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TRCP News

1. Farm Bill Stuck, TRCP Pushing
2. Western Sportsmen Promote Mining Law Reform
3. Whitetails Unlimited Makes Generous Donation
4. Idaho’s Backcountry Needs Your Voice
5. TRCP Prepares for Wetlands Initiative Action
6. Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Continues to Grow
7. Klatt Named Outdoor News 2008 Man of the Year
   
8. Fishing Activity Hindered by Lack of Access
9. TRCP Welcomes New Staff Across the Country
10. TRCP Steps up New Mexico Presence; BLM is Paying Attention - SPOTLIGHT
    

1. Farm Bill Stuck, TRCP Pushing
   
   
   

   A new Farm Bill can help hunters and anglers by providing critical funds for state-run access programs.

   The investment the Farm Bill makes in fish and wildlife stewardship on America’s private lands is simply unparalleled. These conservation efforts will suffer if the delay continues and a new Farm Bill is not passed by the approaching deadline. A March 15 Farm Bill deadline has come and gone without a new bill. Another temporary extension of the old bill has reset the game clock, but it is quickly ticking toward the new deadline of April 18.

   In an attempt to raise awareness, the TRCP hosted two teleconferences in the last few weeks.  Reporters from around the country dialed into to hear an update on the state of the Farm Bill.  Moderated by the TRCP’s Director of Communications Tim Zink, the teleconferences highlighted the absolute necessity of passing a Farm Bill.  Speakers included Dave Nomsen of Pheasants Forever, Bart James of Ducks Unlimited and Brad Redlin of the Izaak Walton League of America, as well as Russ Shay of the Trust for Public Land and TRCP’s Dr. Terry Riley. 
   
   Our union partners also are engaging on this critical issue.  At the end of March, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka wrote an opinion piece that was published in the Des Moines Register discussing the huge impact of the Farm Bill’s conservation programs.

   Now you can do your part and let our leaders know that a new Farm Bill must be passed by April 18. If America is to continue the gains made in improved soil and water quality and healthy fish and wildlife habitat, we cannot afford to go backward. Please urge them to find a compromise quickly and produce a final bill providing competitive funding and sound policies for conservation.
   
   Take action now.

   
   
   
   

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2. Western Sportsmen Promote Mining Law Reform
   
   
   
   

   Mine pollution in Swift Gulch, part of the Zortman-Landusky mine complex in Montana. Photo credit Dave Chambers, CSP2.

   With the U.S. Senate considering an update to the 1872 General Mining Law, sportsmen from across the West recently converged on Washington, D.C., to call for improvements in the outdated law. They asked leaders to confront the need for fish and wildlife conservation, while making personal pleas for reform of our most antiquated natural resources legislation.

   The cadre of hunters and anglers – from Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington – represented Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining, a coalition promoting common-sense updates to the 136-year-old law that will enable conservation of fish and wildlife resources and a future for America’s sporting heritage.

   “This was a lot of these folks’ first time on Capitol Hill,” said Land Tawney, senior manager of the campaign, “and they enjoyed the opportunity to talk to members of Congress and their staffs about the pressing need for mining-law reform. These everyday hunters and anglers helped elevate the debate about reform – and communicated the fact that impacts to our public lands from hard-rock mining put our identity as sportsmen, and Americans, at risk.”

   On March 12, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened its second hearing in 2008 on mining law reform, weighing the merits of mining reform as it pertains to abandoned mines and increased uranium claims. Since 2003, mining claims for all hard-rock minerals (gold, silver, platinum, uranium, etc.) on Western public lands have increased by 80 percent.

   “The Mining Law of 1872 was enacted the same year that Mark Twain published ‘Roughing It,’ his famous account of a stagecoach ride across frontier Nevada,” said Willie Molini, TRCP field representative and former director of the Nevada Division of Wildlife. “A lot has changed since then, and it’s time that the Mining Law of 1872 is modernized.”

   Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining, a coalition of organizations and individual grassroots partners spearheaded by the TRCP, the National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited, formed to protect America’s legacy of hunting and fishing from irresponsible mining practices. The coalition has developed policy recommendations for Congress, including strengthened conservation measures, reasonable royalties on minerals taken from all public lands, an abandoned mine cleanup fund that addresses wildlife impacts, reclamation incentives for Good Samaritans, discretion for public land managers and a prohibition of public lands patenting, as it deliberates reform of the 1872 law.

