The following is a summary of items that should be of interest to the Membership.

1. Presidents Meeting:

The 2017 Presidents Meeting will take place on April 1, 2017 at the Legion Hall in Westlock. The Draft Agenda is attached, along with the Minutes from the 2016 meeting. We would ask that you confirm your attendance at this meeting, so we can ensure adequate space and food for this meeting. As well, there is a Public Education workshop that will take place the evening before, and we invite you to attend that as well. More information is available on the attached Agenda.

2. Vote Your Support For Fur in the Fashion Industry:

Please take a moment to visit this website and voice your opinion. The question is: “Should fur be banned from London Fashion Week? Please visit the website below and vote on the poll. This just takes a moment to do and the results speak for themselves. There has been a significant “anti-trapping” response, so we need to balance the scales and make sure that our industry is heard from!

http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/15/should-fur-be-banned-from-london-fashion-week-6450491/

3. Some Good News – Fur Sales Rising and Coyote Fur Leads the Way:

Trending fur popularity boosts prices for Canadian trappers, according to fur trade representatives. You can’t walk a block in most Canadian cities this winter without seeing fur-trimmed parkas, noted www.TruthAboutFur.com, a website that cites its mandate as providing accurate information about the North American fur trade, and in a release issued Monday. That's good news for Canadian trappers, according to the organization, noting the strongest prices in years for their pelts at the first wild-fur auction of the season in Toronto. “More than 32,000 coyote pelts were offered at the North American Fur Auction sale, this week, and they were 100 per cent sold at rising prices,” said Alan Herscovici, senior researcher at www.TruthAboutFur.com. Coyotes fur is being used to trim down-filled parkas and coats, an increasingly popular trend that drove strong competition among international buyers in the auction room, resulting in 100 per cent turn-over and an average

HIGHLIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY, 2017 ALBERTA TRAPPERS’ ASSOCIATION

price of over $107 for the heavy western coyotes favoured by the trimming trade, according to TruthAboutFur. “The ‘top lot’ sold for $460 per pelt, and was purchased by an Italian luxury apparel manufacturer, but fur-trimmed coats are now the rage among young people around the world. Coyote fur around a parka hood provides unequalled protection for your face against wind and cold,” said Herscovici. “Trappers are pleased that sustainably-produced natural fur is being worn by so many young people. The fur trade is extremely well regulated in Canada and coyotes are highly abundant. In fact, coyotes have become a major predation problem for ranchers in many regions, killing lambs and calves. Some provinces and states had to issue bounties to control coyote populations when fur prices were low. But if we have to control coyote populations, it is more ethical to use them." Fur use is, of course, controversial, attracting its share of criticism for everyday use, and in celebrity fashion - with the likes of Justin Bieber attracting critics for fur use. Trapping also elicits its share of local controversy. Others, though, have argued it's an important part of the local economy, and North Bay is home to one of North America's largest fur auctions, Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. “Fur is naturally warm, long-lasting and ultimately biodegradable. I simply do not agree with those who claim we’d be better off using synthetics that are generally made with petroleum, a non-renewable resource. When you buy fur you are supporting both the environment and the people who live close to the land, in rural and remote communities,” said Herscovici. (Jack Tynan editor-in-chief for Metroland's Muskoka, Almaguin and Parry Sound publications and sites. He can be reached at jtynan@metrolandnorthmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook

4. Mark Your Calendar!

Important upcoming dates: Presidents Meeting – April 1, 2017 –Legion Hall- Westlock 2017 Rendezvous – June 30 and July 1st – High Level Annual General Meeting – September 9, 2017 - Westlock If you have events taking place in your area, we would be pleased to promote them either on our website or via our Constant Contact communication tool. Let’s keep in touch!

5. 2017 Rendezvous:

Registration forms, along with information about accommodations (hotels and camping) will be available on our website shortly. The community of High Level is very excited about hosting this event! Please find attached a summary of the 2017 Rendezvous, which you may find helpful in promoting this event to others. As always, your comments and questions are important and we encourage you to reach out to your Zone Directors in this regard. Alberta Trappers’ Association Board of Directors

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Alberta Trappers Association - Agenda Presidents Meeting – April 1, 2017 Page 1 of 3

A G E N D A Alberta Trappers’ Association

PRESIDENTS MEETING April 1, 2017

Legion Hall: Westlock, Alberta 10:00 a.m.

