Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
Posts: 1758

Ok, I'm going to take a moment to complain a bit. I've been heading to some unfamiliar clubs lately, and find myself wondering if some of the clubs even care for visitors or out-of-towners to come to their hunts. There are three primary things that come to mind:

1. Is it really that much trouble to place a simple sign by the road-side, to let you know where the club is??? One out by the major road, leading to the club, would be nice, but many of these clubs are down a long lane or around a corner, and they don't have anything by the road to let you know if that's the club or a farmer's road, you're heading down!

2. When providing directions for Bloodlines or the web, please remember that many of us are not from there (hence the need for directions) and therefore providing X miles from town, when we don't know where "town" starts and stops, is not very helpful. Seeing a description like, 2.25 miles south of Town USA, leads me to believe that you hit your tripometer somewhere, when you measured it. Exactly where was that? Where did the 2.25 miles start, exactly???

3. When some newcomer shows up at your club, obvious by everyone staring at this newcomer, would it be too much trouble for one of the club officers to go over and introduce themselves and make them feel welcome? Luckily, I'm fairly out-going so I have no trouble introducing myself, or meeting someone that knows or recognizes me, but many others are not that forward. And more often than not, leave feeling as much of a stranger, as when they came.

There's another thread on here, where we've been debating how to bolster club membership. Perhaps one way, would be to make it EASY to find your club and then make them feel WELCOME, once they arrive?!? Not too long ago, I went to a club and received a PM after the hunt from one of the officers apologizing for not getting the time to meet me when I was there. And it's something as simple as that, that makes you feel welcome enough to want to come back!

It's the little things, that set you apart...

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David Schmidt
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I TO HAVE HAD A HARD TIME FINDING CLUBS DUE TO KNOW SIGNS. AND THE DIRECTIONS IN THE BLOODLINES SUCK. ONE CLUB IN PARTICULAR AROUND HERE COMES TO MIND.

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Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
Posts: 1758

As discussed in another thread... I know the folks putting on these hunts are working hard, and certainly don't mean to make people feel unwelcome. But, when you work so hard at putting an event together, it seems you would take a simple step to make sure folks kind find the place. The last thing you want is to leave a bad taste in someone's mouth, because they rushed to your event, Friday after work and missed the deadline because they couldn't find the right road.

At the same time, I know it's human nature to check-out the strange truck that pulled in, or the new guy you haven't seen around, but just waiving and saying hello, could make them a lot more comfortable coming to your club, and perhaps engaging them in wanting to become a member.

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David Schmidt
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Registered: Dec 2011
Location: Indiana
Posts: 365

I have found calling the contact person of the club (usually listed with the directions) ahead of time you can get alot better directions from where you are coming from and usually they will tell you to ask for them when you get there and it makes everything alot easier and more comfortable at a new place. Hope this helps.

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X2

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Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
Posts: 1758

That's not a bad recommendation, but if the name and number listed, is for "in case you need help" wouldn't it be a whole lot easier to take a couple simple steps so that people don't need help?

Are you saying that if I want to ensure I can find one of these clubs, to participate in one of their events, AND if I want to feel welcome when I get there, then I'm the one that has to call and make that happen??? You're putting on an event, and presumably driving out to the club yourself, is it too much to ask to stop at the corner and hang a paper plate that says "UKC Hunt this way"? You're putting together an event announcement, for UKC to publish, is it too much to ask to add one detail, like "2.25 miles South from Elm Street"?

If clubs want to improve their event participation, AND would love for those attendees to become members, shouldn't the burden be on the club to reach out to the newcomers, not vice versa?

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David Schmidt
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Location: Burlington, CT
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And let me add one more thing, before I get labeled as a whiner or as asking too much...

When I travel to these clubs, that are an hour or two from my house. I volunteer however I can. If they need judges, I judge, and I help out in the field trials or treeing contest. I'll help put up show benches. I pay my entry, buy a burger and soda and I buy 50/50 tickets, along with raffle tickets. At a SLAM this Spring I donated (although it was a small amount) my winnings back to the club. And I've done the same with raffle ticket winnings.

So, as one might put it, I don't just "consume" at these events. I'm there to compete, have fun and do my part to help these clubs out. BUT, if I get ignored with nobody so much as asking my name, much less asking me to help, well then... they don't get much in return.

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David Schmidt
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Registered: Aug 2012
Location: galsberg Michigan
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Should be a easy problem to fix! They could set the sign up on the way to open the club and down on the way home.

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Matt Klooster
269-377-8361

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Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 538

Dave I agree 100% with you. I tried to get to a bench show but end up being late due to no signs. (First and Last time at that club) Ended up missing the deadline by 2 minutes, and the bench show was almost over? No cheating going on their?

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Jay Dangers

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Registered: Nov 2009
Location: Millers Creek,Nc
Posts: 768

Ukc needs to do like pkc and have a GPS address and if you come to Wilkes county coon club in wilkesboro nc we will make you guys feel wlecome like yo see new people come out and hunt

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Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:

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Originally posted by Deepcreek87
Should be a easy problem to fix! They could set the sign up on the way to open the club and down on the way home.

