The Worthless NTA, And Its Worthless Leadership. Plus The Calta, Etc….

Seems to me as though it would be better addressed as two separate issues. Not saying that either is invalid (I believe you have a valid point in both cases) just that the presentation makes it come across as more like you’re saying “screw the NTA board, I hate them because I didn’t win”. Instead, if anyone gives a damn about my opinion, I would suggest taking a stance that says “board memebers should not be allowed to compete on account of the potential for conflict of interests and unfair advantage” on one hand. As well as, in a separate unrelated argument declare something along the lines of “why aren’t the NTA and other recognized trade groups doing more to protect interests such as delegating resources to promote the fight against [whatever California ban law new Jersey rights whatever whatever].

Like I said, I believe you have 2 valid arguments… but the presentation is coming across a bit like an immature rant/attemp to dog pile one a single group and thus discrediting two valid arguments.

just my 2¢.

 

Now Joe, you know that's bullshit. I never expected you to take a midnight freight train take a dirt road. This aint my first rodeo. You and I have some rancourous history with the NTA and its convention. Like many before you, you attempted exploit it. Though the NTA paid your travel expenses to the convention, a room, and paid $1250 to judge the show, you brought a catalog and hacked your forms. When I threw out your score sheets and hired another taxidermist to judge, I lost friends and was vilified. So this post still peels a few scabs.
The NTA proved a blessing to me. In 1958 when I started, taxidermy was a closed and locked shop. I and anyone who dared as about how it was done was quickly thrown out of a shop. Recognizing this, an ordinary man, Charlie Haynes and his wife Lola changed that. Operating a small shop and selling a few supplies in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, they coined the name and spent their own money to host an organizing meeting. As it was his brainchild, he was named the first director. Yet friction began immediately. But Van Dyke and Onno VanVeen ousted Charlie. More and more money came into the coffers but the internal friction continued. When John Rinehart's demands weren't met, he took his supporters and formed the International Guild of Taxidermy (IGT). Larry Clingerman took his group to New York and formed the Empire State Taxidermy Association. Yet the NTA flourished and membership blossomed.
At one time, the NTA had about $5 million in their assets and treasury. It invested in state issues and supporting that original charter. They dedicated all life-time memberships to dedicated, interest bearing accounts that prohibited the principals from being touched. Then Lanny Ballard showed up.
Ballard had come across a dead hawk, but the USFWS refused to issue him a permit. He approached the NTA. They, like taxidermists to this very day, were all fired up over the issue of hawks and owls. They hired a fancy lawyer and sued the USFWS. The lawyer wasn't cheap and the NTA let emotions drive them as the case went through the courts. One of the more outspoken critics was a young guy from Louisanna, Greg Crain. The case dragged out but the NTA was gaining ground. After almost depleting its treasury, the USFWS agreed and the NTA dropped the suit. That's when the awful truth came out. The NTA had not filed a class action suit but rather an individual one for Lanny Ballard. The USFWS issued a SINGLE PERMIT FOR ONE HAWK.
From that point, the NTA was headed to a hand-to-mouth existence. Suggestions of hiring a lobbies was laughable. Fifteen years ago a cheap lobbies was running $100,000 plus housing and transportation cost. We approached several recognized national groups. Stronger groups wanted money to add us to their rolls. Bass Pro was willing but internal strife caused by Rinehart Taxidermy Supply's misrepresentation squelched that. Safari Club International (SCI) offered but since taxidermist eat their own, support for them was less than tepid.
About the same time, someone had the harebrained idea of mandating affiliated state organizations to join the NTA. If there was a death knell, that was it. When conventions were held, residents of the last city didn't renew while resident of the New cities joined.
Again, dissention within the NTA led to a small group fragmenting off and forming the United Taxidermists Association (UTA).
When the executive director, Greg Crain was fired, he filed suit against the organization and its liability insurer. The NTA was satisfied with its defense but the insurer caved. When that happened, the NTA became liable for half the lawsuit. That was money they didn't have.The interest bearing, protected funds had to be liquidated to satify their obligations.
At our very best, the NTA had a bit over 2000 members from the 531,000 practicing taxidermists in America. Currently, we have less than half that. Yet SCI has 50, 000 members. The NRA has 5.5 million. Does anyone actually think our minute industry could ever have the impact or achieve the lofty goals of these behemoth groups?
It's time to wake the Hell up. The Golden Age of Taxidermy has passed. Museums are passe' and have released Taxidermy staffing. At the same time, memberships to ANY organization has plummeted. As little as 10 years ago, this very forum was saturated with so many members, Ken had to expand the programs running it. Today you'll be hard pressed to find a beginner asking a real Taxidermy question. Fifteen years ago, I told Craig Lewis that forming a Taxidermy organization was a lost cause. I was rebuffed, but history bears me out. Taxidermists don't play well together. They eat their own. They have Google and YouTube. Suppliers build forms so realistic that a rank beginner can produce a quality mount with little talent and little effort. Membership is a privilege to be enjoyed by those who want it. Because you don't play well with others is not cause to slander them. If you aren't a member. You really have no standing in a discussion.

