North American Hunting Club--know anything about this organization?
- Thread starter DAL
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Preacherman
Member
They've been sending me invitations to join for years. As far as I can see, you pay them an annual subscription for nothing much in return except a sticker for your pickup window! They make much ballyhoo about "free products you can test, then keep", but I'm willing to bet that few, if any, such products will come my way. I think it's a waste of money.
Dan Morris
Member
Gonna back the preacher. I tried it ONCE. All it got me was a bunch od unsolicited junk that I never ordered and had to hassle the returns of.
Dan
Dan
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I got an allegedly free copy of their magazine, and then got dunned for a subscription fee. I managed adequate discouragement. I won't call the deal a scam, but there ain't much there, there.
I think it was the same outfit that used to lease ranches for their members to hunt on. They'd lease some of the sorriest, no-deer land, cheap, and all the neighboring ranches then had to deal with fence jumpers.
IMO, they're all hat and no cows.
Art
I think it was the same outfit that used to lease ranches for their members to hunt on. They'd lease some of the sorriest, no-deer land, cheap, and all the neighboring ranches then had to deal with fence jumpers.
IMO, they're all hat and no cows.
Art
Thanks for the replies. This unsolicited junk mail will go where it belongs. I should have gone with my first inclination and dumped it immediately, the way I did with my last two mailings.
The longer I live, the more suspicious I am of everything and nearly everybody. The whole *amn world is angling to get into my wallet.
DAL
The longer I live, the more suspicious I am of everything and nearly everybody. The whole *amn world is angling to get into my wallet.
DAL
Grayrock
Member
I am a member of NAHC and enjoy reading the magazine. I have also received a couple of different products in addition to stickers and patches. I do not consider it a waste of money.
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Grayrock
Member
The first was an elastic rifle sling with velcro ends that suspends ones rifle well, yet allows you to pull it into shooting position by stretching the bungee-like cord. It did not test well, I guess, since I have never seen one for sale. The 2nd was a nice 4 inch clip point fixed blade knife. It has a light weight polymer handle and nylon sheath with a lanyard. I also had the chance to test some 12 gauge ammo, but procrastinated and did not send in the confirmation form in time to receive the ammo for testing. That was my lazy fault.
G
G
Mornard
Member
I've been a membre for two years, mainly because it's the best hunting magazine available. I really liek the articles and it's high quality. Additionally, I've received two great hunting knives (one sheath, one folder) for renewing.
I'm a charter Life Member. I enjoy the the magazine articles, especially the member hunting pics. That said, in the early days when they were trying hard to build their member base, they provided a lot of access to special member deals and what not. The Internet essentially superceded that.
TJC
Member
I am a Life Member and have never regretted joining. They give you the magazine which is full of great articles, have a website that keeps you up on different things such as laws proposed that will affect hunting issues and lands. They have a pretty good resource for information concerning guides and guide services. They keep members imput from these people and places so you can access it if you are planning a hunt.
They are no different than any other organization people belong to. Some are better than others.
They are no different than any other organization people belong to. Some are better than others.
Guyon
Member
I thought it was a cult. 
Anger Management
Member
Pros: They put out a pretty good magazine.
Cons: They send you hardcover hunting books, which if you don't want to keep you get the privilege of paying the return postage. When NWTF sends a video tape at least they pay for return postage if you don't want it. Pretty cheap in my opinion.
I was upgrading to life membership but they totally screwed up the billing. Kept sending me "your payment is seriously overdue" notices when I specified automatic monthly billing to my credit card.
Finally I got disgusted and quit.
Cons: They send you hardcover hunting books, which if you don't want to keep you get the privilege of paying the return postage. When NWTF sends a video tape at least they pay for return postage if you don't want it. Pretty cheap in my opinion.
I was upgrading to life membership but they totally screwed up the billing. Kept sending me "your payment is seriously overdue" notices when I specified automatic monthly billing to my credit card.
Finally I got disgusted and quit.
I have been a Life member for over 10 years now. In the beginning the magazine was pretty good but here lately it seems that it most of the articles are about a few select writers going out to hunt expensive places with the newest whiz-bang rifle topped with over priced glass and dressed in the latest brand of camo that is advertising in the magazine. Most of the how-to articles seem to be rehashes of previously published material. As far as the freebee's go, I once received a free tube of bow cam lubricant, even though I had specificed on my membership information that I am not a bow hunter and have no interest in it. Then they harassed me for several months about an evaluation form but would not listen when I asked them to read my membership info and they would see that I was not a bow hunter. A few years later I received another test product, you guessed it, some type of new bow release. I also went on a Life members only hunt for caribou up in Canada. What a fiasco because as soon as we landed the "outfitter"informed us that there was a balance due on the hunt that the club had not paid him yet. (we had paid our money up front ot the club.) Numerous calls to the club office did not yield results, supposedly everyone that could sign a check or make a transfer was on vacation or out of the office. Needless to say, 5 hunters went home empty handed and never received a refund form the club. Stay away this organization is a money maker for those who control it!
