are always in-sight.   The problem is with dogs that are running loose and running free.   These uncontrolled dogs usually get run over on the road.   (and there are hundreds of them that get killed yearly by vehicles)

 

 

 

We still have the green T-shirts with the MFZTA logo for sale.  They are a bargain and are good quality.   Also the MFZTA  patch is still available.....You can help support our group by contacting me and ordering some. 

 

 

 

 

   

 Beaver and otter trapping in the northwest and northeast zone (WI) opens on Nov. 5. 

 

  ""Otter trapping remains open in all zones and closes (ends) on April 30 in the north zone,  and through March 31 in the central and south zone. ""

 

 

 We are always seeking donations for our tanned fur display......tanned fur,  and/ or animal mounts are what we are looking for.....We  will use them for public education on the types of animals found in the Forest Zone.     Please contact me,  Ken,   call me or use the email address for MFZTA,  if you have something for us.

 

......John A. from the east range area let us use 5 of his tanned furs for display.  thanks  John

 

 "The Trappers Post" magazine is what we are offering for our members.  It is only $12 per year with a paid membership to the MFZTA. 

The website is www.trapperspost.com 

 

  On the 3rd page are pictures of the MFZTA districts  in the Forest Zone of Minnesota.   I am working on getting better pictures;  if you have a 2012 deer zone map from the Hunting & Trapping rule book,  you can find the exact lines on the map from the pictures...... 

 

 

 

   We now have directors for zones 1, 2, 3, and 4.  We need someone from  5 to come forward......Plans are being made for district meetings. you may get a call from the new directors.....

 

 

 

OLD EVENTS:

 

Our fur-bearer/wildlife display was set up at Giants Ridge on Thur. Nov. 3,  2011.    The Minnesota Governor's deer hunting opener was set in the Biwabik area this year,  with headquarters at Giant's Ridge.   The MDHA and the MN DNR has been working on the activities and schedule for the event and it was a lot of fun for the youths. 

 

  The trailer and fur bearer display was at the main lodge.  We also had a part in the youth day activities on Friday morning, Nov. 4.    Our participation  was at the  'Hides of Minnesota" station.  We had fur's of Minnesota animals and the youths  identified them.   Other stations were;   Archery,  Make'N Tracks, Outdoor Safety, "OH Deer", and an obstacle course.  

 

    The MFZTA was invited to talk about trapping at the Hibbing/Chisholm MDHA Youth Day {Aug, 2012} at the shooting range outside of Hibbing.  There was over 85 youths split into groups that had different presentations on outdoor activities.  shooting, archery, clay shooting, air guns, waterfowl, muzzle loader.  etc......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See page 2 for information on these wolf stretchers.......

 

 

   Some members have not sent in their dues.   Please contact us at mfzta@q.com ,  or  218-969-3425 , or  218-865-4323  ($20/year) Your continued support is needed.  We have been working hard on trapping issues.   We have been to Legislative meetings at the state capitol in St. Paul.  A lot of miles have been 'racked-up'.   It has been well worth the effort.   We will always work hard for trapping rights;  we need your continued support.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The trail camera took pictures of a fisher,  (3 different days),  a skunk,  and 98 pictures of a weasel.   I moved the camera to a spot that deer and coyotes are traveling.  (April 26)

 

    We have our 3 gun raffle tickets ($1 dollar each).   and the 3 Canoe raffle tickets,   ready to go.   You will probably get some in the mail.  .

The canoes are a "WE-NO-NAH,  a MADRIVER, and a GRUMMAN square stern.   Tickets are $10 e

  

BIG NEWS:   The moose herd population estimate has dropped to about 2800 animals (from 4200 estimated last year)  Check the DNR website for more moose population data.     Wolf and bear predation can be a factor.  The research going on right now by the DNR,  using new gps collars on adult moose,  should help determine the cause of the declining moose population......... 

 

current data and reports can be found here.  check it out.......,

 

   I know a hunter who went caribou hunting in Dec. 2012,  in the James Bay area (east side) of Quebec.  Every morning (required), they attended a safety meeting with a Quebec wildlife biologist.  He did state that this particular herd that winters in this area,  has declined from around 425,000 caribou to well under 100,000. (in just a few years)  The reason:  wolves and black bears...........

 

  Some Elk herds in the western mountains have been reduced almost 50% by wolves, cougars, and bears.  Certain Alaskan moose herds have recovered dramatically when the predators started being controlled. 

 

  The state of Maine has updated their moose population from 33,000,  8/9 years ago to over 67,000 in 2012.   There are no wolves in Maine;  there are bears,  and they are hunting strongly........

 

  

 

  I did show the trapping heritage at the Finnish sliding festival in Palo.  The event, called Laskiainen,  is an event offering good food, Finnish museum, entertaignment, arts and crafts, and  pony-league basketball games,  and, of course,  the really fast outdoor (iced) slide.  Bring a plastic sled and the kids, dress warm, and have fun. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I finally got pictures of our MFZTA hats,  look at page 2.

 

  On page 4,  I have started to list companies that have begun to send donations.  Please visit their sites and check out what they offer..........

 

   Page 5 is the "links" page.   I am starting to put websites of the company's that have their logo on our wild life display trailer. 

 

   The MFZTA & the  MTA presented a trapping compromise at the MOHA trapping summit. (February, 2013)  This compromise was presented to all attendees at this meeting.      The dog-lovers for safe trapping group had no compromise;  they want all conibears bigger than a 120 to be set completely submerged in water or set 5 feet above the ground.