   “The American people want mining law reform now, not next year and not 10 years from now,” continued Tawney. “The longer we wait, the more profoundly fish and wildlife populations suffer and the more our public lands sporting opportunities diminish. The Senate can ensure our irreplaceable Western natural resources are conserved for the benefit of future generations.”

   Under the 1872 General Mining Law, more than 270 million acres of federal land are open to hard-rock mining, mostly in the Rocky Mountain West. Because the 1872 law has never been meaningfully reformed, many of America’s most treasured public lands are at risk, including important wildlife habitat and hunting areas, valuable fisheries, popular recreation sites, vital water supplies and sensitive roadless areas. Contact your Senators now and urge them to support sensible reform of hard-rock mining law.

   Learn more about Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining.

   
   
   

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3. WTU President Jeff Schinkten (center) presents a check to TRCP Chairman Jim Range, left, and President & CEO George Cooper, right.

   Whitetails Unlimited Renews Support with Generous Donation
   
   The TRCP would like to thank the national conservation non-profit Whitetails Unlimited (WTU) for its donation of $5,000.  WTU’s President Jeff Schinkten, a TRCP policy council member, presented the check to TRCP Chairman Jim Range and President & CEO George Cooper at the 2008 SHOT Show, held February 2008 in Las Vegas, NV.  We greatly appreciate WTU’s continued support of the TRCP and our mission to guarantee you a place to hunt and fish.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
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4. Idaho’s Backcountry Needs Your Voice
   

   Mule Deer – Elkhorn Mountain Roadless Area, Caribou - Targhee National Forest.

   
   Right now, sportsmen have an important opportunity to maintain quality hunting and fishing on public lands in Idaho by voicing their opinions on the proposed Idaho Roadless Rule.
   
   For the past year, the state of Idaho and the U.S. Forest Service have been working together to develop a management plan for 9.3 million acres of national forest backcountry areas in the Gem State. In January, a draft environmental impact statement and proposed rule for the plan were released to the public, and a comment period is open through April 7, 2008.
   
   New roads cut into the backcountry in Idaho’s 12 national forests could result in serious losses of both critical fish and wildlife habitat and your opportunities for hunting and fishing. Sportsmen’s comments to the U.S. Forest Service on the proposed rule can help maintain quality big game hunting and trout, salmon and steelhead fishing in the state.
   
   The time to speak up is now. The TRCP’s staff has sifted through hundreds of pages of documents so you don’t have to. In just 30 seconds, you can comment on this important issue and ensure future opportunities to hunt and fish in Idaho. Just follow the link and send the sportsmen’s comment letter to the decision makers working to determine the outcome of this crucial issue.
   Learn more about the roadless issue and TRCP’s work with sportsmen to conserve our backcountry hunting and fishing opportunities.
   
   
   

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5. Union Sportsmen's Alliance Continues to Grow
   
   

   Union members are known for building, organizing and joining together to make things happen.  Now, thousands of them are helping to build a premier national hunting and fishing club that will stand the test of time and make a positive impact on the future of our hunting and fishing heritage, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA).

   “Anyone familiar with starting a new club or organization knows how tough the first year can be.  We have come a long way since we accepted our first members, and I think it’s becoming very clear now that we are all part of something big,” said USA Executive Director Fred Myers.

   As the USA is a program of the TRCP, when union members join the USA, they automatically become one of TRCP’s conservation partners as well.  The USA will help you plan trips, learn tips, swap stories and save a bundle through the only hunting and fishing club designed for union sportsmen, sportswomen and their families.  If you join at the $25 membership level, the benefits are member card, magazine, $25 gift certificate, decals, a chance to win prizes and full Web site access.  If you join at the $40 membership level, the benefits are everything at the $25 level, plus a USA hat and a "Big Bucks - Big Bass" DVD. 

   Join the USA toady.
   
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6. TRCP Prepares for Wetlands Initiative Action
   
   

   More than half of the estimated 221 million acres of wetlands originally present in the United States have been lost.

