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Posts: 1828
| I'm considering joining. The foremost reason so far is that I assume my membership fee supports what they do, and that alone is good reason to dish some $. Also, I have heard about the 'Lunge Log, and that sounds interesting. If nothing else, maybe it gives me a good template for logging my fishing notes for personal use? I don't know exactly what it looks like.
Anyway, I respect what they do, so it seems a very modest membership fee is an easy way to start supporting them. Now, if someone tells me that the membership fee actually doesn't make it toward anything productive - that the money is just barely enough to support the burden of my membership, then I'd think "why bother". [Of course then I should just give a donation, but I'm not quite there yet]
I did look at muskiesinc.org, and surprisingly didn't see any explicit "Why Join?" section, and I even googled "Why Join Muskies Inc" and didn't come up with much. AND I'm sure it has been discussed on here, so maybe someone can just direct me to the thread.
And if we're not supposed to talk about this on here, just PM me?? Thanks. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Find and support your local chapter of Muskies, Inc. that's where the rubber meets the road and things get done. If you don't have a local chapter join the one closest to where you fish. They are doing the work to provide the research, preservation, education and lobbying that supports the muskies you target. Through them you'll join Muskies, Inc. at the national level. In short your membership provides operating money for the national org. but also for the chapters through insurance and tax filing. The chapters generate their own funding for local projects through fundraisers, donations, grants, etc.
If you are a muskie angler in the US, chances are, a chapter of Muskies, Inc. had a hand in providing the opportunity you have to fish for muskies. |
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Posts: 1041
| Your membership to Muskies Inc. goes to the National Entity. Not to your local chapter. So if you join, please understand that local chapters still need your help either in volunteering, or in donating some money to make sure they can function.
Locally here in Miilwaukee, our chapter puts on many member fishing outings, a Vets outing, a Big Brother/Big Sisters outing, a Spring Classic tournament and tries to raise muskies to stock into area lakes.
Of course you get access to the Lunge log and free access to seminar spreakers throughout the year, but still the best part about joining the club is meeting the club members. Talking some fishing. And hopefully help the club grow.
Best of luck to yah! Hope to see your membership!
I've been a member of the Milwaukee Chapter for about four years now. And what I've learned is this...you get out of it what you put into it.
Edited by vegas492 1/8/2014 2:37 PM
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Posts: 1283
| Not only that but youll meet a ton of other fisherman/friends and they will help put you on more fish. Lots of cool raffles, discounts, seminars and programs to participate in as well. |
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | Yes - Join your local chapter. As Will stated. The local chapters are the backbone of the Muskies Inc.
Where are you located? I am with the North Metro Chapter and currently working on setting up our Tuesday night Muskie League with lakes on both sides of the Metro as options for each week- possibly open it up to the T.C. chapter as well--- Still in the works.
Both chapters are having their winter Banquets in the next 2 months and both chapters have meetings on Tuesdays with speakers. the Twin City chapter meets o the 2nd Tuesday of each month and the North Metro meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
If you join a chapter - get involved- start showing up as a regular- don't be shy. Participate a a small level- that is where you will get to know the people in the chapters.
Good Luck
Steve
Edited by Sorgy 1/8/2014 2:46 PM
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Posts: 2389
Location: Chisholm, MN | I will say that some of the chapters don't do as much as others. I haven't seen much accomplished in my time as a member, but I think it's important either way to be a member to support the guys who are fighting for muskies. Especially now, with all the debate over spearing and the dark house association.
They are often the ones who help get lakes stocked. That's reason enough for me.
Edited by Kirby Budrow 1/8/2014 2:58 PM
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Posts: 427
Location: Planet Meltdown | The number one reason I joined my local club here in NJ is because they have a very good relationship with the hatchery and provide funding for fatheads to raise up the Muskies that get stocked into our local waters. That alone was reason enough for me to join. Not to mention I have met some really good people that have become friends / fishing buddies that have helped with the learning curve of getting more and bigger fish in the boat. We also have a yearly Muskie school in the Spring which is our biggest fund raiser. Throw in a couple of local tournaments, outings, discounts on baits, and all the good times and that there is what I consider a well made decision. Looking forward to this years Muskie school as I finally have a boat and hopefully can put a newbie onto a fish. That's what it's all about. |
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Posts: 1828
| Thanks for your responses, everyone. The positive support is very obvious. |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | Don't know where you are.from but if you are able to take in a musky show this winter, there will be clubs with booths to talk to. You can also check out a local meeting(s) in your area as a non-member. It is a great organization especially at he club level. You will get more out of it putting more into it. I belong to and am a proud member of chapter 39. |
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Posts: 153
| I might suggest going to a local Muskies Inc. Chapter meeting, attendance is typically free and you could meet some people and listen to a seminar then decide for yourself. In fact my club (Chapter 14 SOBs) meets tonight and Ty Sennett is giving a seminar. So if you happen to be in NE IL and are free tonight PM me for details.
Edited by 2T Critter 1/8/2014 4:28 PM
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Posts: 5230
| The money goes to a good cause no matter how you chose to participate.0723 |
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Posts: 9
| I joined in March of 2013. I had just started Muskie fishing and the 'Lunge Log was invaluable to me. It gave me all kinds of ideas. I finished the year with 24 Muskies over 30" and I'm almost positive I wouldn't have had the same kind of year had I not joined. Several members in my Chapter (Ch 9) really got me pointed in the right direction. I learned of places to fish I didn't even know existed. Getting the chance to fish around people who have been doing it for nearly 50 years helped me in ways I'm still having realizations about. I honestly probably don't even realize all the benefits as of yet!
Like you said, the money goes to a good cause and that alone is a great reason but I'm pretty sure you'll be glad you did for all kinds of other reasons!
Randall |
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Posts: 358
| Glad I joined years ago . No regrets ! Great organization and great cause ! You won't regret joining. |
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Posts: 101
| Everything previously was well said.
It is important to be both a national MI member to help fund the effecient structure that provides the Chapters with insurance & tax reporting and members with the Lunge Log and website/magazine, etc.; as a Chapter Member where you can directly influence and help your local Muskie fishery, stock fish, build comradre with other fisherman and shorten your learning curve and its where the money is raised and re-invested back into the local fisheries and other member activities.
$35 a year is nothing. If it wasn't for MI and the local Chaters and the money they raise and support provided to the DNR's the Muskie fisheries would be a fraction of what we have today. Minnesota and a number of other states are a direct example of that. However, the vast majority of people that fish Muskies don't participate directly (membership) or indirectly (at fund raisers) in reinvesting back into the resource.
Join MI and a local Chapter or at minimum go to a Chapter Banquets, Tournaments and other fund rasiers to help provide the funds to stock fish, assist with research etc. However, money isn't everything! we need members or fishermman to influence their legislatures and DNR as most will not support the Muskie fisheries on their own when face with dwindling budgets or competing groups. |
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Why Join Muskies Inc.?