May 2024 President's Report

Greetings all. On February 11th Jim Mesler of West Burlington passed away. Jim was our first ITA President from June of 1961 to October of 1962. After being president he took over as secretary/treasurer from October 1962 to September 1964. In 2002 he was inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame. I first met Jim in 2001 at the NTA National in Mason City. He was standing in the aisle of one of the dealer buildings flipping pennies in front of kids watching them chase them down.  I had may conversations over the years with Jim as many on this Board has. He was a part of this association from almost its inception. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. RIP Jim.

Season is over for another year, except for beaver which runs to April 15th. Season 51 was far better than last and memory fill as each season has been. My old trapline car, 98 Intrigue, has come to the end of its line. December 16th she hit 500k for miles, then on Feb 6th at 505k she decided it was enough and “herniated a disc” in the lower end. With only a couple major repairs ever and both in the last year, a head gasket and lower intake, other than normal maintenance and tires she caused no troubles. Only one time did she leave me detained in a field where I should not have drove. Between my 79 Cutlass and this Intrigue I have traveled many trapline miles. Who says you need a truck and 4wd to trap, plus saved a lot on fuel cost by doing so. 

We had a few lifetime members join since my last report. Those lifetime members are Steve Griebel, John Nebel, Laurent Sarrazin, Tracey Rieks, Mark Norman, Matthew C. Alber, Glendon Mesch and Ben Deters. Thank you to all who have joined as new or have renewed their memberships. Your support is greatly appreciated.

March 1st to 3rd we had a booth at the Iowa Deer Classic for the first time. We had a display of pelts for all furbearers harvestable in Iowa as well as info. Conversations were with young, old, men, women, first time trapping this past season, those who had in the past to some that knew little to nothing about what we do. Allyson Oser brought her badger hat with claws that kids got to try on. The smiles on those kids faces when they put it on and the number of photos taken were far too many to count. Some of those people will probably never trap, but left with a memory and knowledge about what we do. During the weekend we also signed up 4 new members as well. Thank you to all who stopped by for conversations during the weekend. Our next event is the Legislative Breakfast March 21st at the Statehouse from 7-9 A.M.

Our 22nd annual FBU/ITA banquet will be held April 6, 2024 at Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. This new location is located off I-80/I-35 near the west mixmaster at 1800 – 50th St in West Des Moines. EVERYTHING will be located in one big room which will be different than in the past. If you need any info or want to attend email me at hightoweria@aol.com  and I will get you that info. All tickets need to be returned by March 25th and we do not allow walk-in’s.

The Spring ITA Board meeting will be held 10 A.M. April 7th at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel 1800 – 50th St West Des Moines. This is the same location as the banquet. I am planning June for the Summer meeting. As always, all current members are welcomed to attend.

That is about it for now. Til next time - Craig

March, 2024 President's Report

Greetings all. Another new year has arrived upon us. As most know, trapping season has been extended to February 28th for all harvestable species except beaver which will remain April 15th. For me trapping season will close on January 31st for most species. This is due to fur damage that occurs during this time of the year. As I write this on January 10, rubbing is starting to occur in coyote and raccoon. Go have fun, but be mindful in the price reflection that you may receive from fur caught from here on during this point in the season.

 January 6th was the ITA’s 14th annual fur auction. Sellers were up 19 over last year and 148 more lots of fur were presented and sold. Prices received were better on some species while others were about the same compared to last year. The biggest increase was averages for some finished verse green species. Last year there was a 24 cent difference in the raccoon average, this year there was a $4.60 difference. There were 3 more finished raccoon this year over last, but 504 more green or a 62% increase in green over the auction last year. It definitely paid if you took the time to finish your fur this year.