   The TRCP’s wetlands initiative will focus on both grassroots education throughout the country – particularly in the Mississippi River corridor and the Dakotas – as well as monitoring federal issues at play in Washington, D.C.  Our newly established working group convened this month to discuss the challenges facing wetlands conservation. Comprised of members from more than 10 national hunting and fishing organizations, the group is co-chaired by Jan Goldman-Carter of the National Wildlife Federation, Steve Moyer of Trout Unlimited and Scott Sutherland of Ducks Unlimited.

   One issue of supreme importance being debated now in Washington stems from Supreme Court decisions in the last few years that have redefined wetlands and other waters, stripping the federal government of its authority through the Clean Water Act to adequately protect this fragile resource.  It is imperative that Congress get involved to clarify these definitions and restore the protections that served this country well for 35 years.  The TRCP’s wetlands group will meet on a regular basis to spur forward a solution.

   The TRCP will also engage in local grassroots and media outreach, spreading the word on the importance of wetlands and clean water protections.  In addition to Geoff Mullins, initiative manager, based in Washington, the TRCP also has field staff on the ground to organize our grassroots education effort.  Tim Balzer, upper Mississippi River field representative, joined the TRCP staff in February.  Greg Holyfield, lower Mississippi River field representative, has been on the job since last October.

   For more information on the TRCP wetlands initiative, please email Geoff Mullins at gmullins@trcp.org or visit us at http://www.trcp.org/ch_wetlands.aspx.
   
   

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7. Outdoor News Names TRCP's Klatt 2008 Man of the Year
   
   

   Jim Klatt, USA regional coordinator, poses with his 2008 Man of the Year award.

   Jim Klatt, of St. Louis Park, Minn., was named the 2008 Man of the Year by Outdoor News. Klatt has been with the TRCP since 2004 serving various roles.  Currently, he is a regional coordinator in the Great Lakes area for the Union Sportsmen's Alliance program, working to recruit new USA members.  A life-long hunter and angler, he was honored by Outdoor News for his commitment to conservation.  A co-founders of the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance, Klatt has also helped move forward key conservation legislation in Minnesota. 

   Congratulations, Jim, and thanks for all of your hard work.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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8. Fishing Activity Hindered by Lack of Access
   

   An angler fishes on the Clark Fork.

   
   A new report underscores the importance of the TRCP's goal of helping to provide increased access to hunters and anglers. More than a quarter of U.S. anglers report their fishing activities have been reduced by problems accessing their preferred fishing holes, according to a 2008 AnglerSurvey.com poll of 1,800-plus anglers.  Of those reporting difficulties, 80 percent reported their access issues were in freshwater areas, while 15 percent experienced access issues in saltwater locations.  Of those anglers who had problems with access, 33 percent went fishing less frequently, 4 percent did not go fishing at all and 1 percent stopped fishing altogether.    
   
   AnglerSurvey.com http://www.anglersurvey.com/ is a monthly national online survey of sportsmen and -women providing industry and policymakers with information on fishing trends and activity.

   
   

   
   
   
   

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9. TRCP Welcomes New Staff Across the Country

   The TRCP recently has grown its ranks to include five more staffers.  We are very pleased to welcome these new faces to the team.
   

   Tim Balzer

   Tim Balzer became the Midwest regional field representative for the TRCP in February 2008. He attended Colorado State University, secured an internship in Washington, D.C., with the Wildlife Management Institute and ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology. Upon graduation, Tim returned to Washington for a policy internship with The Wildlife Society, where hands-on experience helped clarify his passion for wildlife management policy. Pursuing this course, he moved back to Colorado to work as a campaign organizer for a small group based in Carbondale.
   
   Tim’s outdoor pursuits include anything that involves a hook, bullet or arrow. During warm weather you also might find him rock climbing or cycling; in the colder, snowy weather he might be snowboarding or skate skiing. Whatever the season, it’s always the right time for Tim to be outside, enjoying the fresh air and wildlife.

   Contact Tim at tbalzer@trcp.org.
   
   
   

   John Kesting

   
   John Kesting, director of recruitment for the USA, joined the TRCP in February 2008, bringing with him 14 years of sales, marketing and management experience.  A hunter and angler since childhood, John joined the TRCP hoping to help conserve that outdoor heritage for his children and future generations.  A graduate of the University of Alabama, he resides in Nashville, Tenn., with his wife Kim, their daughter, Leighton, and son, John Wright.  He enjoys being in the outdoors with his family and friends as much as possible, especially fishing in the panhandle of Florida and the lakes of Tennessee and bird and deer hunting throughout the south.

