Author Topic: NTA attendance down. (Read 1045 times)

RdFx · « **on:** August 08, 2011, 05:21:24 PM »

Talked to differant trappers that went to the sweltering NTA rondy and said alot of trappers must have stayed home as light attendance going to rondy. That said the meeting and talking with old trapper aqaintences and meeting new trapper friends is always nice but the pocket book and if you dont have a job dictates your decision.
ONE WOULD THINK THERE ARENT ANY TRAPPERS ANYMORE ON THIS SITE>>>>>>

<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Boggy you dont count as your just a swamp rat.....

trappnman · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2011, 05:18:59 AM »

heard the FTA was way down this year as well-

with this economy, and the uncertain future, I think this year is going to be like that at every convention- I even heard PA was down quite a bit, and thats usually one of the biggest out there

Bogmaster · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2011, 06:47:52 AM »

Any time you have high gas prices,attendance will be down. The heat was also a big factor-- some guys can't take a bit of sweating--lol.
The MO. Boys and other volunteers--worked their rears off. It was 108 --real temp, 12 hours before I got there. But heat and humidity were not much difference than the Minnesota convention, last week.
Tom

Newt · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2011, 04:26:14 PM »

The Tea Party, Blame it on the Tea Party

Macthediver · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2011, 05:48:16 PM »

It was sticky there and I agree gas price might have had something to do with people not going. I know with my old van loaded down and pulling the camper I got about 10 miles to the gallon. Cost me almost $400.00 just for the gas down and back. I had a great time visiting with eveyone and that is the biggest reason I go.
I will say I'm not sure if I will be in MN next year. Lots of the people that I camp with and some that I talked to don't plan to go to MN next year. They don't want to spend money in a state that don't allow out of staters to trap. Guess it is a legitimate reason to go somewhere else. My self I see no reason to go if my friends won't be there. Some might have gone if they hadn't got the "We don't care if you come" from some MN boys on another forum.
O-Well I had a blast this year and if next year rolls around and I go somewhere else. Guess thats just the way the world works now days.
Mac

RdFx · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2011, 06:25:31 PM »

Mac i heard the same from some non Minn trappers about not going to NTA there becuase of non resident issue. A couple of trappers said they wouldnt want to trap in Mn but because of thier non resident issue the will boycott the rondy..

Bogmaster · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2011, 07:06:30 PM »

The problem with those that plan to boycott the NTA convention next year--they will only be hurting the NTA, not the Minnesota Trappers Association.
Seems like cutting off your nose-- to spite your face.
Tom

Macthediver · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2011, 02:31:35 AM »

Tom
Don't MTA get a cut of the cash for hosting NTA? If they don't then you'd be right about just hurting NTA. I'm on the fence myself as WI hasn't been open to nonresidents that long. I will say I don't see why the MN boys are so stuborn about keeping their old rules? I haven't seen any big rush of out of state guys on my line.
Mac

Bogmaster · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2011, 04:56:53 AM »

Mark, it is my belief that the hosting state gets a small percentage of the convention pie.
I have been a member of the MTA since 1972, the non-resident issue was the same stickler then, as it is now. Though now , the membership was just sent a mail in vote on this issue. Before all votes were hand raising votes at conventions or winter meetings.
Tom

RdFx · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2011, 02:12:26 PM »

I might be wrong but i believe there was only 7 (SEVEN) non resident trappers in Wi last year....

bblwi · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2011, 06:37:21 PM »

You may want to check with your NTA director from your state. He/she can tell you how the revenues and costs are divided with an NTA convention as to NTA and host state. I had heard rumors that MN was negotiating for a different cut than what has been in the past. I don't know if that changed or not for them. Nice to cut a different deal but then if one is going to be negotiating with the NTA then it is difficult for other affiliates to know what the deal is and not all states have the same resources available to negotiate with a national organization.

As to the attendence? We are seeing a real downward in most events, especially charitable events and outdoor related events. This is the 3rd year of our downward economy. Lots of discretionary money, and cash stashes are long gone as are many unemployment checks. People are hoarding their cash and a trip to a 3 day convention from WI would be a $500 luxury for many that they are not going to spend anymore. Those with cash also are saving their monies as well as their house is not salable, their retirement plan is the same today as it was 12 years ago so that means everything put in since February 2000 is basically lost. With most trappers like me running a trap line out of residual fur sales or other income sources and they are lowered they are not going to attend things. The $500 that they would spend on a convention will run a medium line for 2-3 weeks and that may be their only choice of expenditures on trapping this year.

Bryce

RdFx · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2011, 04:23:40 AM »

Well put Bryce. Got to save up for NTA in Mn starting now....put a little in the traveling kitty every now and then and come next July hopefully have a gas and things i THINK i need stash!

