1997  Hide Collection Report

Total Hides Collected

This total may increase by approximately 500, as B.R.T.s and Don Sarazin's counts are not finalized.

Hats

A meeting was held with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to determine the most suitable gift. Because of new regulations requiring blaze orange headgear, the coloured poly-cotton series of caps was abandoned to promote hunter safety. As well, hunters preferred caps with embroidered crests that are game specific and dated. All depot operators reported that hunters were very pleased with this year's hats.

Evaluation

There have been administrative problems with the hide collection program this year. The most serious of these was a shortage of hats. Fewer hats than usual were ordered in 1997-98 to avoid surpluses and to offset the slightly higher cost of ordering three types of crests.

Depot operators were instructed to record the names, addresses and telephone numbers of hunters to whom hats were owed, in the event that hats were returned from depots elsewhere at the end of the season. Although we attempted to fill in with hats from earlier years, hunters expect to receive a new crest on the hat each year. With 240 deer and moose hats returned, a shortage of 615 deer hats remains. As hats are returned, they are being mailed to those hunters who have contacted the Union of Ontario Indians directly. A form letter that accompanies each mailing is attached for your information. The hat shortages occurred primarily at the Orangeville, Port Perry and Sudbury depots.

Electors were asked to fill out an evaluation form and all reported that one crest each year is preferred. The administrative problems inherent in distributing three different hats to 100 or more depots and 30,000 hunters across Ontario are enormous. Besides being time-consuming, it increases shipping costs and, in some-instances, causes conflict between clients and depot operators. One depot operator reported that hunters preferred one crest to another and demanded their choice regardless of the species of hide turned in. 

It is the consensus of the collectors that one type of embroidered crest on 'hunter' or blaze orange hats becomes the standard gift.

With the exception of those who experienced hat shortages, the collectors were generally satisfied with this year's operation. They do suggest, however, that more marketing of finished leather and more advertising of depot locations be undertaken in 1998-99.

Conclusion

It is of utmost importance to the hide collection program that hunters receive the 1997 deer hats that are owed to them. As one collector said, "" Bad publicity is cheap." In other words, we can expect hunters to be disgruntled and to share their dissatisfaction with the "Hats for Hides" program with their colleagues until their goodwill has been restored.

By taking the time and effort to get hats to hunters to whom they are owed, we can expect that hunters, confidence in the program will be raised. Some hats will need to be mailed but some can be distributed by the operators; thus saving on postage costs. In the Sudbury area, for example, arrangements can be made to set up a temporary depot at the Indian Friendship Centre. In this instance, hunters would be notified by telephone and asked to pick up their hats over a short, definite period. While travel and accommodation costs are incurred,, significant savings in long distance charges and postage can be realized.

It is imperative to the credibility of the hide collection program that this public relations action is taken. Additional funding of for the 1997-98 collection year is required.

The 1998-99 collection will concentrate on:
* Maintaining or increasing number of hides collected
* More accessible depots, filling gaps in system and increased Aboriginal participation
* Increased promotions and advertising
* Damage control

Admlnistration

The Union of Ontario Indians will be sending a Request for Proposals to a minimum of three organizations and individuals to transfer operation of the program. The UOI will retain responsibility for operations to the CORDA committee. The terms of the contract will spell out a reporting and consultation schedule that will require UOI approvals to proceed. The budget contains an item for professional services under which consultation and mentoring by UOI personnel are planned.

Promotions

In 1998-99 promotions are crucial to maintaining the Hide Collection Program. We see a need for increased advertising and more promotions. There is a special need for pro-active measures in the wake of this year"s hat shortage.

To offset hunters" disenchantment, we will put an ad in the June issue of Ontario Out of Doors to advertise our 1998 crest. The June ad is aimed at giving an upbeat message to hunters, implying that 1997 was a mere glitch in operations. Of course, we will also run an ad in the September issue.

In the next two weeks a media campaign will release the results of this year's on plus explain the hat shortage and relate our efforts to get hunters' 1997 hats to them. This is another departure from our usual operation. The fall media release,, and the fall advertising campaign, will concentrate on the new crests, new depot locations and our new 1-800 number.

As well, a meeting with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters will be held in the. near future to compliment the memo sent January 26 explaining that we were indeed following up on our obligation to hunters.

A brochure is needed to show the new crest and attract new participants to thehide collection program. It will be available by early spring and sent to tourist outfitters and tourism information centres. A partnership is currently being discussed with Cochrane District Crimestoppers to produce the brochure in much the same manner as the one we did with the Lanark County Crimestoppers two years ago.

Direct mail campaigns are planned to market finished leather to craftsspeople andto interest First Nations communities and Aboriginal organizations in joining the depot network.

A promotional product is being planned in the form of ""Unsuccessful Hunter" hats. These would be a sale item at the Toronto hunting show and available at cost to the collectors for re-sale. We would start with a thousand and sell at a small profit to re-invest in more of the same or other promotional items.

Depot Network

Ninety depots operated in 1997-98. This is a slight decrease from the previous year. Depots are presently being sought in Barrie, and the Hearst, Kenora, and Thunder Bay Districts. Part of the budget under travel will be used to meet with prospective depot operators. We have been in contact with an independent collector in the Ottawa area who has been making his own hats and running an exchange program. A list of abattoirs has opened up some possibilities in the Barrie,, Newmarket, Hamilton and Mississauga areas. Also, First Nation communities will again be approached about setting up depots either independently or as an agent under existing regional networks.

Green Hides

We will assume administration of the Green Hides contract, if possible.
Discussion of this item is required with the committee. The Aboriginal collectors will be incorporated within the next two weeks (see Wikwemikong Development Commission report on the business development) and it is their wish to assume the contract as a first, joint business venture.