Years ago I joined several organization to support their missions as far as conservation is concerned.
But I'm so sick and tired of getting a daily mail barrage of buy this, buy that. Raffle tags, chances on all
kinds of things. Monthly reminders of conventions that are still a year away. Their magazines are nothing
anymore but advertisements for the things they send in the mail. I'm saturated, tapped out, finished.
There I got that off my chest, thanks for listening. I'll calm down and look at things differently.
Right now I just want to hunt and be left alone to do my own thing. OK I'm done now. Thanks.

Similar to the myriad professional society memberships for physicians that I've let lapse. There's very little marginal return in belonging to more than one or two. I think it's the rare patient that cares if you belong to 2 or 20.....and the dues are not insignificant.

Bottom line....I can hunt or fish instead of going to meetings and paying dues.

I feel your pain, cessna.

Norton,
I'm just getting tapped out with all these memberships and buy this, buy that mentality.
Your bottom line is about where I'm at now.
Before I retired I was used to a degree of it.
It seems the older I get (73) the more careful I seem to be about how I spend my hunting money and time. I'm lucky to be in good health and hunt several times a year in various place. I hunt smarter due to my age and also less complex. I'm not a real tech person. I really believe in the KISS idea. For me it works and I have some degree of success. Every day in the field at my age is a god-sent.

Bill/Oregon, thanks I don't feel like I'm the lone duck in the pond.

I did the exact same thing with the following groups -

RMEF - Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
DU - Ducks Unlimited
TU - Trout Unlimited
SCI - Safari Club International

I stayed in -
NRA
Dallas Safari Club
Wild Sheep Foundation

That pandering for money got old....

I also dropped a host of magazines for the same thing.

I too hate incessant emails from groups but here is another side to consider. An organization can make considerable income by selling email advertising "space". And the larger the email subscriber list the organization has, the higher they can charge for advertising.

I choose to remain an email subscriber for a few groups that inundate me with promotions, offers, notification, and regular updates. They are the few groups I sincerely support. By remaining active on their email lists I am helping them generate income.

The junk emails doesn't present a problem. The ones I don't want to read go directly to junk mail. It is easy to do. The senders use the same keywords in the subject for each type of list. Many also use a different sender address for different lists. By using email addresses or subject keywords in my junk mail filter I can send what I don't want to look at directly to junk mail and still keep emails from the lists I want to read in my inbox.

I'm still with the NRA -- barely. More locally, still with Coastal Conservation Association, Tillamook Anglers (we run a salmon hatchery and process surplus salmon in the fall for the food banks), Kokanee Power of Oregon, Oregon Firearm Owners and the Oregon Hunters Association.

The NRA is one of the least offensive when it comes to ads but the NRA sends out a lot of emails. I send the Friends of the NRA, NRA Family, American Hunter Insider and one or two others to junk mail. They can still count my subscriptions toward what they use to charge for ads.

I don't junk the American Rifleman Insider. NRA sends those out a couple of times a month. Each American Rifleman Insider contains summaries of online articles and links to those articles. I usually find one or two articles that interest me and I follow the links to read the articles online. For example, the latest American Rifleman had three articles I found interesting. They had a test of the newly manufactured Inland M37 Trench Shotgun, a test of the magnum version of Ruger's American Rifle, and an article on "6 of the Smallest Handguns on the Market Today". I didn't have any interest in the other articles or links. I followed the three links to read the articles and then deleted the email.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of other companies that send out loads of emails that are nothing but adverts.

I get tired of seeing the organizers post pics of them lazing all day in boats fishing or hunting big this or that and knowing my membership dues is what allows them to do it. I personally think most of them are cleverly designed hunting clubs who promote intra-industry pals to the board to keep the money going circular. Just like Makris did with the NRA. If you watched Under Wile Skies you saw where your dues went

I asked the NRA for info as I was teaching a class on the Constitution and specifically the 2nd amendment. Ignored.

I wrote a grant to the NRA when I was coaching a high school shooting team. I was told if the NRA looked at my grant would I commit my students to fundraising. When I said I didn't think I could do that with public school students, in less than 10 hours my grant was denied.

I called the NRA about my will and leaving my double riles to the NRA museum as I have no family or heirs. Never a reply.

