First off, I am Otis Latham President of the Colorado Trappers Association. After several phone calls, I have decided that I better clarify a few things so people better understand. A little history on this, at our fall meeting I brought to the attention to the membership of the e-caller petition. And asked if there was a certain stand that the CTA wanted to take on this. ( As well as a lenghty conversation with Jason bruce from NPHA) would did not attend our meeting. The membership had mixed emotions as one might have expected. Some asked questions about the ability to create "opportunitys" which is a direct legistlative action directly to the Division of Wildlife. Others asked about precedents this may set on other big game species. The list goes on. So final adoption was that the CTA would not take a official stand on the petition.
In Sept. during the Wildlife Commission meeting in Colorado Springs, myself and Dan Gates as well as Claude Oleyar attended that meeting. Chad may recall, that I spoke on behalf of the CTA, and told the Wildlife Commission that this would be a touchy subject for them. That they had to first off look at "opportunity" aspect of this petition, but secondly understand that there may be a precedent setting standard involved with it too. And I told the Commission that the CTA did not know where to stand on this. Those comments could be found on that particular meetings minutes. Dan Gates, who sits on the Board of Colorado Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife spoke on behalf of them. And not as wearing the hat as VP of the CTA. Now, all that being said, in the hall way, I spoke with the three individuals who did attend that I personally did not support the petition the way it was currently worded. That was not speaking for the CTA but speaking for myself personally. The key word there guys/gals is "worded".
As far as the CTA running scared since Amend. 14 is nothing but a farce. Since my time in office, we have since reclassified mink,marten,grey fox, swift fox,short/long tailed weasels,spotted skunks,oppossum,ringtailcats, from non game species back to furbearer status. Not only did it benefit the trappers, but also benefited the predator hunters for this state as well as non residents. We are in a stakeholders process of creating a furbearer monitoring process so that furharvesters of the state can have accurate data of populations within the state to appease future enviro-groups thoughts of over harvesting. So to have one sit back and say that we have done nothing, I take that a bit personal. We did something for trappers and did it for predator hunters as well. And will continue doing so as long as it is a passion of others within this state. We would have gladly helped the petitioners if they had come asked for the help, brought up ideas that we thought would have helped you instead of tripped you up. The CTA membership is full of predator hunters, why on earth would you think we would be against you.
In closing, the hardest thing you all will realize is getting people to participate in these things. Talk is cheap. Ive heard well it was 6 to 8 hours away, no excuse. If its dear to your heart, then you will do whatever to make sure your there and participate. I spend countless hours and my own personal money(in the thousands) fighting and protecting my passion. You all should do the same. Its easy for everyone to sit back, coach,preach,give the proverbial advice, but in turn dont put your money where your mouth is. Kudos to the individuals who spent the time and money putting this petition together. You learned the process, you understand what they look at, you tend to learn what other groups my look at. The CTA is here at any time you need help, we have been at this along time. Just a phone call away.
