To all Charter members who may have their old  copies to our magazine when they put the name of each new member in a box for all to see as they joined.  I became a member in the fall of 1978 or early in '79, received my charter member patch, which I still have today after wearing it on my retired [outgrew] hunting jacket for over 15 years.  I dropped out due to financial problems for a while, then re joined in 8/90, and then became a Lifer in Aug., 1992.  I really would like to be able to re-put that patch on my new leather NAHC jacket acquired on eBay a couple years of about $65, shipping inc.
It is a real beauty, btw.  Please help me, for at 62, time is running out and the Club says their records don't go back that far????????   Jerry Mark Brinkman, IN.  With the mag info as proof, I can present it to the Club to be re-instated as a Charter mbr.  This may sound silly but I am proud of having had a hand in helping get this organization off the ground in the early days.  Thanks for the help.

I am in the same boat. I've got all of my Charter Member decals and patches, my Charter Member belt buckle, as well as return address labels, but as you stated the club claims they no longer have the info. I would guess that after the club was sold by the Burkes, and then sold again, that a lot of the old info just dissapeared. I got my LM jacket when I became a lifer, and I always get compliments on it when I wear it.

does that mean my charter member stuff is worth something? i joined in 1978? still have charter member stuff,also certificate stating charter member. window decal still on truck door wing (remember those?)    spungfox

Hate to say it but the charter member, like the life member and now the trophy member mean absolutely nothing to the club. Not surprised at all that they do not have any records of it. Though you would think they would have thought enough of the people that helped get this thing off the ground to have at least kept a record of them.

Posted By rthomas4 on 03 Jul 2010 09:41 AM
I am in the same boat. I've got all of my Charter Member decals and patches, my Charter Member belt buckle, as well as return address labels, but as you stated the club claims they no longer have the info. I would guess that after the club was sold by the Burkes, and then sold again, that a lot of the old info just dissapeared. I got my LM jacket when I became a lifer, and I always get compliments on it when I wear it.

           Ditto on the patches and decals, althou they went the way of vehicles that were sold.  What jacket did you get?  I got the green cloth one with the monogram of my name and the club stitched on it.  Later I found one on eBAY, a beautiful heavy leather and cloth one with all types of different, very excellently done monograming all over it; front and back.  The club was selling them for about $125 i think, but I paid about half that including shipping.

Sprungfox, the only way we can prove we were charter members is to find someone with the original early mags which showed the names of the new members as they joined; i.e. 1978/1979/1980.  That's what I am looking for.

As the Beatles once said, :HELP, I NEED SOMEBODY" with the early books.  I thought that one time the charter member names were posted in the main office on the wall for all to see.  Am I wrong?

Nothing against you man, but the Club doesn't give a rats azz about anything other than the money they can get out of people with as little payback as they can get away with IMHO!!! I appreciate where you're coming from, but I would doubt that there are enough old timers coming onto this BB to find one who can help you. I guess my question would be what else you would get by being recognized under that title, because I'm in Longshot's camp on this one!!!   Are you trying to say that the Club has those old patches if you can prove you are a Charter Member and they will send you one or what?  The way the Club sells NAHC logoed stuff to people who aren't even members, I'm very surprised that anyone would even want to promote the idea that they are any kind of member!!!  Incidentally, I have the beautiful leather bomber jacket with an LM patch I got in 1973 and it still looks like new because about the only time I wear it is to Church in the Spring and fall and on a few other occasions.

Yep. the leather bomber style jacket is the one I was referring to, also. I see all of the clothing that was suppossed to be strictly exclusive to LMs for sale in the Sportsmens Guide, and usually for less than we could originally buy from the Club.
By the way, I have seen leather bomber jackets that are identical, without the NAHC logos at stores like Burlington Coat for $300.00 and up, so I figured that when I became a lifer, I basically bought my leather coat for the membership fee, and everything else was a freebie.
I also still wear the Charter Member belt buckle, as well as, the Life Member belt buckle with jeans and cowboy boots all of the time.

TG-06,
When the club was first formed in 1978, becoming a charter member ment you were a part of something that could become very special.  Yes, when the Burke's founded the club there were very few National Club for hunters, and as a young man; I was proud to join.  I was still a deputy sheriff, making $618.00 a month b4 taxes, but my wife knew how much my becoming a part of the NAHC ment to me; so she sent in the check.  I wore that patch for about 20 years on my hunting coat b4 it shrunk & I couldn't wear it any longer.  The coat is gone but the patch still sits on my desk & I look at it with pride; for without those who first joined, we wouldn't  be talking about it today.

I understand where you are coming from on the long time you have been in the Club, and a lot of us LMs that have been in the Club for 20+ years also feel that way. You do really have me confused though because if you still have that patch and a new leather coat acquired on EBay to put it on, then what is the problem with putting it on and wearing the coat with your chest puffed out, LOL! Is it that you want to see "Charter Member" by your name on this BB when you access this site or what? As stated by many members, the Club does not give a rip about you or any of the other long time members that have already paid their dues. They are interested in trying to get new members and to have us spend more money to "ascend the ladder" to TLM, LOL!!!

TG-06,
Good point as usual.  It's goin on the jacket.  Thanks,  I guess I just felt that without the Official proof, then I wasn't entitled.  Has anybody gotten any of the life mbr knives they used to offer for sale? I bought 2 different grades of folding hunter Schrades about 17 years ago that are pretty nice.  Wondering if they are being sold elsewhere also?

When the Club sells our logoed stuff to other companies that in turn sell to people that aren't even in the Club, are you kidding me, LOL!  Put that patch on the jacket and don't think twice about it! Your integrity is fantastic and speaks highly for you my friend!!! It's too bad the business ethics of the Club are so lacking when we have so many members like yourself   On your question about products, I'll only say that I never buy anything from the Club because everything I read from other members is that the same products can always be purchased somewhere else at less cost!

HHHhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm, was a charter member for around 10 yrs. before i became a lifer. became a lifer in 89/90 and i can't remember what they gave me for becoming a lifer. i do have the bomber jacket for becoming a lifer in the fishing club around 92/93 thou.

i had all that charter stuff along with a couple of knives that was given out for re-up'n a couple of yrs.-- just like the nra does-- at least i did until a s-i-l found them that is

WKeeler;  Mine was a step-son.  I did manage to keep the good ones in the safe & still have them.  When I remember the combo to my safe, will take a couple pics of the NICE one and put it here.

Sounds like your valuables are well protected   That's why both of mine are keyed!!!

ya it's tuff getting older ain't it top

You said it! Now where the heck did I put those keys

did ya check yer left pocketno yer other left

Top,
Mine is keyed and combination.  Couldn't get it open for three days, knew the #s but my hand was shaking and I wouldn't hit the dang 3 right each time around.  Had to call my buddy to help me open it, he has the #'s cause I live alone, and if I die I told him to clear it out b4 the cops showed up to help themselves.  Long story

For some reason I keep second guessing my choice to join as a life member. Should I not of joined? It seems that I keep hearing alot of negative talk. I am serious about this as still have dues left to pay. Any thoughts would be appreciated.