2010 NAFA Meet

[Flight]

I think some places even have online versions...

Yep Florida is one of those places, the online portion was even free. I read some, answered some questions printed out the scores, then went to a location for the live fire exercises, and took the final exam. I think it took me less than 3 hours to get the whole certification done.

[frootdog]

In UT you could not get a hunting liscense at walmart w/out them entering your hunter safety # in the computer. At the meet hotel they gave a waiver for the 5 day falconry liscense.

[Chris L.]

What's this BS in the latest Hawk Chalk that says if you were born after July 1, 1957 you need to have proof that you took an approved hunter's saftey course in order to purchase a hunting license. Are they kidding? I took hunter's saftey in 1974 in NY state, no way in hell is there a record of that anywhere....

If this is the case, then I won't be bringing a bird to the meet....

Are you kidding. That is just crazy!

is there any way around this?

[Lowachi]

I sent a msg to Kevin & he's looking into it

[Eagle Owl]

What's this BS in the latest Hawk Chalk that says if you were born after July 1, 1957 you need to have proof that you took an approved hunter's saftey course in order to purchase a hunting license. Are they kidding? I took hunter's saftey in 1974 in NY state, no way in hell is there a record of that anywhere....

If this is the case, then I won't be bringing a bird to the meet....

Paul,

The information regarding hunter's education has been on the website for months, so it is not something new that is just now being put out there to members.

[Lowachi]

just got off the phone w/ Kevin. The hunter's safety is a State statute, and can't be changed, nor is KS willing to do so. As far as non-hunters in the field needing a license, he's pretty sure they don't, but he's double checking into it and I'll post that confirmation as soon as I receive it. Kevin's another that's had a card since the 70's, says you can barely read it, and that he can't replace it because MO doesn't have the records.

[Chris L.]

Thanks for looking into it Rich.

I just bought mine online. For those of you who can't remember you number, There is an option for that

I bought the license and state water fowl stamp = around $78.00

[FredFogg]

Just buy your license online, you will know what to do once you get there!

[AxelFortWorth]

Can I purchase the non-resident Hunting license for KS online? Anybody done this? I love getting my TX hunting license online. You print out a temporary one until you get the actual license in the mail.

[AxelFortWorth]

I just answered my own question.

Check this out though.

KS charges an Internet Convenience fee and a processing fee....

[Jay]

Yes you can buy a KS non-resident license online and print it out. The process is simple .

[frootdog]

Just refer to Axels post and all yall without hunters ed #s are set!

[AxelFortWorth]

Ok...I called KS P&W because online they offered two non resident hunting licenses for the same price.

1. non-resident hunting license
2. apprentice non-resident hunting license

The individual I called at 1(800) 918-2877 told me the difference is that you can buy the apprentice non-resident hunting license if you don't have the hunters safety course. It will be a one time deal according to her. Just FYI.

[Hawkmom]

Even when I did not hunt with a gun. I took the MD hunter safety course, then again in Florida when I moved there. Here is the International Hunter Education Association website: www.ihea.com I do feel that ALL hunters should take the course. I also feel that there should be a section to educate the gun/archer/arbelist (crossbow) about other forms of hunting (terrier work, coursing with hounds, falconry, ferreting, etc.) Not everyone hunts with a gun or bow.

[NMHighPlains]

The watersports campground is a little further away from the hotel (2.5 miles) but i just got off the phone with the site manager and she said she would make us a deal if there is a group and only charge us $5 per person per night. There are basic facilities, hot showers restrooms etc and the birds and dogs are welcome as long as we don't leave behind a mess.

I'm interested in this. I'll be in a pop-up. Me and my 6 yr old. Won't be there the whole meet, but we'll be there for the start and then some.

[frootdog]

Even when I did not hunt with a gun. I took the MD hunter safety course, then again in Florida when I moved there. .

Why take it twice? Did FL not recognize the one from MD? In TX your hunting liscense is no good w/out the hunters ed certificate even if you are not gun hunting.

[Chad L.]

I just got off the phone with the park manager to get some clarification on rates. She said that pop up trailers are welcome on the grassy area with the people camping in tents however the rate is $19 per night for the trailer. The rate for people camping in tents is still $5 per person per night. Sorry if there was any confusion on this.

[NMHighPlains]

She said that pop up trailers are welcome on the grassy area with the people camping in tents however the rate is $19 per night for the trailer. The rate for people camping in tents is still $5 per person per night.

That's still very reasonable. However, if I just sleep in the back of my truck, then what? Will she pay me?

[Hawkmom]

I did not need to take the FL one, but did anyhow. It was MUCH more complete than the one I took in MD in the mid 80's. I was told that the FL hunter safety cert is accepted by all states. I assume that it is reciprocal with all the hunter safety courses. IHEA.com apparently is the people who design the hunter safety courses nationwide.

[Chad L.]

That's still very reasonable. However, if I just sleep in the back of my truck, then what? Will she pay me?

LOL. Based on the conversations i've had with her as of now I think you would have a better chance of seeing pigs fly. i actually asked if we could get the same rate for pop ups that we were getting for tent camping and she actually laughed out loud on the phone. It never hurts to ask.

[Peregrine At Heart]

I love camping but I do not much like the cold.....one of the worst times ever in my life was when I was in northern Iraq one winter on a convoy...we slept on cots outside underneath of our trailers...woke up one morning to 30 degree F. temp and everything was white with frost. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. How far from the meet hotel was that Super 8? And did anyone mention their rates?