---

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Registered: Jul 2007
Location: WESTERN MARYLAND
Posts: 5946

THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS IN UKC LIST IS A GOOD EXAMPLE. I HAVE BEEN TO THIS CLUB ( BUILDING ). HARD TO FIND THE FIRST TIME I WAS THERE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS. NOT SURE IF THERE IS NOW. I CALLED TWO NUMBERS BEFORE I GOT THERE. THESE DIRECTIONS COULD BE ALOT BETTER. YES I WILL GO BACK.

THESE ARE SOME GOOD GUYS IN THAT AREA. JUST BAD DETAILS.

COPIED FROM UKC WEB SITE.
WV, Fountain/Keyser; Knobley Mtn Houndsman Assn Reeses Mill Comm. Bldg. Poor Boy. Contact Roger Crites (304) 788-2942

Aug 16 BS 7:00pm, $10 NH 2hr 8:30pm, $15

NOW THE ROAD TO THIS BUILDING IS OFF THE MAIN ROADS ON A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD. IT IS AN OLD ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE.

THINK YOU COULD LOCATE IT.

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all are gone now but will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN


CH. PR. MCMILLANS TREE ROCKIN BRANDY
CH. PR. MCMILLANS MIDNITES STINGIN SADIE

Last edited by rmcmillan on 08-02-2014 at 02:12 PM

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Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
Posts: 1758

I went to another hunt last night, at a club that I hadn't been to before. The directions in the book, gave details from a county road intersection, but said "2 or 3" miles to the club. I thought to myself, "well, which is it???" Could someone not check it on their tripometer, and make it just 2 or 3?

But, when I got to the intersection it was marked with a lean-two sign, and then another one down the road, and one at the club entrance. Someone had built 3 nice signs, years ago, and someone simply places them out by the road, whenever there's a hunt. Go figure!

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David Schmidt
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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Platteville, Wi
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At one time several years ago, UKC sent me a form to fill out wanting a physical address for wear the events were held. I'm sure they sent this out to all the clubs. Why doesn't UKC post this GPS address with the directions to the club in the upcoming events?

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Registered: Nov 2004
Location: Indiana
Posts: 242

UKC should have an actual address listed in every ad for an event. Those of us in the middle of the country also have to consider time zones. UKC should also list what time zone the event is in.

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Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
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I agree Dave... having the address if not the GPS coordinates would be very helpful for us using a GPS to find the place. But there are still folks without a GPS, that could sure use a sign, and directions that are a bit more clear.

And there is still that need for folks to reach out to the "newbies" showing up at a hunt, to make them feel welcome. Going to a hunt can be stressful for some, and intimidating, if you don't know anyone. Having someone welcome you, and introduce you to some locals would go a long way to acquiring new friends, if not new members.

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David Schmidt
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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: Hoyt Kansas
Posts: 426

almost all of us have a gps

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: waldo wi
Posts: 3221

Did your brakes need to do there job coming over that hill and seein" the sign??

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Registered: Oct 2006
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1014

I kinda feel that some club members that hold a office position may not want new members. Maybe they feel threating that a new member may get in there and run for office and win and the old member may loose his grip on the club. Seen it happen many many years ago. Just my observation and opinion.

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Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
Posts: 1758

quote:

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Originally posted by ronald schultz
Did your brakes need to do there job coming over that hill and seein" the sign??

---

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David Schmidt
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Registered: Jun 2014
Location: missouri
Posts: 1176

Im glad we are right on the hwy !! and we dont fall in this category . Only way you'll not find our club is if you Blink when u see our town sign !
On a serious note our club is going to start giving away good prizes to all cast winners and show winners. No more poor boy hunts - and nobody cares about a ribbon or small plaque anymore ( except the kids). Were gonna try this year to help promote participation and extend some appreciation for those who come to compete and have a good time !

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: East central Illinois.
Posts: 1702

quote:

---

Originally posted by rmcmillan
THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS IN UKC LIST IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
NOW THE ROAD TO THIS BUILDING IS OFF THE MAIN ROADS ON A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD. IT IS AN OLD ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE.

THINK YOU COULD LOCATE IT.

---

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Registered: Apr 2008
Location: Leadmine, Wisconsin
Posts: 1992

I'd like to see more 2 night events, something a guy could make worth his travel time. I absolutely LOVE travelling to a hunt with the camper, and just relaxing all day Saturday waiting for it to get dark. It helps with fuel costs of commuting, and is just something I enjoy doing.

I love the camaraderie that comes from other fellow hunters sitting around swapping lies and telling the "if" stories from the previous night. I realize we all have busy lives, but it's just a thought.

Maybe start having more "king" and "queen" of hunts, and getting people wanting to compete for them.

I was an "outsider" this last weekend, was pretty certain I was the only one as well. I was very pleased with the club's members assisting me in getting my camper set up, shaking my hand and introducing themselves to me. I really felt like they appreciated me making an appearance.

I'll go back.....

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Registered: Jul 2007
Location: WESTERN MARYLAND
Posts: 5946

WE USED TO HAVE TWO, TWO NITE HUNTS A YEAR. WAS ALOT OF WORK ON THE FEW WHO HELPED.

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Registered: Feb 2013
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 30

I agree on making visitors feel welcome. It is funny how most clubs complain about low numbers at the hunts, but when new people show up they treat them like they have a disease. I have found that when going to a new club it is helpful to call the contact person ahead of time, and then you have someone to look for at the hunt that you have already spoke with.

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