Pro Hunting Organizations

[Spike elk]

Times being what they are I figure it is time to put up or shut up. What one or two pro hunting organizations out there do the most for hunting and the outdoors? Looking to join one or two. I am a western big game hunter. What are your experiences with pro hunting organizations?

 

[HoytHntr4]

RMEF, Sportsmen's Alliance

 

[realunlucky]

I've been checking into SCI lately seems they do way more for North American hunting than i ever thought.

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[2ski]

BHA.

One thats not mentioned much is the Turkey Federation. They do a lot of education. Seriously look into them. I was impressed and surprised.

 

[fatlander]

NWTF and RMEF are the two that I’ll always have a membership to. They are always working to put more animals on the landscape and increase access through habitat improvement, education, procurement and even reintroduction.


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[Marble]

NWTF and RMEF are the two that I’ll always have a membership to. They are always working to put more animals on the landscape and increase access through habitat improvement, education, procurement and even reintroduction.


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This is fact. I'm involved in both and see actual results from land to new hunters.

 

[WCB]

I echo above RMEF and NWTF. They actually partner a lot and work well together. Unlike some other organizations they actually have opened up and created access to hunting land not just written letters.

 

[Dos Perros]

I don't think your dollar could go further than by supporting RMEF and buying made in America gear from companies that support what you do.

 

[deerhunt1988]

RMEF, Sportsmen's Alliance

This.

I'm a member of many and very well familiarized with them all. The two above are as good as they get. This coming from a die-hard turkey hunter and NWTF member. I'll always support NWTF, but they simply can't hang with RMEF. Sportsmen's Alliance is always fighting the good fight on the political side.

 

[Rich M]

I started a duck hunting organization in about 2000, it was an eye opener regarding how stuff happens.

Just get involved, send emails, make phone calls, etc. Anything is better than nothing.

I'll also say to join NRA. We would not have gun rights at this time if it wasn't for them. Every year the democrats try to implements many gun laws and about the only thing that stops em is the NRA. All political bs aside, if you gun hunt or own guns you nerd to support them.

 

[Mt Al]

Very good to know about RMEF, might join myself.

20+ years ago I was involved in making products for "conservation organization" auctions: DU, SCI, RMEF, NRA, Chupakabras Forever, etc.. It wasn't all bad, lots of good stuff happens and some great people. Can't imagine where we'd all be without these organizations. However, the politics of the leadership, where the money went to improve habitat, etc, got very old quickly.

Time for me to join up, thanks for starting this thread.

 

[elkyinzer]

I've been Treasurer of my state bowhunting org for a year now and that has been a neat experience. I would say definitely don't overlook the state and local level. It may lack some of the glitz and glam but we get a lot of stuff done on a super slim budget and every dollar really counts for us. And volunteering especially, a lot of smaller orgs it is just so tough to come by good people, and I know even myself with a full time job, hobbies, and two young kids I don't devote myself nearly as much as I would like to.

That said I think there is also an important place at the table for belonging to the large (deep pocketed) national orgs. But your $50 annual membership is only a drop in the bucket of their millions in revenue. Few of the national orgs have much fiscal reliance on memberships and small donors no matter what their endless mailings leave you to believe. Big timers, corporate, and endowments are their real targets. As our numbers dwindle and government agencies responsible for land management face more budget crunches I see a larger role for them to step into private-public partnerships to maintain access.

 

[Beendare]

I think SCI does the most to protect hunting rights.

When researching them, their magazine and the hunts they profile....frankly was a bit of a turnoff. Big money safari type stuff.

But then digging down and going to local chapter meetings....I found its a great group of guys that are passionate about keeping our legacy of hunting intact. Some are big money high profile guys ...and yeah, they do the safari stuff....but they also have some horsepower and know how to get things done in Government at the legislative and court level.

So though I don't do expensive safaris like some of these guys, they are darn nice to have on our side...as they throw a lot of $$$ and weight around to protect hunting.

SCI is in court multiple times a year protecting hunters rights. They have lobbyists in politicians ears.

They don't just blab about it at pint nights...they actually do something.

______

 

[Spike elk]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I am a current member of the NRA and an accidental member of the NWTF. They hosted a sportsmans banquet that I attended and part of the ticket price was a membership in NWTF. I didn't realize this until I started getting their magazine which I pass on to an old friend who travels to hunt turkeys every year.

I think that for now I will add the RMEF and the Sportsman's Alliance. Wish that I could afford more. Maybe I will rotate through a few over the next couple of years. In looking up all of the above suggestions there is a lot of good folks out there. Kinda gives a guy hope in a year like 2020.

 

[Middleofnowhere]

SCI and WSF mention protecting hunting in their mission statements.

what state or region are you in?

I recently volunteered with a group in SoCal called Desert Wildlife unlimited. They were a super cool group on the front lines of conservation. I made this little video of our efforts.

 

[Wapiti1]

SCI probably does the most lobbying on a national level. I don't agree with all of their ways, but they do a lot.

Conservation Force is another that does more on the legislative and legal front. With regard to education, and knowledge of the North American Model, Conservation Visions is it.

Boone and Crockett. NRA. RMEF. DU. NWTF. Mule Deer Foundation. Wild Sheep Foundation. to name a few.

Don't discount the ones that seem to be geared toward international hunting like DSC or HSC. The membership might travel overseas, but they started here, and still hunt here. And international law matters to us whether we like it or not.

Jeremy

 

[footingit]

Thanks all, lots of good info in here. My spouse and I are looking to start some recurring donations to various organizations as part of our financial planning. This thread is really helpful!