News & Events

Scholarship Program

Some big news for this year's Harry Fox Memorial Scholarship. It was decided at this year's spring fling to increase the scholarship amount to $2,000.00 with no more than two recipients. If you have a child or grandchild headed to college or already attending college, please contact Jim Lippens at 219 314 1440 or lippensjim@gmail.com for application details. Paperwork must be turned in by August 15.

Awards

We need some nominations for Trapper of the Year, ISTA Hall of Fame, and the Bill Lewis Memorial Youth Trapper of the Year. Please contact Mick Perry at 574 946 3553 or mickperry3553@yahoo.com for details. Last year we had zero nominations submitted, the board would rather have nominations coming from the membership.

Mentor Program

We are looking for mentors that want to share their knowledge with others that want to learn how to trap.

We have a list of guidelines of what would be expected of our mentors.

For more information contact Nathan Smith if you live south of I-70 at 812 568-1514. North of I-70 contact Jason Ballord at 765-620-1323.

Spring Fling

Join us for our general membership meeting on May 17, 2025 at 10am EST at Peaceful Waters Campground.

Gun Raffles, Door Awards and Meal Provided!

ISTA News Brief
April 2025

Bobcat Win

On March 18th the NRC voted overwhelmingly to adopt the Bobcat season as it was proposed by the DNR. ISTA board members were present at the meeting. The room was full of antis and needless to say they were not happy with the outcome. While this was going on, other board members were meeting with several Indiana senators and representatives at the statehouse during the Sportsman Caucus Luncheon. Even the Governor stopped by for lunch. The ISTA has many friends currently in Indianapolis!!

ISTA President Stu Grell presents Senator Scott Baldwin the 2024 ISTA Congressional Award at the Statehouse for his sponsorship of the bobcat season bill. This was presented March 18 during the congressional sportsman's caucus luncheon.

Successful Events

March certainly was busy with an event it seemed every weekend, so a few thank yous are in order. The ISTA was asked to attend the Boy Scouts Camporama in the Bedford area on March 8th. Mick Perry, Kim Fulford, Preston Gwynn and Jim Lippens manned the booth with Mick and myself giving demos. I proved to the crowd that Trappers can accidentally catch themselves as a mb 550 caught my left fingers. No damage of course except to my pride as one of the fathers asked if I did that on purpose. Over 300 scouts and adults were shown trapping equipment and a variety of tanned pelts.

March 15th saw us at the DNR field office in Bloomington for a fur Handling workshop. Thanks to Kim Fulford, Preston Gwynn, Mick Perry, Nick Erny, Jon McDaniel, Chris Rouse, Mike Kepplin, Don Edmonson and Jim Lippens who instructed and donated pelts to work on. Over 50 pelts were put up. Thanks to Geriann Albers from the DNR for use of the entire facilities and otters and bobcats to work on. Attendance was good even though some nasty storms were rolling thru. Watch for next year's workshops to be announced.

March 22nd and 23rd saw the inaugural Trappers Ed class at Winamac Fish and Game Area. 14 attendees all passed the test with a couple new ISTA members signing up. Thanks to Mick Perry, Joey Hensley, Jim Lippens and COs Derrick Beemer and Bryce Klimek for instructing. Thanks to the staff at Winamac for hosting and welcoming us.

General Membership Meeting

Our annual Spring Fling/General Membership meeting will be held May 17th. Peaceful Waters campground in Bloomingdale Indiana is the location. Overnight camping will be available with the meeting starting at 10:00 AM. We will have door awards for just about everybody and a gun raffle that will be given away that day. DNR reps will be in attendance for all of your bobcat season questions. Bring a side dish as lunch will be served after the meeting. We also will be talking about the 2026 NTA convention which we will be hosting.

Upcoming Trapper Education Class

Versailles State Park
1387 US-50
Versailles, IN
Saturday, April 5th
9 to 5 EST
Sunday, April 6th
9 to 3 EST

Lunch provided both days by the Southeast District of the ISTA. Class will be held at the Group Camp Recreation Hall. Registration required at https://www.register-ed.com/programs/indiana/106-indiana-trapper-education/agency:25. Questions, please call Jim Bloom 812 584 5577.

HYCA Campground
8577 E. 300 South
Carthage, IN 46115
Saturday, May 10
8 to 5 EST
Sunday, May 11
7 to 2:30 EST

Lunch provided on Saturday; breakfast provided on Sunday. Registration required at https://www.register-ed.com/programs/indiana/106-indiana-trapper-education/agency:25.

Fur Takers of America Chapter 7