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[Bogmaster]

 As moderator, I am in here several times a day.Most times I come in, there are several guests listed as being in here.My question is,what are they doing? Very few post and the hits on the things that are posted are not that great.
 Help make this a better forum, if you drop in --please post.
 Tom

[Graybeard]

Forum facts of life are that most folks do not log in unless they are gonna post and unless logged in everyone shows as guest rather than with their name as when logged in. Most folks do read only and NEVER EVER post. We have 21,000 + registered members for sure not all of whom are even still alive much less active. BUT we get over 60,000 unique visitors per month to the site. Even if every registered member were to visit that would still mean over 40,000 folks who have never registered come to the site monthly.

Getting enough folks to post is the key to the success of any forum and all forum sites. Getting someone to begin a thread is the real key. If there is something to read folks will read it and some of those who read will reply. So if there is a LOT to read it will draw folks to read it and some will participate as well. But likely no more than 10% will ever post who read and not even half of those are thread starters. Having thread starters is the real key to success and how you develop them is something I'm still trying to figure out. 

[Bogmaster]

 One thing I am grateful for--those that do post,keep it pretty much trapping related.
 I would much rather have-no posting,than having favorite colors,and other mundane questions asked,just for the sake of gaining posting numbers.That is one thing we can be thankful for, those that do post are legitimate in questions and replies, and this I thank you for.
 Tom

[lynx/cat-trapper]

Have to 110% agree Tom...Paul's site USED to be the premier trapping site...now it's just a kiddie play ground...some days you can go thru 2 PAGES of posts...and not find 5 trapping related posts... It'd be a DIFFERENT story if he had a BS forum to keep the "kiddies happy"..not my forum..do NOT agree with many things Paul does such as his archiving a 16hr old post last night..90% of the visiters will NEVER see it(not that it was worth archiving in the first place lol)
lynx

[KYBOY]

I agree..The Kentucky hunting section here isn't the biggest by far BUT just about every thread there has some type of pertinent information in it...I also try to make sure there is always up to date and useful info about hunting in Ky there. You do a fine job with the trapping section here Bog......

[MacinMaine]

Tom

You are correct that lots of time members just sort of bounce in and have a look around.  I know I do that.  Good forums like this one are to me, like the chance to mosey up to a campfire and sit a bit with like minded folks.  To me it may be better to have less  posts than to have a multitude of little value.  I get a kick out of a lot of posters on various forums.  You look a little and you will find a lot of unqualified  people giving uneducated opinions and advice. In my not so humble opinion  it must be a little tough for a true beginner of any age to sort through the information.  Sure, you  and I have been around the block and can spot a BS answer in a heart beat but my gosh a beginner probably cannot.

How many times have you read a post where someone says "Well I read" or "Well I caught one critter last year and this is what I would do"  Good grief!

Every forum has its own style.  This is a good one.

Mac

[creekchub]

well i am one of those that  come in a check it out then leave.  i frequent many trapping forums but spend most of my time in the OSTA website.  if i need a serious beaver question answered i come in here to post it so as  the beaver master himself bog can help me out!!!!. 

[Bobber]

I find the trapping forums to be quite spurious as of late. Because of that I personally have not been participating as much if at all. Many forums seem to become controlled by a handful of regular posters who although they may have considerable experience, discount any point of view other than their own. Some definitely have an agenda. As was mentioned, a lot of off topic chatter and much political bickering going on. Having said that though, I do try to post if I feel that I can add something, and I do learn from and enjoy this and other forums.    

[jim-NE]

Sorry, Tom, been sort of busy lately. I peruse through the postings from time to time in summer but just have not had much time lately to really get into it. A 5 year old and a 9 month old pretty much keep me focused.
Jim

[RdFx]

Hmmmmm , Jim seems like you were really focused 18 months ago!!   WHat  have you been up to?   Have any trapping laws changed lately in NE?

[tipiguy]

I believe a lot of readers categorize themselves as "learners."  I know everyone is always learning but often I do not post as I just don't have the wealth of experiences to share.  I do post on those few topics where I feel like I have some (though limited) knowledge.  I post far more new topic questions and I am really grateful for the replies from those experienced enough to share some information.

This goes for not only the Trapping forum but for all the forums I read.

Tipiguy

[jim-NE]

RdFx, just one that I've heard about...banned trapping in the ditches and right of ways along road sides, basically. Doesn't impact me one iota but there is a ton of uproar around here about it. had an incident with a conibear and a dog, evidently. was even a legal set and a dog at large, but public relations are what they are. Oh well.
The longliners are screaming, but I'd rather walk a ways in anyway and still have some steel to check instead of empty holes where my traps used to be a few hours earlier.
Yes, been very busy ever since, too.