When I called the NRA to voice concern of a gold company calling me weekly to sell me gold at 2 1/2x the spot price and they were endorsed by the NRA, again ignored.

So, I asked the NRA to stop my subscription to the Rifleman (I have no interest in black guns anyway) and to remove my name from their mailing list.

I dropped SCI 15 years ago and never looked back.
I sent $ to DSC and never received anything.
Now I ignore all solicitations--straight to the trash.

At present I don't belong to any organization, sporting, political, or anything. It is better that way.
Cal

Try some face to face with ILA staff and tell me how hard you had to resist the temptation to shove your NRA card up their ass.

NRA is pathetic. 30 some years ago my dad said that if you're a member, you basically get pigeoned holed that you are "one of them" to the anti gun crowd.

I'd rather talk guns with a "gun hater" than any NRA representative.

Goddamn, 16Bore on a roll tonight!!!! Fight on, good soldier!

quote:

I sent $ to DSC and never received anything.
Now I ignore all solicitations--straight to the trash.
Cal

I, too have cut back on memberships for some of the same reasons. Cal, could you tell me for purpose you sent money to DSC and what you expected in return that you did not receive?
If there was some misunderstanding, I'll be happy to look into for you.

I hate it when you can't even go to Wall Mart or a grocery store without being hit up for a donation. I usually ask for one in return.

Grizz

Cal, you will not be the first to have been treated carelessly by the NRA. A friend donated his firearm collection to the NRA to be auctioned. It went for pennies on the dollar as by the time his guns came up for bidding, most everyone was focused on partying. He was crushed.
I suggest you consider leaving your collection to the Cody Firearms Museum, but it's none of my business.

quote:

Cal, you will not be the first to have been treated carelessly by the NRA. A friend donated his firearm collection to the NRA to be auctioned. It went for pennies on the dollar as by the time his guns came up for bidding, most everyone was focused on partying. He was crushed.
I suggest you consider leaving your collection to the Cody Firearms Museum, but it's none of my business.

I second Bill's recommendation concerning the Buffalo Bill Museum. For anyone that has never been there, it is well worth the trip to Cody and the time spent going thru the exhibits, I long to go back one day.

The only organization I belong to is the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

As for the NRA, I have joined a few times during my life.

As one gets older their perspectives on things change.

What a bunch of whining bitches!

Poor old you, having to ignore or, worse yet, open a few emails or envelopes. What difference does it make if the future generations, who need representation NOW, not later, don't have the hunting or gun owning priviledges you have enjoyed? Fuck 'em, you don't want to support my and their rights and hunting, you're just too busy to get over not being treated EXACTLY like you wish.

I note that several on this thread don't have kids. Figures.

BTW, I've got huge problems with the NRA, especially with the salary structure for their officers, but I'm either an endowment or patron Life Member and I keep sending them money for the simple reason that they are the main thin red, white, and blue line between gun owners and users and the rest of the population who are either anti's or need further education on why we have guns and our rights. The NRA does that. I also support GOA, although not as much, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, and probably some I've forgotten.

I also think if you're an
America gun owner and/or hunter and not at least a yearly member of the NRA, then you should hang your head in shame, while selling your guns, take up knitting, and get the hell off these forums.

But I don't really have an opinion.

+1 Gato!

The NRA couldn't stop the bullshit in CT and the AR-15s. It's fighting the battle on the wrong field as far as I am concerned.

http://www.ctpost.com/news/art...tered-in-6487021.php

Every battle in a war is not won.

You may be right but let me know when you come up with someone who is helping maintain the 2nd more than the NRA. I certainly don't agree with everything they do, but at least they do something.

NRA has been selling the same bullshit since its inception and stupid fucks keep buying it.

quote:

Originally posted by 16Bore:
NRA has been selling the same bullshit since its inception and stupid fucks keep buying it.

There is a stupid fuck around here alright.

Knit one, purl two......

Reality isn't for everyone.


Do the math for members of the NRA VS gun owners in this country. Besides class 3, which of your "rights" have been infringed upon? Which guns have been taken away? Did you have more decades ago or do you have more now?


Thank the NRA? Bullshit.

