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7:36 pm
Member
October 24, 2012
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I just received an e-mail and if I read it correctly this site is going to be open only to members of the BHA.
I am not sure this is a good move. I hope that it works out. I have been checking this site for the last two months and it seems much less active than our old site. If the traffic does not pick up it is not even going to be worth checking in the future.
I used to like to check in and see how grabows and archery unlimited spot scores were going but I haven’t seen any posting lately. Does anyone know why this site is not as active as the old site?
10:52 am
Member
Life Member
November 28, 2012
Offline
I hope it’s because of the learning curve with something new. I hope. Leldon has started posting scores again for Spot Shoots on Monday nights.
7:25 pm
Member
Life Member
September 23, 2012
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Traditionally, even on past websites for BHA, the hunting season is a slow time for our forum. This is probably more so with the transition to the new website. As the 3D season rolls along so does the increase in forum traffic. Spread the word of our new web address, that will help more “find” us.
Mark Proctor
Past BHA President 2011-2015
Lifemember #63
9:47 am
Mark, In my opinion there are few things at play here.
– It’s hunting season and this website is always dead during hunting season.
– It is a new site and may take a little time for people to find it. It will help if chapter presidents will communicate this to it’s members.
– The process to register is too cumbersome. In order for a BHA member to register, he has to contact the Admin via email to register. Most people do not have a clue that this is what they need to do. There should be a way to register just by clicking a button and enter some info. If need be, the Admin can still accept or deny the registration after verifying if the person is a BHA member.
In my opinion, at a later date we may need to evaluate the idea of only allowing BHA members on the forum. If it’s not getting used then we have a wonderful resource not being used, which ain’t good.
Kenny, the registration via admin (me) is only temporary until we get all of the members registered on the old forum on the new. The old forum did not require email addresses in order to sign up but the new system does. Only 40% of the members registered on the old system had an email plus many people have changed their email addresses since then. Also, I was not able to download users info from the previous forum like username, password, etc. Once we get through prabably enod of March/April, I will get the paid membership listing from Charmen and validate all current forum members. Then I will set it up for new online members to setup their own accounts as part of the online process.
As far as only members can get on…this is my viewpoint and is just an opinion, but i am a paid member of BHA…The forum will contain tips, tricks and techniques for bowhunting and 3D archery that will be scribed by our members who want to share with other members. For Example, Clete posted great info on scent control and I am sure there will be much more written over time for other hunting subjects BHA may be a non-profit organization but it needs money to run its operations and for special projects such as getting equipment for NASP in schools. If you give away everything such as access to forum information then there is no reason to pay dues to BHA. I would be able to gain access to all website and forum information and shoot all chapter 3D tournaments without being a BHA member. BHA offers nothing other than “Be a BHA member”. But in lite of this, non-members should not have free access to membership wisdom. It is simply not fair. Opening this up to non-members will not give us more members…just people who want everything for free. JMHO…
Also, BHA members discuss organization business on the website in which non-members should not see. Some good and some not so good but I don’t think we want to hang our dirty laundry on the front door. The visitor may take some out of context and decide not to join. I think this is a really important reason for keeping it closed to non-members.
But, saying all of this, I welcome all opinions on this matter because that is where understandings and knowledge is gained to help us grow.
Glenn
BHA Webmaster
10:58 am
Glenn,
Sounds good. We need to make the process as painless as possible or people will not do it.
As for your second paragraph, I just don’t agree. Our job is to promote and educate people on hunting and in particular bowhunting in this state. If a non BHA member can log on to the site and learn something, that is a good thing. Locking down helpful information does not accomplish anything, in my opinion. I can not give you one example of another hunting website that requires you to be a paying member to see helpful information on the website.
As for your 3rd paragraph, I agree. To me though, the best option would be to have a section of the forum set aside for BHA members to discuss “housekeeping” topics instead of locking down the whole forum.
Thanks again for your hard work and listening to ideas for the website.
FYI: There are currently 412 members that have access to this forum…which make up to majorifty of the top posters from the old forum. I hated that I could not bring over the old topics but it is good that we bring up new or old topics and discuss them again. This forum is here not only has a educational tool but also as a communication and discussion tool. If you have a topic, even though it is controversial (sp) please post accordingly. I have not posted on our website, facebook or twitter anything about guns and our rights…it is just all over the place already so I have not felt a need to. But I am sure that are challenging discussions like use of crossbows in hunting or 3D tournaments…you for them or against them and why? why you use a compound bow when a recurve works great but how about the long bow….now that is traditionist bow…the purest….oops sorry, hmmmm bough and sinew might might be best for the purist…..well isn’t that a can of worms…well how about talking about technology in archery…good or bad when does it stop…… and so on…tons of topics to discuss but no one is starting any so no one is writing on new forum..maybe that is problem….lol…maybe everything is cool and everyone is talked out….how about someone discussing bowhunting for hogs….now that is an area or bowhunting for turkeys or coyotes….i want to learn about all of those topics and tons more….you might say I am one stupid person that needs learning and I am here to learn…….personally, we just need to initiate topics of discussions and you will see more discussing going on…I want to encourage EVERYONE to post remarks, even if you disagree with them….just don’t get bent out of shape and give your opinion respectfully….geez….I bet your spouse and preacher don’t agree with you much either on many topics of life!!! lol….
Thanks Kenny for your posts and opinions….you are well respected by your members, BHA members and officers and of course me….anything you have to say I listen to…I know that you have BHA and Shelby County Bowhunters interests before yours.
BHA Webmaster
7:51 pm
Member
October 24, 2012
Offline
I don’t like excluding people unless it is a necessity. I think that it is probably a tough job trying to run the BHA. No matter what you do someone is not going to like it and even when you do great you will no receive adequate acknowledgement.
I want BHA to do what works for them/us.
I am a BHA member for the next 4 hours and then I don’t know if I will renew my membership or not. So just in case I don’t renew let me say that it has been a pleasure to meet and talk with so many bow hunters. I hope that you guys can keep up the good work and continue to provide a great service to our community.
8:13 pm
Member
October 24, 2012
Offline
As a member of BHA I for one do not feel that we need to block nonmembers from the forum. Potential new members that are straddling the fence on whether to join or not could use the forum to ask questions that just may help them decide to join. I know when I’m trying to talk someone into joining I tell them to check us out on the website. How can they ask questions when they can’t get on the forum? Also wondering if this was voted on by the executive board or just the administrators opinion?Just Wondering
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