Just an update..........


After our thousand dollar donation to the IDNR mentoring program.

The IDHA donated $1000.00 dollars to the Big Oaks youth hunt for door prizes.

The IDHA donated $100.00 to Outdoorwoman pheasant hunt.

The IDHA donated $2800.00 to Indiana National Archery in Schools Program for a complete archery in schools set up for Garrett Indiana school corp.

I am amazed at our ability to be generous, it comes fro9m dedicated members who volunteer time. It comes from all of you who choose to place your deer in the Hoosier Record Book Program.

I have one question though, what does it take to get you to join? Our membership is less than 1% of what IDNR states as the deer hunting population.

If you don't belong to at least one National conservation group and one state conservation group I urge you to make it a goal in 2012.

Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year

Joe Bacon, President

Indiana Deer Hunters Association

How many new members does the IDHA retain from year to year?

I don't know the answer to this question in recent years. Some years new members would be as much as 200 and in other years the number would be as low as 30. Like most sporting organizations the numbers will fall when there isn't an issue or the sport isn't growing. The club used to have probably 50% turnover from year to year. But, that was back when there was a definitive push for members. In recent years the club probably has less than 10% new members each year. You even see national organizations like DU, Delta and the NWTF struggling with new members. I believe the single biggest loss to hunters and conservation in general was the disbanding of most conservation clubs. Those organizations suffered as most outdoorsmen became single issue sportsmen and general concern over conservation gave way to hunting being more about "what I killed".

The long term members of the IDHA have always focused on educational and supportive activities such as the handicapable camp for Riley or disabled children and adults, the handicap hunt at Crane Military Base, supporting the Hunter Ed program, the State Fair activities, pushing for youth hunts and at the time the State Park hunts and so on. Probably because of those broad based educational and supportive activities the organization was one that the IDNR sought out to work with or seek input.

What we have seen over the years are other organizations related to deer hunting the start up and stay together for a year or two and then disband. Their membership grows but there has been none that has sustained themselves for more than two or three years. Typically, those organizations come about because of a specific issue or "want" but seldom have they been involved in promotion or active support of youth activities, educational activities or other such hunting related support activities.

I'll seek to find out what the new member numbers are as we end 2011. I will say that I have found it unfortunate and a bit sad that over the years "sportsmen" have become less and less inclined to be involved or supportive of programs. But again, I always have to pause and remember that this is the case for most social organizations be it related to the hunting world or to non hunting issues.

Thanks for the info Delaney.

The reason I ask is to satisfy my curiosity about the IDHA.

The year I did join I was not sent any information about any meeting or even a renewal form the next year.

IDHA has a great tool to get members in the door with the deer and turkey expo in Indy.

But if you are not organized you will burn through the base of hunters and not have new ones to pull from.

double tap

my post seems to have been deleted. shocker.

Once again, how many current members in the IDHA?

The membership is less than 1% of what IDNR states as the deer hunting population...... (per the president )

I don't know the answer Dave to your question but I'll find out at the February show.

I am sorry you didn't get any information when you joined. I'll say something to Kevin when I see him in February. In regard to meetings though, the club meets the first Tuesday in the month at Gander Mountain in Greenwood at 7pm.

At the height of the state park controversy and when there was a constant push for new membership by someone going statewide to talk to folks almost every other weekend, membership grew to over a thousand members. It has been suggested before (from outside the IDHA) that the club should try to get something "special" for it's membership. For instance, it was alluded that the IBA got something special for its membership when Clifty Falls State Park became bow only, even though it wasn't specific to its members. The IDHA always refused to seek any special treatment or access for its members and some believe that was/is a mistake and others, those who have been involved over the years, believe it never was and never will be the intent of the IDHA to self serve it's membership.