[longwinger2010]

MAN ! This hotel situation bites ! I'm SERIOUSLY thinkin' about using my military polar bag and sleepin' in my truckbed on an air mattress !

[Dirthawking]

While the cost of the hotel does indeed suck. Think about it this way:

There has not been a cost increase on the hotel costs in over 10 years.
There are other hotels in the area that are offering good deals.
The cost of a room at any hotel this nice is going to cost more without the deal NAFA has worked out.
How many hotels this nice allow you to bring birds and dogs into it?
How many hotels are allowing a group of people to take it over on a holiday?

If you think about it from the hotels view, it would be a huge risk. Lots of people with dogs, birds, and dead game taking over 2/3 of your rooms, your banquet rooms, your lobbies, your pool area, etc... all of this over a holiday week, where most of their staff would you usually be off to be with family of their own. Now they usually have to bring in more staff, keep the hotel bar/restaurant open longer/later, keep grounds up for months longer than they normally would (I know in Colorado it cost the hotel a lot of money to try and make the weathering yard usable, they actually planted grass just for us). Yes they are going to make money, but how much compared if they just said no thank you.

Not saying that I don't think that it sucks too, just looking at it from all angles. It is still one heck of a deal and I am looking forward to it as usual!

[Tasha55403]

Let's see...$90/nite for 8 nites makes for $720 just for the room not counting gas, license, dues, registration...IF I can afford to go, I think I'll go for the $5/nite freeze my rear end off. $40 for the whole week and maybe I can squeeze in some breakfast with what's left over:P

[Eragon]

Let's see...$90/nite for 8 nites makes for $720 just for the room not counting gas, license, dues, registration...IF I can afford to go, I think I'll go for the $5/nite freeze my rear end off. $40 for the whole week and maybe I can squeeze in some breakfast with what's left over:P

[Heatherg]

While the cost of the hotel does indeed suck. Think about it this way:

There has not been a cost increase on the hotel costs in over 10 years.
There are other hotels in the area that are offering good deals.
The cost of a room at any hotel this nice is going to cost more without the deal NAFA has worked out.
How many hotels this nice allow you to bring birds and dogs into it?
How many hotels are allowing a group of people to take it over on a holiday?

If you think about it from the hotels view, it would be a huge risk. Lots of people with dogs, birds, and dead game taking over 2/3 of your rooms, your banquet rooms, your lobbies, your pool area, etc... all of this over a holiday week, where most of their staff would you usually be off to be with family of their own. Now they usually have to bring in more staff, keep the hotel bar/restaurant open longer/later, keep grounds up for months longer than they normally would (I know in Colorado it cost the hotel a lot of money to try and make the weathering yard usable, they actually planted grass just for us). Yes they are going to make money, but how much compared if they just said no thank you.

Not saying that I don't think that it sucks too, just looking at it from all angles. It is still one heck of a deal and I am looking forward to it as usual!

Just a question for ya Mario....Have you been to dodge city and stayed at this place? I have...it is nothing special...nothing to warrant the cost involved nor the increase. THe place we stayed at in Alamosa was way nicer on the inside than this place. I understand the risks involved for booking an event like this...but they could have said no, and we as a club could have said no thank you we will go back to Garden City or move it else where to make it more affordable! I dont stay in 90$ a night hotels anytime I travel, much less for a hunting trip....I for one wont be staying there...I have a great place down the road that is perfect for what I need, and they love to have falconers there!

[Lowachi]

MAN ! This hotel situation bites ! I'm SERIOUSLY thinkin' about using my military polar bag and sleepin' in my truckbed on an air mattress !

done that too..Waverly

[Chad L.]

MAN ! This hotel situation bites ! I'm SERIOUSLY thinkin' about using my military polar bag and sleepin' in my truckbed on an air mattress !

No need to sleep in your tuckbed. Bring a tent and join the rapidly building 2010 NAFA gypsy hawkers camp. The more the merrier and i can think of better things to do with $700 if i just need to give up a heated room.

[longwinger2010]

So...for those that have been to Dodge City before; are there shower facilities (i.e. a truck plaza) near the hotel/camping grounds ?

[Elinay]

Camping gear here I come!

[Chad L.]

So...for those that have been to Dodge City before; are there shower facilities (i.e. a truck plaza) near the hotel/camping grounds ?

There are Hot showers, bathroom facilities etc at the camp site. There's also a little general store type deal there on site. So it will be camping but certainly not roughing it.

[longwinger2010]

Well IF I can go I will certainly be camping/truck sleeping/whatever and not worrying about the cost of the hotel....I simply don't hate money enough to drop that kind of cash on a room for a week !

[longwinger2010]

Oh and by the way...does anyone have a name for the camping area ? Is there a camping fee for a tent or trailer ?

[Chad L.]

Oh and by the way...does anyone have a name for the camping area ? Is there a camping fee for a tent or trailer ?

The name of the place is the Water Sports Campground and RV park. As of now the cost for people camping in tents is $5 per person per night. Pop up trailers can be put in the same area as the tents for $19 per night per trailer. You can also put a trailer in a regular spot with a basic water hook up for $19 a night if you prefer.

[High Desert Hawker]

Totally off topic, but wondering why "you guys" don't jump the "gals" for not posting their real names on their signatures.