UT DWR takes on RMEF

[MTbowhunter84]

But I thought they were for...?

“The mission of SFW is to promote the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat, assist in providing quality wildlife management programs, educating the public about the role hunters play in wildlife conservation, and perpetuating the family tradition of hunting and fishing”.

Quote is off of the SFW website.

 

[drahthaar]

Keep that stuff coming Fin. I know I go search for a bunch more. I have had it with these guys. The LLC thing is a real eye opener. How blatantly chitty is that?

I like that one thread on MM where 1 fast gambler put all those links in one thread about SFW. I got saved to my favorites. Cut and paste and email out.

 

[Big Fin]

Here is a copy of an email exchange between Robert Fanning, a close ally of BGF, and Ryan Benson, President of Big Game Forever. Robert forwarded this to a ton of people, trying to convice the world that the BGF position of killing the Simpson-Tester bill was a good idea. I got it from many of the public officials he copied.

This email went out when the Simpson-Tester language that got MT and ID our seasons was attached to the CR (Continuing Resolution).

Seems to support the fact that BGF was trying to kill the bill that got us our wolf seasons and set the stage for delisting in MN, WI, MI.

From: Robert Fanning <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 10:53 AM
To: SCOTT ROCKHOLM; Barry Coe; JoelBoniek Rep.; Christian LeFer; danvermillion; Doctor Mealer; Magnus Hagelstam; Kaarlo Nygrén; Bill Hoppe; [email protected]; [email protected]; Jack Atcheson, Jr.; Suzy Noecker; R. W. Udell; Kevin Kimp; [email protected]; Charles Pummill; Ed and Lin Lindahl; Gary Marbut; [email protected]; Judy Boyle; Kelton Larsen; Laura; 'R Walters'; Steve Alder IFW; Jim Hagedorn; Jim Slinsky; John L Runft; Mike Dubrasich; Will Graves; Steve Alder; Patt Watkins; [email protected]; Tom Remington; ryanhatch; Robert Taylor; [email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected]; [email protected]; lmstuter; 'Renate Geist'; John; Jim Beers; James Slinsky; John Runft; Jack Jones; [email protected]; Harriet Hageman; JAMES HAGENBARTH; Sharon Beck; George Dovel; Allen/Dixie Schallenberger; Wildergarten Press; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Bob Zybach; Bob Zybach; Bud Sonnentag; ALSTON CHASE; Admin wolf crossing; [email protected]; Randy Simmons; Charles Kay; MARION; Dr.EdwinBerry; Ryder Bergerud; [email protected]; 'RMEF - David Allen'; ryan laubach; Mark Boyce; Jack Reneau; [email protected]; Joe Balyeat; [email protected]
Cc: 'Toby Bridges'; 'Ryan Benson'; 'David Allen'; 'Don Peay'; 'Miles Moretti'; '[email protected]'; 'ID SFW Roger Blackner'; 'Bob Wharff'; 'Jim Magagana'; 'Suzanne Gilstrap'; MT SFW - Bill Merrill; 'Eric Bierwagen'; 'Congressman Denny Rehberg'; 'Senator Max Baucus'; 'Senator Jon Tester'; 'Governor Brian Schweitzer'; 'MT Sen Bruce Tutvedt'; 'MT Sen Debby Barrett'; 'MT Sen Greg Hinkle'; 'MT Sen Joe Balyeat'; 'Gary Marbut-MSSA'; [email protected]; 'Toby Bridges'; 'Rob Arnaud'; 'Barry Cole'; 'Cat Lazaroff - Defenders of Wildlife'; 'SCI - Nelson Freeman'; 'MT Sen Carol Juneau'; 'MT Sen Carol Williams'; 'MT Sen Carolyn Squires'; 'MT Sen Christine Kaufmann'; 'MT Sen Cliff Larsen'; 'MT Sen Dave Lewis'; 'MT Sen David Wanzenried'; 'MT Sen Donald Steinbeisser'; 'MT Sen Gary Branae'; 'MT Sen Gary Perry'; 'MT Sen Gregory Barkus'; 'MT Sen Jeff Essman'; 'MT Sen Jerry Black'; 'MT Sen Jesse Laslovich'; 'MT Sen Jim Peterson'; 'MT Sen Joe Tropila'; 'MT Sen John Brueggeman'; 'MT Sen Jonathan Windy Boy'; 'MT Sen Keith Bales'; 'MT Sen Kelly Gebhardt'; 'MT Sen Ken Hansen'; 'MT Sen Kim Gillan'; 'MT Sen Larry Jent'; 'MT Sen Lynda Moss'; 'MT Sen Mike Cooney'; 'MT Sen Mitch Tropila'; 