UP Trappers Association

[270 Jake]

I'm interested in joining, but I live in the NLP and go to college in Houghton. Does anyone know if I can still join the UP Trappers Association?

[CL-Lewiston]

They would never turn anyone away.

Could consider Northern Great Lakes Fur Harvesters. I know we would not turn anyone away. Google it up.

[Stanley]

http://www.uptrappers.com/

This should give enough info. I belong, and I'm way down state.

[uptracker]

Consider joining MTA and NTA first if you're not already a member.

[Wizard3686]

Why does Mi have so many different Associations? Wouldnt it work out better if we were all togeather in one?

[Stanley]

Why does Mi have so many different Associations? Wouldnt it work out better if we were all togeather in one?

I would say ,"Geographic's". We're a big state, with a lot of ground to cover. Different type's of trapping from one end to the other. ALL, the groups are working together. Which makes us stronger. Some people never travel below the big bridge, and some never travel above. Join as many Assocations as you feel you need to. Support the sport of Trapping as you see fit, do what you can for Trapping in this great state of ours. The leaders of ALL the Trapping Assocations of Michigan, are doing a great jobs. But they need all of our help, they can't do it alone.

STANLEY

[Wizard3686]

I understand Mi is a big state but do we really need 3 Associations? I mean i know the UPTA is broken up in 5 different districts which a couple of them are just scraping by and some of them dont get along with each other. Then you have NGLFH and MTA . From what i can find out and read we are the only state with so many.



Dont get me wrong the more ppl working to help with trapping the better. I just think things would be better off with one Association. How often do the 3 work togeather?

I understand the UPTA beacause of the fact that many down state groups dont claim the U.P for some reason. But why would you need 2 of then in the Northern lower?

[Rustyaxecamp]

I generally assumed the MTA is more "active", but I could be wrong. The dues are highest for MTA, however you get a membership to MUCC with it.

[Rustyaxecamp]

If I recall, there are members on here that are active in several of the orginizations. I'm sure they can enlighten you on the differences in MMIT, NGLFH, MTA, and UPT.

[Wizard3686]

Ok so there is 4 of them? And atleast one of them is made up of 5 different districts. That that is what i was talking about.I just dont get it that is all i have talked to ppl in other states and they all shake there head at the way they are ran to.


Where were they all at durning the time they banned the cat trapping in the lower. Did UPT come down to help with that? What if they try the same thing up here are Would MTA,MMIT,and NGLFH come out here ane help us?


What is MMIT anyways?


Rob

[Rustyaxecamp]

Mid Michigan Indepandant Trappers

[Gary A. Schinske]

Wizard:
Yes there are four trapping associations in Michigan. Yes UPTA has 5 districts in the Upper with District 3 being the most active by far. Michigan Trappers Association is the only other trapping association in Michigan with districts and we have 17. How did it happen that the state has 4 trapping associations? DISPUTES. PLAIN AND SIMPLE - DISPUTES. The split in the UP was complicated and involved and happened sometime ago. The split in the lower was because some felt the direction of the association was not what they thought it should be, so instead of voting in new leadership, which comes up ever two years for each officer position, they opted to start another organization. That happened in the last 8 years or there abouts. All 3 trapping organizations and District 3 of UPTA have now agreed to form a United Trappers Council of Michigan. A formal rules and procedures has been drawn up and 2 of the organizations and District #3 of UPTA,have voted for it and signed the document. The 3rd organization has voted for it and is waiting for the signature of their Secretary to make it official. This does not mean any of the organizations are merging! It is a formal agreement where we pledge to reach a common agreement on every trapping related issue and stand united to speak as one voice for trapping in Michigan. Can this lead to a further united effort - YES? But first ,all four organizations have to come to common grounds of respect, trust and convince their membership that we must do things for the over all good of trapping and its' future rather than what is good for 1 trapper or a few trappers in a given area. We have made great strides in the last 2 years and this is the first time these organizations have truly pledged to work together. For now, please do not make the number of organizations an issue. Concentrate on the positive that we are all working for the best interest of trapping state wide. Thanks

Gary A. Schinske
President
Michigan Trappers Association

[Wizard3686]

Gary i wasnt trying to make the number an issue. I just didnt get how haveing that many of them could be good for anyone. I have read and heard of some of the disputes between the ones in the UPTA i also know that alot of it happen with the district i live in.

UTCM would be a good thing it would help with alot of fronts of trapping if everyone was togeather and on the same page at all times. That is all i was trying to get at. I know there is no way that all of the associations can be on the same page at the same time with the trapping in Mi. That worrys me a good bit.

Rob

[Rustyaxecamp]

Gary - that is great news!! I hope it happens soon!!

"Together we stand, divided we fall......" :coolgleam

[Gary A. Schinske]

Rob:
You wrote: "I know there is no way that all of the associations can be on the same page at the same time with the trapping in Mi. That worrys me a good bit." That is what the United Trappers Council of Michigan pledges to do. Michigan Trappers Association, Northern Great Lakes Fur Harvesters, UP Trappers Association District #3 have signed the agreement and Mid-Michigan Independent Trappers has approved the agreement and is just waiting for their Secretary to sign the document. I know it sounds impossible with all of the bad feelings in the past, but we are commited to work out any issue. Some of our current regulations are already different in the UP verses the LP so we know and accept there are differences. For the sake of trapping we can resolve issues. We can not resolve issues for the sake of a trapper or a few trappers in a certain area. An example is the banning of traps with teeth. While a few trappers were still using them, they are a public relations nightmare for trapping as seen on Fox Sports Net with the HSUS commercials against trapping. There has been many traps developed that can easily replace the effectiveness of traps with teeth. While those trappers that were using them will have to go through some expense to replace them, it is the best thing for the future of trapping. (Most of those traps can be sold for as much as it costs to buy a replacement and in alot of cases for more.) All of the members on the Council voted to endose the ban on traps with teeth. Rick Arduin, Ken Mills, Mark Spencer Jr. and Ed Lundborg are great guys to work with and that is the reason the Council is and will be effective.
I know you were not necessarily focusing on the numbers. You are right when it comes to Michigan having so many different associations and then districts within two of the associations. When trapping associations can not agree (or agree to disagree) you get separation of purpose, direction and effectiveness and that is exactly what HSUS wants to see and make it easy to get our traps taken away. Even in Minnesota and Maine where they have only one state association, they have come under serious attack by HSUS and API.
Join any state trapping association and any national trapping association to stay united and protect your privilege to trap.

Gary A. Schinske
President
Michigan Trappers Association

[Rustyaxecamp]

Great post Gary!!