President's report
Greetings!
The UTA fur sale is just about here! I hope to see you there! We will have a couple demos at the fur sale, Terry Abraham is going to do a two demos on how to properly stretch and dry bobcat furs. And Rusty Kramer is going to be doing a coyote trapping demo. Both our demos will be on Saturday February 10th. If you do not have fur to sell at least come to watch the demos.
I have been watching the Legislative bills going through the house right now. I have been watching a couple of bills but nothing to report on. When it comes to the RAC and Board meetings, they have been moved back to the summer. I'll report on them at a later date.
One of my goals as being president is to keep the UTA membership up to date on events, meeting info, etc. If you are not receiving the mailing, your Trappers Post magazine, or the UTA emails. Please contact myself or contact Kelly Laier and we can update your information.
Best wishes,
Cody Bassett
The UTA fur sale is just about here! I hope to see you there! We will have a couple demos at the fur sale, Terry Abraham is going to do a two demos on how to properly stretch and dry bobcat furs. And Rusty Kramer is going to be doing a coyote trapping demo. Both our demos will be on Saturday February 10th. If you do not have fur to sell at least come to watch the demos.
I have been watching the Legislative bills going through the house right now. I have been watching a couple of bills but nothing to report on. When it comes to the RAC and Board meetings, they have been moved back to the summer. I'll report on them at a later date.
One of my goals as being president is to keep the UTA membership up to date on events, meeting info, etc. If you are not receiving the mailing, your Trappers Post magazine, or the UTA emails. Please contact myself or contact Kelly Laier and we can update your information.
Best wishes,
Cody Bassett
Vice-President's report
Good day Utah Trappers!
Rendezvous has been a time of gathering since the early 1800’s. The UTA rendezvous is no different. This is a time of gathering of all trappers and venders to be able to come together to sell the supplies and share past experiences for the upcoming winter fur trapping seasons. Also, this is a great time to take the opportunity to help a new trapper learn the ins and outs of trapping in order to be able to keep the trapping legacy alive.
Well, the dog days of summer are gone and it's starting to cool off, meaning it is time for fellow trappers to assemble together once again. And having it in September it's a joy to have the cool September mornings. Making way to be able get out and get our final scouting done before the trapping begins. Time to check out the new lure’s you have been making all summer, before trying it on the target animals.
Our rendezvous is a good time to catch up with old friends and make a few new ones. Watch a few demos where you always pick up a few good pointers whether it's from a new Trapper or an Old Trapper, you're never too old to learn something new. The rendezvous is a great time to pick up the rest of the supplies you may need or have run out of during the summer months or just find a new one to try out.
Thanks
-Jerry Swasey
UTA Vice President
Rendezvous has been a time of gathering since the early 1800’s. The UTA rendezvous is no different. This is a time of gathering of all trappers and venders to be able to come together to sell the supplies and share past experiences for the upcoming winter fur trapping seasons. Also, this is a great time to take the opportunity to help a new trapper learn the ins and outs of trapping in order to be able to keep the trapping legacy alive.
Well, the dog days of summer are gone and it's starting to cool off, meaning it is time for fellow trappers to assemble together once again. And having it in September it's a joy to have the cool September mornings. Making way to be able get out and get our final scouting done before the trapping begins. Time to check out the new lure’s you have been making all summer, before trying it on the target animals.
Our rendezvous is a good time to catch up with old friends and make a few new ones. Watch a few demos where you always pick up a few good pointers whether it's from a new Trapper or an Old Trapper, you're never too old to learn something new. The rendezvous is a great time to pick up the rest of the supplies you may need or have run out of during the summer months or just find a new one to try out.
Thanks
-Jerry Swasey
UTA Vice President
Secretary/ Treasurer's report
I would like to welcome all the trappers that have joined the UTA since our membership meeting that was held during our annual fur sale.
Joining the ranks were Reese Mason, Casey Stewart, Derick Milne, Marcel Braun, Keyton Ford, Travis Tuttle, Kade Maughan, Joshua Wortley as well as Landon McMurray and William Brereton as junior members and George Turnball as our newest
out of state member of the UTA!
All these new members and everyone else joining up before May 31st will be included in the next drawing to be held during the first week of June. I would also like to congratulate Austin Black, Allen Fowles and Robert Wallentine, whose names were drawn as the latest winners of the Membership Drive drawing.
We are also excited to announce longtime UTA member Chase Brereton upgraded his membership to Lifetime status while at the sale. Way to go Chase!
Thank you to all our members for your support for The Utah Trappers Association!
Kelly Laier
UTA Treasurer
Joining the ranks were Reese Mason, Casey Stewart, Derick Milne, Marcel Braun, Keyton Ford, Travis Tuttle, Kade Maughan, Joshua Wortley as well as Landon McMurray and William Brereton as junior members and George Turnball as our newest
out of state member of the UTA!
All these new members and everyone else joining up before May 31st will be included in the next drawing to be held during the first week of June. I would also like to congratulate Austin Black, Allen Fowles and Robert Wallentine, whose names were drawn as the latest winners of the Membership Drive drawing.
