SDTA News

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to say THANK YOU for the amazing 10 years I was allowed to serve on the Board of Directors. After 8 years as President, I have decided to step down. No drama, no infighting, no anything behind the scenes. It was just time for me to hand things over. WE, not me, accomplished a lot in the last 10 years. The SDTA is a well-respected organization in the state and outside the state. To recap a few highlights that YOU have done; defeated a trap tag proposal, defeated a snare ban proposal, defeated a 24-hour trap check proposal, gained an otter season and opened beaver season statewide to all year except the Black Hills. That is just the trapping stuff!!

We joined the SD Wildlife Summit and have partners who support us, and we support them. We worked with the SDGFP and 4H and started the 4H Ethics Program. We proudly support the women in our state with the Rodeo Queen fur coat assistance. We LISTENED to our membership and included more women-oriented vendors as well as kid’s vendors and activities to make the convention a family affair. We started inviting the host cities elementary schools to our conventions and it is a HUGE success and being copied by other states.

We hosted 2 NTA Western Conventions in Sturgis and the NTA National Convention in Sioux Falls. Our membership has grown and we are active in all 77K square miles of our state. I am proud for the opportunity you have given me to serve as your President. I look forward to supporting the new leadership as much as you supported me. Both Susan and I are blessed we have such great members, partners and vendor friendships across the state and country.

See you at a convention and stop by Black Bone Trap Line to visit!

John Hopple

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