News & Events
Scholarship Program
Some big news for this year's Harry Fox Memorial Scholarship. It was decided at this year's spring fling to increase the scholarship amount to $2,000.00 with no more than two recipients. If you have a child or grandchild headed to college or already attending college, please contact Jim Lippens at 219 314 1440 or lippensjim@gmail.com for application details. Paperwork must be turned in by August 15.
Awards
We need some nominations for Trapper of the Year, ISTA Hall of Fame, and the Bill Lewis Memorial Youth Trapper of the Year. Please contact Mick Perry at 574 946 3553 or mickperry3553@yahoo.com for details. Last year we had zero nominations submitted, the board would rather have nominations coming from the membership.
Mentor Program
We are looking for mentors that want to share their knowledge with others that want to learn how to trap.
We have a list of guidelines of what would be expected of our mentors.
For more information contact Nathan Smith if you live south of I-70 at 812 568-1514. North of I-70 contact Jason Ballord at 765-620-1323.
2024 August News Brief
August 18, 2024
Spicing it up
The ISTA convention is about a month away, time is flying by. Over the last couple of years we have added or started events such as our expansion to Districts, fur handling workshops, doubling the number of TE classes, a second state fur sale in Lynnville and control of the food venue at our convention which includes the Friday night meal. This year we are starting to advertise some of the bigger items in our yearly auction. Here's a few new items to take advantage of at this year's convention. A fur sewing class on both days, a roundtable discussion on 4H trapping program and a top lot award from both of our state fur sales. Many of these items came directly from our membership. Remember, it's your association so get involved!!
DNR News
The 2nd comment period for river otter trapping is open until August 26, 2024. If you have already commented on the proposed river otter rule changes, you do not need to submit comments again. The proposal is to open the trapping season statewide, but otherwise retain everything else including the quota (750), bag limit, carcass turnover, etc. The final hearing is scheduled for August 26 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area. Hearing comments and online or written comments are counted the same, so if you’ve submitted written or online comments anytime since the first comment period opened in April, you do not need to submit again or attend the hearing. The hearing has both in-person and virtual options to provide comments and is on a drop-in basis. The Natural Resources Commission is scheduled to consider final adoption of the rule on Tuesday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET at Fort Harrison State Park Inn (Roosevelt Ballroom). Submit comments or see more details about the rule here: https://www.in.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket/
63rd Annual ISTA Convention
September 20 and 21, 2024
Tipton County Fairgrounds
ISTA Demo Schedule
Friday Sept 20th
10am-John&John JR Allen, Beaver
11am-A.J. Arvin, Canines
12pm-Cal Dittmar, Animal Anatomy
1pm-Nathan Smith, Coon
2pm-Tom Larson, Beaver
3pm-Jeff Dunlap, Bobcat
Saturday Sept 21th
9am-Jim Lippens, Muskrat
10am-Jeff Robinson, Canines
11am-Richard Skelton, Coon
12pm-Matt Bredeweg, Canines
1pm-Sarah Gomez, Jeff Dunlap, Beaver
2pm-Cal Dittmar, Mole Trapping
The presentation area in the main building this year will include the sewing class, the 4H Trapping Program Roundtable, IND DNR Furbearer biologist's talk and land usage for upland game.
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Convention Auction
Several members have asked about advertising items that will be on the auction. Some items are donated the weekend of our convention which makes advertising impossible and others are not. So over the next few newsbriefs we will keep a list of items we know will be on the auction with pictures and a description. Here we go with what we know to date.
Lake Erie Fishing Trip
Beaver skinning table
Ruger Wrangler engraved pistol
Signed ISTA stretcher board
Fur hat
Leopold rifle bench
Ruger pistol with engraved holster and ammo pouch
Once again a Lake Erie Fishing Trip will be auctioned off. A two day trip for up to 1 to 4 people. Fish out of a 20 foot Ranger deep v walleye boat, all equipment, bait, ice, gas, fish cleaning and freezing included.
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Choose your dates. Licenses and lodging not included.
A few questions that have been asked.
Q. Does all the money go to the ISTA
A. Yes the full amount of bid goes to the ISTA.
Q. Can the cost be split between several people.
A. Yes up to 4 people
Q. What happens in bad weather.
A. The buyers are encouraged to plan for 3 days since weather can be iffy especially in the spring. The last several years the winning group has been able to fish for 3 days but you are guaranteed at least 2 days.
Q. Can we target Lake Perch
A. Yes, talk with Jim about when and what you want to fish for. Walleye and or perch and the best times for each or both!
Any questions call Jim Lippens at 219 314 1440
Convention Vendors
Come and get your trapping supplies from our very loyal vendors!
Including:
Dunlap Lures
SheTraps
Predator Control Group
Don Edmunson
Trappinfool
Hoosier Trapper Supply
Sterling Fur
RBG Traps
Jeff Parks
FHA
NWTF
Pheasant and Quail Forever
IND DNR
Adjustable beaver skinning table. Donated and built by Josh Watts.
