Maine Trappers Association

Trappers Line Cabin

This cabin, constructed in the 1980's by the Maine Trappers Association at Leonards Mills in Bradley Maine, was typical during the early days of trapping. The line cabin was designed for an overnight stay while checking the trap line. It was very simple and meant to provide temporary shelter only. Trappers could cache food supplies, fur stretchers, extra traps and tools needed to maintain his equipment in the cabin.

Leonards Mills holds their Living History Days each year on the first weekend in October and the second weekend in July, Aug and Sept. Check their website for more info and directions to the Maine Forest and Logging Museum at Leonards Mills.

www.leonardsmills.com

Calendar

2012

FEB 5, 2012 - Executive Committee / Directors Meeting, Bangor Motor Inn, 9AM.

MARCH 10, 2012 (Saturday) York County Chapter Spring Fur Sale - Elks Lodge, 356 Bald Hill Rd, Wells, Maine. 2% commission paid on all lots. Tagging to start at 8:00am. Sale begins at 9:00am.

MARCH 9-10-11, 2012 - 74th Annual Eastern Maine Sportsmen's Show, University of Maine Field House, Orono, ME, Fri: 5:00-9:00 pm, Sat: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, Sun: 10:00am-4:00pm

MARCH 18, 2012 - Central Maine Chapter Fur Auction - being held again at the NEW LOCATION Palmyra Community Center, Rt 2 (768 Main St) Palmyra, Maine (formerly Palmyra Consol. School).

MARCH 24, 2012 - Presque Isle Sportsmens Show, Wieden Auditorium

MARCH 30, 2012 - MTA Executive Committee/Directors Meeting, 10:00 AM, NEW LOCATION - Augusta Armory on Western Ave in Augusta.

MARCH 30, 2012 - Annual Meeting with Maine IF&W, 1:00 PM, NEW LOCATION - Augusta Armory on Western Ave in Augusta.

MARCH 30-31 & APRIL 1, 2012 - 32nd Annual State of Maine Sportsmans Show, Augusta Civic Center, Fri: 1-7, Sat: 9-9, Sun: 9-5.

May 6, 2012 - MTA Annual Spring Business Meeting. Location and details to follow.

Trapper Education Class dates are listed on the Maine IF&W Website: LINK to IFW

Check the Calendar page for more event information.

The Maine Trappers Association was established in 1947 to provide an organization by which those with a common interest in the sport of trapping could come together to discuss their common goals.

Meetings of the Executive Committee are held 4 times per year. Membership meetings are held twice each year, on the first Sunday in May and in the month of September.

A newsletter, The Maine Trapper, is published quarterly and sent to all current members. If you'd like to join the MTA, go to the membership page for information.

The MTA has a proud history of bringing about changes that have enhanced the image of trappers and trapping. We have been leaders in supporting the development of traps and trapping techniques that are effective and humane. We have successfully supported legislation that has made trapping more acceptable to the non-trapping public, including mandatory trapper education. We have successfully opposed legislation when we felt that the changes would be harmful to the future of trapping or to the furbearers we harvest.

Maine Trappers Association History

In the late 1940's, Maine trappers were dissatisfied with the trapping season. The Legislature set the season at that time. Clyde Wells of Saco and H.E. Ford of Berwick thought that unifying the trappers in Maine was a necessity. On September 1, 1947, the Maine Trappers Association (MTA) was formed. Luther DeVoe was elected president, Elwyn Smith was elected vice-president and J. Cliff Francis was elected secretary-treasurer. It seems that this meeting took place without the knowledge of either Mr. Ford or Mr. Wells. Membership dues were set at $1 per year.

Continue with the History of the MTA on the History Page.

JANUARY 2012 -

Please Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Immediately!

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is now accepting written comments from the public in response to an application submitted by the Maine Fish and Wildlife Department for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for lynx. (see Skip's Legislative report for details)