dpomm
Tenderfoot...
Posts: 34 
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Post by dpomm on Jul 30, 2011 21:46:43 GMT -6
Today I went to the Minnesota trappers convention. I always look forward to the convention as well as what I believe the assoication supports. As I was making my rounds I passed Ron Hauser's booth and noticed that he had t-shirts for sale. The front of the shirt said "Support a conversation officer" on the back it said "With a rope" and then had a picture of a noose. It should be noted that his booth was right across from the Minnesota DNR booth with three conservation officers. Sandwiched in between the two booths was the MTA area. When Ron was asked about the shirt he said it was a joke...........REALLY. What are we as trappers trying to prove. Ron has stated his distain for laws regrading trapping known before. This his is right but to advertise or threaten anyone in this way is unprofessinal. This last spring Ron made a lot of money trapping South Dakota and even made a video with what he considers the "high lights" of the season. At a time when trappers from Minnesota are asking other states to allow us trap in their states I cannot believe we (The MTA) are allowing this. My question to any one the board is did someone confront Ron. If you did can you please explain to me why he was not asked to leave or take the shirt off the market. I don't care what everyones stance is a law enforcement or the people who do the job but this was not a professional stance and should not be tolerated by members of the MTA. I am asking that MTA members don't buy Ron's videos and those that are putting them on their stores to please remove the video. While it saddens me, if the stance of the MTA is one of tolerance for this type of behavior I will no longer be a member nor will I support this organization in any way.
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Post by flathead40 on Jul 31, 2011 9:32:21 GMT -6
Did YOU tell Ron what YOU thought? Did YOU confront him? Some people don't like body grip traps, they get banned. Some people don't like snares, they get banned. Because YOU don't like it, it needs to be banned? Why would the MTA have any thoughts on it at all? I don't know what this has to do with the board members, the association, or where it says every member has to agree with every t-shirt and bumper sticker sold at the convention. I have NO problem with the MN DNR at all, I also could care less if somebody sells a T-shirt that I don't agree with. Ban his right to free speech? Boycott his products, the dealers that sell them, and the association that rented him a spot to practice right of free speech because somebody doesn't like his humor? LMAO......Good thinking. I didn't have any intrest in Ron's videos before, didn't even know he made one. I don't care much for rat trapping in fact. Now I suppose I gotta buy one, maybe see if I can get a package deal with a T-shirt I don't agree with. LOL
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Post by blackhammer on Jul 31, 2011 9:45:30 GMT -6
A t-shirt about hanging game wardens at a public event sponsered by the MTA.They have every right to tell him to put it away.What are you his cousin?He made a stupid error in judgement.Your first post and then defended his right to do this at a public MTA event is a joke.If you could care less about this.Why post?My take is Ron should know better.
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Post by coonboy on Jul 31, 2011 9:57:44 GMT -6
Did Ron get busted for doing something wrong last fall?
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Post by calvin on Jul 31, 2011 11:37:18 GMT -6
Flathead. Freedom of speech doesn't hold any value in a private arena...and especially none where govt intrusion isn't a factor. This was a private event that should have been monitored by the MTA.
I personally told Ron how I felt and walked away before it went any further. My mistake was that I did NOT voice my opinion to the MTA table that was 20 feet away from him ( I should have) The wardens had to look at his T shirts all day long as their table pointed to them. So now we have people going up to the wardens apologizing for one dipsets public comments...as they felt inclined to try and set things straight.
Well, all I can do now is laugh as he just put a HUGE bulls-eye on his back. I can guarantee that there will be NO leeway given to him in his future violations. Plant corn, ya get corn.
And no, this was no simple error in judgment. This is a "can't fix stupid" situation.
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Post by flathead40 on Jul 31, 2011 13:05:42 GMT -6
Nope, blackhammer not his cousin. I agree it's a stupid thing to put on a T-shirt. I don't agree with boycotting his stuff,which I have never bought, the dealers who sell it and the MTA. (That's why I posted) I'm amazed that you guys are willing to torch them all, because 1 guy had an offensive T shirt at a convention. If we all cancel our membership to the MTA every time one of us does something stupid, we won't have many people paying dues will we?
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Post by thorsmightyhammer on Jul 31, 2011 14:35:29 GMT -6
Its a pretty good reason not to buy his stuff.
If you want a better one I'd question the validity of his claim in SD this spring.
I wasnt there but from talking to those who were trapping around him his claim of 5000 is a stretch.
