Back on the RMEF bandwagon

[ERSS]

After 8 years of banquet abstinence, I am headed to Burley ID this weekend to donate, eat and maybe even win some cool stuff.

My history with the RMEF has come full circle. About 15 years ago, I joined a committee. A few years after that I chaired a committee, and in a few years I served as the Southern Idaho state chair. My family and I enjoyed attending and assisting with multiple banquets a year, and going to the national convention. The nuts and bolts of sitting on committees to find and fund new Idaho projects was also enjoyable and rewarding.
Then sometime back around 2005 burn out set in fueled by dissatisfaction with RMEF leadership and direction, lack of a stand on wolf reintroduction/hunting, and a need to be there more often for my kids activities.

Could not be more impressed with the direction of the RMEF as of late. The focus on the hunt and preservation of the hunt is greatly improved. Current leadership in my opinion is doing an excellent job of asking the right questions and giving the right answers.

Gonna work my way back in slowly, a few banquets at a time. My wife is excited about a "date night" to the Burley banquet. If there are any Hunttalkers planning to attend, hope we get a chance to meet ya.

 

[Big Fin]

Thanks for all your volunteerism and contributions. Hope you win some cool stuff.

 

[sbhooper]

I, too, quit the RMEF years ago. I was concerned about a ranch that was about to sell to developers in southwest NM. It was absolutely beautiful elk habitat and was there for the taking. I wrote a letter to the RMEF voicing my concerns about them not trying to obtain the ranch.

I was not even granted the courtesy of a response. I am not sure what happened to the ranch, but the RMEF did not buy it or get easements to my knowledge. I never did even receive a response to my letter. I obviously did not contribute enough money for them to be concerned about my letter.

I have never been satisfied with their lack of willingness to address the political side of hunt issues, either. Habitat is only as good as the politics will allow the animals to be. Both habitat and politics have to be addressed and it has always seemed to me that they are pretty one-sided.

I have been considering re-joining, but I have not seen anything real convincing yet. Maybe they are taking a better stance. I'll see.

 

[Walkitoff]

The RMEF may not be perfect, but on balance, it's a great organization. I support it primarily because of its commitment to permanently preserving wild places through conservation easements. That it also is involved in habitat development is a collateral merit, but secondary in importance to permanent preservation (in my mind).

The country's population is expected to double by 2050. Given the way we develop (low density urban sprawl), as populations expand, there will be increasing pressure to open lands to development, pressure from organizations that may hold stronger political influence in ensuing years than hunters and conservationists. It's imperative that wild lands be protected today, in areas were development pressure is currently low. The RMEF is doing just that.

I support the RMEF's efforts, financially and with my time, because I want my children and grandchildren to experience the sole-expanding loneliness of wild places. Again, the RMEF may not be perfect, but it's better to err on the side of supporting organizations like this.

Glad to have you back ERSS!

 

[6speed]

Welcome back! I have a feeling we met when I started volunteering 10 years ago. I will probably be trying to fill a tag Saturday but if I get lucky on the opener or just get a wild hair I may end up down there.

 

[MNElkNut]

They may not be perfect in everyone's book all the time, but doggone it, they do a pretty darn good job in my opinion. I am a long time member and will continue to be. I have had 1 interaction with the organization outside of banquets and it was fantastic.