Good Got your attention!! Just read John Daniels, President of the National Trappers Association letter. If your not a member, it is regarding a membership drive and donation request. It makes me sad, and very upset knowing how many trappers are not members of the NTA and their state organizations. We buzz all year on this site about liberals and democratic politicians taking our trapping privilege's. We cuss each other over opinions given on this site, cut each other down but to many make to little effort to join, donate and write letters to those that make the laws. I know some are very active and do join and make contributions, but guessing more do not, or don't do enough. Worried about the fur prices, or the coyote you didn't catch, wait till you can't trap anymore! Once the privilege is gone it will be next to impossible to get back, ask Colorado or any other state that has lost out. There is no state that they are not putting tremendous pressure on us from all avenues. I'm not a computer guy or would post Mr. Daniels the letter maybe someone else could. Please join if your not a member, sign someone up or make a donation, the clock is ticking. If your a member no offense was intended, give a few more bucks and write at least on letter. If your not a member shame on you, no excuses.

Good post.

Do not take this wrong but I am ignorant on this subject. What does the NTA actually do with the money they raise and what do they do to support trapping? Maybe if you explained what they do some more would actually get involved. I am a member of the IA trappers association and I know the lobbiests that work for trappers locally. Seems an odd way to get new members by shaming those not involved instead of maybe educating them. LLL

Yep very good, should make the welfare trapper's fell dirty.
Wife and myself are N.T.A. members and we belong to 3 state association's.

I think most non members already know what the NTA does but won't join anyway.

As a new member I found the letter off putting. I agree explaining what's being done with the money recieved instead of haranguing other trappers and declaring how well organized and funded the other side is might have been better recieved.

So specifically, what do they do with the money? We just lost N.M. What was the NTA doing there? Honest question.

I recently re upped with N T A and joined the F T A. I am a member of 2 state associations soon to be 4 maybe more.

Probably 90 million gun owners and 5 million NRA members so percentage wise we probably are doing as well if not better. I don't feel we gain much by shaming people into joining organizations as we do by empowering them to join. Why join an organization with people always criticizing you for not doing enough.

Bryce

Member of NTA and FTA here. NRA and GOA too on the 2A side.

I don't expect perfection out of these groups.

Linda and I are members of NTA, FTA, NY and several others

They have fought or donated money in all most every state that has had a battle. They also fight at the Federal level and with bills going into congress there may be a loss nation wide. Does the NTA win every battle no but they fight and fund states for fighting local battles. They put out education videos and information to every state. Get on the internet or better yet join for a year and get the quarterly magazine I'm thinking every issue list the moneys donated to states and battles fought. I have trapped for for over 60 years and never have I seen things this bad for loosing ground. With the loss of interest because of low fur markets and states actually banning fur the anits know we are few in numbers and for the most part lone wolves and not a pack. A one year membership is $30 bucks, 2 years $55, and 3 years $80. They will use your money to fight and they don't have a bunch of over paid staff. If you teach a kid to trap that's great but teach them they need to fight for the privilege's if they want to keep trapping or.

Well said WYFur!

NTA has joined a suit with Alaska Trappers Association. Ongoing.

I hear people say What do they do? I'm happy to hear people ask What can I do? They are US in group form. We are made up of many who want a free ride, some who want others to do the work, and a few who give all they have to pass it on. I've heard all the excuses why they shouldn't join, why they shouldn't help and why we shouldn't change our course of operations. In reality we are losing our rights and privileges slowly but surely. Now I'm not telling you what to do but I realize I need to do more-not because I'm already a life member of many organizations but because I can do more- I ask you to ask yourself if you can do more? If you can't I understand- If you can let's do more together.

Our magazine, "American Trapper," goes over what the NTA is doing.

OK that is all good but you may want to change your approach. Is that sanctioned by them or is shaming trappers your idea? LLL

Outside being a board member ive NEVER seen it publicized in the magazine exactly where the money is going, tried for about a decade to change that but the old guard doesn't like change so it's still secret squirrel operations with the 'trust us' theme.

I always said make the organization so great people WANT to join and be a part of something. 30 years from now if things last that long it will still be the same ol shame and beg routine.

All that said, NTA or whoever could cure cancer and there will still be some that find one reason not to join. Can't change human nature.

Its to bad we can't discuss NTA

It’s frustrating for those in leadership who give their time, energy and money to a cause and others who benefit from that effort are offended when they aren’t asked to join to their liking.