PATH
Member
Life member. The magazine is fair. The junk mail is prolific. I only recieved a knife to test and that is it. They did send along a "leather jacket". Really not a lot of bang for your buck. Hey, I guess some have had good experiences and some have had bad experiences. Guess it all depends on what you are looking for.
Magazine isn't bad but I get so many magazines I don't get around to reading them much any more.
I did get selected to do a product test, got a pack of beef jerky.
It was some damn fine jerky but I was sorta hoping to test out a new ATV or something.
I did get selected to do a product test, got a pack of beef jerky.
It was some damn fine jerky but I was sorta hoping to test out a new ATV or something.
kentucky bucky
Member
I fell for the free stuff promise and haven't seen the first thing. They did send me some stickers and a $2.00 multitool, made out of salvaged Bombay kitchen equipment stainless. A friend of mine who is a prolific letter writer said he got a few things over the years, but I'm sure he bugged them until they broke. The magazine isn't bad, but I won't be rejoining!!! I feel like I've been had, and they didn't even buy me dinner or flowers......................
I guess I expected more from a company that is supposed to be for the sportsman.
p.s. Did I forget to mention the key chain?
I guess I expected more from a company that is supposed to be for the sportsman.
p.s. Did I forget to mention the key chain?
mohican
Member
Magazine is comparable to other hunting mags. Writers getting further away from core. It seems that the only deer hunting done in america now is on ranches in Texas or Farms in Illinois that you buy a lease for.
The gun writer is (I believe) Bryce Towsley. Thanks to him, I know that when I do make a trip to a state where I can hunt with a centerfire rifle, that my 30-06 might be up to short range hunting, and I can throw away the thutty-thutty. He also has randomly dismissed the science and technology behind the short mags. True hunting is done at 400 yards with a 12 lb rifle.
The gun writer is (I believe) Bryce Towsley. Thanks to him, I know that when I do make a trip to a state where I can hunt with a centerfire rifle, that my 30-06 might be up to short range hunting, and I can throw away the thutty-thutty. He also has randomly dismissed the science and technology behind the short mags. True hunting is done at 400 yards with a 12 lb rifle.
Swamp Yankee
Member
Was a "Charter Member". Cancelled within the first 2 years after being innundated with with books and such that I never ordered or wanted. As stated, they set it up such that if you opened the package with the "free offer" inside you had to pay shipping back. They were at that time a royal pain and not what I would really call above board.
I cancelled and asked the unused portion of my dues be refunded as was their agreement, still waiting after 10+ years.
As far as I'm concerned I'd send the money to a RKBA organization, local or national of your choice.
Take Care
I cancelled and asked the unused portion of my dues be refunded as was their agreement, still waiting after 10+ years.
As far as I'm concerned I'd send the money to a RKBA organization, local or national of your choice.
Take Care
spectr17
Member
Boycott NAHC
NAHC also operates the North American Fishing Club and North American Gardening Club. It's mass marketing at it's worst.
I fell for the scam many years ago and when an elk book showed up I had never ordered I opened it and the pages fell out of the liner. In the trash it went. Then came the pay up or else nastygrams. I told them to get lost and they threatened collections. The word lawyer made them go away.
One thing I found out is in the terms you sign to join NAHC there is a line where you AGREE to be solicited. It's all there in the mouse type so if you do throw away the books just know that you are legally liable to pay for them. Another gotcha from them.
The product tests all had 3 stars out of four for ratings. We all know from our own experiences that some products suck and some are really good. Their evaluations were useless since they were not objective.
The magazine was average. Ad driven like most of the hunting mags and hunting TV shows.
To do the product testing you have to ask to be a tester. Some guys wait years only to find out they never were considered. They start you out with a target or turkey mouth call so your dreams of getting a rifle or camo right off the bat are just that, a dream.
Boycott this company and Buckmasters too. Same scam, same hard sell tactics.
Your money would be better spent on a state archery or gun rights organization.
NAHC also operates the North American Fishing Club and North American Gardening Club. It's mass marketing at it's worst.