'MT Sen Ron Erickson'; 'MT Sen Roy Brown'; 'MT Sen Sharon Stewart-Peregoy'; 'MT Sen Steve Gallus'; 'MT Sen Taylor Brown'; 'MT Sen Terry Murphy'; 'MT Sen Trudi Schmidt'; 'MT Sen Verdell Jackson'; 'WY State Shooting Assoc.'; 'WY St. Shooting Assoc.'; 'WY Sportsmen For F&W'; 'Whitetails Unlimited'; 'Ron Andriolo'; 'Robert T Fanning , Jr.'; 'RMEF - Steve Decker'; 'RMEF - Rodney Triepke'; 'Paul Hansen - IWLA'; 'Nate Helm'; 'MT Sportsmen United- Chuck Kleffner'; 'MT SFW - Aaron Daniel'; 'MT Rifle & Pistol Assoc.'; 'MT - Missoula - Rob Chaney'; 'MSGA - Tom Hougen'; 'MSGA - Jay Bodner'; 'Mr C'; 'Mike Stickney'; 'Mark Holyoak - KPAX'; 'Kevin Kimp'; 'Keith Anderson'; 'John Zent - NRA'; 'Jeff Sayre'; 'ID Trappers Assoc.'; 'ID Conservation League'; 'FNAWS - Gray Thornton'; 'Ed Franceschina'; 'Doug Phair'; 'Glenn Sapir'; 'HSSHF'; 'Byron Bateman'; 'Ryan Foutz'; 'Darren LaSorte - NRA-ILA'; 'Walter "Budd" Pidgeon'; 'Rick Story'; 'Steve Pennaz'; 'Dave Maas'; 'MT SFW - Casey Richardson'; 'WY SFW - Joe Tilden'; 'ID For Wildlife - Jim Hagedorn'; 'MUCC - Dave Nyberg'; 'MUCC - Dr. Greg Peter'; 'MUCC - Erin McDonough'; 'MN Conservation Federation'; 'Mark Johnson MN Deer Hunters Assoc.'; 'WI Wildlife Federation'; 'Western MT Fish & Game Assoc.'; 'Big Game Forever - Fallon Gilson'; 'SE ID Mule Deer Foundation'; 'MT Outfitters & Guides Assoc.'; 'WY Outfitters & Guides Assoc.'; 'ID Guide & Outfitter Assoc.'; 'Old Deer Hunters Assoc.'; 'Rob Nelson'; 'MT Trappers Assoc. - Tom Barnes'; 'WY Wolf Coalition - Harriet Hageman'; 'Larry Teague'; 'Boone and Crockett'; 'B&C - Jack Reneau'; 'Will Graves'; 'MT FWP Commission'; 'MT FWP Director - Joe Maurier'; 'MT FWP Regional Supervisor Gary Bertellotti'; 'MT FWP Regional Supervisor Gerry Hammond'; 'MT FWP Regional Supervisor Jim Satterfield'; 'MT FWP Regional Supervisor Mack Long'; 'MT FWP Regional Supervisor Pat Flowers'; 'MT FWP Regional Supervisor Pat Gunderson'; 'MT FWP Wildlife Mgr. Graham Taylor'; 'MT FWP Wildlife Mgr. Jim Williams'; 'MT FWP Wildlife Mgr. John Ensign'; 'MT FWP Wildlife Mgr. Kurt Alt'; 'MT FWP Wildlife Mgr. Mike Thompson'; 'MT FWP Wildlife Mgr. Ray Mule'; 'Carolyn A. Sime'; 'Zach Muse'; 'MT Sen Bradley Hamlett'; 'MT Representative Chas Vincent'; 'Rachel Sparhawk'; 'Jaala Wickman'; 'John Rice'; 'Sean Andres'; 'MT Sen Jim Shockley'; 'PAUL ROSSIGNOL'; 'Scott Rockholm'; 'Jim Beers'; 'Steve Alder'; 'Lynn Stuter'; 'Director Cal Groen'; 'Director WY Game & Fish'; 'Bullseye Outfitting - Jeff Smith'; 'Redbone Outfitters - Bud Martin'; 'Upper Canyon Outfitters - Donna/Jake McDonald'; 'WY - Swift Creek Outfitters - BJ Hill'; 'WY - Paint Rock Elk Camp - Todd Jones'; 'Brian Taylor'; 'Ed Beattie'; 'Keith Warren'; 'Bonnie'; [email protected]; 'American Cowboy Magazine'; 'American Outdoors TV'; 'Amy Evans'; 'Andrew Oram'; 'Ann Rutter'; 'Anthony'; 'Backland Outdoors'; 'Bart Saunders'; 'Brad Compton'; 'BEEF Magazine'; [email protected]; 'Big Game Hunt'; Frank Davis; 'Bill Vaznis'; 'billijo Davis'; 'Bob Fanning'; 'Bonnie Butler'; 'Brian Lovett'; 'Brad Harris'; 'Brian Mitchell'; 'Brian Wood'; 'Bruce Hemming'; 'Cal Groen'; Carolyn Paseneaux; 'Casey Hock'; 'Chandie'; 'Chris Rockholm'; 'Chris Satterfield'; 'Chub Eastman'; 'Chuck Weschler'; 'Chuck Hawks'; WA F&W Commission; 'Cornel Rasor'; WA - Dale Denny, Bearpaw Outfitters; 'Dale Potter'; 'Dave Henderson'; 'Dave Melton Bighorn Outfitters'; 'Dave Scovill'; 'Dave Richey'; 'Denise Youngman'; '##### Scorzafava'; 'dineen Mavourneen Australia TV'; 'Don Durham, Du-Mor Fire Systems, Inc.'; 'Don Reilly'; 'Drury Outdoors - Matt Drury'; 'Duncan Dobie'; 'Ed Godfrey'; 'Ed Doll'; 'Eric'; 'Eric Rouse'; 'Faith'; 'Fred' 'Trevey'; 'Gary Lewis'; 'Gary Howey'; 'George Dovel'; 'Glen Beck'; 'Gresham Bouma'; 'Gun News Daily'; 'GUNS Magazine'; 'Guy Patchen'; 'Heath Guthrie'