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Ruger Wrangler .22LR pistol with ISTA engraved on holster and ammo pouch. Donated by Chris Rouse. At this time we are not sure if this will be an auction item or a raffle item.
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District News
NE District will be attending the Pioneer Festival on September 28th and 29th. TE Class at Salamonie on Oct. 5th and 6th.
NW District will be having their officer elections soon. Ballots will be sent by mail and can be turned in at the convention.
Convention Food
The food concession will need volunteers for breakfast and lunch on both Friday and Saturday. The Friday night dinner will also need help. Remember the profits are split between the 4 district as long as the volunteers come from all 4. If you can help text Kathy Lybrook at 574 702 3540. NOTE : This is an idea that was brought up by a member and last year was highly successful but it can ONLY WORK WITH VOLUNTEERS!!
This year's menu will be Italian themed.
Short Shots
John Allen III was the winner of the adult division and has given his 50 dollar merchandise certificate to be given to a youth at the convention. Thanks John!!
The ISTA will host the NTA Convention in Wayne County in 2026. We will need volunteers. Watch for details
Check You Membership Date
*HARD LETTER NEWSLETTER COMING SOON
The hard mailed newsletter will be sent out shortly. Check your membership status by looking at the color of the printing on newsletter address area. If it's black your up to date, green means you are about to expire, red means this is the last correspondence you will receive and have expired. The convention is a great time to renew.
Check your membership date and if you need to renew click the Join the ISTA Today button below.
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JOIN NOW
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May 19, 2024
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MAY NEWS BRIEF
THANKS!
The response from our membership was great concerning getting a hold of your representatives and senators on the proposed Bobcat legislation and the NRC public comment period for the permanent otter season. We still have some work to do upcoming and we will let you know when your voice needs to be heard. It sure is easier to be on the offensive instead of constantly defending trapping and that is exactly what your board is planning on doing!!
General Membership Meeting
The yearly general membership meeting will be held on Sat June 8th at the Peaceful Waters Campground. It's located at 3325 US 41 Bloomingdale, In. Meeting will start at 10 AM with a potluck lunch after the meeting. Bring your favorite dish.
All attendees will be eligible for a door award to be drawn at the end of the meeting. Mostly trapping related prizes but also items for the ladies. The list of trapping equipment is impressive!
A junior membership award will be drawn for those under 17.
SPECIAL DRAWING!
All attendees will receive a chance to win a Ruger Wrangler .22 revolver. We will have a deck of cards with one card to be given to everybody that attends. Any cards left will be sold for ten dollars each until they are all gone, or lunchtime comes around. Drawing for the Ruger will be that day.
Membership Participation
We need some help with the following items.
College Scholarship- If you have a child, stepchild, or grandchild who is entering or currently enrolled in college they could be eligible to apply for Harry Fox Memorial Scholarship. Contact Jim Lippens at lippensjim@gmail.com for details. Deadline is Aug 15th
Yearly Awards Nominations- are now being accepted for the Trapper of the Year, Bill Lewis Memorial Youth Trapper of the Year and Hall of Fame inductees. Contact Mick Perry at mickperry3553@yahoo.com. Deadline is July 15th
Mentor Program
Thanks to Jason Ballard who is taking over the coordinating position for the Northern half of the state. Remember you MUST be a member to take advantage of this program. If you're new to trapping and looking for some help, get a hold of any board member and we'll get you started or email indstatetrappersassociation@gmail.com
Newsletter Coming
The spring newsletter will be mailed shortly. Check the label on the envelope. If it's black your membership is up to date. If it's green you are close to expiring. If it's red you have expired and will be taken off the roster. We have lots of people asking about their membership and this is one way to check. Also tickets for our annual gun trap raffle will be included.
Surveys
Indiana DNR Trapper Surveys are on their way. These surveys are important, and participation has been poor in years past. There has been a few changes to the questions this year and in addition at the end of the survey are some questions pertaining to possible trapping rule changes. The ISTA and DNR have been kicking around some possible rule changes so please take advantage and let your opinion be heard.
Also, there is a national trapping survey coming out this summer to a portion of Indiana trappers. Same deal, let your opinion be heard.
Raffle Tickets
Most of you have or will be getting soon the hard copy newsletter in the mail. Included with the newsletter are tickets for our annual gun/Trap raffle. Usually we send 10 but due to a glitch we only sent 5. Contact Melissa Mansfield at mo2boys@yahoo.com if you need more.
District News
Southeast District will be hosting a Trapper Ed Class scheduled for June 29th and 30th at Laughery Valley Fish and Game Club, 4852 South Friendship Road, Versailles, In 47042. Register @ https://www.register-ed.com/programs/indiana/106-indiana-trapper-education
SE District will have a booth at the Dearborn County 4H fair on June 20th.
Short Shots
Our own NTA Representative, Jordan Welker is running for the NTA position of Conservation Director. Please consider him when voting in this year's NTA elections!
Check Your Membership Date
Check your membership date and if you need to renew click the link below.
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JOIN NOW
Sat. June 8th - Peaceful Waters Campground starting at 10am EST.