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Post by calvin on Jul 31, 2011 15:54:24 GMT -6
Not going to get too upset with the MTA for not doing anything. However, had he (or anyone) been selling "death to trappers" shirts I/m sure something would have gotten done, pronto. Just depends on who's shoe your wearing. Apparently some didn't think offending the onsite wardens to that point required any action. I/m a little disheartened by that, but as stated I didn't squawk to the MTA when maybe I should have...had other stuff to do. I did voice myself to him, however.
Yes, the 5000 rats in 3.5 weeks (as stated on his DVD cover) simply didn't happen. Not by him anyhow. Typical Houser B.S. I/m not surprised at this move by him, now.
Stayed tuned....surely more to come. Hopefully his next hairbrain move won't effect any other trappers negatively.
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Post by thorsmightyhammer on Jul 31, 2011 16:50:20 GMT -6
I dont really know if I believe the MTA needed to step in or not or if they did or not
It was flat out poor taste by the vendor and the wardens are/were aware that its a rogue individual.
I saw a guy walking around with a t shirt on says he likes his bitchs wet with a woody in her mouth. Had a picture of a lab with a wood duke in its mouth. I'm sure he thought it was funny but its pretty poor taste for a family venue.
Good to meet you calvin. Maybe next time we'll have more time to BS.
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Post by flathead40 on Jul 31, 2011 17:26:31 GMT -6
As far as his honesty, I have no clue. Never met the man, wouldn't know him if he knocked on my door unless someone told me who he was. Blackhammer, I didn't say they (MTA) didn't have the right to tell him to take them down. I did say he had the right to put something stupid on a T-shirt and try to sell them. I may have been wrong, calvin said it's not a public event and freedom of speech is suspended? I'm suprised by that, but not educated enough to doubt it. I have to assume he (calvin) knows. The main point wasnt about houser, it was about not supporting the MTA and the dealers for 1 guys stupid Tshirt. Seems like throwing the baby out with the bath water to me. I'm still not giving up my MTA membership because of it, and I agree IT WAS STUPID. As far as my first post, I agree with you there, it is a strange thing to decide to post about. I know better. LOL But I do know what we do (trapping) offends a heck of a lot of people that don't know any better. I'd hate to think that someone being offended by 1 person would be enough to stop supporting people and orginizations that help protect it. Sorry if my first post offended you. LOL (maybe should of ask if fish is a good coon bait first)
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Post by calvin on Jul 31, 2011 18:41:04 GMT -6
Agree, Steven. We'll catch up sometime...somewhere. Nice to finally meet you for a short time, anyhow.
Yes, maybe this whole thing was just a big turd in the punch bowl. Just get upset that someone has to go out of their way to ruin the punch because they think its funny. In the end, nobody wins and the punch still leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
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Post by blackhammer on Jul 31, 2011 19:15:16 GMT -6
As far as his honesty, I have no clue. Never met the man, wouldn't know him if he knocked on my door unless someone told me who he was. Blackhammer, I didn't say they (MTA) didn't have the right to tell him to take them down. I did say he had the right to put something stupid on a T-shirt and try to sell them. I may have been wrong, calvin said it's not a public event and freedom of speech is suspended? I'm suprised by that, but not educated enough to doubt it. I have to assume he (calvin) knows. The main point wasnt about houser, it was about not supporting the MTA and the dealers for 1 guys stupid Tshirt. Seems like throwing the baby out with the bath water to me. I'm still not giving up my MTA membership because of it, and I agree IT WAS STUPID. As far as my first post, I agree with you there, it is a strange thing to decide to post about. I know better. LOL But I do know what we do (trapping) offends a heck of a lot of people that don't know any better. I'd hate to think that someone being offended by 1 person would be enough to stop supporting people and orginizations that help protect it. Sorry if my first post offended you. LOL (maybe should of ask if fish is a good coon bait first) Not offended at all.You mean you can catch coon with fish.  Post away and welcome. |
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dpomm
Tenderfoot...
Posts: 34
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Post by dpomm on Aug 1, 2011 16:03:41 GMT -6
Flathead
Yes I did confront him. At the time I did believe this could have been handled better by the MTA. There have been several responses on other sites that have explained there position and why they took it. It's not the shirt that offends me as much as how the message can be misjudged as the a belief by more that one person. If you hate a group for a job they do fine...either keep it to yourself or complain about it over beers with your friends.
As far as withdrawing from the MTA or any other organization that is my right and I will use it if need be. Sometimes it is what needs to be done in order for things to change. Will I do it now no as things have been explained and I believe Ron he himslef a huge dis-service. Most members for the MTA are honest people and it just takes the actions of one to ruin that for everyone.
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