Who's gonna join?

[firehog]

Gentlemen, I ask the question, cause I'm curious to see how many supporters there are out there. The membership is $10. This association will only be successful if you the deer hunter support and participate in the association. I know many of you have wanted such a organization to be a voice of your concerns and to share in the fellowship of deer hunting.

For this to be a truelly great organization we need members that want to see the best deer herd the AGFC can provide for use. Their are many issues or opinions that we could discuss on here, but thats not my intention here. My curiousity is to see how many would join and be a part of this thing.

I know the guys that have took the time and effort to get this off the ground for the last two months, for us the deer hunters of this state. When things get finalized, and all is legal, the hope is you guys spread the word, and make this a great organization. I have chatted on here for about four years, and I have seen many post, that have stated we need such a organization, and finally we are close to having one. I know I am excited about this, and I hope there are many out there that feel the same way.

[fisherman]

Where do I send my money, I'm in.

[DODGEMAN]

I'm in. graemlins/thumb.gif

[Buck]

For 10 dollars a year,and a chance to see improvement in the deerhunting regulations,thats a no brainer,I'm in.

[Gooch]

It is a no brainer for sure. A bottle of Tink's 69 will cost about what the membership is. We all have to pull together to become one voice. We owe it to the generations that will follow in our foot steps to set up a solid foundation and stick to it.

[deerhunter]

I'm in as well. This is the first chance we as hunters in the state will have the chance to be heard. I do think we owe it to our youth to put forth all the effort we can to preserve our deer hunting heritage.

[F B]

Ill join and support it in any way I can.

[WarblerWatcher]

You'll have my support. Thanks fella's!

[Earnhardt fan #1]

in ankle deep graemlins/thumb.gif to a polock!!!

[PUDDLE]

I'm in there!!

[BigPiney]

I'm in.

[bwhntr]

I'm in...tell me when to sign up.... :D

[tony r]

im in graemlins/thumb.gif

[xring]

Me too.

[fairweatherhunter]

Count me in firehog!

[Ruger]

I'll join! graemlins/thumb.gif

[Cjdavis618]

I'm in. Is there a life membership or anything?

I would be more interested in that.

Thanks

[deerhunter]

There is a Charter membership that goes for $100.00 for the first 100 people who sign up for one and that will be a lifetime membership.

After the charter memberships are taken,I believe a lifetime membership will be offered for $150.00.

[rjet]

count me in.

[Bodcau boy]

I sold my last two watermelons and a canteloupe today so I could join. Where do I send my money? I think I'll just join for a year though, at my age those life memberships don't much appeal to me.

[Rattle-m-up™]

I'd be interested as well...

[bhays]

Me too!

[MountainBuck]

Save me a spot, I'll be there!!! I'd even volunteer to be treasuer, I've had lots of experience spending money.

[ArrowSlinger]

Count me in too.

[Bowcrazy]

Im in this is going to be a great thing for the hunters of Ar now and in the future.

[D]

I am on board with it. Just tell me when and where to send my money! I will recruit as much as possible when the time comes round.

[nlrailroader]

im in. you boys have made me see the light. :D

[Tony Harris]

Sign me up.

[junior]

we are very interested in adha .where can we get information on it our club can bring on at least 12 members.

[Hill Hopper]

I will be joining, and if there is a Bussiness Partnership membership,like at ABA I will join Dead Deer also.

[MountainBuck]

How many dead deer can you count at ABA Hill Hopper??? I'll have to go back and see how many I've killed! smile.gif

[firehog]

Junior, we are in the process of finalizing everything. We have a appointment with the attorney and cpa at the end of this month, and they have said its a 3-6 week wait on getting stuff back. Thanks for your support, and we will be keeping everybody posted on its progression. Thanks Lee

[Trapper]

I'll join for the first year anyway. After that I'll have to look at the direction the association is headed and decide if it is compatible with my views of deer hunting. I'm sorry if I offened anyone with this but I think it would be silly to remain part of an organization that promoted an agenda that was contradictory to my core beliefs.

Antler rectictions, trophy management ect have all been hashed out on many other threads so I won't get into that here. I guess maybe I'm just being hard-headed but it seems like I would be cutting my own throat to belong to something that supported things I don't agree with.

At this point I'm hoping this will be a good thing but I guess it's pretty easy to tell that I am skeptical that one organization can be all things to all deer hunters. Time will tell.

Also at this time I would like to thank all those involved for the work they have put into this. Growing up, my folks were heavily involved in trapping organizations so I know first hand how only a few end up doing most of the work.