Macthediver · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2011, 05:29:55 AM »

Bryce
You have a silver tongue.
I made the trip to NTA this year and shot all my extra money pretty much just on the gas. This is the first time I've gone to NTA and not bought one item for trapping. I do plan to pick up a few things in Marshfield, but this summer all my extra mad money went into a new roof on the house. After a not so good season last fall. I'll be starting out the trapping season out of my pocket so to speak, instead of having last falls fur check stash for seed.
Mac

bblwi · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2011, 02:27:55 PM »

We have had a horribly expensive year. We had a water pipe burst in our small northern retreat home and 100K gallons of water ran and sprayed all over our floor, dry wall, cupboards etc. That was 27K but the insurance covered about 18K of that. Due to defective shingles we got $500 back on the two roof jobs on our other home and garage so there went another 5 K. I had ordered new garage doors and first time ever openers for my wifes B and Christmas present so there goes another 2k plus. I am finishing a baseement project and I had a 2500 dollar auto repair. What a year. Thank God I found a part time job and I borrowed the money instead of pullng out of my investmens when they are tanking. I hope I don't have more like this one. NOt only the cost but all the time to fart with all that stuff and not much time to fish, paddle or get ready for trapping.

I grew up a farmer though, next year will be better.... but it could to too wet, too dry, too hot, too cool, too much yield so price is down, price is good but no yield, yaddah, yaddah, you get the picture.

Bryce

Macthediver · « **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2011, 04:53:58 AM »

Yep Bryce
It always seems when you think your getting a little ahead the toilet blows up LOL! I know Toms had his share of getting whammied last couple years.
It's funny how rat prices are up some from the past where a guy can make a few bucks. But last season sucked because of all the high water wipping out late litters,"I suspect"? I was looking forward to this fall when my son and I could do our week chasing rats. Thing is the river has not been back to normal level since before the flood last September. Right now we are still about 2ft over normal with a flow that is at 68,000 ft per secound. It should be somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 this time of year. Every time the river starts back down it rains hard up Bogs way and it all comes here. The boy and are are actually thinking of taking our week and chasing coyotes instead, just because. Coyotes might be worth a buck or two more this fall, but it's hard to even make gas on our yotes. Thing is my son hasn't ever really done the K9 line thing with me. So he thought it might be nice to actually be trapping instead of just riding along a day or two watching me. I haven't set a K9 line myself since 2005 so it would be neat to do again.
Might be fun too as I really enjoy the time my son and I put in doing those type things.
With the roof done now I've gotten my major summer project done. Thing is now I don't have the cash for the other little things I planned to play at.
O-well it could always be worse and I'm far from the hurt some others are dealing with.
I'll make Marshfield as that is my next kick back event for the summer, or should I say end of summer?

Mac

trappnman · « **Reply #15 on:** August 16, 2011, 04:52:56 AM »

I've noticed most are buying just what they need, not what they would like to have. And I also hear from many that rather than atending multiple conventions, they are going to just one this year.

I hear you on the way life is- just got some projects done, and the wife comes home saying the Ranger is missing bad. I told her all I can really do, is change filters and plugs- if that didn;t work- we would have to take it in. Replaced plugs etc- runs like a new truck. Whew!

Mac- do not let the coon go by while running for yotes- I tend to run 2-3 coon setups in the coulees by my cooyte traps where coon are present. You would think you would take the coon in the k9 sets and you do- but specific sets in coon locations, really pays off and it pays for my day to day expenses.

RdFx · « **Reply #16 on:** August 16, 2011, 05:05:29 PM »

Ditto Steve on setting up coon sets when trapping yotes..... dont have rats to make gas money so coon takes the rats place as gas money!!

Macthediver · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2011, 04:16:07 AM »

Steve
I would definately set for any nearby coon might even throw in a mink or rat set at a place I got to drive right over. Now days I also take every skunk that wanders into a K-9 set too. Back 20 plus years ago when I was after just fox I did the limited mixed line deal. The 75 trap rule years ago crimped the mix line thinking some though. Back then I didn't mess with skunks and literally caught dozens a day sometimes in fox sets. Now that I figured out how to handle them,I don't mind messing with them. Like other critters along my line their numbers have dropped signifacantly.

Mac

LEO · « **Reply #18 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:58:52 AM »

Well, I went to the NTA this year, it was my first national convention so I can't speak to the attendance, but I know I had a great time, learned a lot and met a lot of new people. It was expensive by the time you figure gas, and lodging but it was worth it to me. I won't be going to WI next year, not because of political issues but it is just to far to travel, I will probably go to the FTA in IN and the NTA regional.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #19 on:** August 31, 2011, 09:31:04 AM »

Glad you enjoyed yourself,but the NTA is not in Wisconsin next year--it's in Minnesota. But remember, it will be the NTA you hurt by not attending--though support by attending your regional , will help.
Tom

LEO · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:19:56 PM »

Sorry, my bad but it is still too far to travel, as it would take two days each way for me. As I said, I am not boycotting the convention it is just not feasible economically or logistically for me to go. But I do plan on going to the regional, so either way they will get my support. Interestingly enough, Bogmaster was one of the new people I met and I am sure the info he shared with me will help me catch more beaver this year. I am sure I will attend NTA nationals in the future as they move around the USA, and of course the Regional is always within a days drive.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #21 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:29:37 PM »

Leo, I have to appologize for that demo at the NTA.Holding a hand held microphone and trying to set and show 330 use,doesn,t really cut it.I actually gave a much better demo the next week--when I had 2 free hands to use, and no microphone to hold.
But if you run into any questions--be sure to ask.
Tom