Thank you to all who sold fur, but a big thank you to the buyers who attended and were willing to buy fur --- North IA Fur - Bill Drewelow, NE IA Fur Exchange - Rick Hemsath, Midwest Taxidermy - Ben Trumblee, Miller Fur - Don Miller Plymouth, IL, Stark Fur – Ernie Kovacik Stark, KS, Hutton Valley School of Taxidermy - Roger Hutton,  Kokas Fur Barn – Craig Kokas Prospect, OH, Midwest Bone & Fur - BJ Deaton, Mountain Man Outdoors - Jeff Filloon, Baetsle Fur – Kerry Baetsle and Sleepy Creek Tannery – Ben Deters.

Help with setting up, lotting in, carrying fur during the day were Chad Thede, Peter Fritzell, Dave Phipps, Cody Hutton, Brock Holker, Joe Hornback, Calvin Barber, Curtis Barber, Allyson Oser, Matt Fox, Randy Porsch, Cooper and Garrett Stiens.  I think Cooper and Garrett had a good time helping place fur on the tables in front of the buyers.  I see both being a part of the crew in the years to come at the auction. Thank you boys for all your help!! Bret Smith was auctioneer, Nat Hill & Tracy Hutton - clerked, Dan Roberts and Kristie Lambert oversaw the food area, Thank you all for doing this over the years. Funke Trap Tags (Allen Sayre), Backwater Baits (Bruce Rhoads) & Mike Nelson were present selling supplies. Sleepy Creek Tannery (Ben Deters) accepted fur to be tanned as well. Again thank you to everyone who assisted in one way or another to make this auction flow as it does. Without all your assistance this would not be possible. Also, Thank you to everyone who donated fur and funds to the Mertens’ family in their time of need. I am sure Kaci and Justin appreciate the generosity of their trapping family. Also thank you to everyone who donated fur to the ITA.

We had 11 Buyers, 51 sellers and 439 lots of fur. All lots of fur sold, as you can see some fur sold for as low as 20 cents per pelt. "F" is for finished -- "G" is for green. On carcass bobcat, otter, badger and a few black raccoon I combined green and carcass animals together.

Species... Number... High/Low... Average... Total... Top

Raccoon ...F…346... $26/.50.... $8.23...$2849.75….Donated to Justin Mertens

Raccoon… Carcass/G...1260 ...$21/$11.50/.50…$3.63... $4574.50 … Dave Phipps $21 carcass John Davidson $11.50 green

