VTA President's Report
Bob Newberry
5595 Waddletown Rd
Bland, VA 24315
phone 276-688-3670
June 30th, 2008:
Hello to all in the trapping world! We now have our website up and running!
Lets all get busy and send our reports in so the ones who would like to go on
line can find out what's going on in the VTA. A thumbs up to Wayne Dunn who is
hosting our website for the great job he is doing. I urge all BOD members and
Directors to take time and write and let our membership know what is going on in
your neck of the woods. Convention time is getting closer July 18-20, Page
County Fairgrounds in Luray, Virginia. District 4&5 are hosting our convention
this year and from speaking with Glen Mabe looks as if everything is coming
together great. We can always use your support in helping make it more
successful, so please let us know how we can make it better. Start thinking
about our 2009 convention, location, host and dates.
We have some new trapping regulations for 2008 & 2009. Bobcats- a new regulation
was passed that requires all hunters and trappers who kill a bobcat to report
the kill within 24 hours through an electronic harvest reporting system. Bobcats
can be checked with a touch-tone telephone by calling the toll-free number
(1-866 468-4263). Bobcats can also be checked using the internet. Successful
hunters and trappers can access the department's web page at www.HuntFishVA.com
then click on Hunting then Links then Check Game Online. When you get your
confirmation number, write this number down and store it in a secure location
where it can be retrieved to prove compliance with checking requirements or to
request a CITES tag. Bobcat pelts that are sold, traded, transported out of
state or shipped out of state also must have a Cites tag affixed to each animal.
A valid confirmation number will be needed to obtain a Cites tag. (No Cites tag
is needed to have a bobcat mounted by a Virginia taxidermist.) To obtain a Cites
tag, contact your local conservation police officer or nearest regional office.
Cites tags may also be ordered on the internet from the department web page.
Electronic calls may now be used to hunt bobcats, coyotes and foxes on public lands during firearms season and private land with landowners written permission.
Body-Gripping Traps in excess of 7 1/2 inches can now be set half-submerged in water. ( Please use good common sense where you set a half submerged 280 or 330 Bodytrap)
Beginning this year, licensed trappers may shoot a .22 rim fire rifle or pistol over public waters to dispatch trapped animals. Trappers will now have the option of tagging their traps with a permanent identification number issued by the department. To obtain a trapper ID number contact your nearest department office for instructions. Remember this is OPTIONAL!
Virginia Trappers Association is offering a REWARD of up to $500 for individuals who report trap theft to the department that results in a successful prosecution. Anyone who sees traps being stolen is encouraged to report it to the poaching hotline 1-800-237-5712. Many thanks to Mike Fies for pushing this issue so it could be published in the new 2008-2009 Game Law Book.
VTA BOD meeting Friday afternoon in Luray at the convention. Membership meeting Saturday afternoon, Executive meeting to follow the membership meeting.
Don't forget to send your reports to vtahost@virginiatrappers.org
See Ya In Luray!!! Bob Newberry