We are also excited to announce longtime UTA member Chase Brereton upgraded his membership to Lifetime status while at the sale. Way to go Chase!
Thank you to all our members for your support for The Utah Trappers Association!
Kelly Laier
UTA Treasurer
Public Relations Report
We are looking forward to the 2024 Fur Sale, it is just around the corner happening on February 9 th and
10 th . We just got results back from the January Idaho sale. Fur prices are low with buyers still holding
onto last years cats. For those who don’t know, fur prices follow what is happening with International
markets. Russia and Ukraine are both huge buyers of fur coats and with the war it has made it difficult to
move pelts. Bobcats were averaging near $200. Coyotes have dropped since Canada Goose stopped
using new coyote fur in their parka hoods a couple years ago. You can still get coyotes bountied and
keep/sell the pelts. Fox prices looked like they were up this year. Lots of buyers are asking about red fox
and beaver. Specialty animals like Badger, make sure to keep claws and everything intact, they will bring
more that way and there is some demand for those animals, skunks and raccoons have gone up some
from last year as well.
Please handle your furs well. If you don’t know how to put it up, reach out to us, we’d be glad to help
you. The better the furs are put up; the more buyers will commit to coming in the future and the better
your paycheck will be. Cut the cartilage out of the ears, flesh it well, clean the fur and preen it well, and
make sure it is dry before you bring it to the sale. If it isn’t ready for the sale, bring it next year.
This season I hit the ground running, catching something almost every check but things have slowed
down quite a bit for me. I have managed to get a nice mixed bag which is always fun. Coyotes and foxes
will soon start rubbing, bobcats will be fabulous right until bobcat season ends. Generally, I like to start
trapping after bobcat season starts since most animals are prime by then and I usually stop by the time
of the fur sale except for bobcats, skunks, and raccoons. Skunks and raccoons will start being very active
again soon. There is some value in skunks. With about a quart of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda,
and a couple teaspoons of dawn dish soap you can wash the skunk before you skin it and as long as you
don’t nick a scent gland they clean up really nice. In some counties there is a bounty on raccoons and
skunks if youth turn them in. Check with your local Extension Agent or County Conservation District to
see if that applies where you live.
As the season wraps up, take time to clean and inventory your traps and lures. Make sure everything is
dry before you put it in buckets to rust or mold, it will save you some time and headache next year.
If you get a chance, take someone trapping. I had the opportunity to take someone out, and it makes
you re-think about the way you do things, plus we need to grow interest in trapping. Promote the UTA
and the NTA and join them, these organizations are what stand between you and losing your privilege
Cory Farnsworth
UTA PR Director
10 th . We just got results back from the January Idaho sale. Fur prices are low with buyers still holding
onto last years cats. For those who don’t know, fur prices follow what is happening with International
markets. Russia and Ukraine are both huge buyers of fur coats and with the war it has made it difficult to
move pelts. Bobcats were averaging near $200. Coyotes have dropped since Canada Goose stopped
using new coyote fur in their parka hoods a couple years ago. You can still get coyotes bountied and
keep/sell the pelts. Fox prices looked like they were up this year. Lots of buyers are asking about red fox
and beaver. Specialty animals like Badger, make sure to keep claws and everything intact, they will bring
more that way and there is some demand for those animals, skunks and raccoons have gone up some
from last year as well.
Please handle your furs well. If you don’t know how to put it up, reach out to us, we’d be glad to help
you. The better the furs are put up; the more buyers will commit to coming in the future and the better
your paycheck will be. Cut the cartilage out of the ears, flesh it well, clean the fur and preen it well, and
make sure it is dry before you bring it to the sale. If it isn’t ready for the sale, bring it next year.
This season I hit the ground running, catching something almost every check but things have slowed
down quite a bit for me. I have managed to get a nice mixed bag which is always fun. Coyotes and foxes
will soon start rubbing, bobcats will be fabulous right until bobcat season ends. Generally, I like to start
trapping after bobcat season starts since most animals are prime by then and I usually stop by the time
of the fur sale except for bobcats, skunks, and raccoons. Skunks and raccoons will start being very active
again soon. There is some value in skunks. With about a quart of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda,
and a couple teaspoons of dawn dish soap you can wash the skunk before you skin it and as long as you
don’t nick a scent gland they clean up really nice. In some counties there is a bounty on raccoons and
skunks if youth turn them in. Check with your local Extension Agent or County Conservation District to
see if that applies where you live.
As the season wraps up, take time to clean and inventory your traps and lures. Make sure everything is
dry before you put it in buckets to rust or mold, it will save you some time and headache next year.
If you get a chance, take someone trapping. I had the opportunity to take someone out, and it makes
you re-think about the way you do things, plus we need to grow interest in trapping. Promote the UTA
and the NTA and join them, these organizations are what stand between you and losing your privilege
Cory Farnsworth
UTA PR Director