VA Trappers Association

08/16/2026

MEMBERSHIP ISSUES!!!!
for those of you that are having an issue with your membership. Please contact Alex Mertz by going on our website and contacting him. He is our "NEW" Membership Secretary or email him @ [email protected]
He will get your membership corrected

Send a message to learn more

07/17/2026

“Every year a random selection of trappers are asked to provide important information from the previous trapping season that is then used to estimate statewide harvest of furbearers. If you received a voluntary survey in the mail this June, we hope that you will choose to fill it out for the recent trapping season (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), even if you did not trap. If you have already filled out and submitted your trapper survey, we thank you!

If you have not yet filled out your trapper survey, you can complete it by mail OR online. This is a confidential survey, but we ask that you enter the unique identifier provided in the mailing so we can track responses based on license type (SURVEYID).

1. By Mail: Fill out the paper survey that was mailed to you in June. This survey can be returned in the postage-paid envelope that was provided.

2. Online: Take the survey online at http://vatrappingsurvey.info. You must input the unique identifier code listed on your mailed invitation letter to begin.

We will be accepting trapper survey responses until August 28, 2026.”

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Leah Card
Furbearer Project Leader
P 804-801-4108
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Send a message to learn more

07/13/2026

One of the most effective trapping techniques isn’t flashy at all—it’s the blind set.

A blind set doesn’t rely on bait or lure. Instead, it takes advantage of an animal’s natural travel pattern. Whether it’s a trail through the grass, a fence crossing, a creek bank, or a narrow pinch point, the trap is placed exactly where the animal is already committed to stepping.

This approach works because you’re not trying to attract an animal…

You’re simply letting its instincts do the work.

Blind sets can be especially effective on educated animals that have become cautious around baited sets. The key is learning to read sign—tracks, worn paths, droppings, and subtle terrain features that naturally funnel movement.

The more time you spend studying travel routes, the less you’ll rely on luck.

Remember, successful trapping isn’t about putting traps everywhere.

It’s about putting one trap in the right place.

What’s your favorite location for making a blind set?

06/25/2026

Advance Land & Water Trapping Class
THIS SATURDAY, June 27, 2026, 8 AM - 4 PM at

LOCATION:
7707 Wilson Rd
Warrenton, VA 20186

SPECIAL NOTE: This course is required if you’re working on your Virginia Master Trapper Certification.

Bring lunch and water. This will be an opportunity to learn advanced trapping methods and set some steel in the dirt/water yourself. Bring your set making tools, hip waders/boots, tick spray, sunscreen. Please dress for the weather, rain or shine, you will set traps in the dirt/water.

Parking will be by the VTA trailer at the barn, down the gravel driveway to the RIGHT.

Advance Land & Water Trapping Class
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 8 AM - 4 PM at

LOCATION:
7707 Wilson Rd
Warrenton, VA 20186

06/22/2026

Team up with Bedford Virginia Flock of Turkey’s for Tomorrow, for a fun day in the great outdoors learning the art of trapping raccoons.
On Saturday August 15, 2026, from 0800- 1400 at 2001 Kelso Mill Rd,
Bedford VA, 24523. Don’t forget to pack lunch and bring water to drink,
other good items to bring are water boots and some gloves as you will
learn to set traps, both land and water, don’t forget a pen and paper for
note taking. This will be a day for beginners and novice alike to learn and take home the techniques and tactics to catch hundreds of raccoons in a single season. We will cover location, type of traps, best lures and baits to take large quantities of raccoon quick and have fun doing it.
You will learn to stack them up and do it quickly.
75 Seats available, Open to all
You can register by texting
Cline Lynch, 540-293-1768
Craig Kunkel, 540-539-1409
or sign up online https://dwr.virginia.gov/?p=96461&post_type=upcoming_events&preview=1&_ppp=5abef6696e

06/09/2026

The VTA calendar has been updated! Make sure to check back frequently.

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06/07/2026

🌐 Discover the Virginia Trappers Association by visiting our website. Learn about our dedication to ethical trapping practices, conservation efforts, and preserving a proud American heritage. Connect with fellow trappers, access educational resources, and stay updated on events shaping the future of trapping in Virginia.

Visit us today: virginiatrappersassociation.org



https://virginiatrappersassociation.org/news-blog/f/association-news-roundup

05/29/2026

Fellow Trappers,

These 3 items will be at the VTA Booth in the Kulhman Center for you to look over. They will be part of the 67th NTA Annual Rendezvous auction in Richmond, IN.

A Slice of Virginia Box Elder

Donated by Larry & Sandy Cochran of Cochran’s Lumber on behalf of the Virginia Trappers Association.

In Northwestern part of Virginia, the small town of Berryville, sits nestled in the northern Shenandoah Valley. A large Box Elder tree was removed from an old fence row, root, and all. They pressure washed it, sliced it in three-inch-thick chunks, Kiln dried it, planed down to its current thickness. injected with epoxy resin to prevent further splitting. Then the engraving was completed by Larry’s grandson on large digital CNC machine in their custom millwork shop. This Box Elder is some of the prettiest wood around, known for its unique creamy-white to vanilla tones and striking, fungal-stained red-to-pink streaks, absolutely the best.

https://www.cochranslumber.com/

05/12/2026

For all Tailgaters attending the VTA Rendezvous, Here is the mapping to follow.
Access will start on June 4th, free setup, first come basis. There will be someone at Gate 4 to guide you.

We will have 2 food vendors present.

Ice will be for sale, but a limited qty.

There is a dinner Friday evening.

Tight Chains fellow Trappers,

05/12/2026

Note from the VTA President. Hope to see everybody there.