State association fur auctions are certainly a positive thing for the organization and its members. Not many active state associations don’t put on fur auctions. I was wondering why two states with very active associations and a heckuva lot of trappers and fur harvested on don’t put on a fur auction? Namely Minnesota and Wisconsin? I’d think both could have a heck of a turnout up yonder. High quality fur and a lot of it would draw a lot of buyers I’d think.

I don't know for sure but since we are a nonprofit origination we can't make money off our members. At one time we had a fur auction, and it was shut down because of our nonprofit status.

But District 10 of the WTA is now looking into how we can get this done.

Don't know what restrictions to non profits are, but I would think a auction could be had with a percentage to the organization, with expenses deducted, then remaining profit distributed to members, perhaps in a membership fee deduction...so you wouldn't have a profit, but you wouldn't lose the cost of the auction....just a guess.

Missouri now has sponsors for our fur auction who pay the entire cost plus some and members sell for free. We did not start doing this because of some restrictions on nonprofit organizations, but to be a way to serve our members without it costing them anything.

Wondering how so many other states get around that, or are these individual state regulations.

Those States have active furbuyers available.

And several out of state buyers would show up.

A non-profit organization doesn't mean you can't hold money for a cause. The money can be stored in a bank and used many way. Like promoting trapping, scholarships, helping any cause out there.

A non-profit has to get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS. You expenses can come out of the money you get from activities to help run the Organization.

Once the group got started it could be a very influential and helpful group you could have.

Wondering how so many other states get around that, or are these individual state regulations

Cause they are not yankee's!

I looked into this over 20 years ago here for our assocation and discovered out of state fur buyer license were sky high thus prohibitive to potential buyer's. Some of that might be playing into things elsewhere, who knows. MAIN problem id see is VOLUNTEERS! All these sales and convention's don't run theirself! Stuff doesn't just 'happen' on it's on. Usually got 2 or 3 people running everything and they just don't have the time nor energy to add something else to the list.