North American Hunting Retriever Association
Dear NAHRA Members and Friends,
As we approach the close of another successful testing season, I find myself reflecting on the incredible dedication and passion that defines our community. To our Iowa members already pursuing early goose season in South Dakota—your enthusiasm exemplifies the hunting spirit that makes NAHRA special. Whether you're working your dog through morning training sessions in flooded timber or watching them make that perfect blind retrieve across open water, these moments represent the heart of what we do.
Celebrating Our Community
Your continued contributions to our digital presence have been outstanding. The photos and videos you've shared—from steady training progressions to those memorable hunt camp moments—showcase not only the skill of our retrievers but the bonds we forge in pursuit of waterfowl conservation and hunting excellence. Our social media team works tirelessly to ensure your stories reach our sponsors, supporters, and fellow enthusiasts worldwide. We have capacity for many more reports, so please continue sharing your adventures, or make your first report, whether it's your young dog's first successful duck retrieve or a seasoned veteran demonstrating the steady performance that comes from years of consistent training.
Addressing Our Challenges
I must address a concerning trend that requires our collective attention. Over the past three years, we've observed a decline in both the number of tests being hosted and participant numbers. This affects the very foundation of what NAHRA represents—providing opportunities for hunters to develop their retrievers' skills in realistic hunting scenarios.
We need your insights to understand this decline. What factors influence your decision to participate in your local club's tests? What would motivate you to travel to tests in other regions? The skills we develop through testing—from basic obedience and marking ability to advanced concepts like honoring and blind retrieves—directly translate to more successful hunts and better-trained hunting companions.
Next week, we'll distribute our first survey focusing on dog nutrition and feeding decisions. Your participation is crucial in helping us serve your needs more effectively. The information we gather will help us understand how feeding programs, training methodologies, and testing formats can better support the development of reliable hunting retrievers.
Fiscal Responsibility and Future Growth
As your elected board, we take our stewardship of NAHRA's resources seriously. We continuously balance revenue generation with member benefits, always asking: "How does this serve the hunter and their retriever in the field?"
Recent investments include our enhanced website for improved member communication, an updated database system for efficient record-keeping, and ongoing infrastructure improvements. These upgrades will enable automated test result reporting, faster access to performance records, and expanded services—all designed to support your journey in developing exceptional hunting dogs.
However, rising costs across all sectors necessitate our first membership fee increase in recent memory. Beginning next year, each membership category will increase by five dollars annually for three consecutive years. Despite this adjustment, we remain confident that NAHRA continues to offer the best value among retriever organizations while maintaining our commitment to practical hunting dog development.
Exciting Developments Ahead
Several initiatives will strengthen NAHRA's ability to serve you:
501(c)(3) Conversion: This transition will enhance our ability to secure grants and donations, directly benefiting conservation efforts and member programs.
Registry Implementation: We're finalizing a comprehensive system to track breeding, performance, and hunting achievements—valuable tools for anyone serious about developing hunting retriever bloodlines.
Digital Expansion: Growing our online presence helps connect members, share training resources, and attract new participants to the sport.
Sponsorship Growth: Expanding partnerships with companies that understand the unique needs of hunting dog enthusiasts.
Recognizing Our Volunteers
Outstanding members make NAHRA's mission possible. Ron Kourmaras deserves special recognition for spearheading our digital presence expansion. Contact Ron to connect your social media activities with our broader community efforts. Carol Black and Ron Stahl work tirelessly behind the scenes maintaining our website functionality—their dedication keeps us connected. Mara Budweg, Aaron Grieb, and our content contributors continue elevating our storytelling through compelling digital media.
A Call to Action
The traditions we preserve—training retrievers for practical hunting situations, promoting ethical hunting practices, supporting waterfowl conservation—depend on active participation. Whether you're working with a promising young dog learning to quarter for upland birds or refining your seasoned retriever's handling precision for challenging blind retrieves, your involvement strengthens our entire community.
Consider hosting a training day at your local club. Mentor a new member struggling with force-fetch techniques. Share your knowledge about reading water conditions or selecting appropriate training set ups. Volunteer at upcoming tests where dogs demonstrate everything from basic steadiness to advanced concepts like multiple marks and diversion birds.
The hunting seasons ahead hold promise for memorable experiences with our four-legged partners. Let's ensure NAHRA continues providing the foundation for developing retrievers capable of handling whatever conditions the marsh, field, or timber might present.
If you have skills, time, or ideas to contribute, please contact me directly. Together, we can ensure NAHRA remains the premier organization for hunters committed to excellence in retriever training and waterfowl conservation.
Tight lines and steady dogs,
Phillip Hines
President, North American Hunting Retriever Association
Join our digital community and share your hunting and training experiences. Contact our social media team to showcase your retriever's progress and connect with fellow hunting enthusiasts across North America.
