Thread: NZDA

Originally Posted by Reindeer

I asked the NZDA official page(natex) how can I join if theres no branch in my area.
There is the option of joining what is called the "Direct Branch". Im not sure what the fees are for being a direct member?? anyone else a direct member??

Other than trying to start a branch in my area I may join my old branch again. But thats nearly a hour and a half on the road.

Wanganui NZDA brroke away from the NZDA and are now the Wanganui & Districts Hunters &Stalkers ????? .

Originally Posted by Tankd

Wanganui NZDA brroke away from the NZDA and are now the Wanganui & Districts Hunters &Stalkers ????? .

Yep, and with what I gather was alot of bad blood and was over 30 years ago.
Some cant move on.
I am a member of this club and have been for years. I have mooted re-joining NZDA many times and even organised natex members to come to the club and speak. Some of the guys in the club cant get past history and paying the capitation and thats fair enough, for them.
That fact alone I believe has been the single biggest downfall of the NZDA is the value for money factor. "What do I get for my capitation??"
It is only in times of crisis where it suddenly becomes a bit clearer, however, I believe NZDA still has a long way to go to encourage members to join and give those members a bit more "tangible" benefit.

Sometimes I think its simple economics which keeps guys out of NZDA. Too fecking miserable to spend a few bucks on membership. At the end of the day it isnt a few bucks .Fees vary depending on branch $80 - $110 for full voting senior membership. Then the elephant in the room says "what do i get for my money?" Hunting has prob been the easiest and most productive now than any other time in recent history and A LOT of blokes simply dont "need" or want to join NZDA cause they can sit their fat arse on a quad and shoot some meat for the freezer without really breaking a sweat. Some of these guys never had the hard hunting of the 70s and 80s or have simply forgot?

Do I think NZDA have dropped the ball on occasion? Yeah, maybe, but in the same token what are our expectations? Are they realistic!!!! of a mostly volunteer org with small cashflow.
Kiwis as a people are really good at sitting back and chastising so long as their neck isn't the one on the block and are self proclaimed experts that "can do it better!" but never step up.

Having said that how many advocacy groups/foundations have been started by NZDA members because there wasnt enough traction from the natex.
But, Again, what were our expectations?

On the back of this movement (tahrmageddon) which has been spurred on by an attack on what hunters hold dear. Is it time to make hay so to speak, Build on this energy change an org or create a new one to better suit the needs of Todays hunter in the modern environment. We need blue sky thinkers not nay sayers.