A suggestion for the NCTA

[beaverstop]

Everybody,

Buzzard and I had a conversation about many things yesterday, least of which was about communication. I agree that the membership has to be informed so that they have information necessary to work for the betterment of trapping in N.C. They also need to know that the board and officers are doing more than just meeting four times a year. Members need only read the President's Report in the T&PC to hear from me regularly. But, associate members do not receive the publication. Non-members who drop in here have no source of information other than what may be posted on the forum. Prior to taking this job, I was Newsletter Editor. We sent out the newsletter as near to quarterly as possible. I want to revive this practice. I also feel a responsibility to give you updates here, even if I only say that nothing exciting is going on.

My first bit of information is that the NCTA will have a booth at the upcoming BUCKMASTERS show in Greensboro, July 28,29,30 at the Coliseum. We will represent the association, promote trapping and hold a three gun raffle. This show was shoulder-to-shoulder crowded every day last year. We are expecting lots of exposure at the show and the opportunity to dispel some of the misconceptions about trapping.

Now, let me put the onus on you. Please tell me what I need to do to motivate trappers to work for things that will benefit them. Our recent efforts to get the raccoon trapping proposal on the agenda for public hearings did not result in much support from trappers. In most cases, had it not been for officers of the NCTA, we would not have had any representation at the hearings. I'm willing to try anything that will help.

I've got to take the wife out to eat now. If I don't keep her happy, she'll quit work and be around here finding things for me to do all the time, LOL.

Jimmy

[Bottomline]

Thank's for the reply Jimmy.

[nctaxi]

How about linking with other organizations? Like the NC Taxidermist Association. I am a member of the Taxidermist assoc and would like to see us join forces, ever outdoor oriented association in the state ought to be linked, and joined together for the better of all. If we join forces maybe we can make some changes, ie Sunday hunting.. I posted this somewhere else here so maybe I'll irratate someone ;D

[bambikiller]

What is the "legislative agenda" of the NCTA for it's members?

What is the NCTA telling the commisioners in Raleigh?

Who is the guy/girl that takes the opinions of the NCTA members to Raleigh?

Buzzard has really made some good comments, IMO.

How do we muster troops, if the troops have no clue on what to do?

Thanks for reading,

Jeff

[Bottomline]

Are you a member of the NCTA?

I would suggest that you attend the convention in Sept. and meet people and get involved........Jeff. You can always call Jimmy(The President) and ask any question you want answered, or send a private message(PM)to him through this site.

[cavscout]

I think he was asking how can we show up to support the NCTA if we do not know when where and what time. I kind of agree, I would love to do all I can to help, but I don't know how.

I have typed up a letter to all five Harnett County Commisioners about the county fox/coyote laws. It will be mailed out today. Other than that, I don,t know what else to do to help.

[Bottomline]

I certainly have no power in the NCTA as far as decision making, nor informing the membership, just a supporter. I do inform the membership if I know the answer, usually through a public forum. I certainly don't try to drag the association down, because I don't know, and I'm not saying anyone has.
There are always thing any association can do to improve, and I think Better Communication would be where I'd start.

[cavscout]

I agree, I think that would also help alot more people get involved as well.

[beaverstop]

Thanks everybody for your interest. Let me ask a question-how can I do a better job lf letting the membership know when help is needed? Re the coon trapping changes: I did the following:

Made a detailed written proposal to all commissioners and members of the NCWRC.

Attended the hearing in Louisburg and made a presentation to the commissioners.

Contacted and met with other groups ( Delta Waterfowl, Quail Unlimited, NWTF) to gather research information and to solicit support. These efforts were successful, I might add.

Posted the agenda for the public hearings on all trapping forums.

Listed the hearings agenda in the T&PC president's report.

Posted the information on the bulletin board at Lincoln Barbour's and went there on Saturdays to encourage (beg) trappers to attend.

Encouraged all district directors to attend the hearing and to contact trappers in their area about the hearings.

Anything else slips my mind.

Now, other than District 7 Director Bob Richardson and the Blue Ridge Mountain Fur Harvesters, there werent hardly a half dozen trappers who weren't NCTA directors or officers who spoke in support of the proposal at the hearings statewide. At the majority of the hearings, NCTA officers or directors were the only ones there. Perhaps the question I shoud be asking is- How can I motivate trappers to support an issue that is entirely for their benefit? I am not going to let this issue die as there is a pretty good chance that we will get the proposal on the agenda this year. My concern is that it will die an unheralded death as nobody will take an hour or two of their time to put forth the necessary effort to get it passed.

