RMEF projects

[mtmiller]

I was watching a hunting show this morning where they were hunting elk on private land in Utah. Another one of those rich guy hunts. The "hunter", with his $4,000 rangefinder/binos around his neck, had his hand held by his guide.

Anyway, to my point. They did much of their hunt around a water guzzler. I am thinking that's great, the ranch is doing good things to help manage the wildlife. Next they mention that the waterer was paid for by the RMEF.

I know RMEF is not a hunters organization, but more of a habitat enhancement group, but I would rather see project money go to public land improvements or land the public has access to without dropping 5K.

I guess I am done venting, what are some of the opinions out there?

 

[Oak]

Yeah, I can kind of see your point, mtmiller. However, I guess that habitat is habitat, whether it's public or private property. I think I would rather see money that is going to be spent on private property go towards acquisition or conservation easements. Spend the habitat improvement dollars on public lands.

Along these lines, what exactly is the RMEF's stance on public, or at least member, access to land they've acquired? It sure does seem like they've been involved in a lot of these deals. I think it's important for this land to be opened on at least a limited basis. And not just to big money donors and RMEF bigwigs. So what's currently going on? Todd, are you out there?

Oak

 

[1_pointer]

MT- Maybe we can go into business together running the EISes and EAs for RMEF on public lands projects?

I bet that's the hold up. Same reason on private landholder has done more acreage of controlled burns in UT than the USFS and BLM combined.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Not the whole policy, but a news release bragging about the success of land acquisition.
RMEF News RElease

and a quote from the release <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Ledford added that only 20 percent of the Elk Foundation’s permanently protected acres are private lands closed to public access. “And those parcels are generally crucial wintering areas that don’t hold elk during hunting seasons anyway. But they are very important for ensuring that more elk survive winter and return in good condition to the high country next spring,” he said.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

er

 

[Ten Bears]

I don't give the RMEF any of my money (all to often I have too little to spare), so I guess they can hold hands with, and shake diddlys with, whoever they want. But,,, you guys that give them money, you have concerns to voice, do it.

 

[mtmiller]

You make a very good point 1-Pointer. Sometimes it can be ridiculous the paperwork we must go through to get projects done on the ground. I am new to the BLM, but I am learning that quickly, and apparently you have seen this as well.

Obviously there are some great private land opportunities out there that don't have the hoops that BLM/FS have to jump through. I just get a little bitter to see ELK dollars go to create a bait station that benefits outfitters who charge $5,000 plus for a hunt.

Protecting critical winter areas is great whether it is private or public, but in my opinion, improvements on pay access lands should be lowest priority.

 

[Ten Bears]

I agree with your ideals MTM, but I just don't give money to the DU,RMEF, TU, or PF.

 

[JoseCuervo]

MT,

I don't have the time to research the RMEF, but the last time I was a member, I kind of felt like their values were starting to drift a bit from the Elk, and more toward the officers/donors/directors.

Maybe they were becoming victims of their own success, but I would agree, if they are improving ranches, that are $5k hunts, then they are not supporting MY elk.

The day I have to spend $5k for an Elk hunt, is the day I quit Elk hunting. To me, the Elk hunt is a part of life, and a reason for life, it has nothing to do with killing a trophy Elk from a ranch on the third day from a nice lodge.
It has a lot to do with running miles each day at noon, all summer long, thinking about Elk.
It has a lot to do with changing a flight back from Japan to go through Portland, so I could take a Taxi over to the Danner Boot Outlet.
It has to do with Sunday mornings out on BLM land, shooting 3 shots with the rifle, and no more.
It has a lot to do with a trip to Costco to buy a weeks worth of food for the guys in the tent.
It has a lot to do with making 4 batches of jerkey, so we all have what we want.
It has a lot to do with finding a new micro-brew in cans, so the other guys will be afraid to try it, and they will just drink their bud light.
It has a lot to do with throwing MY bag on MY cot for seven days.
It has a lot to do with trying to keep the pack stove in the corner of the wall tent burning all night long, without getting out of the sleeping bag.
It has a lot to do with trying to dry wool clothes inside a tent.
It has a lot to do with waking up each morning to the smell of a campfire that is 1 part wood: 7 parts diesel

.
It has a lot to do with trying to find the flashlight for the trip out each morning.
It has a lot to do with reminding everybody that I don't like mayonaise on my sandwich, for the 6th day in a row.
It has a lot to do with trying to stuff a hind quarter in my pack.
It has a lot to do with knowing that it is ok for my arm to go numb under a heavy pack.

er

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 04-30-2003 21:48: Message edited by: Elkgunner ]</font>

 

[dgibson]

Gunner, do these elk never leave the $5k ranch for other places? The improvement is on a private ranch, but unless the elk are fenced it doesn't mean that only elk on that ranch benefit from the improvement. They could indeed be "your elk," couldn't they?