   Contact John at jkesting@trcp.org. 
   
   
   

   Caitlin Kilpatrick

   
   
   
   
   Caitlin Kilpatrick, special initiative and staff associate, joined the TRCP fall of 2007.  A graduate of James Madison University, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 2007.  Caitlin enjoys camping and hiking with friends in her free time.

   Contact Caitlin at ckilpatrick@trcp.org.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Ross Tuckwiller and Remy

   
   

   Ross Tuckwiller became the TRCP’s New Mexico and southern Colorado field representative in the winter of 2008. Growing up on a farm
   in the Greenbrier Valley of southern West Virginia, he graduated from West Virginia University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries. After college, Ross moved to Alexandria, Va., working out of the American Sportfishing Association's offices as a fisheries consultant for the TRCP's energy initiative. 
   
   Ross moved to Durango, Colo., in February 2008 to take on his new role with the TRCP’s energy team.  He considers hunting and fishing major priorities in life, along with God, family and Mountaineer football. When outside, Ross is especially partial to fly fishing, pursuing small game with friends, bow hunting and just getting out and scouting for the next season.  He enjoys working on the issues that impact our natural resources and way of life.

   Contact Ross at rtuckwiller@trcp.org. 
   
   
   

   Gretchen Vanhorn and Taj

   
   
   
   Gretchen Vanhorn joined the TRCP as the office manager for the USA office in Nashville, Tenn.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.  Her career first took her to Boston, Mass., where she worked as the executive assistant and project coordinator for a large entertainment management company. After being bitten by the property bug, Gretchen moved to Nashville in 2003 for a more affordable cost of living. She now specializes in start-ups, including assisting in the start-up of the Tennessee Education Lottery and a national restaurant management company. In her free time, Gretchen dabbles in real estate. She also contributes to various domestic animal charities, including functioning as a spokesperson for canine epilepsy research on behalf of her afflicted Australian shepherd, Taj.
   
   Contact Gretchen at gvanhorn@trcp.org.

   
   
   
   
   
   
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10. SPOTLIGHT - TRCP Steps up New Mexico Presence; BLM Is Paying Attention - SPOTLIGHT
    
    
    

    Otero Mesa encompasses one of the last undisturbed areas of Chihuahuan Desert and provides valuable habitat for numerous game species. The BLM has proposed opening parts of the 2-million-acre mesa to drilling.

    Think of New Mexico and you might picture rugged mountain ranges, America’s first wilderness area and broad Southwestern deserts. Factor in the state’s energy development, though, and you’ll have to include drilling rigs, trucks and gas wells. Currently, almost 5 million acres of New Mexico public lands have been leased to the oil and gas industry; future drilling operations could seriously compromise the Land of Enchantment’s legendary sporting opportunities.

    The TRCP has responded to this rapidly increasing development by expanding its operations in New Mexico, launching new state-based projects that draw on sportsmen’s knowledge and adding new energy field staff to mobilize New Mexico hunters and anglers.

    And the federal government is paying attention. Hunting opportunities for desert bighorn sheep and a lack of coordination between state and federal agencies compelled the TRCP to protest the New Mexico BLM’s April 16 energy lease sale. The first the TRCP has filed in the state, this protest, researched by new TRCP field rep Ross Tuckwiller, encompassed more than 60,000 acres of potentially suitable desert bighorn habitat adjacent to southern New Mexico’s Caballos Mountains. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) filed a similar protest. Subsequently, the BLM withdrew the protested acreage from the sale. TRCP protests to date have resulted in the BLM withdrawing more than a quarter-million acres from Western energy lease sales.

    “Both the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and sportsmen throughout the state clearly have a huge stake in actions that could affect range expansion and increases in population of the desert bighorn in New Mexico,” said Tuckwiller. “The species offers a once-in-a-lifetime hunting experience and generates substantial revenue for the department’s ongoing bighorn management effort.

    “The BLM’s decision to withdraw the Caballos Mountains leases from its upcoming energy sale is encouraging news for sportsmen,” concluded Tuckwiller.

