Role of a "Hound Council"

[Darvin Ecklund]

If you were to set-up a " Hound Council " how would it need to be organized to be successful? In Washington State, we have a few clubs that feed into our Hound Council but I believe it needs some reorganizing to get our membership numbers back up and become a recognized voice @ the Game Commission meetings.

[T.Hunt]

Unfortunately the organizations we, or our "councils" are up against are all at national levels. PETA for example. Is there a houndsmen assosiation at a national level? If not maybe this is something we should look into forming. There are 6300 members on this forum alone. That is coniderably more than any state houndsmen association. In my mind this association could step in to support the groups at state level. I know as houndsmen in general we like to keep to ourselves, and worry only about what effects us as individuals. What we fail to realize is, if we live in Idaho for example, and a law is passed in Vermont, eventually that law could reach us in Idaho. If our childeren, and grandchilderen are going to have the same oppurtunities we do, we will have to set aside our differences, and band together. Just some thoughts. Tim.

[George Streepy]

Tim,

I have been thinking of that alot lately. Obviously we wouldn't have the number of supporters as some other national organizations but we could at least make a presence. I have belonged to a few clubs from time to time but do not know exactly how to pull it off. I have thought of a national club with regional representatives that could help levy the club to support things important to their region. Instead of a President with overall responsibilities a group of elected reps that speak for the people in the states they represent. Many of the hound hunters are being slow to realize that we don't have to agree on every aspect of each issue. If things don't get said the way they want, they throw little fits and act like they aren't being represented. We need to work together.

Darvin,

The role of a Hound Council in my opinion is to represent hunting first. Washington state is one species away from having absolutely no hound hunting. Right now the antis have us right where they want us, one more good run at the Wildlife Commission and we are done. I wish I could get the deer and elk hunters to realize that when they are finished with us that the other hunting is next. The antis don't have a problem with hound hunting, they have a problem with all types of hunting. They are just picking off the weak and vulnerable first.

[Dewatto]

Good Question,

The field trials and water races seem to do more harm than good when recruting membership. Most houndmen that I know could care less about plastic trophies, and I believe thats where the hound council seems to be having problems. If you really want membership to raise, you need to reach out farther than a guys wallet. When I look at the Wa. hound council I see a fund raising event to promote field trials.

If the WSHC was really intent on raising its membership They should promote a life time membership at an afodable rate. Not just a field trial encentive for points that really amount to squat for the everyday guy. The goal would be to substain huge numbers of hunters from all facets of hunting to give the hound council a voice at the WDFW meetings.
I would think a non voting single life time membership for the hound council should be free. Why not? If you want to track your hounds points and be a voting member then pay the $15 a year. Seems simple to me.

[bigfootexp]

One thing for sure is green backs make the world go round!!! We need money to fight for our rights, membership dues are a drop in the bucket compared to the funding it would take to get our hunting back. Events are good fund raisers that alot of people enjoy. If you don't at least belong to some hound club or organization that is trying to make a difference SHAME on You. This is the very least you should be doing and your membership is the smallest contrabution you should be making. Even if the club or organization you belong to isn't changing the world at least you are envolved and if we all were we might be able to accomplish something. Mike Dotson LCSA president

[buzz]

I became A member of the Hound Council 16 years ago and since then I have never been contacted in any way in regards to any politcal issue or event that they were involved in. I left A message with one of the higher officers to see what I could do to help and did not even get a call back. I went to the website and all that I found was A bunch of field trial stuff that.
I have seen A few meetings for the hound council posted on this website, but I do not want to drive A couple hundred miles to hear people talk about field trials.
I do not have anything against field trials I am just more intrested in trying to better our hound hunting in WA.

[George Streepy]

Does any one know what the agenda is for the upcoming Council meeting? I have attended awards banquets at Matlock in the past. Is there any opportunity for open discussion?

I tried to look at the web page but it keeps telling me the domain name has expired.

