Ok, folks just getting back to my desk here after some traveling and very busy couple weeks. I have not even saw my 4 kids and lovely wife for some time.
First item to be addressed is that all though I like most of you have a "get-er-done" personality this venture is one of perseverance and long lasting effort. Know this... this one will not be a sprint race, but rather a marathon race. I along with many of you have offered many hours of telephone calls and personal face to face meetings in regards to this ever so important issue. I've consulted with professionals concerning marketing efforts and have contacted all the major auction companies. For the most part I'm hearing a silent sigh of relief from individuals that suggests, thank you for shedding light on a topic many are avoiding and stirring a proactive movement in order to save our markets. It's like a burden of guilt for withholding information from new breeders concerning ones gut feeling of the future of our markets has been lifted and replaced with hope for a better future.
Keep in mind as we here on this thread have instant access to how one another are feeling about this topic many have never heard of it yet. As Michel has alluded to the "quick to act with misunderstood information" on internet forums we must research and consider many opinions on how this campaign should be conducted. Sorry if I got that wrong Michel but I'm thinking most of what you say on here is spot on and the internet has a funny way of making people react to written thoughts instead of spoken ones. Every opinion has been useful negative or positive. This is not a small in and out promo... it's a huge campaign that will change the way millions view what we do as an industry. We should consider views from all who will be represented here.
I'm planning a round table meeting at the upcoming Chupp auction and considering a both to educate those who miss the meeting. Also, a 2 page add in the next several auction catalogs covering basic strategy that we are considering.
Remember there are thousands of active breeders compared to a small group of us here that have started this movement. First order of business is rally the troops. Think of this as a war with an enemy. We have an objective and a plan. We execute that objective with sound planning, careful consideration of those that may be affected and with allies to support us. To rush into a marathon type battle with few troops, under financed operation options and facing an organized enemy that is well financed and prepared for battle is a sure defeat for us. Yeah we may dig in and hang around for awhile but soon our very own financial supporters would pull out and say there is just not enough return for their investment. So what do we do? Continue to spread the word. Keep our heads held up. Stop bitching about stupid stuff and fight for what you love. For me that would be God/wife/kids/my deer! Hang in there. If we pace ourselves and show smart planning and execution with what finances we start with our supporters and allies will be energized with seeing great return for their investment.
For anyone planning to attend this round table meeting please bring a list of positive and constructive ideas to share with the rest of the group. The whole deer business will not be figured out by the end of this meeting but I'm hoping we can establish a board of directors and a outreach plan to target anyone that has not heard of our movement. At that meeting we can cover fund raising ideas, advertising ideas and organizational plans. I feel that NADEFA would be the obvious choice for leadership but as breeders we should very strongly suggest that the Hunting Ranch Council seriously get this up and going now! If NADEFA cannot spear head this project for any reason then we must consider a co-op of leaders to take the project forward.
guys and gals if we don't keep the memberships up in our state associations and in our national orginizations NADEFA................WE wont have to worry about a market!