To paraphrase JFK: Ask not what- fill in the blanks.

Jimmy

[cavscout]

You are right Jimmy, we as the trappers need to get more involved as well. Myself as a new trapper last year had no idea how big this issue was. There for, I did not think it important to attend the meetings. That will change this year.

I also think the number of trappers that use the internet at all is very limited at best. I met a dozen or more in the bast 18 months that no nothing about the internet and very little about the NCTA, FTA, NTA, and other organizations(?). I do not know how to get to these people and let them know of the meetings and what they can do to help.

I myself have typed a letter to each of the Harnett County Commisioners about the closed fox season. I am not sure what else to do, but I think it is a start.

[Prune]

Jimmy,

Thanks for all you do .And i will help all i can.That said i just became a member in April,joined the NTA in May.I have been out of it for awhile. Now that my son & grandson wanna trap i have a little more gumpshin to do all i can so that can trap in the future.I'll see you in Smithfield.Anything that you need help on let me know and will try my best.


Clarence"Prune" Winspear

[Bottomline]

Now, other than District 7 Director Bob Richardson and the Blue Ridge Mountain Fur Harvesters, there werent hardly a half dozen trappers who weren't NCTA directors or officers who spoke in support of the proposal at the hearings statewide. At the majority of the hearings, NCTA officers or directors were the only ones there.

I think there was more support from the western part of the state because it was affecting "them"......as far as the coon trapping. Just for the record, I attended my district hearing in Louisburg. Jimmy was the only other NCTA member at the hearing.
I think the question is.......what are we working on now? Maybe some kind of newsletter sent out periodically to the membership would be a good thing. Just to inform those without computer access what's going on. Also we could list the Convention dates/Spring Fling dates....etc.

As far as new members joining the association, I think it would be nice to at least get their membership card, and maybe a welcome letter, an NCTA bumper sticker, hat,.......or something. We want them to feel like we are glad to have them. I know they get the T&PC, and that is a good thing.
I'm willing to help anyway I can, and have offered my help on several occasions, but someone has to tell me what they need help with.

Jimmy, I think you have done a fine job as President. I don't think there has been a question as to whether you have been doing your job or not. We all know you have. I also hope you continue to serve as President of the association for another term. David Underwood also has done a fine job as General Organizer, and Dragon(John) has provided this site for us to communicate.......let's use it. I try to post something about everyday so the site does not get stale. I encourage all members to contribute to the site as much as they can.

However, those that have not been doing their job, need to be replaced!

Hope to see everyone at the NCTA Convention in Smithfield on September 29th and 30th. It will be worth your while to attend.
Rodney

[beaverstop]

Well said.

As for the raccoon proposal, for those who don't know it is two part:

Open a western trapping season.

Remove the current 20 or 30 limit, depending on where you trap, and have no limit trapping statewide.

Before I was elected president, I was newsletter editor. It is a top priorty of mine to have quarterly newsletters sent to the membership. One way or another, it will happen shortly after the convention at the latest. That said, the membership (except associate members) receives the T&PC. I report on every item of importance affecting trapping in N.C. Enough said about that. A mailing to all licensed trappers is another way to reach everyone as not all are members of the NCTA.

Thanks to all for your interest and responses. I sometimes miss things here, but feel free to contact me at any time. I will respond ASAP.

Jimmy

[Bottomline]

Thank you Jimmy. I have never seen you shy away from any questions or concerns that have been voiced here. Thank's for your time and your responses.

[cavscout]

Hey Jimmy, can we get the names and adresses of all licensed trappers in NC? If we can, how. I would be willing to invest say, $100 of my own money and what ever time it took to mail as many invatations to the NCTA get together in Smithfield as I could afford. My wife loves doing stuff like that and I know she would be more than glad to help. I could write the invatation and then get the wife do work her magic on the little print shop she has on the computer to put it all together. I could then send it to you or the NCTA for aproval and then adress and mail the letters.

There is no way I could afford to do them all, but every little bit helps.

Let me know if I can help in any way, even if this is not a good idea.