Dec. 7, 2009
Several members of the trapping community were honored with a Department of Natural Resources Partner in Conservation Award at the Dec. 4 of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.
The members of the Trapper Education Consultation Team (TECT) honored included John Caretti of the Michigan Trappers Association; the late Bob Dougherty, an independent trapper; Chris Kettler, independent trapper; Kahler Schuemann, independent trapper; Mark Spencer, Jr., Northern Great Lakes Fur Harvesters; and Chuck Turk, Mid-Michigan Independent Trappers.
TECT was formed in April 2008 to help guide the development of the DNR Trapper Education Program. The group met regularly and worked through many issues related to trapping, and many now continue to volunteer their time to help implement the program.
The TECT volunteers reviewed the student trapper education manual that was provided by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and provided valuable input on the content to make it appropriate for Michigan. They also volunteered their time to attend meetings, provided input on program format, helped plan the agenda for student trainings, and volunteered to serve as regional coordinators for the program.
They also helped raise funds for printing the student manuals and for additional supplies for the program. Volunteers on the team, lead by John Caretti, created a Trapper Education Support Fund to be used to purchase supplies for student kits. Through their efforts, each student goes home with two traps and a lure. Additionally, members helped secure other donations, such as 360 fur handling manuals and a box of beaver pelt patterns for students.
"Trapper education ensures the future of trapping in our state," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "This program had significant volunteer input from these trappers and their organizations, helping to ensure we have trained, knowledgeable trappers in the field and helping to avoid non-target catches.
"Also, well-trained trappers help minimize the likelihood of emotionally-charged events that could threaten the continued use of trapping as a wildlife management tool," Humphries added. "It is critical that trappers know and understand trapping regulations, make good ethical decisions and understand how to humanely and safely harvest animals. Our trapper education program ensures all these things."
Individuals and organizations are nominated for the Partner in Conservation Award by DNR employees for outstanding volunteer efforts to assist the department in natural resources protection and conservation. The award is given out six times a year at NRC meetings.
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