Subject: BETRAYAL !!! Yesterday's development in wolf delisting Wolf language in CR is wrong approach.



Yesterday’s development in wolf delisting:

Some of you may of heard that wolf delisting language was included in the House C.R. to keep the government funded. Unfortunately, the language in the C.R. is not the good development it appears to be. See Rehberg press release below.

Unfortunately the language that is included is the administration’s language that is being pushed by Tester and Baucus. The language leaves most of the country squarely in the cross hairs of unmanaged wolves’. It leaves the door open to relisting in Idaho and Montana. Does nothing to stop the wave of spreading destruction anywhere else. Doesn’t delist most wolf states. Does nothing to restore state management. Doesn’t end the endless cycle of wasteful litigation. Keeps the spigot of EAJA funding for enviro litigants alive diverting millions of dollars from our children’s and grandchildren’s future into lawyers and environmental endowment funds. For all these reasons, the C.R. Approach could never be “The American Big Game and Livestock Protection Act” as H.R. 509 and S. 249 are so appropriately named.

Dan Ashe convinced Simpson from Idaho to break ranks with the 48 Senators and Congressmen that are working on the right solution. 2 Senators recognize the need for a fix, but are pushing a watered down non-solution that has no support. Why are we such a nation of ambulance chasers sometimes? Why are some officials afraid of obvious solutions to stop the hemorrhaging once and for all? This is a $100 Million a year problem that is only getting worse, bigger, deeper and more widespread.

Last year a very similar approach was used by the anti-wolf management folks. They make it appear to be a compromise, but ultimately they divide the ranks and then kill the watered down solution as well. The folks who are pushing this want no wolf management, not even under the watered down scenario.

We all need to call Simpson today and tell him he is falling for politics of divide and conquer. Tell him you do not support the CR that the ONLY solution is H.R. 509.

DC office 202-225-5531
Boise office 208-334-1953
Email: simpson.house.gov

Ryan Benson, {Doctor of Juris Prudence. , Harvard University}

February 14, 2011
CONTACT: Jed Link, 202-225-3211
Rehberg Statement on Inclusion of Wolf Language in House Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement regarding the inclusion of wolf language in the Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2011. Rehberg has sponsored more comprehensive legislation to fully delist the Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species Act – an approach that enjoys broad support between parties and across the country.

