TDHA - Support Question

[Circle C]

I know that many of us on ETHD support the TDHA, but to those of you that do not support, this post is directed at you.
If you don't want to post publicly PM me and I will post your concerns about TDHA anonymously.

What are some reasons that you choose not to be a member of the TDHA?

Cost of membership? If this is a genuine concern, and you want to be a member, but cannot afford the cost of membership, PM me and we will find a way to make you a member.

You don't know what TDHA does?
Here are a few things the TDHA does do for Texas Dog Hunters - this was posted in the TDHA website

I would like some feed back as to why people don't join with a group that's trying to protect them and their dog and preserve the right to hunt with dogs.

1- We fight against bills that would take away their rights.

2- We have the Crimestoppers to help them.

3- We have a Legal account to help out if they have legal problems.

4- We have a Youth program that informs the youth about hunting with dogs, which only a few work at.

5- We feed the needy, which only a few work at.

6- We're trying to get a program started to give schoarships to High Schools for collage that are going into some field related to dogs and hunting.

What are we not doing?? 

Don't know how to join TDHA?

Is it because you feel you get the benefits of what the TDHA does, regardless of being a member?


Are you a member of another organization and don't feel the need to overlap support? If so, can you please let me know what organizations you do support?

Now when I say support, I mean being a member of the organization, nothing more. If you choose to volunteer your time to help the organization, that's even better, but not necessary to show your support.



Is there a good reason not to join the TDHA?


Now, for those that are members of the TDHA, what other organizations are you a member of?

We all know that there is strength in numbers, so what are some ideas to get more people signed up and showing their support for TDHA?

[cantexduck]

 There are no reason for a dog hunter not to be a member of TDHA. I hope some helpful info is gathered by your thread, Chris.


TDHA
DU
Delta Waterfowl
NRA
LSBA

[dabutcher]

TDHA
NRA
RMEF
SCI
DU
NWTF
FNAWSF ( Wild Sheep Foundation, helps preserve habitiat for Bighorn sheep and mountain goats)
was at one time an LSBA member but pulled my membership due to their stance on crossbows but that's another thread.

[Texas_Cur]

Savoy is right, THERE ARE NO GOOD REASONS A DOG HUNTER SHOULD NOT BE A MEMBER OF TDHA!!!

DU
TDHA
NRA
NSCA
CCA
Texas GOP

[Txmason]

Chris,
Thanks, would like to get some feed back on this.

Thanks also for your support and agreeing to be on the panel to translate the bills before they become laws.

[BoggerCountyHogHunter]

  Awesome Thread!!!  We are members of:  TDHA, Ducks Unlimited, Endangered Breed Association (they fight breed specific legislation), Texas Trophy Hunters Association,  Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, TBBA, IBBA and others not related to land and hunting stuff.  I would like to become a member of the NRA.  I just need to find a membership application. 
 Gilbert

[texasboy4456]

How much does it cost to sign up?

[Texas_Cur]

$25

[HogzgoneWild]

awesome thread!!!!! I agree all dog hunters should be a member if they like doing it and want to keep it available for the future.. Thanks Chris.

[Dexter]

ouch this one is gonna leave a mark, i guess, heck cause i am a procrastinator,,
  im sorry please dont beat me or chastize me
    Dexter

[muleman]

come on Dexter, I did it today and it didnt hurt a bit!

[Wormy Dog Kennels]

Great tread

[texasboxer]

i joined today as well!

[Circle C]

Guy's this thread was not intended to shame people into signing up... of course if a few do sign up because of it, that's great.

My intent with this thread is simply to find out why the MAJORITY of Texas dog hunters choose not to be a member of TDHA.  I figure there has to be a reason, I just have not been able to figure it out on my own. I was hoping that some non members would enlighten me as to what their reasons are for their lack of support.

I will say this, a few years ago the TDHA seemed to be a little stagnant, but with the current group that is heading it up is a lot more active. Keeping us informed of upcoming legislation, setting up the crimestoppers fund, and putting on the best damn hunting contest in the state!   For me, I figure that $25.00 is cheap insurance to know that I have the entire TDHA backing me should I need it for legal concerns relating to my hunting dogs.

[Look Fur em]

I know you asked for replies from Texas dog men, but what about guys not in Texas how will becoming a member help us. I was a member at one time. I just didn't see how it would benefit me being next door in Louisiana. I know its a great organization and Mr. Mason, Krystal, Cody and yourself are all good folks but how can it help us out of staters who hang around you Texas boys boards. Thanks, Thre'

[Circle C]

Thre'

   How you been?