In fact, I got so burnt out on it I quit for many years. I just rejoined the National Trappers Association this spring and it's already given me a headache with all the politics and bs thats going on. Our president resigned not long ago but only after setting up a $50,000 a year job for himself. Also he and a few members of the executive councle are responsible for hiring a $300,000.00 a year pr firm. Here is the good part. The man that owns the firm was once a higher up in HSUS, a major animal rights group that has tried and continues to try get all trapping (and hunting) stopped. Of course this doesn't set too well with most rank and file members and the ec doesn't seem to think it needs to respond to what the general membership thinks.

Sorry to ramble on. I know no one here is interested in the goings on of the NTA but maybe y'all can understand where I'm at mentally right now concerning joining another organization. Like I said at the start I'll just have to see how things play out but for now I'm in. graemlins/thumb.gif

[DODGEMAN]

At least you are honest about it and willing to give it a try and make a decision from there.

[deerhunter]

Understand completely woopig, I think once you join you will see that we are for the betterment of our deer herd and we hope to gather the interest of our youth as well.

It has been a long drawn out task but we can now finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We appreciate everyones interest and comments.

[MountainBuck]

I don't want to disagree with Dspeakes, but he stated the only thing he thought could keep the ADHA from working would be hunters just doing nothing. I'll go on record as saying that the one thing that will keep it from working will be people in the management and adminstrative postition's doing to much, as in promoting their on agendas. I am like Woopig, I'm joining for the first year and then will reevaluate as to whether this is for all the hunters or the hunters who have their own agendas to promote. I really hope it works but I also am skeptical. Hope you'll can prove me wrong!!! smile.gif

[xring]

Well said, Mountainbuck,,Whoopig,,I agree wholeheartly, I likewise, hope its a stunning success, and I do admire the efforts by those involved in the task of getting it off the ground, I don't like to be a naysayer, so I also will take a wait and see attitude. xring

[dspeakes]

Being cautious is not a bad thing. I understand that there are some people who may be skeptical. I will say that it will take more than just the administration of an organization to make it work. Too many times, we want to join an organization and have a few people do everything while we enjoy the benefits. I know I have been guilty of doing this in the past. If you really want the ADHA to be a success, then be willing to work whether you are a member, asst director, or director. A strong organization requires willing, working members.

Thanks,
Darrell Speakes

[Tony Harris]

Woopig,
I got a call the other afternoon from someone who talked very fast, I had to slow her down so her verbage matched the speed I hear with. She was taking a survey concerning trapping. I used to trap years ago but haven't the time anymore. She asked I answered. Wanted to know what size traps I had, what brand, offset, soft jawed, etc. Did I use drowning sets for coon, beaver, mink and muskrat. How much did I spend on trapping each year, the whole nine yards. I kept having to tell her 'I don't trap anymore and haven't in 8 or 10 years'. But she kept asking and I kept doing my best to answer.

If we can all keep one main objective in mind we will be an organization with a fair representation for all. That is that as we lose one class/type of sportsman (deer dog runners, trappers, duck hunters, bow hunters)we are on a downhill slide that will eventually end with us not being able to fully enjoy our outdoor sports. A tradition will end and we will be a lessor people for it. Older men and women sitting around with nothing but old stories to tell and no new memories to be made.

[MountainBuck]

Originally posted by Tony Harris:
Woopig,
If we can all keep one main objective in mind we will be an organization with a fair representation for all. That is that as we lose one class/type of sportsman (deer dog runners, trappers, duck hunters, bow hunters)we are on a downhill slide that will eventually end with us not being able to fully enjoy our outdoor sports. A tradition will end and we will be a lessor people for it. Older men and women sitting around with nothing but old stories to tell and no new memories to be made. Very Well said, A copy of that verbage needs to be kept close and referenced often If We are going to be a true success!!!

[Bowcrazy]

I like that we part.

[fisherman]

How many in's do we have?

[ArkieNewbie]

Man this group has been busy... no more slackin for me.. Count me in.

[Cache]

Count me in as well. If I can be of assistance in any way let me know. Also let me know when and where to send the dues.

Firehog, I appreciate your effort in putting on first annual ADHA BBQ banquet :D . Just kidding, before anyone gets their hopes up, but in time maybe we can have something of the sort.

Cache

[firehog]

Cache, howed did you know I am a BBQ fanatic? And yes, I would love to cook for a get together, or fundraiser. Got the cooker to do it also.

[Cache]

Sounds like we have enough to sort through for the time being, but in time maybe we can plan a BBQ...and I'd be happy to help with it too.

By the way, I didnt know, but it was a lucky guess. :D

Cache

[fisherman]

As best I can tell thats 33, it's a start but we need a lot more.

