Are you doing your part?

[pintail_drake2004]

Colotrade's post on "how many strong" sparked this question. MODS If this does not belong here PLEASE excuse me. ~13000 members...thats great that there are that many on the forum. But that got me thinking: How many belong to an organization that will preserve hunting/trapping for the future? i personally do not know of any trad archery org's that fight in congress(is there any??), but i know that the NRA, IL Trappers Assn, National Trappers Assn, Ducks Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Assn. etc all have representatives to lobby for the preservation of our wonderful outdoor sports.

I know that not everyone will agree on which organization to belong to, but when you look at a good many of them work together. P*E*T*A is constantly getting laws and regulations passed to constrict our rights to enjoy the outdoors.

Now, I do just as much trapping as i do hunting. Actually while im bow hunting, i run my line. These organizations that try to prevent me from experienceing the outdoors how i choose have had a great impact on how i go about business when afield. And its a shame it has to be that way. I have run into animal rights activist on more than one occasion while hunting and running my line too, and some of which went south pretty quick. And it amazes me when i talk to other hunters and outdoorsmen/women and find out that they dont think its worth it to belong to something like that. If everyone belonged to organization that fights for YOUR RIGHTS then we would all be better off.

Pintail

[Killdeer]

Yup.
Upgrade your NRA membership, join your state organizations, the Izaak Walton League and whatever else seems to work for what you believe in. Support the businesses that support these organizations. (Midway comes to mind, with its "round-up" program)

Killdeer
Benefactor Member, NRA.
Life Member IWLA, Virginia Shooting Sports Association, and the Whittington Center.
Annual member of Fairfax Rod and Gun Club, Northern Virginia Archers, Virginia Bowhunters' Assn.

[Al Dente]

In NY, there are over 180,000 licensed bowhunters.  Less than 3% belong to New York Bowhunters, Inc., the state bowhunting organization.  We've gotten so much BS from bowhunters strolling through the outdoor shows across the state, that we just don't even engage in trying to convince them to join.  We get: "you guys are doing a great job", "keep it up, we need you fighting for us", and "I can't spare 20 bucks, I came here with nothing".

Too many take for granted exactly what the few, volunteers, actually do.  Numbers speak volumes to legislators, especially when you have positive actions to enhance your credibility.

[vermonster13]

I try.

[Al Dente]

That's all anyone can ask, and all anyone can offer.  It's the guys who don't give a damn and then ask why? or how come I didn't know about that? that get me going.  We do what we do for a love of the sport and for the future of the sport.  No glory, just hoping to have something for our kids and grandkids.

[vermonster13]

I take a look at my four year old and do what ever I can. If I can get others involved all the better if I can't I still keep trying.

[Tom D]

Somtimes I feel as if I belong to too many groups?
 It's amazing how quick someone can come up with the money to get their animal entered into a record book or a contest but that same person doesn't have any money or time to join their State Bowhunting group?????

I try to do my part to help!

TomD

[Al Dente]

I hear ya!!!  Amen to that brother.  We see the guys carrying 3 or 4 brand new fishing poles, that they just purchased, then only to give us a line of crap about their wife griping about them spending another 20 bucks.  For the cost 3 beers, or 4 lattes, or 6 cents a day, you can help support your state organization.

[Ian johnson]

I am a proud member of the NRA, suprisingly, I am one of very few hunters at my school and have to hear all kinds of bs during every class when polotics comes up, I have even been compared to those columbine kids who shot up thier school just because I said I owned a gun when the right to bear arms came up in civics class, join the NRA or something that keeps our right to hunt and fights for it in congress

[pintail_drake2004]

When I graduated high school in 04, there were 150 students in school, about 1/3 hunt and or fish. My bro and I were 2 out of 8 of those hunters who belonged to an organization. Sad!

[Al Dente]

That's why it's so important to be active.  The other 97% are relying on your efforts to protect and enhance their sporting experience.

[T. Downing]

Everyone, please can you educate me on why we join these organizations? I used to be active in certain organizations, but they all seemed to have a different agendas than mine. For example, the RMEF, who my father is a life member, seems to be more dedicated to their constituency than the elk they claim to protect. The Colorado Bowhunters Association, I cannot even associate myself with these people because they are not even willing to listen to us traditionalists. So where does a passionate traditionalist lay his/her claim? I have always wanted to be a member of the PBS, but I couldn't get past the word Professional. You know what, this is my hang up, I have always had difficulty being a joiner, now I need to find an organization that truly speaks for the animals we hunt and the manner in which we hunt them. If there is such an organization that truly protects the wild animals and protects our hunting heritage, than I will join. As I write this, I have decided, Backcountry hunters, they seem to be right on track, time to join. T

[Al Dente]

Your state bowhunting organization is your first line of defense against legislation that could negatively impact your archery season.  Ours, is a grassroots effort that started out less than 20 years ago.  While we are much more than a political watchdog, we have measures in place to protect and preserve our bowhunting heritage.

The "Professional" in PBS, is not an egotistical boast or braggart remark.  It's an attitude of how the members conduct themselves.  Whether afield or in public, it is a professional attitude and ethic.  Don't think elitist, think ethical, moral fiber, honesty, and integrity.

[MYSTIKBOW]

Good one Al.  
 
 T, as Al stated, your state bowhunting organization is an excellent place to start. The PBS would be a great second chioce.

 Al, I've been a member of NYB ever since I started bowhunting. I've helped with recruting new members several times at the NYS sportsman shows at the Fairgrounds here. We all need to do our part no matter how small. The future of hunting  does NOT only rest with our young but also with what we do now to help support it's future.

[Al Dente]

Thank you John for your support and assistance.  We just had a BOD meeting this past weekend at the Clay Sportsmen's Club, just North of Syracuse.

[MYSTIKBOW]

I know right where that is. As a matter of fact
I'll be shooting 3-D there this Sunday.