1. Call to Order and Introductions

2. Review Protocol for the Meeting

3. Approval of Minutes – April 9, 2016 3.1 Business Arising From Minutes

4. ATA Presidents Report – A. Coles

5. Relationship and Communication Between Locals and ATA – Expectations and Responsibilities – A. Coles

6. Reports:

6.1 PIST Report – G. Klassen

6.2 Strategic Plan and Business Plan Update – K. Semple

6.3 Corporate & Communications Report – A. Mercier

6.4 ATA Awards Update – K. Klein

6.5 Membership Report – It would be good to have a Board member do this (maybe Rob?)

6.6 ATA Insurance Program – A. Mast & E. Moland – Hub Insurance

6.7 2017 Rendezvous Report – T. Batt/K. Klein

6.8 RFMA Log Book – B. Abercrombie

6.9 Trapper Education Report – R. Hinter

6.10 Caribou Recovery Program – B. Abercrombie

6.11 Wolf Management Program – B. Abercrombie & V. Toutant

6.12 Trapper Compensation Update – A. Coles

6.13 Notice of Annual General Meeting – September 9, 2017

6.13 a – Deadline for Resolution Submissions

7. Special Presentation – Phil Thomas – Environment Canada - Carcass Contamination Program & New Partnership Initiatives

8. Zone Reports & Presidents Round Table Discussion

9. Handbooks for Zone Presidents - Updates

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Alberta Trappers Association - Agenda Presidents Meeting – April 1, 2017 Page 2 of 3

10. Other Items

11. Adjournment

We will break for a working lunch between 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

** We will also be providing everyone with a copy of the results of the survey that took place at

the AGM in September. This information is important for each Local, as it provides a good

overview of the concerns and issues that members have. It also identifies opportunities where

members would like to be more involved. **

We would like to invite all members to a “Moving Forward with Public Education Workshop” that will be provided by Ross Hinter, Trapper and Public Education Co-ordinator.

This will take place on the evening before the Presidents Meeting – March 31, 2017 commencing at 7:00 p.m., tentatively scheduled to be held at the

Westlock office. However, if we have enough interest, we will move to a larger venue. The workshop will be about 2 to 3 hours long and will include the following: Regardless of the audience there are a few common topics that the trapper should be familiar and comfortable talking about before beginning any presentation. The following 8 points is what we will cover during this workshop.

Do you utmost best never to take a defensive approach: This is an essential element to success. It can be very difficult to do if you’re not comfortable with who you are and the part you play as a trapper in conservation.

Furbearer Biology: Your audience will always ask questions about the animals that are trapped in the province. Having some tanned fur to show is always a great idea.

Trapping Regulations: Many times you will be asked what the regulations are regarding trapping devices and

practices. It is a good idea to have a set of current regulations with you to reference if needed.

Humaneness: This is a big one. One of the most common concerns your audience will have is that they believe trapping is inhumane. Familiarize yourself with the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards. Have some modern traps to show how the trapping devices have changed over the years.

Methods of Capture: You will most likely be asked how the animals are trapped. This is another good reason to have some different traps handy to demonstrate.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Alberta Trappers Association - Agenda Presidents Meeting – April 1, 2017 Page 3 of 3

Furbearer Management: One of the common questions asked is why trapping is necessary. You will need a

good knowledge of the importance of this to be able to address this. Prices and uses for fur: Make sure you have a general idea of the value of most of the different furs. A recent

price sheet from an auction house is a good reference to use.

Life on the Trapline : People are fascinated by the lifestyle of a trapper. Make sure to have a few personal stories to share with your group.

Please RSVP to the Westlock office, so we can ensure that we can accommodate everyone.

Thanks and looking forward to seeing everyone!

UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SKY

2017 RENDEZVOUS

JUNE 30 – JULY 1 – HIGH LEVEL, AB

February 15, 2017

June 30 and July 1st, 2017 will see trappers and other like-minded individuals and companies from across

Alberta and beyond, gather to celebrate the rich tradition of trapping in Alberta. The annual

Rendezvous has taken place for 44 years and is held in various locations across the Province. Generally

the location rotates from Southern, to Northern to Central Alberta. This year the host will be the Town

of High Level and the High Level Local 1080.

The event gathers upwards of a 1000 people from all walks of life and interests. The Alberta Trappers' Association strives to promote outdoor education to communities throughout Alberta with a focus on youth through activities, mentoring programs and presentations to schools and youth organizations. The Rendezvous includes a trade show, as well as demonstrations, seminars, speakers, live and silent auctions, a BBQ on Friday and a dinner/dance on Saturday night. This event attracts outdoorsmen and women from all over North America. The trapping and skinning demonstrations are both valuable and informative. A highlight of the event is the ultimate trapper competition which pits skilled trappers against each other in the quest for the fastest skinning job. There is free trade show admission and people are invited to come out and visit the various vendors with their wide array of products and services. The dinner on Saturday night includes a short program including the presentation of the prestigious Awards Program; including the Award of Merit, the Arthur E. Robison Memorial Award, the Wolf Conservation & Management Award in memory of George Kelley, the Kammer Family Trapping of the Year, various Recognition awards. There are also two scholarship awards; the Christ Wilke Memorial and the Gerald & Christella Plamondon Scholarships.

