Awards | Fur Takers of America

The FTA Award System

Since its formation, the Fur Takers of America has been blessed with countless dedicated persons working to preserve our way of life.

Many of their names have gone unknown but each is to be commended for the countless hours and miles they have donated to preserve our heritage. It is time they be acknowledged for their service.

Each year the Fur Takers takes nominations from the membership for several of these individuals to receive acknowledgment. The FTA National Awards Committee is trusted with the responsibility of accepting nominations but it is the FTA Governing Board who cast their vote by written ballot to determine the recipients. If someone is nominated for more than one award, the Secretary and Nominations Committee will determine for which award the nominee will be a candidate. This decision will be based on number of nominations received, information received about the nominee, and whether nominee fits the criteria.

Persons may receive the Hall of Fame and American Heritage Award only one time.

Make a Nomination
Mail or Email the person or group's name, the award they are being nominated for, and some information telling us why you believe they should be considered for the award. Please include your name and contact information. Nominations will be accepted until April 15 each year to allow time for voting and having plaques made. Nominations will not be accepted over the telephone. The awards will be presented at the FTA National Council meeting during the FTA National Rendezvous.

Submissions may be mailed to:
Charlie Mascheck
1155 N. Mathews Rd.
Greenwood, In. 46143
Email: cmasheck@furtakersofamerica.com

FTA Awards

Hall of Fame (2 given each year) - Someone alive or deceased, who has been instrumental in the formation of and implementation of the ideals of Fur Takers of America. He or she is someone who has been or is actively involved with FTA for a number of years. An individual may receive this award only one time.

American Heritage - A group or individual, who has actively worked to preserve the heritage of trapping. This could be through financial donations or donations of time and talents above and beyond the call of duty. Nominee does not have to be a member of FTA. An individual or group may receive this award one time only. Current officers/board members are not eligible for this award.

Fur Taker of The Year - This person is a member of FTA who has done something special/outstanding for Fur Takers this past year. Make sure nominee tells us what he/she has done. Current officers/board members are not eligible for this award.

Distinguished Service - Anyone who contributed to FTA in a unique manner either this past year or has done so over a number of years should be nominated for this award. Nominee does not have to be a member of Fur Takers. Current officers/board members are not eligible for this award.

Chapter of The Year - Chapter that has done something special/outstanding during this past year should be nominated for this award. Give specific details.

Affiliate of the Year - Affiliate that has done something special/outstanding during this past year should be nominated for this award. Give specific details.

FTA American Heritage Award Winners

1980 Don Nichols OR
1983 WLFA
1984 Cong. Don Young AK
1985 Dale Haney (Woodstream)
1986 Jerry Barton
1987 Robert Himmel IL
1988 Wayne Negus OR
1989 Merle & Meredith IA
1990 Gary Jepson ND
1991 Fur-Fish-Game
1992 Charles Dobbins OH
1993 Ludy Sheda IA
1994 Charles Park IN
1995 Dean Mitchell IA
1995 James Lee KY
1996 James (Red) Edgemon TN
1997 Tom Hammond IL
1998 Robert (Hawk) Hassfuther IN
1999 Pete Askins PA
1999 Jerry Joe Barnett IN
2000 Ron Cauble IN
2001 Roy Greenfield NE
2002 Ron Leggett MD
2003 Dave Hastings NE
2004 Irv Shirmer IL
2005 Dave Plueger IA
2006 Jim Mahoney IN
2007 Tony Celebrezze OH
2008 USSA OH
2009 Gary Leistico MN
2010 Keith Winkler OH
2011 Charlie Masheck
2012 Paul Brown
2012 Tim Hiller
2013 Nancy Mahoney IN
2014 Jeff Dunnier TX
2015 Oneida Victor Trap Co.
2017 Grant Groenewold
2018 Glen Sterling WY
2019 Tom & Nancy Oar MT
2020 Barry Warner
2021 Bryant White
2022 Brian MacGowan
2023 Louie Krumwiede
2024 Scott Lickteig NE

