OSTA/ODW
Trappers' Cabin
Article from January
- February 2003 Buckeye Trapper
by Keith
J. Landies
On August 29, 2002, we had the grand opening of the OSTA/ODOW
Trappers' Cabin at the Natural Resources Area in the Geauga County
Fairgrounds. Steve Gray, Assistant Chief of the ODOW, and Wildlife
District 3 Manager, Jeff Herrick, were both in attendance, along
with many other dignitaries and Division of Wildlife personnel.
In a speech from the porch of the cabin, Steve commended the OSTA
for the solid relationship that we have had with the ODOW for
many years and for partnering with them on projects such as these.
Over the course of the weekend, there literally were thousands
of people who went through the facility. Many had an opportunity
to hear the conservation story of why trapping is a necessary
management tool for our furbearer resources. We handed out over
two thousand pieces of literature that explained the need for
trapping in today's world.
The OSTA/ODOW Trappers' Cabin was used on September 7, 2002
for a wild turkey seminar, September 14, 2002 for a bow hunter
instruction course, as well as September 28, 2002 for its first
trapper education course. We are anticipating the facility being
used by other sportsmen's' groups throughout the course of the
winter and are thrilled to have other outdoorsmen exposed to who
the OSTA is, and what we do for the trappers here in Ohio.
The cabin itself was finished in mid-August. I'd like to thank
all those who contributed their time, resources, and money in
building this facility. A special thanks goes to the OSTA for
donating $3,000 to help get the project off the ground. Also,
I'd like to extend a thank-you for the many gifts of memorabilia,
furs, traps, etc. that now hang on the inside of the cabin walls.
If you have not heard about the cabin or have not made a donation
and want to, we are still very much in need of financial assistance.
Because of the county involvement with building permits and the
need to get an architect, the structure itself cost a good deal
more than we initially budgeted. One contractor handled the costs
overrun and was able to pay off all of our bills, but presently
he is out of pocket a substantial amount of money. Any donation
you could make to help reduce the debt should be sent to: Fur
Bearers Unlimited, Attn: Dennis Klingman, P.O. Box 1302, Middlefield,
OH 44062
Please make the check out to Fur Bearers Unlimited-Geauga County
(FBU Geauga County). Whatever surplus funding that is acquired
will be used to upgrade our displays and provide on-going maintenance
for the cabin
Region B Director, Clint Cork is having a Spring
Convention April 25-26, 2003 at the fairgrounds with a full schedule
of demos, so all our members will have the opportunity to see
their cabin first hand. Submitted by Keith J. Landies,
136 North Street, Chardon, OH 44024
|
