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Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7188774
02/18/21 11:50 PM
02/18/21 11:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,424
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,424
Georgia
Mark my words, the day will come when fur and sport trapping will be outlawed and only ADC trapping allowed if the state associations don't step up their game. If they don't only government and corporate trappers will be allowed to trap. That's the very last thing I want to see. It's heartbreaking that so many of us NWCOs defend fur trapping yet we get nothing back from our state association.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7188784
02/19/21 12:04 AM
02/19/21 12:04 AM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 868
Punxsutawney, Pa.
M
MinkGuy Offline
trapper
MinkGuy  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 868
Punxsutawney, Pa.
We need to focus on why someone wouldn't want to belong. There needs to be a sense of pride in belonging plus each organization needs to offer a deal nonmembers can't refuse or resist.. No business survives on a guilt plea for patronage. Buyers and that is what each nonmember is - a prospective buyer- of our product (membership). we must show them an offering that they want to participate in.
Please list for me what you are selling! I'm betting most of our messages are not compelling and viewed as offering them little. Most prospective buyers as an example believe others will fight the fight and they will save their $50 dollars.
However, if I could show them that there are benefits that exceed the cost then I'll bet we will get a new member.


DonP
Minktrapping.com
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7188785
02/19/21 12:05 AM
02/19/21 12:05 AM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,404
Northeast Oklahoma
M
Mike in A-town Offline
trapper
Mike in A-town  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,404
Northeast Oklahoma
I hear ya Dave.

Last I knew there were two orgs in Oklahoma... The Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance and the Fur Takers of Oklahoma. I was a member of OFBA and as I understood it the FTO was responsible for the NWCO licensing debacle.

It's been long enough that I'm not sure what's what anymore. After all the crap I just said 'phooey' with all of it. I'd like to trap again sometime. But with fur being worthless it just isn't worth the uphill battle right now.

I'm not even sure how many states I'd have to drive across to get ripped off selling fur.

Mike


One man with a gun may control 100 others who have none.

Vladimir Lenin
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7188818
02/19/21 01:05 AM
02/19/21 01:05 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,686
Alaska
D
drasselt Offline
trapper
drasselt  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,686
Alaska
Good Bad or Ugly one thing is for sure. If nobody stands up for trapping it goes away. Here there were are all kinds of areas closed to trapping before anybody was watching the store. Now that trappers are much better organised, any body comes after trapping and there's a fight. Plus any new regulation is much less imposing.
Quit making excuses and stand up for yourselves.


you can vote your way into socialism, but you will have to shoot your way out.
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7188853
02/19/21 02:22 AM
02/19/21 02:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline OP
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
Right on Drasselt. Strength in numbers. That's why politicians are pretty timid to take on the NRA.

The last big anti trapping initiative ballot measure we had in Oregon (2000) our association successfully pulled together a coalition of Forestry, Agriculture, hunters and trappers. We hired people to take the fight to them. Guess where the seed money came from to get the ball rolling? Eventually we were able to match the antis money war chest (almost dollar for dollar) with plenty of help from our coalition supporters; but that first 10 or 15 thousand was trapper money by golly.

A fact I am very proud of.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7188869
02/19/21 06:20 AM
02/19/21 06:20 AM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 71
Conneaut Lake, PA
T
trapperjim1 Offline
trapper
trapperjim1  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 71
Conneaut Lake, PA
A problem that I see with pretty much any volunteer organization (Fire Dept, Trappers Association etc.) , is that most people want to run that organization without doing any of the work for it. Whenever the topic of an organization comes up, everybody knows what's wrong, and what that organization should do to change. But when you ask them to help, they always have an excuse. Things like " I don't have time", or "I won't be a part of that until it changes". If you really think that an organization is doing something wrong, for goodness sake, join it, and work to point it in the right,(in your opinion) direction. Having served as a volunteer softball coach, (10 yrs.), on the board of directors of a volunteer fire dept. (5 + yrs.) and involved with the Pa. Trappers, NTA and FTA (45 yrs.) , I think I've heard every rationalization for not joining, or helping, that there is, and none of them are original. If you really believe in something, join in helping to make it a better organization. Don't expect to walk in the door and immediately be put in charge. It doesn't work that way. Work to prove your value to the organization, It takes time, nothing changes overnight and it's human nature to resist change. Remember, when you try to insert an agenda into an organization, you're going to have the naysayers resisting your change. Just like you resisted theirs. One thing that I've taken away from my years of volunteering in different organizations, no matter what else comes to pass I've generally made a few good friends, and that has a value all it's own.