I fell for the scam many years ago and when an elk book showed up I had never ordered I opened it and the pages fell out of the liner. In the trash it went. Then came the pay up or else nastygrams. I told them to get lost and they threatened collections. The word lawyer made them go away.
One thing I found out is in the terms you sign to join NAHC there is a line where you AGREE to be solicited. It's all there in the mouse type so if you do throw away the books just know that you are legally liable to pay for them. Another gotcha from them.
The product tests all had 3 stars out of four for ratings. We all know from our own experiences that some products suck and some are really good. Their evaluations were useless since they were not objective.
The magazine was average. Ad driven like most of the hunting mags and hunting TV shows.
To do the product testing you have to ask to be a tester. Some guys wait years only to find out they never were considered. They start you out with a target or turkey mouth call so your dreams of getting a rifle or camo right off the bat are just that, a dream.
Boycott this company and Buckmasters too. Same scam, same hard sell tactics.
Your money would be better spent on a state archery or gun rights organization.
mlawrence5
Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2008
- Messages
- 4
Just dropped them this morning
From what I have read here, my experience is pretty typical. I signed up mostly because I liked the magazine. I really didn't expect to test any products. My expectations were pretty low, and the NAHC filed to come close to them.
First, I paid my dues when I signed up. $12.00 for a subscription seemed ok to me, thats all I expected to get out of the deal, after a month, I got an e-mail saying my "temporary" membership was about to expire, and I would have to pay my dues if I wanted to continue, I knew I had paid, but I couldn't find confirmation, so I thought maybe I was wrong, so I paid again. I got a confirmation this time. It bugged me, so I went through my bank statement and sure enough, I paid twice. I called up customer service :banghead: and explained the situation, faxed them the proof, and they agreed to refund the double payment. would take 4 to 6 weeks. a month or so later I get a letter from NAHC with big red letters on the front "We are refunding your dues" seemed a little odd but you could see the "check" for $12.00 so I thought they had held up their end of the bargain. I was wrong again, this wasn't a refund, it was a solicitation to become a lifetime member. All I had to do was cash the check, and then send them the lifetime dues of a little over $300.00 
Then I got a book with big red letters, your free gift is inside. I thought cool, free book. but I guess I should have read the letter, the free gift was a crappy little coin, the book I had to pay for.
A week or so later I get a package with a lifetime member sticker and patch with an invoice for lifetime dues. If I would just sign up for this "Bargain" I would get all kinds of free gifts, A nice wood plaque, a belt buckle, a flashlight, and some other crap, I can't remember. I was born at night, but not last night. It went in the trash.
I got home yesterday and there was a letter thanking me for becoming a lifetime member, and a bill for my first installment. What the hell? I didn't sign up for that. I walk in the house and there is this big 'ole box of crap. A "Premium" wood plaque, a belt buckle, some cards, a flashlight, and my first test product, a cheap fillet knife that the "everything's a dollar" store wouldn't even sell because it's too cheap. The wife told me some guy has been calling every day or two to get me to sign up as a lifetime member, and after the last time she told him no, he said he was just going to sign me up anyway, and I could send it back if I didn't like it. Mighty nice of them!
I called this morning and talked to customer service, AGAIN. I told them I didn't sign up for the membership, and I wasn't going to pay for any of the crap, I hadn't oredered any of it. I had to get to a supervisor to get it straightened out. I am supposed to get a refund on all of my dues, and be canceled as a member.
I like the magazine, but it just isn't worth the hassle. I'll go with outdoor life or Field & Stream next time.
From what I have read here, my experience is pretty typical. I signed up mostly because I liked the magazine. I really didn't expect to test any products. My expectations were pretty low, and the NAHC filed to come close to them.
First, I paid my dues when I signed up. $12.00 for a subscription seemed ok to me, thats all I expected to get out of the deal, after a month, I got an e-mail saying my "temporary" membership was about to expire, and I would have to pay my dues if I wanted to continue
, I knew I had paid, but I couldn't find confirmation, so I thought maybe I was wrong, so I paid again. I got a confirmation this time. It bugged me, so I went through my bank statement and sure enough, I paid twice. I called up customer service :banghead: and explained the situation, faxed them the proof, and they agreed to refund the double payment. would take 4 to 6 weeks. a month or so later I get a letter from NAHC with big red letters on the front "We are refunding your dues" seemed a little odd but you could see the "check" for $12.00 so I thought they had held up their end of the bargain. I was wrong again, this wasn't a refund, it was a solicitation to become a lifetime member. All I had to do was cash the check, and then send them the lifetime dues of a little over $300.00 Then I got a book with big red letters, your free gift is inside. I thought cool, free book. but I guess I should have read the letter, the free gift was a crappy little coin, the book I had to pay for.
