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

New Senior Life Members

#170 Evan Grass

#171 Leonard Bishko

#172 Roger Burke

New Life Members

#406 Mark Deschene

#407 Brian Perry

#408 Matthew Landry

#409 Timothy Witham

MEMBERSHIP FORM

Calendar

2012

APRIL 1, 2012 - FUR TAGGING DAY at Pushaw Snowmobile Club on Whitmore Landing in Hudson. 10am to 2pm.

May 6, 2012 - MTA Annual Spring Business Meeting. Location: Princeton Rod & Gun Club, Princeton, Maine, 9:00 am. (see ad below)

JUNE 16, 2012 - FREE TRAPPING CLINIC, North Anson. Reservations Are Required by June 1st, call Jerry at 635-2054. More Info Here

JULY 15, 2012 - Executive Committee / Directors Meeting, Bangor Motor Inn, Bangor (exit 187), 9:00 AM

AUGUST 23, 24, 25, 26, 2012 - Olson's 36th Annual New England Trappers Weekend, 760 East Bethel Rd, Bethel, ME. (please note: event ends at 10:30 AM on Sunday the 26th)

SEPTEMBER 14, 15, 16, 2012 - MTA Fall Rendezvous, Silver Spur Riding Club on West River Rd Rt 104 in Sidney, Maine. Please note: Event ends early Sunday morning. SEE FLYER

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

Walter L. Arnold, trapper, and one of the founders of the MTA, at his cabin in northern Maine in 1977. photo by David Hiser

See the most recent Legislative Update (updated quarterly:Jan, April, July, Oct)

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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.

Click here for information on MTA chapters around the state. CHAPTERS

This page was last updated on: May 10, 2012

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.

Newsletter : The next deadline for the MTA newsletter will be JUNE 20, 2012

Please send your submissions to the editor, Gary Sewell (email)