    The Caballos Mountains area is important to a rare but expanding population of desert bighorn sheep, listed in 1980 as a New Mexico endangered species. The NMDGF believes the Caballos Mountains bighorns to be part of one of the three desert bighorn populations known to exist in the state. The department’s recovery plan for the species requires recognition of three healthy populations before the species no longer is considered imperiled. Suitable habitat and conditions for sheep occupation are needed for recovery, and the Caballos Mountains provide suitable habitat.

    To ensure that the state’s fish and wildlife are adequately protected during public-lands energy projects, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson recently charged the NMDGF with revising its guidelines for oil and gas development. To strengthen the sportsman’s voice in public-lands management, TRCP Vice President of Policy Terry Riley, then a member of the New Mexico State Game Commission, helped establish a committee to work with the NMDGF on oil and gas leasing and development issues.

    The committee’s efforts revealed that the NMDGF had only limited engagement with the BLM in managing energy projects and conserving important habitat resources during development. Consequently, the commission directed the department to formulate a plan whereby staff can participate in pre-lease review of nominated oil and gas parcels to assure that wildlife, habitat and sportsmen’s interests are fully considered. That plan now is finalized.

    To further involve individual hunters and anglers, the TRCP is collaborating with the NMDGF to launch its sportsmen’s values mapping project in the state. The project, which uses sportsmen’s input to delineate important hunting and fishing areas, has been underway in Montana for close to a year and resulted in an unique resource for public lands managers in that state. Field Representative Tuckwiller will work with NMDGF Director Bruce Thompson and department staff to implement the New Mexico project.

    “This joint undertaking between the TRCP and NMDGF should help balance the needs of sportsmen, wildlife and habitat with energy development on public lands throughout New Mexico,” said Tuckwiller. “Hunters and anglers possess an incredible reserve of valuable information, as the TRCP’s Montana mapping project proved beyond a shadow of a doubt. I look forward to working closely with New Mexican sportsmen to assure that public lands in the state are managed responsibly both for energy production and hunting and fishing opportunities.”

    Tuckwiller joined the TRCP’s energy team in early 2008 to focus on oil and gas issues in New Mexico and southern Colorado. Tuckwiller came to the TRCP from the American Sportfishing Association, where he developed strategies for minimizing the impacts of Rocky Mountain energy development on coldwater fisheries. (Read more about Ross in this issue of the Square Dealer.)

    Along with TRCP Energy Initiative Manager Steve Belinda, Tuckwiller worked with participants in the Institutes for Journalism and Natural Resources’ (IJNR) recent energy program for journalists. IJNR, which is dedicated to enabling higher standards of news coverage for natural resources and the environment, concentrated its March program on oil and gas issues in the Four Corners region. The TRCP’s involvement in the event helps assure that habitat needs and sportsmen’s concerns are accurately represented in the growing debate over responsible management of America’s public-lands resources.

    “Ross Tuckwiller brings great energy, enthusiasm and expertise to the TRCP energy team,” said Belinda. “His background in fisheries will serve the TRCP’s partners well as we continue to advocate balance in our approach to public-lands energy development in the West.”

    The TRCP believes that to better balance the concerns of fish and wildlife in the face of accelerating energy development, federal land management agencies must follow the conservation tenets outlined in the FACTS for Fish and Wildlife, a set of principles to guide energy development on public lands.

    Read about the TRCP’s efforts to promote responsible energy development in the latest issue of Field & Stream.

    Join the TRCP’s grassroots sportsmen’s campaign, Hunters and Anglers for Responsible Development, and make sure your voice is heard.

