WILL IT END OR EXTEND THE WILDERNESS DROUGHT?

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership: Right Idea, Wrong Bill

For four years, I've been writing about what I've coined the "Wilderness Drought," 25 years of frustration and infighting since we've seen a single acre of Wilderness designated in Montana. Now, several mainstream groups have joined forces with representative of the wood products industry in a grand attempt to end it.

The political reality of today requires this collaborative, "bottom-up" approach because politicians are so gun-shy about Wilderness legislation. They only want lay-ups with all stakeholders already on board, which is the motivation behind this upcoming legislation. After decades of nothing, Montana wilderness advocates have decided to play the new, quid pro quo game to have some chance of success.

Regrettably, this flawed bill looks more like a half-court shot for our congressional delegation and could extend instead of end the Wilderness Drought.

GUEST COMMENTARY

A Hunter’s Thanks

Crossing icy streams before dawn, I took my pack and rifle and headed up the mountain. By first light, it was snowing heavily. It was very quiet, for the elk we sought were deep in Montana’s untrammeled backcountry—beyond the reach of roads and traffic.

Senses tuned, scanning, I moved slowly. Out of the swirling white, a great animal suddenly appeared, dark mane crowned by sweeping tines…

NEWWEST.NET Exclusive

Canadian Farmers’ Cooperative Buys Sportsman’s Warehouse

UPDATE: At the end of the article, I've posted a release I received on 11-26-08 from UFA.--Bill Schneider

Rumors of financial troubles at large outdoor retailers, including Sportsman's Warehouse, have been swirling around for months. Now, it looks like "America's Premier Outfitter" has become "North America's Premier Outfitter." The largest outdoor retailer in the New West is being purchased by Calgary-based UFA Co-operative Lld.

And it looks like UFA has the cash to do it. On its website, UFA describes itself as "a progressive, multi-billion dollar organization committed to serving rural communities."

WE NEED THIS GUST OF FRESH AIR

Please, Let it be Grijalva for Interior Secretary

Juliet Eilperin of the Washington Post and several bloggers are naming Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) as a "leading contender" for Obama's pick for Secretary of the Interior. This cabinet position usually goes to a westerner, and Grijalva would be an excellent choice.

He current chairs the House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands and has been an outspoken advocate for protecting national parks, wilderness and wildlife habitat in the West, recently opposing the Bush Administration's plans for oil and gas leasing and coal mining in critical areas and resisting deep cuts in national park budgets.

VACATIONING ON THE OREGON COAST

Crabbing Oregon

In late August, I spent two weeks vacationing Oregon Coast. Like earlier trips to the OC, I thoroughly enjoyed the hiking and cycling and beach sunsets--and of course, that fresh seafood so hard to find here in Montana. This year, for the first time, some of it was extra-fresh because I caught it myself while crabbing Oregon.

Although I've been known to get really crabby, I'm certainly no expert at crabbing. But I've learned a few things that might help you enjoy your first time out.

VISITATION DECLINES SPREAD FROM NATIONAL PARKS TO FORESTS

Fees Keeping People Off Their Land

As noted several times in this column, visitation to our national parks has been declining for years, partly because of steep increases in entrance fees and annual passes. While reading these stories, we suffered under the misperception that the problem was confined to the national parks while visitor use of our national forests continued to increase.

Now we know the truth. The wild proliferation of new and increased recreation fees has contributed to a similar if not steeper decline in the public use of public forests. With this aggressive, if not abusive, fee-charging policy, Forest Service bosses have done a stellar job of discouraging people from using their own land, the national forests.

Idaho Fishing

Steelhead Stocked in the Boise River

Anglers lined the Boise River near the Parkcenter Boulevard bridge, shoulder to shoulder, in anticipation as Idaho Fish and Game released another 300 steelhead into the Boise River Thursday afternoon, November 13.

Fish and Game managers plan to release another 300 in the river Thursday, November 20, from the Glenwood Bridge to Barber Park.

Steelhead are returning to the Oxbow Hatchery as forecast, and Idaho Fish and Game managers released the first 300 into the river on Thursday, November 6. Trapping at Oxbow began Monday, October 27.

Besides a 2008 fishing license, anglers hoping to tangle with one of the 4- to 10-pound hatchery steelhead need a $12.75 steelhead permit. Barbless hooks are not required for Boise River steelhead angling.

Missoula Notebook

A Walk in the Woods With Guns

Considering that hunters are supposed to be a dying breed, there sure were a lot of pickup trucks jammed into the pullouts along route 200 east of Missoula last Tuesday, and a lot of men in camouflage-patterned orange vests standing around next to them.

It was Veteran’s Day, and my neighbor Vin and I were headed out to some Forest Service land near Nine Mile Prairie Road to hunt for deer.

THE CONFESSIONS OF A REGULAR NUT

What I’ve Learned from Gun Nuts

I'm not a gun nut. I'm a regular nut who owns guns, but only to hunt, not to defend my home and family, join the militia or fight the forces of tyranny.

Gun nuts don't scare or intimidate me. Instead, I'm learning a few things from them. You can, too.