FTA Hall of Fame

1974 John Parker AZ
1975 George Liljestrand MN
1976 Raymond Thompson WA
1977 Ed Marks NJ
1978 Frank Terry CA
1979 Ben Sudul OR
1980 Joe Tennyson MS
1981 J. C. Woodard OH
1982 Wilbert Pierce ND
1983 Tom Landers KY
1984 Louis Krumwiede IL
1985 Milt Wernsman IL
1986 Red Edgemon TN
1987 Omar Shipley MO
1988 Don Nichols OR
1989 Ivan & Connie White NE
1990 Charles Park IN
1991 Kermit Sterns PA
1992 Pete Rickard NY
1993 Tom Wright SR IL
1994 Red Edgemon TN
1995 Pete Askins PA
1996 Gary Jepson ND
1997 Charles Andres IN
1998 Charles Dobbins OH
1999 Tom Hammond IL
1999 Dean Mitchell IA
2000 Ron Cauble IN
2000 Robert (Hawk) Hassfuther IN
2001 James Lee KY
2001 Roy Greenfield NE
2002 Jerry Hall SR KY
2002 Jerry Joe Barnett IN
2003 Wally Schmieg MO
2003 Ron & Pete Leggett MD
2004 Dave Hastings NE
2004 Kenneth Jones TN
2005 Gary Armstrong IL
2005 Dorothy Lee KY
2006 Elliot Murdock IN
2006 Ed & Mary Helterbrand MO
2007 John Wilson IL
2007 Dave Plueger IA
2007 Robert Wilson MO
2008 Major Boddicker CO
2008 Paul Brown KY
2008 Ken & Elaine Schwarzhoff IA
2009 Irv Schirmer IL
2009 Jim Mahoney IN
2010 Tom Fisher
2010 Joe Papa
2011 Larry (Doc) Green
2011 Bennie Bailey
2012 Gary Isbell
2012 Carol Krumwiede
2013 Gene Beeber KY
2013 Charlie Masheck IN
2014 Ardel Grawe ND
2014 Owen Hall IA
2015 Art Scott OH
2015 Tom Dearmont NE
2017 Gene Purdy
2017 Tim Julien
2018 Robert Himmel IL
2018 Gayle & Arlene Kirchner IL
2019 Glen Sterling WY
2019 Nancy Mahoney IN
2020 Tom Miranda, FL
2020 Dan Schweisthal, IL
2021 Jeff Dunnier
2021 Robert Waddell
2022 Greg Anderson
2022 Cory Van Driel
2023 Keith Winkler
2023 Ed Kelly
2024 Jonathan Balentine "Woodboy", IN
2024 Dave Scifres - IL

Fur Taker of the Year Award

2016 Cory VanDriel, Minnesota
2018 Tim Hiller, Montana
2019 Robert Waddell, Missouri
2020 Dave Eckels, Pennsylvania
2021 Christy Miller, Indiana
2022 Jason Wisniewski
2023 Mike Sells
2024 Dave Eckels, Pennsylvania

FTA Distinguished Service Award

2016 Todd Lang and assistants Myles and Lance - Indiana
2018 Carol Krumwiede, Illinois
2019 Pete Askins, Pennsylvania
2020 Todd Lang, Indiana
2021 Joe Jack, Nebraska
2022 Thad Sickels
2022 Mike Sells
2023 Dave Hastings
2024 Patty Mahoney Lowe IN

FTA Chapter of the Year

2016 Indiana Chapter 7
2018 NW Illinois Fur Takers
Chapter 17-B
2019 Central Indiana Chapter 7-B
2021 Chapter 7G SE Indiana
2024 East Central Illinois Fur Takers Chapter 17

FTA Affiliate of the Year

2016 Alaska #48
2018 Wisconsin Trappers Association
2019 Virginia Trappers Association
2020 Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association
2021 Pennsylvania Trappers Association
2022 Kansas Fur Harvesters Association
2023 Wisconsin Trappers Association
2024 Virginia Trappers Association