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7188870
02/19/21 06:24 AM
02/19/21 06:24 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
W
Wright Brothers Offline
trapper
Wright Brothers  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
Transparency is the number one real answer I have found.
Many want to know the whole money trail.
Many want to log in to the live O and D meetings.





Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7189039
02/19/21 10:28 AM
02/19/21 10:28 AM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,773
el vado, nm
T
Tom Fisher Offline
trapper
Tom Fisher  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,773
el vado, nm
Our Assn. is in a war every two years to keep what we have. We hold meetings across the state in districts, an annual state meeting, a fur auction, hired a lobbyist have monthly phone meetings and welcome any and all to join and work with us. Its been over fifty years since I got involved with organized trappers, frankly I'am tired of all the whinning. If you think there is a better way STEP UP there are people that will work with you, if you want to know what NMTA is doing PM me and I will give you the no for our monthly directors meeting. You can listen to the brawl we are in and how we are fighting.

It's a good time to be a trapper!

Tom

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7189084
02/19/21 11:01 AM
02/19/21 11:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,134
Armpit, ak
D
Dirt Offline
trapper
Dirt  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,134
Armpit, ak
I think the problem I have with the current situation is I can see fighting hard to retain a part of my livelihood. I seem to have no motivation to fight hard to retain a hobby. Seems easier to move on to another hobby? confused

Last edited by Dirt; 02/19/21 11:03 AM.

Who is John Galt?
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: Dirt] #7189090
02/19/21 11:05 AM
02/19/21 11:05 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,032
PA
M
marathonman Offline
trapper
marathonman  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,032
PA
Originally Posted by Dirt
I think the problem I have with the current situation is a can see fighting hard to retain a part of my livelihood. I seem to have no motivation to fight hard to retain a hobby. Seems easier to move on to another hobby? confused

don't give in..make them fight hard...wear them down in each battle..if we give in easy they will gain the resolve to keep fighting..we owe it to ourselves and our children

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7189098
02/19/21 11:11 AM
02/19/21 11:11 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,134
Armpit, ak
D
Dirt Offline
trapper
Dirt  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,134
Armpit, ak
They been winning since 1987. It is the anti's business and the they make money doing it. Here they haven't killed trapping with laws, they killed it by killing demand for fur ( price for pelts).

Last edited by Dirt; 02/19/21 11:12 AM.

Who is John Galt?
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7189132
02/19/21 11:37 AM
02/19/21 11:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214
Crivitz WI
Sprung & Rusty Offline
trapper
Sprung & Rusty  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214
Crivitz WI
Originally Posted by beaverpeeler
How many trappers in your state are members of your association? Or for that matter the NTA and or FTA?

If we don't step up now, straight up trapping will die out within our lifetimes.

And I'm one of the apathetic but I'm fixing to change that. I am either re-upping or joining for the first time all three.

Worried about the future of trapping is the guy who voted Democrat. How ironic. (Not poking the bear, just making a point.)


No Jab.
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: Quartermastersir] #7189170
02/19/21 12:05 PM
02/19/21 12:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 248
Owatonna,mn
C
Cibarius Offline
trapper
Cibarius  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 248
Owatonna,mn
Originally Posted by Quartermastersir
I would bet that your state orgs do have a lobbyist at the statehouse, or maybe one they share with other outdoor groups. The state trapper orgs sometimes share assets in fighting "anti" agenda.
If you don't go to the regional/state trapper org meetings or conventions you're missing out on a wealth of information and material available there.
To be honest I can't think of a good reason not to join at least one trapping org.
MnTA, FTA, NTA, Sportsman Alliance, NRA, GOA

That’s our problem in MN. Shared legal. We need someone that does exactly what the membership wants. On legislative and association issues. We have the good ole boys club now.

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: Cibarius] #7189217
02/19/21 12:50 PM
02/19/21 12:50 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,292
East-Central Wisconsin
B
bblwi Offline
trapper
bblwi  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,292
East-Central Wisconsin
Most young people and families have a lot on their plate and are busy, so what is the incentive to join an organization after just a couple pages of bantering and complaining by members. Getting to know one's politicians one can do a lot on one's own w/o all the drama and grandstanding.