     Only you can decide if the cost of membership is worth it to you as an out of state hog hunter. The primary reason I can see to still be a member is this.  If legislation passes in Texas, there is a good chance the state government of our neighbors to the East, North, and West  can and will follow suit. I am not sure if that is worth the price of admission....but it is food for thought.

    I read recently that someone was wanting to start a Louisiana Dog Hunter's Assoc. might also be worth looking into that and see how to get the ball rolling. If y'all get one started, let me know the membership cost and I will be the first Texas member

    Thre', one last reason to be a TDHA supporter from out of state, and this is directed at you personally....if you don't help support us here in Texas, and dog hunting gets outlawed, I will be forced to relocate along with my dogs to the Baton Rouge area and start hunting your woods   haha

   
 

[TrueBlueLacys]

Chris, I keep thinking there are two main reasons people don't sign up...

First, primarily hog hunters get targeted, and you can only get so much saturation in each group. The more groups that are approached, like bird guys and trappers and anyone else who uses working dog, the more potential members are reached. You have to remember that some people just aren't joiners, and many people don't have a long-term interest in the sport, especially when it comes to hog dogging. How many people do you see jumping in and selling out in the classified ads each day? Why would people with fickle tastes dedicate themselves to the future of an activity they may not be a part of in 5 years? Perhaps there will be greater traction with hunters who have a longer lifespan in their sport.

But I also don't think people truly know what the TDHA does. I'm a member, and I have no qualms at all about donating a mere $25 each year, but I still don't totally understand how it's being used. I think the legislation is the best example. There are a ton of disconnected posts in a bunch of places. Yes, even in the Courtroom section on the TDHA board, there isn't a clear narrative to follow to know what's going on. And there is a lot of reposting from other groups that doesn't get pulled back to dog hunters. And since Mr. Mason already has so much going on, there should really be another person (or people) who work on concisely communicating these issues. There should be easily scanned and digested stats for everything - how much was donated, how much was raised, how many votes made the difference - so people can see in simple numbers what the TDHA does.

When someone asks, "What does my $25 get me," there is a page that says "It funds X scholarships, feeds Y hungry people, influences Z critical votes, defeats A bills and passes B bills, etc etc." Without numbers like that, it can sound like lip service. Because I know the people involved and have heard about their positive impact from friends, I trust my money is being put to good use, but if I didn't have that personal background, I wouldn't join without details.

And what Gilbert said about advertising on the TDHA board is right on. Once all this information is in place, get it out there and let people know about it. It makes for a very powerful marketing campaign. Just saying "We help you" doesn't convert new members the same way as "We get you XYZ concrete results."

There are so many things on my plate between my job, the eating disorder advocacy and the Lacy association, not to mention working to keep my dog sane, that I don't have the time to do the legwork. But I'd be happy to give advice as a marketing professional, nonprofit activist and former journalist.

[Russ]

I was a member but due the wreck I been out of pocket, soon as I get $25 bucks it's on like donkey Kong

TWA - Texas Wildlife Assco.
TDHA
SEA - Saltwater Fisheries Enhancement Assco.
ABBA - American Brahma Breeders Assco.
The Wildlife Society

Was going to join LSBA but read Butcher's reasoning and we think alike

[Circle C]

Julie,

   Some very good points!

   As for how the dog legislation is presented to the general public, that issue is currently being addressed. Hopefully the new changes will help people understand more clearly how each bill may affect them. Bryant and I will be assisting Paul (Silverton Boar Dogs) in putting the bills into layman's terms and posting them on the message board.  Also being discussed is a forum within ETHD to address the legal issues that arise.


   The question about where the $25.00 goes is a good one, and one of the TDHA bod will have to address that, as I am not involved with TDHA operations.  I do know that there are funds within TDHA that are supported by dues, such as the crimestoppers fund.

 
    I also agree that TDHA would benefit from being involved in dog related events outside of hog dogging. I think the problem is a chicken and egg dilemma.  The hog hunters are the ones that have traditionally supported TDHA. Will the coon hunters, retrievers, etc support TDHA if we support them at their events?  If so, the only hurdle seems to be finding volunteers that are willing to take the initiative and plan/coordinate being at an event with the TDHA booth. 

   Now I am just as guilty as most all TDHA members in that I don't volunteer my time. I would rather be in the woods ...Problem is, if we all continue to have the same attitude about volunteering/supporting that I have had the last couple of years, the people that are doing the bulk of the work will burn out! Then we all lose.


Y'all keep the feedback coming....

[Eric]

I believe alot of people want to personally see the Tdha in their area. They want to see the bayings, contests, ect. in their part of Texas.

The scholarships are a big jump in the right direction. Crime stoppers, the legal team, and those sort of things are great... but we as a society usually do not appreciate those types of benefits until it is too late.