The core membership is still today what it was years ago. That is the irony of the situation. With mostly older members, in age, it is fairly typical of most sporting organizations. The youth really don't want to join or become involved. It simply isn't their culture. (Yes Jerry, it is a cultural thing). Sure, the controversy over one buck and the seeming protection of early archery (crossbows) always cloud the real efforts of the club. The direction on those issues was driving by surveys of members, but as you likely know, survey responses are usually less than 10% of any organizational membership. As the older, core members "die out", either figuratively or in reality, the club will end up like most, going away. In today's world, most only join organizations that specifically serve them in some form or fashion and the IDHA isn't structured, intended or functionally driven to do that for an individual. I believe membership has dropped to around a couple of hundred in the last couple of years. Actually, in opposition to JB and some others thoughts, I am not in favor of pushing for new members, not because I don't want more members, but because I believe a large base of inactive membership is worse than a few people who will do something. The core membership still donates time and efforts to the State Fair cookout and fish pond, the Handicapable Camp, the handicap hunt, the youth hunt at Big Oaks, a few hunter ed youth safety programs, the schools archery program and so on. As you likely know, if you have 100 members or 1,000 members, the same 25 members do all the work, donate all the time and provide all the effort. And unfortunately, those efforts and such get diminished over issues related to the DNR and certain aspects of the hunting rules and regulations.

Long winded, just trying to explain and I will find out updated info when I see Kevin in February.

"100 members or 1000 members, the same 25 members do all the work, donate all the time and provide all the effort"

So I guess those extra 900 member's financial support would mean nothing and would not benefit the IDHA?

Hay, your point is well taken and additional financial support is always greatly appreciated because the money goes to causes. That said though, since we don't pay anybody, it still takes bodies to assist with functions. My point only is that a large membership base does not itself accomplish a lot of tasks or initiatives unless they are active. By no means did I intend to sound ungrateful for additional membership but again, there could be so much more accomplished if there were more members that capable and willing to give time as well as money.

the larger the membership base, the more credibility a group or Org has...and vice versa.

Sometimes. I would point to the Dirty Dozen group in Indi as a very small group with credibility. Even a large group that is single issue oriented will have very limited influence. Give me 50 really engaged guys and I'll have more of an impact and influence than a group of a thousand who do nothing. The Internet and emails only go so far in my opinion.

What???? I can't just sit around and cut and paste emails? Lol... sounds like work to me... it will never happen.. me generation and entitlement oriented

Id be willing to host a fishing tourney on my lake..ill provide food and drink.. ill need some more boats and a little help...just a thought

Dude - I'd be game for that and have a lil puddle jumper that would cruise your lake well.

Well we have two so anybody.. anyone else?? Correction .. weed is in too

Four: Luke will come. I swear he could catch a fish out of a bathtub.

Heck, I'll come if my wife can come also. Can't leave he at home. I've got a momarsh and a stealth if you need really small two man vessels, a canoe, two belly boats and two kayaks I could smoke some ribs and bring'm along. How about the total weight of the three smallest fish caught.

Here's the deal... ill host... ill provide food and shelter ... crappie is the game. All you can catch...no throw backs....more details when I get.. .solid comentments from a few more..... this is for vets... others can fish that help..pm me if your really serious about it.. or call me

Address, $$ amount and/or form to fill out to join?

I know several that would want this information.

My wife and I will help and support, assuming the day is when we are here in Indiana and it's not in turkey season.

Ok...ill give this one week to see who is serious about working on this.. it could be alot of fun... one meeting .. probably martinsville and dates will be set.. march is out for me... this is going to require some fun effort if we want to do it right... sign up now if you are in...

IN

Kyle weed dew bean and Delany are in... this time next week we will see who else wants on board and have a meeting... heck any personal crap at the door. We will do this for those that served period.. we have plenty of time to bitch at eachother later here.lol

Joe is in . Any others?

Last call

gundude I'll help out if you need more

.

Ill get with everyone in the next few days... this is not an event to pat ourselves on the back... no media... let's just do it for those that serve and leave it that... I will post a meeting date for those that will help.. dates will be set and we will all have a great time... if not .. ill give everyone a refund!.lol

Oh and stick is in.........that doesn't sound right does it....

Oh and stick is in.........that doesn't sound right does it....

With the new suppressor bill that has came up I would be willing to bring several suppressors there and let you guys demo them if you have some place to shoot on your property gundude. It seems that there is a lot of misinformation about them floating around.

That'd be cool Jason. Besides I need to talk to you about possibly doing a roof this spring.

We don't have a range.lol... ok jason is in too.. very good.. looks like we will all have some fun ... details will follow shortly

I'm in, sorry took me so long to find this thread. April is a bad month for me do to my Military duties and I'm going to reelfoot for 4 days.

I would also like to bring my 7 y/o, he would enjoy this event. If no kids, I totally understand, isn't a big deal.

The Ford and bush-hog can fix that....

We just need a safe back stop.

Not a problem...

I need a roofer....

Its going to be a fun time for vets... and all that help out
..