quail hunter
New member
Just incase you haven't heard American Field is ceasing it's affliiation with NSTRA as long as NSTRA chooses to use real ammo in its trials ...here is a copy of what was sent to our President...
So now more then ever we need to band together for support of our organization to make it stronger
Letter from American Field:
Mr. Wes Barr, President
National Shoot-to-Retrieve Assn.
12133 County road 100
Abilene, TX 79601
Dear Wes:
At the recent meeting of the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of American in
Memphis, Tennessee the trustees tackled the issue of liability. A
St. Louis insurance executive was on hand to present detailed
information on liability. The upshot was that dogs, horses and guns
pose a combination of potential problems that few if any insurance
companies are desirous of covering. In short: dogs bite, horses
kick and guns can injure a person, perhaps fatally.
What also arose from the meeting was the "extended"
liability, if I
may use that term, in the event of an accident reaching the
sponsoring or "recognizing" body as the entity that approves
the
activity in which the accident occurred. While it is possible that,
when all is said and done, no liability could be inputed to the
sponsoring club or organization, the defense of such a suit or claim
would be troublesome as well as costly.
The AFTCA took action in their bylaws to state that blank ammunition
only was to used at AFTCA amateur recognized trials and that
"solid
barrel" guns are to be used – i.e.: a gun from which no
projectile
can be emitted. Sanctions are also spelled out for those violating
this rule.
Wes, given the litigious sentiment in society, the NSTRA and its
officers are perhaps in a precarious position given the dogs-horses-
guns combination, and extending that, The American Field also.
If an effort to shield ourselves from potential problems and to
minimize any possibility of being party to a suit, we have taken a
hard look at our affiliation with NSTRA. We are not aware of any
accidents occurring at NSTRA trials, but all it takes is one.
Perceptions of our outdoor pursuits are not what they were 20-25
years ago. Guns are considered an anathema, connected in the minds
of most to urban violence. Shooting birds has not caught the
attention of animal rights activists; if such were the case you would
know about.
Part and parcel of the field trial sport is the time-honored
tradition of game bird propagation and preservation.
In light of the serious potential liability issue that has surfaced
and the NSTRA requirement of shooting game and retrieving as an
integral part of "point-earning" for placement, it is felt
that
recognition of National Shoot-to-Retrieve Association placements by
The AMERICAN FIELD (Field Dog Stud Book) should cease.
Wes, I realize that this communication is quite unexpected. We have
thought long and hard about the decision and feel it is correct.
We wish you and the NSTRA all the best.
Sincerely,
Bernard J. Matthys
The American Field
Publishing Company
_________________
<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 08-08-2003 15:56: Message edited by: quail hunter ]</font>
So now more then ever we need to band together for support of our organization to make it stronger
Letter from American Field:
Mr. Wes Barr, President
National Shoot-to-Retrieve Assn.
12133 County road 100
Abilene, TX 79601
Dear Wes:
At the recent meeting of the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of American in
Memphis, Tennessee the trustees tackled the issue of liability. A
St. Louis insurance executive was on hand to present detailed
information on liability. The upshot was that dogs, horses and guns
pose a combination of potential problems that few if any insurance
companies are desirous of covering. In short: dogs bite, horses
kick and guns can injure a person, perhaps fatally.
What also arose from the meeting was the "extended"
liability, if I
may use that term, in the event of an accident reaching the
sponsoring or "recognizing" body as the entity that approves
the
activity in which the accident occurred. While it is possible that,
when all is said and done, no liability could be inputed to the
sponsoring club or organization, the defense of such a suit or claim
would be troublesome as well as costly.
The AFTCA took action in their bylaws to state that blank ammunition
only was to used at AFTCA amateur recognized trials and that
"solid
barrel" guns are to be used – i.e.: a gun from which no
projectile
can be emitted. Sanctions are also spelled out for those violating
this rule.
Wes, given the litigious sentiment in society, the NSTRA and its
officers are perhaps in a precarious position given the dogs-horses-
guns combination, and extending that, The American Field also.
If an effort to shield ourselves from potential problems and to
minimize any possibility of being party to a suit, we have taken a
hard look at our affiliation with NSTRA. We are not aware of any
accidents occurring at NSTRA trials, but all it takes is one.
Perceptions of our outdoor pursuits are not what they were 20-25
years ago. Guns are considered an anathema, connected in the minds
of most to urban violence. Shooting birds has not caught the
attention of animal rights activists; if such were the case you would
know about.
Part and parcel of the field trial sport is the time-honored
tradition of game bird propagation and preservation.
In light of the serious potential liability issue that has surfaced
and the NSTRA requirement of shooting game and retrieving as an
integral part of "point-earning" for placement, it is felt
that
recognition of National Shoot-to-Retrieve Association placements by
The AMERICAN FIELD (Field Dog Stud Book) should cease.
Wes, I realize that this communication is quite unexpected. We have
thought long and hard about the decision and feel it is correct.
We wish you and the NSTRA all the best.
Sincerely,
Bernard J. Matthys
The American Field
Publishing Company
_________________
<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 08-08-2003 15:56: Message edited by: quail hunter ]</font>
