Texas -
Every new year reminds us of new beginnings, new goals and promises of new things to come. The new year always instills a sense of excitement and anticipation, and 2009 is no different...with one exception. For TDA members, 2009 truly brings exciting times.
For 10 years, TDA has worked for its members in countless different ways — from legislative representation to developing the North American Whitetail Registry to sponsoring initiatives which increase awareness for the deer industry and providing support for benevolent programs that help wounded warriors, disadvantaged youth, deer disease research and much more. To see some of our many accomplishments, please visit www.TexasDeerAssociation.com/worksforyou.
However, in the past few months TDA has introduced new insurance benefits, new Hunt-for-Less program and new discount services program that now features more than 60 different products and services. At no time in our history has TDA developed in such a short period of time so many new products and services that benefit the businesses and individuals that support TDA. Not only is TDA working with legislators in Austin to help facilitate the deer industry, we are working hard to help reduce the day-to-day operating costs and personal expenses of our members.
Most important on our current agenda is the aggressive legislative package that TDA is hoping to advance during the 81st Session of the Texas Legislature (January-May, 2009) — measures our members have told us were long-needed to help the deer industry. As a result of issues identified through the interim study hearing on deer breeding and its follow-up, TDA has the strongest legislative platform of its history.
In addition, we are proud to announce the upcoming Feb. 17th, ‘Deer Austin’ Lobby Day and Legislative Reception to be held at the State Capitol to help push forward the need for these measures and to help explain and promote the mission of TDA. The event is generating a tremendous response from legislators and staff. It is extremely important that we have TDA members on hand to greet our legislators and dignitaries at this once-every-two-year opportunity and event. If you haven’t sent in your RSVP, please do so right away.
But, TDA has worked hard to provide many, many more benefits. Let’s face it. Living and working in the Texas deer industry isn’t getting any cheaper so TDA is leading the charge in providing a host of products and services that offer real savings for our members.
For example, TDA is proud to introduce great new savings on a diverse array of insurance policies and products for its members. From automobile to hunting liability to personal health programs, the new TDA insurance products present many unique options to help TDA members find affordable, quality insurance.
For automobiles, TDA has teamed up with AgWorkers Mutual Automobile Insurance of Fort Worth, which is actually owned by its policyholders and which has paid back more than $150 million in dividends. If you reside in Texas and are a member of TDA (or otherwise employed in agriculture, family consumer science or veterinary medicine), you can qualify to become part of AgWorkers’ select-risk group of policyholders.
Another new, exciting TDA benefit is the incredibly broad range of insurance products for personal health policies. The new TDA personal health insurance program gives TDA members great, affordable options for a wide variety of health insurance policies, such as Term Life, Supplemental Health, Critical Care, Accidental Disability and much more. With 'Next Day Coverage,' TDA members can apply completely online and no medical exam is required for most policies. For an application for any of the personal health policies, simply apply online through the TDA Members Only section of the website.
Of course, no TDA insurance program would be complete without coverage for special packages that cover commercial breeding and hunting facilities. In this arena, TDA presents new member-friendly programs which help members save money, protect their investments and provide financial security for their loved ones. TDA’s new 'Sure Shot Plan' by Porter Insurance of Brownwood, Texas, offers liability insurance for commercial hunting with or without lodging as well as deer breeding facilities. The policy covers property, lodges, cabins and other overnight facilities, and can include deer pens and handling facilities on premises. The Sure Shot policy also provides liability for hunting with or without guides, skeet shooting facilities and gun ranges, and liability associated with serving meals and/or liquor on premises, and transportation to/from airport for your van or truck.
TDA’s all-new ‘Hunt for Less’ program is another exciting program that benefits breeders and non-breeder alike. Working to make hunting more affordable for Texas sportsmen, the TDA has unveiled its all-new ‘Hunt for Less’ program which will can save Texas hunters hundreds of dollars on a wide variety of hunting opportunities. The new hunting discount program provides significant cost savings on hunting packages for whitetail, elk, turkey, dove, quail, hogs, and exotic species at nearly two dozen premium ranches across the State of Texas.
Hunting affordability is a big issue in Texas and across the country, so we are glad to offer this program. Marketing discounted hunts to members helps drive business to TDA-member owned ranches, helps hunters with reduced costs and makes TDA membership more attractive to thousands of hunters throughout the state.
And, one of the most exciting new benefits — one which is guaranteed to generate a buzz — is the all-new Deer Connection.com website, an all-new website which provides the nation’s largest online directory of deer breeders. TDA has always been dedicated to promoting and growing the deer industry by facilitating the commerce and marketing efforts of deer breeders. Deer Connection is another exclusive tool through which TDA can promote the industry and provide a valued service to its members.
Deer Connection offers deer breeders and whitetail enthusiasts priceless opportunities to locate deer breeders, search genetics, review deer pedigrees, see classified ads to buy and sell deer, as well as receive current industry news. All TDA members free directory listings on the site and all members are included in the Online Breeder Locator system.
No association, club or organization in the deer industry today has anything like it, and TDA is proud to offer it as a free benefit of membership!
by Karl Kinsel, TDA Executive Director
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