[Dewatto]

One thing for sure is green backs make the world go round!!! We need money to fight for our rights, membership dues are a drop in the bucket compared to the funding it would take to get our hunting back. Events are good fund raisers that alot of people enjoy. If you don't at least belong to some hound club or organization that is trying to make a difference SHAME on You. This is the very least you should be doing and your membership is the smallest contrabution you should be making. Even if the club or organization you belong to isn't changing the world at least you are envolved and if we all were we might be able to accomplish something. Mike Dotson LCSA president

Ive been WSHC member for 12 years since I turned 18 and have been attending meetings for over 20 years. I have been the secratry of the hound council and the WDFW REP. I have taken a back seat for four years now becouse I'm so tired of the single minded field trials. Can anyone tell how much the hound council donates every year to fight the antis? I have spent litteraly thousands of dollars on field and water races fully aware that I was going to loose. I have donated untold hundreds of hours to a local club and the hound council.

The question was how to we raise membership to gain a voice at the table with WDFW. I still think a life time membership would be a great Idea, what ever the price.

[Dale T]

We try and combine the fund raising for "the fight" and our field trials as much as we can, we just had our end of year field trial Elk Creek where we have a big raffle and raised over $1600.00 all the money raised go the California -Sportsmen Political Victory Fund (SPVF) with the money we defend our hunting rights in California, when you look down at the amount of people that are registered (6300+) on this site and there are always 2X that many that aren't registered and should be, if we could get all them to step up to joint forces and support the fund raisers/local & State clubs we could make a stand against the tree huggers that want to shut us down.

[Buddyw]

I've thought about this abit.. Here is my two cents for what it's worth.

I don't think it's a matter of Membership numbers to get a voice, I think It's a matter of Getting feet on the ground and having and Keeping a presence with Key Contacts.

We have good numbers in OUSDA.. (Not Huge, but decent) We didn't get much done, well a couple meeting with ODFW with 3-5 people and that's when the traction starts.. It wasn't having hundreds of members, it was putting 3-5 guys around a table with the right guys in the department.

How many folks would be interested in Meeting Saturday around 3pm in Mattock to discuss a Statewide Hunting Association? (And yes I'm aware there is a field trial going at that time)

I might be a bit of a pessimist, but I think it will be easier to start a new club rather than transform the Council. I think the Leaders at the council are naturally drawn and picked from the clubs that put on the Field trials. In my opinion it would be better to build a new association that is not voted on and given weight by the other clubs.

This is not to knock the Clubs or the council, it's just the way I think it will end up, by my understanding of the council By laws. When the voting power is given to the guys that are putting on the Field trials, Your naturally going to have the Council decisions gravitate towards Field trials.

So I think we need to start from scratch with the right group of Guys.

[George Streepy]

3 pm in Matlock sounds great.

I have been beating around the bush for a while now about a club that pushes the political issues we are faced with. But, I do think it would be a good idea to talk with the folks at the Hound Council and offer our support. I figure they would most likely say that of course they want to focus on the hunting. The hard part would be to get some actual action. I am willing to do whatever is going to promote our cause. If a group of individuals want to start something new, then lets get to work.

I have been talking with a few folks the last few weeks, there are some really good ideas out there. We just need to communicate and focus.

I strongly believe we need to have traveling meetings, open membership with no cost to join (at least at the start). When money needs to be raised we can ask for donations, and potentially see about a membership fee. When it is a time for a meeting in NE WA, I don't care if it is in a parking lot behind a 7-11, lets get over there and rally some troops. I agree that we don't necessarily need big numbers to make a difference but the more people willing to lend a hand equals more motivated folks on the front line.

I can't say enough that I don't want this to come off on an attack on the Field Trial Clubs, we all need to work together. Maybe setting up a different organization would be best, or maybe a separate division within the Hound Council.

I am all for a 3 pm meeting in Matlock, any one else?

[Big N' Blue]

Hey guys, I am too far away to help except with moral support! Wish you all well and when you need donations, let me know! Good Luck!

[jake]

I will be there 3pm matlock. Some thing like this has bin needed dun for some time now. Thank you to you guys that are getin this ball a rollin!

[Buddyw]

Well 3 of us is enough for a conversation.. I think the Grange Hall will be open while they are setting up for dinner, Perhaps we can grab a table before dinner.

I wasn't sure if I was going to Attend, but It sounds like I definitely will head up now. Look forward to figuring out something.

Buddy

[LACOON69]