[Cache]

"Build it and they will come"

Cache

[dirtdart]

Like the Idea but how does it become a unified voice? I have felt scorned by the AG&FC all of my life. I have never felt that they have ever been a friend of the Arkansas Good Ol' Boy. Especially if we have to compete with the "Almighty Waterfowl Dollar". I've seen WMA's regulated to benefit duckhunters while deerhunters suffer, Public access to waterways re-located to benefit real-estate value for families of state legislators, and zones gerrimandered to benefit who? These guys have always seemed to be a wolf in sheeps clothing. Some agenda! Always taking care of their kind first. Make a difference..... Lobby for a way that appointments are reserved to only qualified wildlife engineers rather than Billy Bob's nephew as a political favor.

[CDay]

First of all welcome dirtdart. When we speak of unified voice it is that we as the ADHA are in support of all legal and ethical methods of deerhunting. Plus we support increased opportunities for sportsmen that the health of the state's deerherd can provide.

Right now we have a new deer biologist in the state and so far he has done a pretty good job. But here again he is one man up against 7. He is going to need the support of such a organization so they can not easily ignore him.

Don't get us wrong we are not against the commissioners but more than willing to work with them. But we will question their decisions to try and ensure that they follow their own mission statement.

[firehog]

dirtdart, join us in this organization, and help us in having a voice period. Deerhunters as you stated has been behind the waterfowlers concerns for decades. We have never had any attempt to unify all deerhunters in this state and for that we get looked over. We as deerhunters in this state are at vault for this, because we are not organized. Duck hunters saw this issue 50 something years ago, and since then have had great representation and promotion of their sport. And the AGFC have listened. Course many of the commissioners back then where avid duck hunters and supported any all avenues to increase and secure duck huntings future as well as today. As I write this, I don't know what we can achieve I don't know the future, but I do know organized groups have a funny way of keeping people honest in their responsibilities. And I also know if we continue being passive in our sports future, we will continue letting the minority groups of this state set our future of deer hunting.

[dirtdart]

C Day and Firehog...Forgive my insulance. I know how important it is. I've seen it in Germany where I paid an arm and a leg just to hunt wild boar and stag. Had to wait on a list before I got a call from the Forest Meister just to keep nothing. Not a scrap of meat. Just the enjoyment of the hunt. Never want to see the "elite" rule our sport here. Image is everything. A voice is only a voice if it is heard, and people have a habit of not listening if the voice has no strength. You get strength from numbers. I've always had a passion for the outdoors and found on this site that I'm not alone. Felt sometimes that I was speaking a foreign language when I express opinions about my love of the sport. Man I don't have to say much here. You guys have pretty expressed my every thoughts on here. Drive on Ranger!

[Greg Reeves]

I would like to have more information on ADHA. Right now I am in Iraq and wouldn't be much help but when I get home I will support anything to help deerhunting in Arkansas. Deerhunting is my second love next to my family.

[Hill Farm Hunter]

Lets see, use Biology rather than Politics to manage deer? Give some of the "good ol boys" that love the outdoors a voice in matters? Possibilty there may be some BBQ thrown in with the deal? I think I'm in. At least for a year or two to see what happens.

[Cjdavis618]

Greg and Dirtdart,

I want to say that we DO appreciate what you guys are doing over there. I couldn't be prouder of any body on this little planet that you guys.

Thank you for givng us the abilty to express our opinions where others are forbiden. I'm sure you have seen it overseas. I would be honored to by your lunch anytime you want. You truly deserve it.

As far as not being able to help Greg. As long as you can talk to us and give us an idea on what you would like, you are helping. We want to know what you would like to see. Even though your overseas. You have hunted here and have an idea what challenges we face. But only together can we make a difference. I can tell you that there are many people with a sound interest in helping the project go forward and it is VERY close to reality. We have the support of several people within AGFC and that says alot. The interests involved want to see more youth in the sport and better information from the powers that control it. If we push for information, we will get answers. As a public entity, we have to right to voice our opinions and facts to the AGFC also. And we will make sure they are heard.


The point is, express what you want and what you need for your hunting. And tell us what you want for your kids and grandkids. We want to know and share that with the powers that be. Even if it isn't the AGFC. I have read about the hunting in other countries. It truly sounds terrible in places. But just like them, we will be in that position if we do not try.

[firehog]

Dito that CJ,
Dirtdart and Greg, first I would like to say thanks for your hard work for our country. Many folks sometimes don't realize, the hardship the government puts on our military, it takes great people like you all to volunteer to do that duty. Many on this board have served their country and know the hardships you face. I just want you all to know we have you in our prays, and hope all come home safe. We have a special interest in you cause you are our home boys.

And while I'm thinking of it, do ya'll have plenty of deer magazines over there. I know first hand how such reading can give you a escape from the reality you face. Give me a address, and I will see if I can't send you some mags. Thanks and be safe. Lee