 

 

  

 

 

   If you are not a member of a trapping organization,  now is the time to join one.   There is a growing push to restrict trapping in Minnesota,  to the point of almost making it impossible to trap anything.   Arizona and California have restricted trappers.   This is MINNESOTA.   We need members who want to keep on trapping.  JOIN NOW  !!   Call your friends, neighbors, relatives and join us in Hibbing on Feb. 20............

 

 

 

 

 

    Ray and Wayne attended a 'trapping summit' in Blaine on Sat. Jan. 19,  2013.  It was sponsored by MOHA.   The MTA was represented,  us (MFZTA),  a hound group that chases bobcats with dogs, and a couple of concerned citizens.   More information on this meeting will be at the MFZTA members only winter meeting.    You can become a member at the door.   Applications can be filled out that night and you can order the "Trappers Post" magazine for only $12/year.   (regularly $22/year)

 

      I have two websites for you to check out.  They are both from Maine.  The IFW in Maine has determined that their moose population is around 76,000 animals.  WOW.   Maine is the same latitude as Minnesota.  It has similar forests and logging as MN.   NE MN.  and Maine are close to the same size. 

 

     The MFZTA has been to Mpls/St. Paul (for meetings) in January.   We have one more scheduled for early Feb.   The details of these meetings will be discussed at the winter meeting.   (Wed. Feb. 20 in Hibbing).

 

Our new website address is now

www.mfzta.com      The site hasn't changed much yet,   I will work on it in the next few weeks/months.  You can email me at mfzta@q.com   if you have suggestions on what to include in the site.   We have a bigger site with more 'pages' available.   Let me know what changes may be needed.  

 

   We acquired a new animal for the fur-bearer display.   Roger Toews,  in Manitoba,  (a Fur Harvesters Agent),  found us one;  Roger did all the paper work,  and the Wolverine  is at our taxidermist in Keewatin.    Roger said it was a good one,  very large.    It should be a great addition to our display. 

 

  The 5 night fisher/marten trapping season curtailed the catch.   The DNR said 6 days, but it was actually 5 nights.  Marten and fisher might not move for 5 to 6 days after a good meal.  

 

   Trappers have reported that they are not seeing much fox sign in some areas,  others have seen tracks.  I saw very few tracks myself,  and then with snares and traps set,  nothing returned. 

 

   Two of us brought our 'rough skun" beaver to Groenewolds fur buyer in Superior, WI.,  last week.   Blankets were $40,  x-large were $30,  I got $8 for a small one.  Muskrats were from $7 to $11 dollars depending on size and condition.   One large otter (rough-skun) fetched $90.  

 

  I sent my marten and fisher and some ermine and muskrats to NAFA.  I mail them to Stoughton, WI., by USPS

They will be in the Feb. 16-22, 2013 auction.

 

 

  We gained a lot of members at the Banquet,   If your neighbor or trapping partner has not joined us,  get him to call me or Ray and we will get an application to him or her right away.......

 

   If you have a trapping picture, email it to me   mfzta@q.com,  I will check it out and post it on the website.

 

 

 

 

 

   We  (MFZTA, MTA,) met with the DNR  on Sat. Feb. 11, and again on Tues. Feb. 21, 2012 (both meetings in Grand Rapids)

 

The MN DNR went over the list of trapping rule changes that we sent to the DNR for discussion at the Feb. 11, 2012,  fur-bearer committee meeting.

 

#1: change the 9 am opening day start of trapping to be consistent with all other seasons, like fishing, hunting;  1/2 hour before sunrise or earlier.

 

#2:  eliminate or modify trap checking hours.  currently you can only check between 5 am and 10 pm.

 

#3:  Why do we need site coupons?

only certain animals have to be registered anyway. (DNR response: The coupons are used to maintain individual harvest quota's.)

 

#4:  Trappers want a 3 day check on using cable restraints in the northern zone. 

 

#5   Count incidental spring otter in the trappers limit if the 4 otter limit isn't filled.  (Not brought up)

 

#6:  The DNR had proposals for the wolf hunting/trapping season.

 

 #7.   Both trapping associations agreed on body-gripping restrictions.  We presented our methods to the DNR. 

 

   We will try again with proposals at the next meeting with the DNR.  (2013)

 

 

    A great website to browse is the Alaska Fish & game dept. site.   

 

  Congress considers testimony on Lawsuit Reform.

 

   In testimony before a Congressional committee,  Boone and Crockett President emeritus,  Lowell E. Baier,  told committee members that H.R. 1996,  the Government Savings Litigation Act,  will help America's fish, wildlife, and natural resources agencies do their jobs. 

   The legislation will benefit conservation and sound wildlife management, by bringing fairness, transparency and accountability to the Equal Access to Justice Act.  (EAJA)

   EAJA is an historic law that allows plaintiffs to recover attorney fees and other expenses from the federal government when they prevail in lawsuits against the government.

   In recent years, animal rights and environmental advocacy groups began using lawsuits to protest lawful decisions that they happen to oppose.  The groups use EAJA to recoup their legal costs.  The most frequent abuses include suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on minor procedural decisions, then collecting settlements and EAJA reimbursements. 

    These private groups are collecting taxpayer dollars and consuming agency resources that could have gone toward wildlife management and conservation programs. 

 

You can go to the website www.boone-crockett.org for a lot more information on the ongoing loss of taxpayer money to pay lawyers fees,  instead of funding  fish and wildlife programs.  . 

 

   Contact your states Federal Legislators and urge them to support this bill......H.R. 1996

  

  

 

  The Convention date is Aug. 9-11, 2013 at the Embarrass Fair Grounds.

 

Vendors can contact us right away for a spot.

 

  go to page 4 for updates.........