     

    
    

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Updates from TRCP Partner Organizations - News from the National Conservation Community

American Sportfishing Association The ASA is showing its support for summer flounder anglers by assisting the Save the Summer Flounder Fund in raising money for its efforts. More>>
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Stay up-to-date by reading the Conservation News blog. More>>
BASS/ESPN Outdoors Read a round-up on the 38th Annual Bassmaster Classic. More>>
Coastal Conservation Association Read the latest edition of TIDE Magazine.  More>>
Delta Waterfowl Delta Waterfowl is featured in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. More>>
Ducks Unlimited North Carolina was recognized as Ducks Unlimited’s top state when NCDU State Chairman Lee Warren was awarded the #1 State Chairman Award at the 2008 DU National Leadership Conference that was recently held in Memphis.  More>>
Federation of Fly Fishers Learn more about Conclave 2008 to be held in July in Whitefish, Mont. More>>
Izaak Walton League of America The Izaak Walton League operates 111 shooting ranges at chapters located across the country. More>>
Mule Deer Foundation The Mule Deer Foundation recently donated $8,500 to the Colorado Division of Wildlife to assist with the feeding program in the Gunnison Basin and other parts of Colorado. More>>
The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy is offering simple tips for saving water and helping to restore rivers and lakes around the world.  More>>
Pheasants Forever Pheasants Forever President and CEO Howard Vincent announced that Madison, Wisconsin, is the destination for PF's National Pheasant Fest 2009, Feb. 6, 7 & 8, 2009.  More>>
Quail Forever Quail Forever announces Scag Power Equipment as its newest national sponsor. More>>
Quail Unlimited CRP ground can be burned any time between Feb. 1 and April 15, said Walt Fick, K-State Research and Extension range management specialist. This means that CRP ground can be burned before most tallgrass rangeland burning. More>>
Quality Deer Management Association The Shenandoah Valley Branch will host their annual REACH Banquet on Wednesday, April 5 at the Habitat Hideaway.  More>>
Trout Unlimited TU calls for a scientific review of the Pacific Salmon Treaty to ensure that it is meeting the conservation objectives required to protect wild salmon, including the protection of salmon habitat.  More>>
Trust for Public Land The Trust for Public Land and the U.S. Forest Service have worked out an agreement to protect almost 1,500 acres of private mining claims located in the New World Mining District just outside of Yellowstone National Park. More>>
Whitetails Unlimited Find out where a Whitetails Unlimited donation goes. More>>
Wildlife Management Institute The Wildlife Management Institute hosted the 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., March 25 -29, 2008.. More>>
The Wildlife Society TWS wins NRCA Award of Achievement for the "Impacts Of Wind Energy Facilities on Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat." More>>

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Featured Conservation Leaders



Kate Belinda, Biologist, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Laura Meadows, Graduate Student, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming

Kate Belinda is a biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WYGD), specifically with the Brucellosis, Feedground and Habitat (BFH) program in Pinedale, Wyo. Her work includes trapping elk in the wintertime on state managed elk feedgrounds and testing them for the disease brucellosis (which causes cattle, elk and bison to abort).  Other duties include managing data from trapping activities, conducting research and managing the BFH Geographic Information Systems (GIS) system.  She is also involved with providing input for the WYGD on an Environmental Impact Statement for future management of the state managed elk feedgrounds and the Travel Plan for the North Zone of the Bridger Teton National Forest.

Kate Belinda is married to Steve Belinda, TRCP energy initiative manager, and Laura Meadows is married to Dwayne Meadows, TRCP field representative for Wyoming and northern Colorado.  In addition to the conservation contributions these two sportswomen make while at working doing research together, to both of them spending time in the great outdoors is a family tradition worth keeping alive.

Laura Meadows is a graduate student at the University of Wyoming. Her research focus wildlife diseases, with an emphasis on diseases affecting livestock and/or humans.

Who got you involved with hunting and/or fishing? When?

My father is an outfitter in western Wyoming, so my first trip to hunting camp was at the age of nine months. Of course, I don't remember that trip very well, but there were many to follow. Some of my earliest memories are catching fish with my brother at sheep hunting camp in the Gros Ventre Range and following my folks around on horseback as they were hunting elk on Black Tail Butte in Grand Teton National Park.


What is your most memorable experience afield?

My most memorable experience in the field is also one of my most recent. Last fall I drew a pronghorn tag in Wyoming's Shirley Basin. My husband harvested a nice buck our first morning out, but with the season drawing to a close, I had not filled my tag. I was able to sneak out for one last evening in the basin.  Early the following morning after a picture-perfect stalk and a 225-yard shot, I had a pronghorn. This hunt was so memorable because it was the first in which I was on my own for entire adventure, from scouting a herd in the evening to the pre-dawn belly crawl to packing back to the truck.