“The language that was added to the Continuing Resolution may provide a temporary and limited solution for parts of some Western states and Montana, but it does not change the need for a comprehensive, science-based bill to end the misuse of the Endangered Species Act with respect to wolves once and for all. My legislation removes the federal government from the equation entirely and allows management to be conducted by the states, where the stakeholders are. The language in the CR doesn’t prevent the Fish and Wildlife Service from relisting wolves in the Northern Rockies at a later date, so there’s definitely room for improvement. We’ve been back and forth on this issue too many times to surrender it to unelected bureaucrats and activist judges.”

# # #
----- Original Message -----
From: [email protected]
To: Robert Fanning
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 5:01 AM
Subject: Re: "house of wolf cards is imploding quickly"

Bob,
Unfortunately this is Tester and Baucus's language that leaves most of the country squarely in the enviros cross hairs. Salazar convinced Simpson from Idaho to break ranks. Probably leaves the door open to relisting in idaho and montana as well. Why are we such a nation of ambulance chasers sometimes, when our elected officials are afraid of obvious solutions to stop the hemoraging once and for all? We all need to call Simpson today and tell him he is falling for politics of divide and conquer.
Ryan
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Maybe the BGF crowd will tell us that Fanning edited Benson's email before fowarding it to everyone.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

If DougFir is correct in his post, and I have no reason not to believe him after reading what BigFin mentioned, then it's no wonder the books are closed. There may be no books that reflect where all the money is gone by the time anyone can look at any financial information. I wouldn't be surprised to hear of a mysterious fire or a breakin and alleged theft of their books at their headquarters before this is all over!

BigFin---Could you please be so kind and place these couple posts of yours over on the MM website when you have the time? I would do a C/P, but I think it would be more appropriate if if came right from you since you are already on a couple threads there regarding this and the Karpowitz letter to RMEF. Thanks!!!

 

[drahthaar]

Right, that is Rehberg's failure of a bill that had ZERO chance at going anywhere. But that is perfect for the profiteers. Keep wolves listed, keep "pushing a chain", asking for more money, getting more money for your LLC. Perfect, probably wasn't even hard to think of for the loiya.

 

[DougFir]

I've been up against Peay and company, in some way shape or form, for over a decade. Enough is enough. Everybody please read and support the proposed rule changes to the Utah convention tags. It solves a very large part of the SFW problem. And thanks to everyone that gets the word out about these guys.

 

[Big Fin]

I've been up against Peay and company, in some way shape or form, for over a decade. Enough is enough. Everybody please read and support the proposed rule changes to the Utah convention tags. It solves a very large part of the SFW problem. And thanks to everyone that gets the word out about these guys.

Done. I hope others will considering doing the same, whether they live in Utah, or not.

 

[DougFir]

Big Thanks, Bin Fin

 

[Topgun 30-06]

IMHO that letter the Director sent to the RMEF may have been the death blow for the SFW if people with half a brain take a serious look at the way it appears the SFW is running his Dept. and want some change.

 

[DougFir]

Sfw

IMHO that letter the Director sent to the RMEF may have been the death blow for the SFW if people with half a brain take a serious look at the way it appears the SFW is running his Dept. and want some change.

Between the letters and the posts on MM, there is little doubt about the need for some transparency and accountability. If the director of the Utah division of wildlife resources cant tell where the line between his division and SFW is, then how is the public supposed to be able ascertain that line.

 

[shoots-straight]

You would think, that a group that's on the ropes like SFW is, they would lay low. This add is proof positive that money's off those tags are being spent here in Montana, and elsewhere to further their influence.

Their drooling down their fronts, looking at all those LE Montana tags, Kind of like a rutting buck deer that doesn't think straight chasing a hot doe.

 

[Rimrock]

I was appalled at the Big Game Forever double-pager in the Bozeman Chronicle today, and that was before I noticed that in the photo of two bull elk, they're both wearing eartags!!
How messed up is that...?!

 

[drahthaar]

Its merely a sign of things to come if those bozos get their way. Fat, hormone-laden cross-bred elk, fenced in, managed by the livestock industry, and sold off to the highest bidder, just to be shot out of a truck and hauled back to lodge for them to brag about how great of a hunt/hunter it was and they are. BGF's idea of hunting.