Each year at the Rendezvous, the Alberta Trappers' Association invites some of Canada's most knowledgeable and experienced trappers to provide demonstrations for Rendezvous patrons. Various research projects are also profiled including world class initiatives regarding the Wolverine projects, partnerships with Environment Canada and the Universities of Calgary and Alberta.

“The Rendezvous have become an opportunity for the trapping community to interact with various

communities by moving the location across Alberta. The host communities have been very gracious and

generous and have found the Rendezvous to provide a strong economic impact to their communities.

Alberta Trappers’ Association

Hwy 44, South Industrial Park, Lot 14

P.O. Box 6020, Westlock, AB T7P 2P7

Telephone: 780.349.6626

info@albertatrappers.com www.albertatrappers.com

We are extremely proud of this event, as it highlights the “best of the best”, said ATA President Anne

Coles.

2017 Chairman of the Rendezvous Committee said, “The Town of High Level is extremely pleased to be hosting this event. We are seeing huge support from not only the Town, but also the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Associations, local businesses and other organizations. We encourage you to visit us this summer and enjoy the Rendezvous “Under the Midnight Sun.” Additional information about the 2017 Rendezvous is available on the website: www.albertatrappers.com Other inquiries may be directed to: President Anne Coles – annecoles@telus.net Chairman of the 2017 Rendezvous – Terry Batt – tjbatt@cciwireless.ca Alberta Trappers’ Association Office – info@albertatrappers.com

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UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SKY

2017 RENDEZVOUS

JUNE 30 – JULY 1 – HIGH LEVEL, AB

February 15, 2017

June 30 and July 1st, 2017 will see trappers and other like-minded individuals and companies from across

Alberta and beyond, gather to celebrate the rich tradition of trapping in Alberta. The annual

Rendezvous has taken place for 44 years and is held in various locations across the Province. Generally

the location rotates from Southern, to Northern to Central Alberta. This year the host will be the Town

of High Level and the High Level Local 1080.

The event gathers upwards of a 1000 people from all walks of life and interests. The Alberta Trappers' Association strives to promote outdoor education to communities throughout Alberta with a focus on youth through activities, mentoring programs and presentations to schools and youth organizations. The Rendezvous includes a trade show, as well as demonstrations, seminars, speakers, live and silent auctions, a BBQ on Friday and a dinner/dance on Saturday night. This event attracts outdoorsmen and women from all over North America. The trapping and skinning demonstrations are both valuable and informative. A highlight of the event is the ultimate trapper competition which pits skilled trappers against each other in the quest for the fastest skinning job. There is free trade show admission and people are invited to come out and visit the various vendors with their wide array of products and services. The dinner on Saturday night includes a short program including the presentation of the prestigious Awards Program; including the Award of Merit, the Arthur E. Robison Memorial Award, the Wolf Conservation & Management Award in memory of George Kelley, the Kammer Family Trapping of the Year, various Recognition awards. There are also two scholarship awards; the Christ Wilke Memorial and the Gerald & Christella Plamondon Scholarships.

Each year at the Rendezvous, the Alberta Trappers' Association invites some of Canada's most knowledgeable and experienced trappers to provide demonstrations for Rendezvous patrons. Various research projects are also profiled including world class initiatives regarding the Wolverine projects, partnerships with Environment Canada and the Universities of Calgary and Alberta.

“The Rendezvous have become an opportunity for the trapping community to interact with various

communities by moving the location across Alberta. The host communities have been very gracious and

generous and have found the Rendezvous to provide a strong economic impact to their communities.

Alberta Trappers’ Association

Hwy 44, South Industrial Park, Lot 14

P.O. Box 6020, Westlock, AB T7P 2P7

Telephone: 780.349.6626

info@albertatrappers.com www.albertatrappers.com

We are extremely proud of this event, as it highlights the “best of the best”, said ATA President Anne

Coles.

2017 Chairman of the Rendezvous Committee said, “The Town of High Level is extremely pleased to be hosting this event. We are seeing huge support from not only the Town, but also the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Associations, local businesses and other organizations. We encourage you to visit us this summer and enjoy the Rendezvous “Under the Midnight Sun.” Additional information about the 2017 Rendezvous is available on the website: www.albertatrappers.com Other inquiries may be directed to: President Anne Coles – annecoles@telus.net Chairman of the 2017 Rendezvous – Terry Batt – tjbatt@cciwireless.ca Alberta Trappers’ Association Office – info@albertatrappers.com

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