What do you think are our most pressing conservation issues today?

In my opinion, elimination of habitat is the most pressing conservation issue of our time, whether that be from residential, commercial, or oil and gas development. The diversity of species and population sizes that we enjoy are a precious resource that requires a careful balance to sustain. There are many examples from around the world, both in developed and developing countries, to show that plentiful wildlife populations are easily lost. These examples should be a reminder that active and thoughtful management, especially of habitat, is essential to maintain our wildlife resources.


What is your approach to facing conservation challenges?

For conservation of habitat and wildlife to be effective it has to engulf the way we live our lives. The small things we do on a daily basis can really add up, from conserving water and energy at home to carefully choosing products that we buy to incorporating a conservation ethic at work. Collectively, these small steps can make a big difference in conservation.


You made a rather large donation of one Dwayne Meadows (TRCP's Wyoming and Northern Colorado field representative) to the TRCP last year.  Can you tell us a bit about what inspired you to make such a sizable gift?

To get him out of my hair!

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Bookshelf

Reverse Points:  Bird Dogs Reconsidered by Nancy Anisfield

Hot off the Ugly Dog press, Reverse Points reveals the bird dogs’ parallel universe where they get dirty, ignore their handlers and do the outrageous things rarely chronicled in print. Out-of-the-ordinary photos and hilarious stories offer up a reality check for the literature of the sporting dog world. Tired of all the noble tales and images of gun dogs, Nancy Anisfield and five other outdoor humor writers take a look at the darker side of bird dogs and stare it in the face, even though that face is coated in mud with a cluster of slobber-laced pheasant feathers matted to its jowl. For more information, please click here.

H is for Hook: A Fishing Alphabet Written by Judy Young and Illustrated by Gary Palmer

In H is for Hook: A Fishing Alphabet, seasoned angler Judy Young tackles topics such as types of lures, where to fish and what equipment you will need, along with the basics of cleaning, filleting and cooking your final catch. And since every fisherman loves to brag about the "one that got away," she includes suggestions on how to capture your fishing memories through journals and photography. Anglers of all shapes, sizes and ages will enjoy this book.

For more information, click here.

Photo Gallery

Check out How Your Fellow TRCP Partners Fared this Season

TRCP's Vice President of Administration Maureen Bates caught this 26-pound spring Chinook salmon while fishing on the Columbia River guided by TRCP board member Jim Martin. Underscoing the need for coastal fisheries reform, populations of Chinook salmon are at or near an all-time low. The TRCP is working to reinvigorate its efforts to reform costal fisheries for the benefit of recreational anglers. For more information about Chinook salmon, please click here.

View the rest of the TRCP Partner Photo gallery here.

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Roosevelt Reflections

Theodore Roosevelt, Buffalo Hunter
by Ken Barrett

Theodore Roosevelt on horseback in the West. Photo courtsey: OMP

Teddy Roosevelt came west just as the great slaughter of American bison was ending. When he arrived in North Dakota in the early 1880s, only a few small scattered bands and individuals remained throughout the West. Amazingly, it had taken just a decade to reduce the vast herds, estimated to number between 40 and 60 million, to the brink of extinction. In the process an entire ecosystem and its aboriginal peoples were changed forever.

Though it may be hard to fathom today, Theodore Roosevelt, founding member of the Boone & Crockett Club, the first nationally based conservation organization in America established in 1887, pursued and killed one of the last wild bison on the Montana-Idaho border in 1889.

Jim Posewitz, author of Rifle In Hand: How Wild America Was Saved, suggests that hunt may have been the real turning point in Roosevelt’s emergence from mere hunter to hunter/conservationist, though none can know for sure.

After that bison hunt, Roosevelt wrote, “Few, indeed are the men who now have, or ever more shall have, the chance of seeing the mightiest of American beasts, in all his wild vigor, surrounded by the tremendous desolation of his far-off mountain home.”

Just over 15 years later, in 1905, President Roosevelt established the Wichita Game Preserve in Oklahoma and shortly after stocked it with 15 bison from what is now the Bronx Zoo. Today both wild and captive herds of bison flourish across the American West, and millions of Americans have seen or will see “the mightiest of American beasts.”  A lucky few will even get to hunt them, and to that Teddy would surely say, “Bully!”

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