 

Oooooooooh sh*ttttttt. Gotemmmmm.

 

"The NTA was satisfied with its defense but the insurer caved. When that happened, the NTA became liable for half the lawsuit. That was money they didn't have. The interest bearing, protected funds had to be liquidated to satify their obligations."

Geroge about the lawsuit what you said is not the truth. The $65,000. in the lifetime membership funds was never I REPEAT NEVER TOUCHED. When My Wife and I handed the Morgan Stanley account over to the new people running and they through me out for telling the damned truth. There was $65,000. and change in the account.

Idont know when it was taken but it was not for the crain settlement.

So whom ever told you that Finking lied. The records should be somewhere in the NTA. The whole board did not vote on settling that was done by two people.

The Morgan Stanley account was also costing the NTA around $300.00 for Maintenace. There was not any proceeds from anything.

I had recommended several times Board meeting with Dave Ramsey. But of course I was over ridden.

While on the road to Gatlinberg just out of Knoxville Some POS. made up a facebook page and posted crap to it. All I had back the was a flip phone and I was following the NTA President.

I was never allowed to defend my self. A fricking kangaroo ex session. Where NON BOARD MEMBERS WERE ALLOWED. THey feared the truth.

So somewhere after the new year, and the Crain Settlement was well over is when the $65,000. disappeared.

 

I admit I'm not to familiar with what you all are referring to. But it does seem suspicious that board members always seem to win the major awards. If not the board members it appears to be the folks that are hanging with the the higher ups. Just my opinion. What do I know. Go astros.

 

I have judged a few state shows and a couple of the UTA shows, and your statement is totally false with those shows. When I judged with the other judges I was with, none of that bias was even discussed.

I am not saying that it never happens.....

But a lot of taxidermy state association board members are also great taxidermists.

There is always a judges meeting with the association that the judges are performing their duties at. Guidance is given .... as in "judge it tough", etc..

Fair and consistent is my goal as a judge.

Kerby...

 

I agree with you Kerby it's not everyone and it's true that those who are deep in the organization are usually are usually excellent taxidermist.
If clearchannel radio is giving $1000 away. Employees and their immediate family are un able to win the prize. If politicians would leave after a few terms the country would be better. If you volunteer or even get paid to head the organization maybe it's best to present your mount at a neighboring state. Where your not the head.
Just one man's opinion. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that way God bless

 

Ok talking about judging and issues?
Ok its been many moons ago when I judged and during that show I had a person in the room as I was judging trying to tell me how I should do this and that for the benefit of another competitor.
I look at the person eye to eye and calmly “ you see that door over there? Yes. It’s like this one of us is going to walk out that door so you better choose who. “ That was the last I seen that person.
Now as for all the judges in that room was all excellent! There was no issues with anyone of them and we all have each other excellent respect. It was a very hard show to judge and like many some happy others bitching and not trying to learn lol but it was handled properly. Jmo and experience there.

 

Joe, that was excellent. That is how I saw it from the first NTA convention, which I attended in Missouri at age 16 until now. I do believe the current NTA is much better.
Now and lets hope it continues trying to to move in the right direction.
By the way I believe if Gary Zehner were still here He would "like" your post, and he never liked anything right?

Vic Heincker

 

In the early 1990's Arizona had a proposition to ban trapping on public lands. I know for a fact that the NTA had donated $$$$ to fight that bill. It was defeated and then two years later Arizona proposed it again and we lost. So since then, no trapping on public lands (most of Arizona has public access). So the NTA did support us back then.

 

Just another comical meaningless post by mr. Kish

 

You can trap on public lands in AZ, just have to use confinement traps

 

Well, they banned leg hold traps.

 

Yes, yes they did, which makes no sense.

 

Leg hold traps were banned in Mass many years ago. Boston and the 2 surrounding cities votes to ban them neutralized the rest of the cities in the states votes. Now those cities have a influx of coyotes and are complaining. Those well educated smart people want to sterilize the coyotes. There are photos on many phone poles with lost / missing cat and small dog posters. Many with reward offers. Poetic justice.
There are no more ground nesting birds anymore either. The Coyotes have to eat and feed there family’s too.