Send me $100 a year and I'll make sure that you will always have the right to a fair trial. $200 and I'll guarantee that you can go to ANY church that you want.


I can take PayPal.

I would be willing to bet I have made more new 2a friendly people here in Seattle than the NRA. as a point of fact I have never seen an nRa outreach program at any place other than a gun range. How exactly does that bring more people under the tent? And by more people , I mean people who have Changed their minds, not who are already gun friendly but just needing to be scared into donating.

When you are talking to the choir, your back is to the congregation; the very people who need the message the most.

quote:

Originally posted by 16Bore:
Reality isn't for everyone.


Do the math for members of the NRA VS gun owners in this country. Besides class 3, which of your "rights" have been infringed upon? Which guns have been taken away? Did you have more decades ago or do you have more now?


Thank the NRA? Bullshit.

Send me $100 a year and I'll make sure that you will always have the right to a fair trial. $200 and I'll guarantee that you can go to ANY church that you want.


I can take PayPal.

Damn you're stupid. But that's your right. And you don't need the NRA to protect it, you manage all on your own.

Each of us are Free to do as we wish concerning joining any organization in existence.

Last time I looked my money is mine to do with as I choose. When ANYBODY starts paying my bills, buying my groceries, paying the Feed Bill for my livestock, their opinion might matter.

Until such time I will do what I feel is best for me and my wife, and I think everyone else should do the same.

The NRA is slowing down what is going to happen anyway. There are just too many of them than there are of us. Look at gun control over the last 40 years. We are fighting a losing battle.
Cal

Stupid is slapping ketchup on a cows ass and calling it bbq. Lame LaPierre blew it with Sandy Hook. In fact, you should have seen his gun collection before he started working for the NRA. I think it was a staple gun and a caulking gun. Mighta had a bayonet lug too.


The right to own a firearm and the method of procurement are not the same thing.

quote:

In fact, you should have seen his gun collection before he started working for the NRA.

There is a lot of truth to that...



And pragmatism has never been an NRA strong point.

In my opinion, the NRA ILA is the organization that should get fund donations.
All the touted NRA accomplishments are actually accomplished by the ILA and it's lawyers.
I am an NRA member and the only NRA related organization I contribute to is the Whittington Center.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
The NRA is slowing down what is going to happen anyway. There are just too many of them than there are of us. Look at gun control over the last 40 years. We are fighting a losing battle.
Cal

Agreed, but I will go down shooting!!

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:


I called the NRA about my will and leaving my double riles to the NRA museum as I have no family or heirs. Never a reply.


Cal

Leave them to Joyce and me. We'll spread your ashes every time we go hunting to show our appreciation.

quote:

Originally posted by 16Bore:
30 some years ago my dad said that if you're a member, you basically get pigeoned holed that you are "one of them" to the anti gun crowd.

What a Tit.. Who gives a shit what the Anti's think? You roll over and play dead as well as you sit up and bark..

Spoken like a true pigeon....

With very few exceptions, anyone who hunts or shoots or collects guns in the US and is not a member of the NRA is, at a minimum, a parasite enjoying his hobby off of the efforts of others.

He may be a pigeon, but you're a tick.

So... If I do my good deed and buy a life membership for $500 (on sale), and then go on to live another 40 years. How have I protected my rights to own a gun with a mere $12.50 a year- an amount that won't cover postage for the American Hunter?

I would posit if buying a membership to the NRA is the ONLY thing a person did (and I think that covers 90% of members), then you are doing less than a person who actively engages in pro-gun-pro-hunting conversations with people who a) will NEvEr be NRA members, b) might hunt/own a gun but don't currently. Sorry, but I don't need Lapierres tone-deaf polemics.


Ask a range member why he's an NRA member, and many will grumble that have to be. And that because the NRA has foisted an insurance sales pitch on the range and that's one of the conditions. Strong-arm membership- nothing like it. Sounds sort of like a union, no?

Rationalizing is so easy, isn't it?

Looks like it is a case of PERSONAL choice.

If someone wants to support the various organizations that is their choice. If they don't, that is their choice.

Why make a Federal case of it?

Last time I checked American Citizens still have Freedom of Choice, when did that change?

I don't see anyone in this conversation complaining about those that choose to belong to the various organizations, that is their business and more power to them.