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That was the beginning of the end....and you had to be willfully ignorant to not recognize what kind of shit was about to go down.I can remember legislative warfare against elk management dating back to them Judy Martz administration.
Some politically entrenched HT members want to claim this is a sudden issue due to current politics. No, it's not. This is a reaction towards past politics. It's an extreme pendulum swing - that sucks and inspired more-so by the divisive, entrenched red vs blue WE, as voters must claim responsibility as the problem.
Meaningless internet forum two coppers worth as an RMEF member.
Can you expand on this? It's not immediately obvious to me how the current elk management is a partisan pendulum swing. The shoulder seasons were started under a Democrat Governor and his appointed FWP Director.
I think we all remember the repulsive articles with Bullock flying around in Bill Galt's helicopter looking at all of the terrible elk he had to feed.
I've held concerns about RMEF as it seems far too frequent, silence is the response to the ever increasing, over many years, growing public's concern regarding the various governing affairs in MT and elk mis-management. I've had the opportunity to speak with a few RMEF involved personnel and have a better understanding of the discussions and RMEF's methods towards some amazing success stories. Reading Randy's take quoted above is refreshing and re-enforces what I've learned during those discussions
Some politically entrenched HT members want to claim this is a sudden issue due to current politics. No, it's not. This is a reaction towards past politics. It's an extreme pendulum swing - that sucks and inspired more-so by the divisive, entrenched red vs blue WE, as voters must claim responsibility as the problem.
I value my $ sent to RMEF. I enjoy the banquets (more $) and tinker with the raffles as I do with Oak's RMBS raffles (more $) even though I've not placed for a single sheep tag. It's the conservation and most valued in my book, RMEF's ever growing reach to increase public land access, thus improving vital habitat / conservation for elk, etc.
There are suit and tie actions and there's the pitchfork desires from people. I personally wish and shared this with the RMEF personnel - my desire for more RMEF member transparency regarding RMEF's position within the backroom discussions... however, that diminishes the gains made by maintaining the serious dialogue w/o creating public posters for the pitchfork mentality.
Meaningless internet forum two coppers worth as an RMEF member.
I would say the average Montanan hunter doesn’t even know what is happening. Ignorance is bliss. As long as politicians don’t awaken them, it will be business as usual.The bottom line on Montana elk mismanagement is not an rmef problem. The hunters and in particular those that vote need to catch a clue.
The hunters and citizens of Montana need to stand up for themselves, not expect the rmef, the fwp, or those they elect to save the day.
The cavalry ain't coming...
The shoulder seasons were supposed to be a tool tried for a limited period. What happened when the pendulum swung was politicians say they aren’t working so we need more of them plus some. The bottom line is these decisions aren’t about managing the resource or helping the average rancher or giving the common hunter opportunity. It is all about a select few people changing the system to their advantage and their advantage alone.Can you expand on this? It's not immediately obvious to me how the current elk management is a partisan pendulum swing. The shoulder seasons were started under a Democrat Governor and his appointed FWP Director.
I think we all remember the repulsive articles with Bullock flying around in Bill Galt's helicopter looking at all of the terrible elk he had to feed.
I see your point and my perception, IMO - hence "perception", this IS the problem.I'm not saying that our state isn't politically divided.
I'm saying that when both sides have a track record of throwing public land elk hunters under the bus to cater to private landowners, it's not particularly relevant to this topic.
Neither side gives a shit about whether or not elk are extirpated from large swaths of Montana's public land.
This isn’t a partisan issue per se, but because of how the political landscape has evolved it might look like one. Dems in MT need to appease landowners, who typically vote R. While they may have started the fire, this admin isn’t just pouring gas on it. It is dropping napalm and making it clear who they work for. D and R was never about conservative and liberal. It was about working class vs capital class.Unless I'm really ass-backwards, the shoulder seasons were implemented and extended (twice?) under the previous governor and his director/commission.
Trying to chalk this up as another partisan issue just doesn't make sense to me. Both sides are bought and paid for and crooked as hell.
This version of Helena is pouring gas on the fire, but they didn't light it.
I think it is the responsibility of us non average hunters to awaken the others. Not politicians. I know I've enlightened a few. mtmuleyI would say the average Montanan hunter doesn’t even know what is happening. Ignorance is bliss. As long as politicians don’t awaken them, it will be business as usual.
I think it is the responsibility of us non average hunters to awaken the others. Not politicians. I know I've enlightened a few. mtmuley
Another example of my stupidity hypothesis.When we pushed for the new Elk/Deer planner position instead of a grizzly planner in 19, I was told by the top staff that "there's not a problem with elk." I laughed.
New word added: "Milquetoast". Thanks Ken... Apologies, thanks Ben.RMEF, since this is a thread about them, is likely to be a big part of this solution as they are able to influence folks we can't - namely the folks sitting on the second floor of the Capitol.
I appreciate RMEF's measured approach and that statement, if anyone thinks it's milquetoast, just sent a shiver down the backs of folks in Helena.
Nice work, RMEF.
Just released less than an hour ago.
RMEF’s Statement on Montana FWP Elk Hunt Changes
RMEF is in the process of reviewing and analyzing the proposed changes to Montana’s 2022 elk hunting season. We strongly believe the following principles should guide [...]www.rmef.org
Another example of my stupidity hypothesis.
Certainly. And then there are some of us who have been railing on this for decades.But there's also the culpability of all of us for allowing it.
Certainly. And then there are some of us who have been railing on this for decades.
Someone needs to get busy and fix the donations portion of this. RMEF is fantastic to support and all aboard with the intent behind the citizen's elk campaign though fix it.Let's get busy fixing this.
Elk Lives Matter, Ben. Sunday's no exception to the rule. Haha! Just sayin' $ is at the door though it walks away the longer it's been down... and it's not been down since this morning.Still working on it. Can't believe folks don't want to work on a Sunday!
Sad. Low energy!