Bryce

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7189232
02/19/21 01:04 PM
02/19/21 01:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,152
Northern Minnesota
BernieB. Offline
trapper
BernieB.  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,152
Northern Minnesota
It's really always been this way, a few people have to carry the load for the masses.

This brings up another thought, though.

In 1988, I paid for a lifetime membership in the Iowa Trapper's Assn. It was $250 at the time which was a LOT of money for me. The idea was that the gain off the money would cover the costs of the monthly magazine and build a trapper defense fund. Well, these days with high postage and high printing costs, I wonder if they are still above water on these old lifetime memberships. Or maybe they are actually losing money on them, which is what none of us want of course. Anybody have the numbers on this?

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: BernieB.] #7189259
02/19/21 01:28 PM
02/19/21 01:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,292
East-Central Wisconsin
B
bblwi Offline
trapper
bblwi  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,292
East-Central Wisconsin
I am a life member of the WTA. I became one when I was 62 and there was a short window of time when persons my age could become life members for $100!!. I became a life member because with the plaque, certificate and card they made little out of the $100 let alone ongoing costs. I do donate every year to help defray those costs. Life memberships are sometimes problematic for both sides.

Bryce

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: Sprung & Rusty] #7189263
02/19/21 01:30 PM
02/19/21 01:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline OP
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
Originally Posted by Sprung & Rusty
Originally Posted by beaverpeeler
How many trappers in your state are members of your association? Or for that matter the NTA and or FTA?

If we don't step up now, straight up trapping will die out within our lifetimes.

And I'm one of the apathetic but I'm fixing to change that. I am either re-upping or joining for the first time all three.

Worried about the future of trapping is the guy who voted Democrat. How ironic. (Not poking the bear, just making a point.)


I will own that statement Rusty. But ironics aside, I'm fighting the good fight best I can. On some other thread I could explain how I come down on politics in general, but on this one I would like to keep on point.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Trapper apathy [Re: BernieB.] #7189281
02/19/21 01:47 PM
02/19/21 01:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 493
Minnesota
MNEric Offline
trapper
MNEric  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 493
Minnesota
Originally Posted by BernieB.
It's really always been this way, a few people have to carry the load for the masses.

This brings up another thought, though.

In 1988, I paid for a lifetime membership in the Iowa Trapper's Assn. It was $250 at the time which was a LOT of money for me. The idea was that the gain off the money would cover the costs of the monthly magazine and build a trapper defense fund. Well, these days with high postage and high printing costs, I wonder if they are still above water on these old lifetime memberships. Or maybe they are actually losing money on them, which is what none of us want of course. Anybody have the numbers on this?


To answer your question, the association is losing money on the lifetime members. Do you also get the trappers post? MTA created a sustaining donor program kind of geared to help that if you wish. You get a patch for a $25 donation annually
[Linked Image]

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: Cibarius] #7189286
02/19/21 01:51 PM
02/19/21 01:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 493
Minnesota
MNEric Offline
trapper
MNEric  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 493
Minnesota
Originally Posted by Cibarius
Originally Posted by Quartermastersir
I would bet that your state orgs do have a lobbyist at the statehouse, or maybe one they share with other outdoor groups. The state trapper orgs sometimes share assets in fighting "anti" agenda.
If you don't go to the regional/state trapper org meetings or conventions you're missing out on a wealth of information and material available there.
To be honest I can't think of a good reason not to join at least one trapping org.
MnTA, FTA, NTA, Sportsman Alliance, NRA, GOA

That’s our problem in MN. Shared legal. We need someone that does exactly what the membership wants. On legislative and association issues. We have the good ole boys club now.


Lobbyist is no longer shared. It is an election year for the BOD. Nominate your self

Re: Trapper apathy [Re: beaverpeeler] #7189290
02/19/21 01:57 PM
02/19/21 01:57 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,098
NC
T
Tailhunter Offline
trapper
Tailhunter  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,098
NC
Would it be possible for the associations to actually move into the 21st century?

All that ever shows up is tickets for raffles and a magazine full of advertisements and lists of who gave what.
There might be a story about what somebody did on there day off or some other nonsense.

Back in the day a lot of the mag stories had content.

We act like we are about to die off and are no longer applicable to todays society. It’s no wonder the “other” people feel this way about us.

ps .. and I don’t mean hiding every aspect of our legacy under a bush but proudly standing up for what we do and who we are. No other group of people live this way, even the communists let it all hang out.

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