Disappointed with forest service

[noharleyyet]

I guess I get different gov't employees when I call or write. Between dealing with the USFWS, BLM, USFS, USDA, DOI, etc and state officials, it can be tough to track folks down and then they can be just awful.

Case in point: I was looking for some detailed information regarding Land & Water Conservation Fund projects in Montana spanning the 50 year history of the Fund. I called the GIS shop for the USFS in Colorado, and the first thing out of the employees mouth was " How did you get this number?"

I replied: "Well, I googled GIS US Forest Service and your number came up."

THey responded: "Oh, okay. We just don't get many calls from the public, so I was curious how you found out about us."

What a jackwagon.

After I told them what I was looking for, it took two entire days for them to put together the GIS files I was looking for. The worst part about it? They gave it to me for free.

Where's the tongue in cheek icon.....

 

[Nameless Range]

Kenton, it's unfortunate that that employee was rude to you. In my experience, they would be an outlier.

It's always interesting how people jump on amplifying their concern over the laziness of government employees, and imply that that laziness is systemic within the government. I have worked for one of the largest private corporations out there, and have no doubt - laziness, inefficiency, and favoritism are human conditions - not government ones.

After I told them what I was looking for, it took two entire days for them to put together the GIS files I was looking for. The worst part about it? They gave it to me for free.

Having worked in a couple public agency GIS shops, I can tell you that tons of free and useful data is underutilized by the public. In Montana, our Cadastral Service, with an estimated value of around 10,000,000 dollars, provides an estimated annual return on investment (ROI) of $9,335,700. Around 1300%, ya know, cuz Government programs and people wouldn't make it in the "real world".

 

[Ben Lamb]

Okay I jest. I've seen some lazy gov't employees, but for the most part, I've had no problem with them in the 12 years I've worked on public land issues. I've had more issues with state land managers than federal when it comes to getting information, etc.

Part of the problem is the approach. Just like hunting, a blown stalk will always get you skunked.

 

[fowladdict]

The worst part about it? They gave it to me for free.

Uh huh!?!

 

[Sytes]

Kenton, it is a bummer to have an unfortunate experience with one person. Typically my experience has been outstanding with information requests, etc from FS employees.

The workforce, regardless what company or agency, is a fickle one with many who seek to do an honest day's worth of work yet there are always some - actually enough - that disappoint that work force "honest day's work" mentality.

I recall at Disney World running into a snot-ball who was having a bad day... Or an Ace Hardware employee who was a worthless piece of crap for service - good at pointing and not speaking... A waitress at Perkins whom must have just broken up with her boyfriend and felt I was her lightning rod... A Sportsmans Warehouse employee who felt toilet paper was not worth his shit... A Les Schwab employee who cared less about the older gent who was up next and more for the hot blonde filling herself popcorn...
I value each of the companies listed above for their typical outstanding dedication to service and accept there will always be a few shitheads... Life.

 

[spook12]

Kenton congrats on the marriage,hope it works for the two of you.

No real opinion on the other stuff.

 

[noharleyyet]

I got home late last night from my honeymoon in Colorado and thought I would share an experience I had my first day back in the rockies. We landed in Denver late Tuesday night and made the hour and a half drive to Keystone. Wednesday morning, we stopped into the forest service office in Dillon to pick up a few trail maps and info. The woman working the desk seemed nice and greeted us. I introduced myself and my wife and explained we were from Ohio and that I was hoping to get a morning free to look for antlers and was looking to be pointed in the right direction. The tone of the conversation changed quickly as she told me that wasn't permitted and most areas are closed now so elk calves aren't disturbed. I said that I understood and then asked if there was a good place to pull off a highway and see some elk, because my wife had never seen any (although I don't think she ever looked for them). Well, then the woman proceeds to lecture us for ten minutes about "when you have babies you'll be protective too". Finally, I walked out the door. I did find lots of areas you could see elk from trail head parking lots and fishing access parking. Maybe im overreacting, and if I am please feel free to tell me, but I've never had someone in the outdoor "industry" be so unhelpful. Venting is fun.

The FS gal you spoke with has obviously never attended one of Buzz's sensitivity training seminars. Also, you might have dropped Colorado's Sexiest Elk Hunter's name.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Dropping my name would probably have gotten you tazed or maced!

I spent some time in that office instructing them how to deal with Eastern Tenderfoots, looks like the training has stuck Come to the west, leave your money but take only pictures

 

[Dinkshooter]

The fact of the matter is that it is an organization that takes applications in from all walks of life. Don’t be surprised when one of them does not see eye to eye with you or even comprehend what you are talking about. She was probably hired to run the front office based on her admin skilz. She may have taken the job just to live in Colorado. Damn John Denver anyway.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

It all boils down to the fact that if it is Walmart, Exxon or the Forest Service when you are dealing with the Public you are the face of that company. And that is how that company is remembered, by your actions until someone else shows otherwise. John

 

[kansasdad]

It all boils down to the fact that if it is Walmart, Exxon or the Forest Service when you are dealing with the Public you are the face of that company. And that is how that company is remembered, by your actions until someone else shows otherwise. John

This will be topic #1 at the next staff meeting. Good reminder DRAFTSTUD

 

[Outdoor Junkie]

Shed hunters and mushroom pickers are a nuisance.

O.K., So I'll bite.... I've not hunted Morels, but I love shed hunting out here in Minnesota and Wisconsin and I'd do the same out there if it wasn't so damn far away! The way I see it, the more people utilizing the public lands for recreation (in accordance with the law) the better. I think there is far more likelihood of having a conflict between big game hunters than with Morel Hunters.

 

[huntRme]

I'm a F. S. employee and work very hard at earning my $15/hr., and get lots of thanks from the public. Wish my boss was as pleased as the public. Got a new boss/job this year and hope it goes well. See you on the Gifford Pichot.

 

[jryoung]

O.K., So I'll bite.... I've not hunted Morels, but I love shed hunting out here in Minnesota and Wisconsin and I'd do the same out there if it wasn't so damn far away! The way I see it, the more people utilizing the public lands for recreation (in accordance with the law) the better. I think there is far more likelihood of having a conflict between big game hunters than with Morel Hunters.

Not until someone trucks in a van full of laborers to comb the hillsides. Just like shed hunting, the competition for morels has gotten pretty fierce. I'm all for more people using public land, but where I go it seems I see more trash showing up in May, more trucks on the roads, and more disrespect for the resource.

 

[tjones]

Morels and sheds are out in the spring which is also when cows are calving.

In the fall not so much.

 

[BigRack]

Morels and sheds are out in the spring which is also when cows are calving.

Which is when hunters should be out killing coyotes to protect all animals that are birthing.