A week or so later I get a package with a lifetime member sticker and patch with an invoice for lifetime dues. If I would just sign up for this "Bargain" I would get all kinds of free gifts, A nice wood plaque, a belt buckle, a flashlight, and some other crap, I can't remember. I was born at night, but not last night. It went in the trash.
I got home yesterday and there was a letter thanking me for becoming a lifetime member, and a bill for my first installment. What the hell? I didn't sign up for that. I walk in the house and there is this big 'ole box of crap. A "Premium" wood plaque, a belt buckle, some cards, a flashlight, and my first test product, a cheap fillet knife that the "everything's a dollar" store wouldn't even sell because it's too cheap. The wife told me some guy has been calling every day or two to get me to sign up as a lifetime member, and after the last time she told him no, he said he was just going to sign me up anyway, and I could send it back if I didn't like it. Mighty nice of them!
I called this morning and talked to customer service, AGAIN. I told them I didn't sign up for the membership, and I wasn't going to pay for any of the crap, I hadn't oredered any of it. I had to get to a supervisor to get it straightened out. I am supposed to get a refund on all of my dues, and be canceled as a member.
I like the magazine, but it just isn't worth the hassle. I'll go with outdoor life or Field & Stream next time.
Cougfan2
Member
I bit one time and let one of their representatives come to my house to hear their pitch. Boy was that a mistake. They try a real hard sell/fast close and if that doesn't work right away they leave so fast they leave skid marks in your living room. They have this scripted pitch book full of people with all kinds of upland game, waterfowl and big game that it probably took them 20 years to compile. They WILL NOT tell you the price of membership up front, you have to sit throught the hard close pitch. They make used car dealers look like saints. No offense to any used car dealers on this board.
Being a professional salesperson for 30+ years, it was actually pretty amusing.
Being a professional salesperson for 30+ years, it was actually pretty amusing.
I became a life member many years ago and had many of the same problems with unsolicited items for a while. My next door neighbor is a retired mail carrier anf he told me how to stop them. Just write "REFUSED" in big letters on the unsolicited items and place them back in your mailbox unopened and they will have to pay return postage and you are not responsible for anything. Just do not open it and all is OK. After doing this a few times I have not received any items from them in years.
Overall the magazine is OK and because I have been a life member for years I have not sent them a dime in at least 10 years. If I never get another magazine I have gotten my moneys worth from them.
With the test program they will send you something really cheap the first time. If you fill out the evaluation form and mail it back to them the next item will probably be a little better. As long as you hold up your end and actually test the item and send them the info they will continue to send you items to test. After they trust you, you may get some pretty decent items to test. I once got a complete camo outfit. Pants,shirt, hat and jacket. Was probably worth $150-$200 and the quality of the clothes was quite good. However the camo pattern was a joke and I told them so. I never saw that printed in the magazine.
Overall the magazine is OK and because I have been a life member for years I have not sent them a dime in at least 10 years. If I never get another magazine I have gotten my moneys worth from them.
With the test program they will send you something really cheap the first time. If you fill out the evaluation form and mail it back to them the next item will probably be a little better. As long as you hold up your end and actually test the item and send them the info they will continue to send you items to test. After they trust you, you may get some pretty decent items to test. I once got a complete camo outfit. Pants,shirt, hat and jacket. Was probably worth $150-$200 and the quality of the clothes was quite good. However the camo pattern was a joke and I told them so. I never saw that printed in the magazine.
I've been a life member for about three years, and for me it's worth what i paid. The magazine is, in my opinion, a very good one, and the price of joining is worth that alone to me. Yes, I've received the normal share of address labels, zipper pulls, patches, and stickers, but have also received a Muzzy Arrow Rest and a Hardig Storm Case (for field testing), and 2 or 3 assorted freebie knives and compases (fairly cheap ones). I also receive the unsolicited items (books, calendars, etc.), but they always have included a prepaid return label and they have never failed to receive my returned items. Yes, it's an extremely commercialized club, you just have to decide if it's worth it to you.
moooose102
Member
i belonged to them a long time ago. they want you to believe that you are actually part of some big hunting club. well, i suppose if you are rich, and can afford to go on their special hunts, you can be. but for the average joe, it really is nothing more than a magazine subscription. oh, yeah, with a sticker!
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