Don, is spot on, the question is where do you the individual stand. The Hunter/Trapper has never in recent history had the opportunity to unite and fight as we now have under the make America Great Again Movement. When you have high school and college kids wearing MAGA hats and facing the evil of socialism in the face and the trapper: for the most part not even wearing an NTA hat in public is a little shameful. What kind of hat do you wear or are you afraid. Most vets wear their branch of the military and rank. We are in for a fight in the next 2 years, its coming weather you want it or not. Socialism/liberals will take your guns and your traps, look at New Mexico right now. If you think trappers did not make America Great, you do not know history. Check out these names. Then join the NTA, put on a hat and make a statement. what would these guys do, Kit Carson, Grizzly Adams, John David Albert, Jim Baker, William Henry Ashley, James Beckwourth, John "Liver Eating" Johnson, Jim Bridger John Colter, Jedidah Smith, Ben Lilly Davy Crocket, Daniel Boone Robert Rogers, EJ Dailey, O L Butcher and many more Where do you stand, some of went in the military, like Alvin York. Others are buried at Arlington like Shannon. You are going to have to make a stand some day. Now or before God. Did you fight the good fight? The liberals are attacking on all fronts, time to man up. I have been to many 3rd world countries in my career, they are not America. Look up the term "red neck", who were The Molly Maguires, who was Jack Kehoe, why do they make movies like Josey Wales. What about John Wayne, Magellon, Patton, Pershing.. Hero's weather real or fictional shaped our world: but at least they took action. You just got to join the NTA and wear a hat that say your a trapper. Thanks for the wake up call Don.

Amen^^^^^

I choose to support FTA and proudly wear their hat, does that count?

I wear what I choose. There is no mitigating circumstance, a hand will not be laid on me or mine in a foul way.

This would cause an extremely dark encounter, I'll leave it at that.


Osky

Of course it does and thanks for setting an example for all to emulate, it counts with me. Keep up the good work.

OSKY, I understand completely but you can still support you local groups and FTA and NTA.

I wear a beaver hat. It get's way more questions than my MTA patch. I'm always surprised how many people ask to check it out. They ask where I got it and I tell them the bog.

I support certain causes at the national l level. I am indifferent to this state.
Better way of putting it.
Osky

Great choice in hats and I should have thought of that and thanks for supporting the MTA, stay active and thanks for making a stand.

OSKY, I understand, I boycotted the VFW for a long time, till I got over it, I put in 27 years and turned 50 in Iraq. Its ok, my Dad refused to support the red cross because they would not give him a cup of coffee in WWII. He had just returned via dug out canoe from New Guinea after getting shot down for the third time while dropping supplies to the coastal watchers. We all carry an axe to grind but we can all support a cause. The enemy of my enemy has to become my friend to win. You have strong moral fiber, that's a great thing.

Hen..
I speak/ write primarily of trapping. I have been a member at state level so many years ago and still today the infighting and pettiness to what should be a black and white association is nauseating. I hold no ill will, just choose not to participate at that particular level.

With respect.
Osky

I see you read the bible, petty arguments started with Cain and Abel, Adam on the other hand elected to follow Eve, their were people I worked with in Iraq that for the most part would be classified as criminals in western civilization. David and Solomen had quite a struggle dealing wit the 12 tribes and the neighboring tribes, most of which wanted them dead. It appears you have done more than most, we are trying to get the one that have not stepped up to the plate to play ball. Us old dogs are getting tired.

I spend a lot of time and resources working with mostly non trappers. Due to my career I was able to work with our state ag teachers and we now have over 50 teachers certified as TE instructors who conduct 2-3 dozen classes per year, plus we (The WCTEP/WTA) write and administer the state FFA wildlife exam every year. There are several hundred schools that participate in this contest.
I find it much more rewarding in general to work with the public that has little awareness of trapping and explain the heritage, management and life skills training and help change mindsets. To me this moves us forward much more than talking with a bunch of trappers who can't even agree on much of anything and feel they are better than anyone who does not know what they know. Trapping won't be saved by 175,000 licensed trappers, trapping will be saved by continuing to work with the millions that really have no opinion one way or the other and will learn to recognize the rabid AR's for what they are. It takes a lot longer for knowledge to change minds, but it has a much longer life span then the emotional spin that both sides seem to like.

Bryce

You have nailed it .The facts of wildlife management are on our side .The misinformation put out by the antis and animal rights people do not stand up to how wildlife populations interact with the rest of the world .What you are doing is the best way to go about it .Not every one is cut out to be a hunter or trapper .But if given the truth those that do not want to be sportsmen at least understand why it is necessary and will not be against us.. Keep up the good work

This hat gets worn quite a bit in public. Generates quite a few student signups into trapper ed. Today it's on the teacher's desk I'm subbing for.

That's very well stated and something I think we could all work on.

Bryce,
Wow! What a great example to set. Reaching out like that is incredible. You definetly have provided some great insight, we cannot save ourselves, we need to educate the uneducated that do not understand us, so they can work with us on our cause. The closest I come to that is spending time at our county fair working the booth trying to draw in the crowd. Its hard but county fairs do have a lot of country folk at them. Great job. Jim

Muskrat, that another great opportunity, trappers ed, get them on board when they first start out. I hope you ask for magazine donations from NTA and FTA for handout material at you classes. Great job, I try to do at least one trappers ed demo in WNY trappers cert program put on by Tim M.. Thanks again,
Jim

Bryce is an outstanding educator. Too bad he's stepping down from the statewide trapper ed coordinator's position this year.

Dublelung, thanks for the kind words. We all need to hear them once in a while. Its like paying forward. Thank you Jim