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New Hampshire Trappers Association Frank J. Sinclair Research Grant
New Hampshire
Trappers Association By Mel Liston Strafford, New Hampshire February 2006
About five years ago when Sharon Guaraldi was President of the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation, www.nhwf.org/ she came to the Spring Meeting of the New Hampshire Trappers Association www.nhtassoc.org/ as a guest speaker. Sharon talked about the history and purpose of NHWF plus the ongoing work it does each year on behalf of the many affiliate sportsman/conservation groups and individual members that make up the core constituency for its activity and advocacy. Before me I saw a lady sports person who was truly world class in here passion and sincerity for our many causes. Here was a lady who had partaken of many outdoor experiences generally enjoyed and appreciated by men, but seldom experienced or often misunderstood by the ladies in our larger community. As Sharon approached the end of her talk about the NHWF she informed those present that as an affiliate club, the New Hampshire Trappers Association was entitled to two delegates who could attend various meetings and vote issues at hand. Sharon further informed us that the NHWF was only able to do the fine work it does on our behalf as a result of willing volunteers who would serve as delegates and Directors. I could tell from that very first meeting that Sharon was the Real McCoy, that she was the truest of selfless servants for our cause. I was moved to assist her in this effort. Some seasons have passed into memory as the vision of a coming horizon offers the opportunity that is today. Sharon is now the NHF&G Commissioner for Grafton County and her husband Larry serves at the NHWF as a Director. I am now taking a turn as President of the New Hampshire Trappers Association, and also serve as a Director for the NH Wildlife Federation. Larry and Sharon often make the trip down from Grafton County together for a long day in Concord so they can both fulfill their volunteer social responsibilities. Sharon is often attending the NHWF Board meetings with her husband Larry who is in the official capacity. Sharon usually sits peacefully knitting as the tone and timbre of the meeting vacillates with the intensity of the issues being deliberated. Since Sharon has so much history with the organization she will sometimes be queried as to her recollection of past practices or procedures. It never ceases to amaze me how a lady can continue to knit unabated while deep in thought and then in such a peaceful and articulate way, find the words to express and explain a complicated or delicate issue with ease and clarity. Isn’t that just like trying to pat your head with an up and down motion while you rub your belly in a circular motion? How does she do that without stabbing herself with one of those big wooden needles? Now there is one function at the NHWF to which Sharon has retained the official capacity that being the number one advocate for the Becoming an Outdoor Woman program. I suspect this is somewhat of an inheritance for Sharon, as she was around and became an active promoter of the program in its early years, after attending the very first program as a participant. When BOW comes up at a meeting, the knitting gets put aside. For any who may not yet be fully aware of the Becoming an Outdoor Woman program please visit their website at www.nhbow.com/ to familiarize yourself. The long and the short are as follows; Most states have a program such as this run through their hunter education program designed to provide women with the hands on opportunity to experience an extensive portfolio of traditional outdoor pursuits and skills including but not limited to many aspects of hunting, fishing, and trapping. In New Hampshire the BOW program is jointly sponsored by NH Fish&Game and the NH Wildlife Federation. It was during a NHWF meeting a few months back that Sharon put out the call for Directors or Delegates to volunteer service, to assist the NHWF in it’s sponsorship responsibility in a more active and engaged way. While delineating the merits of the BOW program, Sharon spoke of her great respect for Laura Ryder who has been the program coordinator since its inception. The straw vote of support for the program was profound and several Directors volunteered to become more active in that support. Once again I was moved buy the sincerity and passion of Sharon Guaraldi. I chose to follow her into the fray for the sake of this worthy cause. The sponsorship role of NHWF has specific fiduciary responsibilities for the program, so our new Executive Director, Todd Allen, will be a regular participant at the committee and remain on top of the finances. The NHWF is now well represented at the BOW board meetings and the number of active participants from our organization is expected to grow. Now that I have attended a couple of BOW committee meetings I can see why Sharon spoke so highly of Laura. My first opportunity/idea to provide enhanced
service to BOW came in the US mail. The November/December issue of
Trapper’s World
www.trappersworld.net/ . This issue was a first not
only for this particular magazine, but may well be the first time ever
that any national trapping magazine published a ladies special issue.
You say, what is a Ladies Special Issue? Well, it is a magazine with
every issue written by a lady trapper, wife of a trapper, or daughter of
a trapper. A trapping magazine with the ladies unique point of view. As
I was reading my issue of Trapper’s World on the day after a BOW
committee meeting, the thought came to mind that this was just the
ticket for an item to make available for the ladies who attend a BOW
program event. That very day I sent an e-mail to Kyle Kaatz, the Editor
of Trapper’s World, with an explanation of the BOW program and an
inquiry as to the possibility and pricing to purchase a large quantity
of the Ladies Special Issue. With an eagerness to participate, Kyle came
back quickly with a very fair offer to share the actual cost with the
New Hampshire Trappers Association. When presented with the opportunity
to support the Becoming an Outdoor Woman program in this unique way, the
NHTA Board of Directors voted unanimously to purchase 250 copies as a
years supply. It was very clear that the NHTA has significant value for
the BOW program and was very excited about the opportunity to contribute
in such an appropriate way. On January 11, 2006 at the monthly BOW Board
meeting, I presented Program Coordinator, Laura Ryder with a 250 copy
supply of the Trappers World Ladies Special Issue.
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