Coyote...F…102..$50/$3…$12.99…$1325…Donated to ITA Mike Mazur

Coyote… G…44 ... $14/$5…$6.25…$275…Mike VenRenterghen

Muskrat… F...939…$4.75/.75…$2.67…$2511.50…Steve Grulkey

Muskrat... G... 31…$4/.20…$2.22…$68.90…Brian Burrows

Mink...F...41…$8/$1…$6.06…$248.50… Steve Grulkey

Mink...G…5… $2/$1…$1.25…$5… Scott Nibe/Keaton Jones

Bobcat...F...6..$72.50/$31…$57.91…$347.50… Tim Anderson

Bobcat…Carcass/G...26...$180/$31…$54.42….$1415… Craig Sweet

Skunk…F...32..$15/$8..$11.75..$376…Tim Anderson

Skunk...G…118..$17/$3…$11.37…$1011…Curtis Barber

Red Fox...F...8..$22/$10…$14.62..$117…Larry Wilkinson

Red Fox…G…6..$11/$3…$9…$54…Mike VanRenterghen

Badger...F...12...$41/$11.50…$36.75…$441..Larry Wilkinson

Badger…Carcass/G...10..$72.50/$26…$37.85…$378.50…Russ Bruns

Otter...F...9..$46/$19…$30…$270…Craig Sweet

Otter…Carcass/G...16..$37/$10…$31.93…$511…Chad Mahler

Beaver...F…23...$46/$26…$34.65…$797…Donated to Justin Mertens

Beaver…G...199..$38/$5…$19.56…$3892.50…Bret Smith

Tanned Beaver....1...$10/$10…$10….$10…Donated to ITA Brian Burrows

Opossum...F…25... $3.50/$1…$2.61…$70.75… Craig Sweet

Opossum…G...31..$4/$1…$1.23…$38.25…Brock Holker

Gray Fox...F...6..$25/$11…$18.75…$75…NOT IA gray’s Donated to ITA Mike Mazur 

Weasel...F...1…$2/$2…$3…$9…Donated to ITA Mike Mazur

Fisher…1..$75/$75….$75… $75 … Donated to ITA Mike Mazur

Nutria…1…$7/$7…..$7…$7…Donated to ITA Mike Mazur

Castor…2.6#…$28.46…..$74

Squirrel Tail…168..70c/60c…$101.90… Craig Sweet

Beaver Tail...40..50c/25c…31c …$12.50… Curtis Barber

Deer Hide…1..$7/$7..$7…$7 … Chad Thede

Total….$21,926.05

At fall convention our membership was at a little over 1300. I don’t know exact numbers currently, but that number has increased as well. I place that increase on Justin Deaver and Luke DeMeulenaere. Their announcements on their personal YouTube channels and overseeing the ITA’s new YouTube channel. Both these guys have their hands full trapping, let alone what they do for the association in their “spare” time. Both have been willing to take this project on and get it implemented. There are currently 622 subscribers, 17 videos with thousands of views. Thank you to Justin and Luke for all you both have done to this point. What you have done is far more reaching out to others than I am capable.

Since my last report we had 4 new lifetime members join, Drew Baier, Bradly DeWall, Jeff Dunlap & Sarah Gomez.  With that our lifetime is currently at 509 members. The website is still currently receiving the majority of our new member activity. Thank you to all our new, renewing and lifetime members of the ITA, everyone’s support is greatly appreciated.

As I stated in my last report, we will have a booth March 1-3rd at the Iowa Deer Classic. Our booth number is G31which is located on the Upper Level Grand Concourse directly across from the middle seminar stage doors. We will not have merchandise, but will have memberships available. Stop by and chat while you are there.

Our 22nd annual FBU/ITA banquet will be held April 6, 2024 at Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. This new location is located off I-80/I-35 near the west mixmaster at 1800 – 50th St in West Des Moines. EVERYTHING will be located in one big room which will be different than in the past. It will be different for me not being secluded in a room by myself for the silent auction. Hope to see everyone April 6th at our new location.

The Spring ITA Board meeting will be held 10 A.M. April 7th at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel 1800 – 50th St West Des Moines. This is the same location as the banquet. I am planning June for the Summer meeting. As always, all current members are welcomed to attend any meeting.

That is about it for now. Til next time - Craig

January, 2024 President's Report

Greetings all. In my last report under General membership meeting I stated that Cody Hutton and Chris Grillot will remain our Vice President and Treasurer.  That info is correct, but elections in odd years are for VP and Secretary. With 2023 being an odd year Cody and Kristan Barclay were re-elected to their current positions. I apologize for that partially incorrect statement. Officer positions of president and treasurer will be up for election in 2024.

Last season I helped Mike Hankins, who was 54 at the time, catch his first coyote. While on his line last season he also saw his first bobcat which really excited him as well. I put up his fur due to circumstances with the cancer he had. He had only been a member of the ITA about 18 months, sold fur at the ITA fur auction, but really wanted to tan his coyotes. Last Spring we took his coyotes to Wellsburg for tanning and made the trip to pick them up mid June. October 4th he passed away, but at his celebration of life there was his 1st coyote tanned and on display for everyone to see. I also learned that I had been to his grandparent’s house many times in my younger days when mom and dad went there to play cards. He left instructions with his parents about where all his trapping equipment would go and donate any memorial money to the ITA. He did not get to catch a bobcat, but I was invited by his parents to trap their property as Mike had done. With any luck I will catch that bobcat for him on his line. RIP Mike!!

