Monthly Archives: March 2017

Member Profiles

Member Profile: Lawrence “Larry” D. Sills

Name
Lawrence “Larry” D. Sills

Occupation
Retired: Nuclear physicist, Mechnaical &Electrical Engineer—Current: Profesional Predator Trapper and Caller

Hometown
Cedar Rapids, Iowa & Halsey Nebraska

How did you get started in trapping?
Being a Farm Kid.

What is your favorite animal to target?
Yotes, Cats

What do you enjoy most about the sport of trapping?
The Money.

What is one of your most memorable trapping moments?
The time we got the pickup truck stuck during a mid night muskrat check with my new GF. Truck got burred so fast I didnt even get to steel a kiss. We had to walk 2 miles in cold wet snow. I carried her 1/2 mile on my back as she was cold and wet.

We arrived at the barn started the tractor and went to retrieve my pickup. That very petite beautiful girl became my wife 2 years later. She has trapped with me on and off for more than 40 of my 50 years of setting steel. This season my teen grandchildren began trapping.

What would you like to see changed as far as trapping regulations in Nebraska?
1) 72 hour trap check’s are allowed with the following exceptions. Except on identified public use areas, Wildlife Management Area, or Public Lakes/Reservoir.
Moreover. traps must be place 1/2 mile (880 yards) from any occupied residence.

2) Redefine Live trap: Cage traps and steel laminated jaw or rubber laminated jaw types with at least a 1/4 inch offset jaw space shall be considered live animal trap. 

What other hobbies do you have?
Longline Trapping is all season job.

Anything else you want the Nebraska Fur Harvesters to know about you?
I lived in Washington County, Neb for more than 18 Years. On an average season I will trap and call more than 225 square miles. 

Convention News, Meetings and Events

Early Details On Fall Convention

Here are some early details on the 2017 Fall Convention to be held in Sidney. Nathan Morgan is putting this together and it is starting to shape up really nice.  If you have ideas or would like to do a demo or have a booth contact Nathan at (308) 249-1295

Convention Date: September 22 – 23, 2017

Preliminary vendor list
Lee Reuwsaat,
Schneider Wild Fur
Apple Road
Petska Furs
Grizzly Rose Trap line &Fur
Schroder
Kansas Trap line Products
Peterson Furs
Sandy’s Fur Buying& ADC Trapping
Dusty Creative Cords
Rally Snares
Macke’s Hide & Fur
Keg Creek
Top Lot Stretcher Co
Dakota Fur& Baits
Papio Creek Trapping Supply
All Terrain Live Traps
Hill Top Outdoor Supply
Minnesota Brand
No BS Lures
Jones Fur Buying
Lee Steinmeier FHA
Sudden Valley
Wild Sage Creations
Cabela’s
Food Vendor: Jimmy L’s BBQ & Catering Co.

Location
Cheyenne Co Fair Grounds Address: 10955 US Highway 30
Sidney NE 69162

Hotels
Americas Best Value Inn & Suites-Down Town by the Fair Grounds(308) 254-2081
Best Western Plus Sidney Lodge-(308) 254-0100
Motel 6-(308) 254-5463
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Sidney-(308) 254-9000
Comfort Inn & Suites Sidney-(308) 254-4423
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson-(308) 254-2000
Hampton Inn Sidney-(308) 254-2111
Cabela’s Camp Ground 115 Cabela Drive, Sidney, NE 69162-(308) 254-7889

Fair Grounds are located at the far west end of town the convention will be held in the exhibit building

Meetings and Events, Nebraska Fur Harvesters News

Spring Meeting Reminder

This is a reminder to attend the Nebraska Fur Harvesters Spring Meeting.

The meeting will be Sunday, April 30th, 2017 in Seward at the VFW.   Meeting starts at noon and lunch will be served.  Map this location.

All current members are encouraged to attend.  Come bring your ideas and hear what we are up to.  We have a lot to cover this time!

As always, there will be raffle prizes and give-aways!

 

Education

NFH Makes Presence At Outdoor Nebraska Event

Dave Hastings of the Nebraska Fur Harvesters Association was guest presenter at an Outdoor Nebraska focus at Lake McConaughy this week.  Dave had the following to say:

“They had sessions on birds, water conservation, and general outdoor topics as well as Nebraska history. I did the “Furs and More” presentation, which was generally about mammals (well, coyotes mostly!) and trapping was part of the presentation. We discussed animal identification, wildlife tracks, “Poop-acology 101,” and general wildlife principals like carrying capacity and damage control. Trust me, 4th graders were happy to be out of school for the day, and they really perked up when we talked about poop, complete with samples and photos.”

If you are interested in having a member of the NFH do a presentation at your event, contact President and Education Coordinator Eric Stane at ericnfh@gmail.com.

Thank you Dave, for helping to spread the word and keep our youth educated to the benefits of furbearer management!

Nebraska Fur Harvesters News

Reminder: Fill Out Those Surveys!!

Annually, the Nebraska Game and Parks commission will mail out (or email) surveys to permit holders.  These are sent out to holders of fur harvest permits as well as hunting, big game and waterfowl hunting permits.

The surveys are anonymous and the responses provide valuable information to our wildlife biologists.  Using this information, they can set season dates, daily bag limits, and keep a handle on populations.

According to the most recent fur harvest survey, only 16% of those surveyed actually returned their survey.

As good stewards of our resources, we take the responsibility of purchasing permits to take part in these activities.  We also need to take the responsibility of providing feedback to the commission on our experiences.  Remember, the surveys are anonymous.