My thoughts

[dspeakes]

I have been spending a lot of time thinking about the ADHA. We all say we want to get this done, but are we really willing to do the work and take the time to get it done? It will take some serious work to get this off the ground and get it going. It will take more than just talk, it will require a lot of determination, hard work, and money.

In my opinion, it needs to start out as a statewide organizaion with a common mission statement, goals, and guidelines. We do need local chapters but as a part of a statewide orgnanization. It is time to get together and start working on what we as hunters (trophy, dog, archery, gun, whatever) want from the AG&FC. We must support all hunters and their right to hunt using their methods as long as they are legal and ethical.

I am a father and a grandfather. I want my children and grandchildren to have the same or better opportunities to hunt in this great state that I have had. This is a state that has a long history of hunting and I would hate to see that end because we were too lazy or apathetic to do our part. We have to meet and share ideas. We have to get this going before everyone loses their drive.

Please do not let this issue die. We must take the responsibility for our hunting future. It is time to stand up for what we believe. It needs to be done in a respectful, intelligent, and professional manner. We need to support each other as hunters and the AG&FC for their efforts to provide hunting opportunities.

Darrell Speakes

[DODGEMAN]

I agree it needs to be done and it will take everyone, we can't rely on just a few people to do everything.

[Bowcrazy]

I feel this way to. I also agree aboutgoing statewide at first.I am afraid that if we start off by regions we will end up going out for different things and this will not help any.

[Tony Harris]

One postive thing about going regional is maybe getting more folks in on ground zero instead of waiting to see what happens. Keeping everyone on the same page is going to be hard regardless.

[WarblerWatcher]

Got to crawl before you walk.

Lot's of good things come from small seeds.

It's better to start out small and grow your idea's through trial and error than to start out large and fail because the one idea you started with didn't work.
_________________________________

Statewide organizations are not in my opinion as effective on local issues as is local or regional organizations because members seem to relate more to local organizations because they usually feel they have more of a personal say so over their immediate area, and they do. That fact alone will usually keep them involved for the long term.

A Statewide coalition of deer hunting organizations is definately needed, but in my opinion will only work and is only needed on statewide issues, hence the name statewide.

There may already be enough local and regional organizations around the state willing to come together and be the seeds for a statewide organization without having to start from zero. And if there's not a local organization for the area you hunt... don't wait around, start one. Just rambling! Need to be mowing! :D