MTA rondy

[bigjohn]

The MTA fall meeting (rendezvous) starts the 16th and ends the 19th. This is an election year so there'll be a change of some of the officers.

I haven't heard whether or not if someone from the MDC will be there to update us on any new proposed season changes. They tabled it when the MTA brought it up and said they were already reviewing some changes.

[krank]

Is it in Montgomery?

[bigjohn]

Yes Mike, Montgomery City at the Montgomery county fairgrounds.

[tjm]

Hope you had a good rondy. I missed this, but over 300 miles one way, I wouldn't have gone anyway.

We need a report on new officers and new code changes, and etc.

[krank]

I hope it was a success. Too far and too busy at home. I would be curious as to the turn out.

[bigjohn]

The attendance was lighter than in the past but low fur prices cause that. All in all it was another fall meeting with some positive results. I'm sure as soon as he gets some time Robbie Page will update the MTA website.

The MDC is going to have a virtual meeting with our conservation director and our outgoing and incoming president to fill them in on what's happening about season changes. There isn't anything going to change,season wise. in the immediate future but they just want us to keep abreast of it. The MDC will also be having this discussion with other user groups such as Sporting dog assoc., quail unlimited, turkey federation , and so forth.

There were some by-law and standing rule changes that were voted on. New officers elected, a couple of new district directors elected , and a motion to help New Mexico fight the public ground trapping ban with a donation of $10,000 which was approved). Along with that donation , district 7 approved another $2000 from our account.

Tony Oden our ways and means chairman had challenged the membership to raise $3000 to go to youth trapping education by allowing his head to be shaved if collected by the end of the fall meeting. Well folks, Tony is now bald lol. Thanks to the donations from so many of our fine members.

Guys if you don't think the association isn't working to help it's members and the trapping community, at large. then you are sadly mistaking. I'm proud to stand along with these folks and fight our fight to continue our trapping traditions.

[krank]

I think the MDC looks at the MTA as a worthwhile organization to work with. They need trappers.

[bigjohn]

It's a shame that more of Missouri's trappers don't belong to the association but trappers have always been kind of loners. Truth is if we don't stand together ,along with other sportsman, the anti's will pick off our traditions one at a time. Since trappers are in the minority, we will be their first target.

We are probably wasting time trying to sway animal welfare type as their liberal logic to a debate is screaming louder than the other side. Their opinions are based on emotions instead of science. We should be targeting other sportsman groups, environmentalist , and those on the fence.

Trappers seem to be their worst enemies. We tend to hold grudges long after the fact. Just because of one bad deal we tend to look past the big picture. Just because we don't like another sportsman or group doesn't mean we can't work together. Is the MTA perfect or the MDC? No but neither are any of us but who else do we have to stand with us to preserve our tradition? Just a little food for thought.

[krank]

I am guilty of letting my dues slide. Havent trapped much in the last couple years. I suppose by paying money to organizations then you are helping fight the battle. I know that is what the antis do. They get donations from movie stars and get out and raise trouble.
These trapping schools are great because they teach methods to want to be trappers who might otherwise give trappers a bad name.
It's amazing how many people think the way to catch coyotes is pile up a bunch of bait and set a whole bunch of traps everywhere. We all know that nothing good will come of that.

[bigjohn]

Mike,our dues barely cover the cost of the magazine that goes along with your membership. The number of members is what helps having clout.

We have many clinics coming up starting in Oct. We generally post them on the associations websites. I'll try and keep this board updated on dates and locations when I can.

[segsarge]

Haven't been an MTA member for a few decades now. Did join the Alaska Trappers Association when trying to figure a way to get up there. Had a falling out with MTA way back when. Had more to do with the leadership at the top and a lack of trust with the district director at the time. No secret I'm not a big MDC fan either. I probably should let that stuff go since those people are most likely gone. But it's tough to forget.

[bigjohn]

sarge, no one holds grudges anymore than myself,I'm sad to admit. Sometime one has to for the better good. I must admit that there are still some hard feelings,in the association, that have been so long ago that many people never even heard of them. Some as far as I'm concern were over some pretty petty stuff. Does either party suffer, not really but the association does.

You know at one time we had a membership problem that was bad enough that I quit over it. Come to find out it was just as much my fault as the association, At the time the association's magazine was The Trapper and Predator Caller. When your membership was about due they sent out a notice but that was for just their magazine and not the association's membership. I like others didn't call or contact the association, just got pissed off and quit. Folks if the association doesn't know you have a problem, notify them and they'll do everything we can to rectify it.

As far as the MDC, it's hard to please every faction using the resources. It's a job that I don't envy. It's a case of the squeaky wheel getting the oil. Trappers are the worst about communicating so we suffer.

[krank]

About ten years ago, this forum was boiling with MTA stories. Both sides. I kept paying my dues and never getting any magazines. MTA said they would look into it. Nothing. Finally Ryan Rue found out about it (He was a district guy) He sent me a giant package of back issues and bumper stickers and patches and a hat. Shut me up. They did forget me but they made up for it.
Being a member isnt about getting your monies worth. It's about getting your name on a list of voting trappers.Support organizations that are politically supporting your interests.
We have NTA,MTA and FTA.
Nobody knocks you if you join the NRA. THe NRA doesnt need my money but they need my name.
THe MTA works with the MDC who are in Jeff City. The MDC is not going to let the tree huggers stop trapping. THe MDC knows we need predator control. They might try to charge you a fee but they are not going to let it get illegalized.
Send in you dues so they can fight the politicians while you are out trapping.

[bigjohn]

Well said Mike.

Folks in the MTA don't get a dime for their time, troubles ,or travels. They do it to better the sport and keep our tradition alive. Everything is volunteer so sometimes might not get done as quick as with associations that have paid employees. But be assured we value your membership. If a member isn't satisfied with the officers they have a chance to change that every two years.

[krank]

I think a bunch of the stink on here years ago was a about being a volumteer.
Ok....Here comes my MTA rant. This business of a $5 surcharge for renewing membership has got to go! CC companies charge 5% for transactions but $5 is a 25% surcharge on $20.!
Want to increase membership then make it easy with a credit card. People that have to mail in a check are liable to put that off.
My buddy has a gun store and he said he noticed an increase in sales when he started accepting Visa, MC and Am EX.

[bigjohn]

Mike unfortunately we don't do enough business to absorb the CC cost. Like I said the association makes like $1 off membership. The person that processes the membership is the only paid position in the association.Use to be it was a volunteer position but was decided to make it a paying position with that person receiving X amount of money for each membership.

[bigjohn]

double post

[krank]

You might want to check into that. Dues are $20 with no magazine so I don't see where the other $19 is. The CC company is getting $1 on 20.
We are a small company so CC is the only way we will do business. We save a lot of money not having an accounts recievable person.
I think it would cost less to go credit card than pay a little girl to keep a ledger and deposit checks in a bank.
I see street vendors with a CC app on their cell phone. They handle the whole transaction right there and text a reciept. All for a $10 t-shirt.
Don't feel too bad as Fur Takers is the same way.

[tjm]

Are there any thoughts in the MTA community about new country buyers, what it'd take to interest and train younger guys? It looks to me like it's going to be hard to get kids involved in trapping if the nearest buyer is three hours away.
Any discussion about developing alternative markets?
Those anti's won't have to make trapping illegal if they can keep the fur retail end shut down. Even if the line is small and not for profit there is limit to how many hides a feller can have rotting away in the shed.

[krank]

If there is money in it then somebody will do it. Good point that trapping would take off better if there were more buyers.