For those who have not heard, I lost the election for FTA General Organizer. I will continue to be a part of this dedicated group of trappers, like all trappers are or should be, to assist with retaining our rights to utilize and manage our natural resources. Thank you to everyone who voted for me as it was an honor to run for this position by those who entrusted me.

Trapping season opened on November 4th and closes February 28th this season, except beaver which will remain April 15th as in the past. Get out there and have some fun while taking a kid or adult along who has never participated. This is one way to get others involved and introduced to trapping for now and the future.

Since September 11th launch of our new ITA YouTube channel, there are currently 431 subscribers, 7 videos with 4833 views. The channel currently covers basics on traps, trapping and new regulation changes are explained. There will be equipment for loan, with a deposit, to members who wish to video for the channel. If you have not viewed it yet, go to YouTube and search for Iowa Trappers Association. Thank you to Justin Deaver, Luke DeMeulenaere and JD Rogge for all your work involved to get this channel launched and its viewing available.

Since my last report we had 2 new lifetime members join, Brandon Weyerman and Jeff Dodds. I do not know our current membership number, but can say that lifetime is currently at 505 members. The website is currently receiving the majority of our new member activity. Thank you to all our new, renewing and lifetime members of the ITA, everyone’s support is greatly appreciated.

With help from Kristan, I have setup an email list of current members to receive my report and other info when required to their personal email.  That list contained over 130 undeliverable emails which were deleted and some have been updated since. If you wish to be on this list and have not received my last report, send your email to me and I will get you on this list. My email is hightoweria@aol.com

The ITA Fur Auction will be held January 6, 2024 at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Boone. Dave Phipps and I will begin accepting seller numbers starting Dec 1st as in the past. You can contact Dave at 515 491-8214 or myself at 515-306-9385. When you get there pickup your seller card, this number will be your seller number for the auction. The issue we see most when lotting in is “bad” pelts mixed with good. If you have blue or damaged pelts put them on a separate string. Those blue or damaged pelts will only downgrade the value of your good pelts. Once your fur is lotted in, all fur MUST cross the buyers table before it can be pulled for “No Sale”.  Let us know when we are lotting in your fur the minimum price you are wanting so that can be written on the seller sheet.  For any “No Sale” fur, the commission is calculated off the last bid received.  Commission as in the past will be 3% for “No Sales” and 5% for sales. Pay the clerk via cash or check only as we will not be able to accept debit or credit cards. After paying your commission, a sheet will be given for you to take to the buyers which purchased your fur. Doors will open at 7 A.M. and auction will begin at 9. Dan Roberts and Kristie Lambert will have food for lunch plus we will have doughnuts, pop and coffee like in the past. Hope to see everyone in Boone!!

March 1-3rd the ITA will have a booth at the Iowa Deer Classic which will be our first time at this event. We attended National Pheasant Fest from 2007 to 2015 with much success, but help in the booth became an issue. With the classic being in Des Moines it will be much closer to home and assistance. We will only have an 8X10 booth which will be tight for space we normally have for a layout.  Our booth will be number G31 located on the Upper Level Grand Concourse directly across from the middle seminar stage doors. If you attend, stop by and chat with us.

Our 22nd annual NTF (National Trappers Foundation)/ITA banquet to be held April 6, 2024 at Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. This new location I located off I-80/I-35 at 1800 – 50th St in West Des Moines.  As I indicated prior, there are many other motels located well within a mile of this location. Save that date and we will see everyone next April at our new location.

July 25-27th we will have booth number 234 at the NTA National in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I will bet there will be an “Iowa campsite” like last year as well. Stop by our booth to join or renew your ITA membership while there.

The next ITA Board meeting will be held January 28th. I have yet to select a location for that meeting. I will let everyone know when I do. I am planning on April and June for the Spring & Summer meetings. As always, all current members are welcomed to attend any meeting.

That is about it for now. Hope everyone has a good holidays. Til next time - Craig