President's Letter

by Randy Zarnke

This issue of "Alaska Trapper" is brought to you by our new editor Nicole Lockwood. Nicole and her husband Kurt have been members of ATA for many years. It was refreshing to learn that she wanted to step forward and help ATA in this manner. Nicole is full of energy and enthusiasm for the task ahead. She comes to us with a "can do" reputation. We look forward to working with her.

We had a wide variety of applicants for the editor's position, many of whom had admirable resumes. Thus, you should feel comfortable knowing that Nicole stood out above the others. She hopes to maintain the same bold style that people enjoyed so much last year.

When it comes to content, Nicole will be dependent on you ... our readers and members. You provide the stories and photos that make this magazine an attractive feature of ATA membership. This magazine is the "glue" that holds ATA together. Let's not take it for granted. Be an active member by submitting articles and snapshots.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention another personnel change, although this one took place several months ago. We had lots of turn-over in our book-keeper & retail merchandise position this past winter. Tish Harr has been in that role for the past several months. She has brought efficiency & stability to the position which was lacking last year. We're pleased to have her on board.

Many long-term members will remember the acronym BMP. Those letters stand for "Best Management Practices." BMPs have been developed for many activities. In simple terms, a panel of experts attempts to determine the most effective methods and materials to accomplish a given task. In relation to trapping, the BMP process was initiated in response to the threat of a ban on importation of furs into the European Union 15 years ago. A group of experts was convened to determine which traps and which methods work most effectively for a species of furbearer.

ATA leaders saw few advantages and several disadvantages from involvement in this process. The BMP results are promoted as "recommendations." We are concerned that our opponents would demand that the results be adopted as "regulations." For example, all of the BMPs developed for the Lower 48 recommend that traps be checked every 24 hours. If that recommendation were adopted into regulation here in Alaska, it would be the death of trapping. Thus, ATA has very pointedly stayed on the sidelines regarding BMPs for the past 15 years. We were approached again this summer, with the expectation that we would change that position. Instead, we simply restated our lack of support for the BMP process. Thankfully, ADF&G supported us in that position.

As I write this epistle, it is still August. Trapping season is two months in the future. In addition, there are still a couple of fishing and hunting trips between now and when I set the first trap. Thus, it's kinda difficult to get too wound up. However, November 1st will be here before we know it. Our long dry spell without trapping will be over soon.