VTA Training Coordinator

10 traps set for 70% catch rate, 29 Jan 2006 (below):

Ed Crebbs
175 Waldrop Rd
Gordonsville VA 22942
540-832-2708
email: edcrebbs@yahoo.com
This is your Virginia Trappers Association working for you.
Master Trapper Program
The purpose of this program is to provide professional recognition to individual trappers. It is designed to recognize the sustained effort of a trapper to both become a more successful trapper and to participate in the training and education of future generations of trappers.
There are three levels of achievement
possible in this program for which a
There are some issues with availability and accessibility to certain furbearers by those in far eastern parts of the state. These issues will be addressed on a case by case basis.
Only one award may be applied for in a calendar year.
To earn the Apprentice Trapper Award the applicant must:
Provide documentation of thirty (30) or more trapping days within the most recent licensed furbearer season and a record of catch providing documentation to show the legal catch of at least six (6) different species of furbearer taken within the most recent licensed furbearer season (copy of trapping log or diary for that year). (No animals caught outside the licensed trapping season, i.e. early live fox catch period or Damage Control, may count towards this award.)
To earn the Journeyman Trapper Award the applicant must:
All requirements above must be completed within a three year period.
To earn the Master Trapper Award the applicant must:
Provide documentation of sixty (60) or more trapping days within the most recent licensed furbearer season and a record of catch providing documentation to show the legal catch of at least ten (10) different species of furbearer taken within the most recent licensed furbearer season including three of the following: bobcat*, coyote*, mink*, or otter* (copy of trapping log or diary for that year). (No animals caught outside the licensed trapping season, i.e. early live fox catch period or Damage Control, may count towards this award.)
As a trapper earns each of the three award levels he/she shall receive a certificate of recognition, a Program Patch for that level, and the patches (rockers) that signify the catch of the required animals. These patches will be on a one time issue only.
A check made payable to the VTA in the amount
of $25.00 for the Apprentice Trapper award, $30.00 for the Journeyman
Trapper award, and $35.00 for the Master Trapper award shall accompany the
application. If the award is
not approved the fee will be returned to the applicant.
Any member of the VTA may purchase the rocker style patches which accompany the award for his/her own use but the three program patches (one-time issue only) may only be earned through participation in the Awards Program.
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Application for Master Trapper Program Award
Address: _______________________________________________
City: _______________________________
State: ________ Zip Code: _________________
County: ___________________________
District: __________ Training Region: _________
I am applying for the ________ Apprentice __________ Journeyman _________ Master Award.
Date of Completion:
Basic Trapper Training course: ___________
Attended the VTA Annual convention: ________
Apprentice Trapper Award: ________________
Assisted with a Basic Trapper Training Course, classroom or field exercise (circle one)
instruction: _______
Advanced Trapper Training Course,
Part One or Part Two: ________
Journeyman Trapper Award: _______________
Conducted one training demonstration (trap-setting) and one classroom section at a Basic
Trapper Training Course: _____________________
Advanced Trapper Training Course, Part One or Part Two: __________
Mentored one beginning trapper, season of: ______________________
If you cannot locate your date of completion for any training you have participated in and know the location, contact the State Training Coordinator for this information prior to submitting this form. Go to www.virginiatrappers.org for contact information.
I certify that I have caught the following animals as required above for the (circle one only) Apprentice / Journeyman / Master Trapper Award:
Coyote* __________ Red Fox __________ Gray Fox __________
Bobcat*___________ Raccoon __________ Opossum __________
Otter* ____________ Beaver ___________ Muskrat ___________
Mink* ____________ Striped Skunk _________
I certify that these animals were caught by me with no physical help from another person and that these animals were caught in a trap other than a cage trap (steel live-catch foot hold trap, Conibear style trap, or snare. I further certify that none of these animals were caught outside the licensed furbearer trapping season, i.e. early live fox catch period or Damage Control.
A copy of my trapping log or diary is attached providing documentation of _______ or more
days trapping and ________ different animals caught as cited above.
A fee of $25.00 / $30.00 / $35.00 accompanies this application. Check # _________________
___________________________________ ________________________________
Signature
of Applicant Date
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Signature
of District Director
Signature of Regional Training
Coordinator
Patch and certificate issued to District Director for applicant: ____________________________
Date
Initials (RTC)
Patch and certificate awarded to applicant by ________________________ on ______________
Date entered into database: ____________________ Initials: _____________________
State Training
Coordinator
Training
coordinator’s report for June-July 08 An outside temperature of 100 degrees is keeping me from
being very excited about trapping right now but I know that will pass. Lee Walker, Editor, at the Virginia Wildlife Magazine and
Tee Clarkson, writer, did a wonderful article on trapping for the June issue.
The picture of Jim Covais is the best image a trapper could give to the
non-trapping public. This is also a great way to lead the public to Luray and
the Convention in July. We all have a lot of work to do to get ready for next
season but let us not forget the new trappers. We have a class scheduled at
Boswell Tavern at my house in September, one in Monterrey in October, and there
are several others on the drawing board for this summer and fall. I have received only three applications for Apprentice
Trapper and three applications for First Catch Awards for youths. I’m sure
there are more out there but unless I have something in hand I cannot provide
the awards. If you have not applied to your District Director and still wish to
do so get them in soon. I will provide the awards at the Convention and will
accept applications from the Directors until then. Please take note of the changes in the training
hierarchy. We have a new Regional Coordinator in Region 4, Craig Lam. Region 1
and Region 3 have been divided into two parts due to their size. Region 1 north
of the James River is Willie Ernstes, south of the James River is Kevin
Cornwell. Region 3 east is Gene Wirt and Region 3 west is Tom Hampton. Since
there is no clear geographic divide there I’ll let them decide which counties
they will cover. Region 5 has no coordinator at this time and I will be the
acting coordinator until that office is filled. District Directors, if you want to hold a Basic Trapper
Training course in your area contact a Regional Training Coordinator and let’s
“git ‘er done.” Two District Directors have asked for an advanced training
class format. Here is your chance for you to provide your input. Send me your
ideas and suggestions on what should be included in an advanced trapping class.
This class would be for those who had already been through the Basis Trapper
Training Course and have one or more seasons of trapping experience behind them.
Congratulations go out to Marty Cogar of Nottaway High
School. He is the recipient of our $300 VTA scholarship this year. Let us not forget the convention at Luray the 18th-20th
of July. I look forward to seeing you there and as always, TRAIN YOUR
REPLACEMENT. Take a youngster trapping. ED