I'll take wolves over those a-holes in a heartbeat.

 

[DougFir]

Here is a petition that is being circulated to show support for getting the proposed rule change to the Utah convention tags, in front of the Utah Wildlife Board. http://www.change.org/petitions/uta...nvention-permits-to-august-agenda-action-item

If we can get SFW's take of expo tags down to 10%, and get some accountability on the money, their ability to currupt will be severely curtailed.

 

[alexrussell]

After that Jay Dart clown sold out RMEF to the oil/gas industry, I wasn't sure I could trust RMEF again. I don't agree with everything Allen says but its great to see our CEO with a pair of cajones. My faith is restored. Thank you Mr. Allen.

 

[ingomar]

RMEF has stepped up big time on this issue, now the sportsmen have to take their turn at bat. Learn everything you can about SFW/BGF and make sure your legislative candidates are aware of what those 2 organizations are trying to do to the sport of hunting. Make no mistake, the face of hunting for the average joe could be changed forever if these groups continue to take control of the Fish & Game Depts and the legislators.

 

[schmalts]

I wish SFW those listed as directors and consultants would crawl up someones butthole and never resurface again. I don't like snakes, snake oil salesmen, and snobs who think they know what is best for me and my public resources.
Kudos to RMEF big time for doing this, and Kudos to Randy Newberg for fighting the fight that many of us have seen was a problem brewing so many years ago. I bet if the books were opened on SFW you would see the name Peay listed as a "consultant" more than once, and would not be surprised if more than one person with that same name was listed through the years.
Funny, a saw a news article a few years ago that listed one of the most lucrative businesses to open was a non-profit.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

It sure sounds like Mr. Peay is doing real well for himself by starting all these "nonprofit" organizations. The thing that many people don't realize is the fact that those types of organizations can have lots of employees and/or only a couple and there is no restriction on salaries, consultant fees, etc. paid to those people.

 

[Big Fin]

Well, now we know the truth., Finally, an SFW insider has confirmed that auction tag money has been used to buy land that is now on the books of SFW. Prior to this, it was all denial or refusal to answer.

See Post #176 by X-treme. I give him credit for answering.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID5/19549.html

And they wondered why I wanted access to the financial records, when I had many people telling me that some of the $5,000,000 of land on the balance sheet of SFW had been purchased with auction tag money. Yet, the list of auction tag uses that I was provided by SFW made no mention of this fact.

The DWR high brass knew it was happening. From what I can gather, there are no requirements that DWR be reimbursed if the property is sold.

A lot more questions remain about the land purchases, who, why, under what terms, who got paid commissions and consulting fees, etc. Would be nice if DWR came out with a list of such, the terms of each deal, and why they agreed to do it that way.

When the Utah Model allows for this kind of stuff, it shows why hunters in all states are concerned, especially when the Utah Model is the funding source to start SFW franchises in other states.

I had been given a lot of leads about this activity, and was not willing to debate the benefits of the Utah Model, without access to the financial information related to such. This land dealing is a perfect example of why I would not allow the Utah Model projects without financial information.

I have been provided a ton of leads about many other things. Amazing how many knowledgeable people from the inside are willing to help when the pressure gets turned up. Of the many leads I have been given from the inside, accounting for the Expo money is one I expect we will never see.

If those leads are even remotely true, the number of siphons tapping into that money and what it gets used for, would be a great case study in forensic accounting. Hopefully the leads are not true and they will open the Expo books since time began, allowing people to move on to the next topic.

Until then, fighting expansion of the Utah Model would be a good use of energy for any hunter not want to be under the thumb of what the poor Utah guys are experiencing.

 

[fairchase hunter]

This is an interesting conversation, to say the least.

There is a lot of history associated with the "mega convention' orchestrated in Salt Lake by Don Peay years ago. When this event was originally conceived by Ray Lee/Jay Dart it was going to be held in Reno......in direct competition with SCI.....that never happened....but eventually, RMEF, NWTF, FNAWS, MDF and SFW were the players in Salt Lake. It soon became evident that there were some "issues" going on with the financial arrangements and RMEF pulled out of the deal. Then, NWTF was going to provide leadership for the "convention." Soon, NWTF smelled a similar rat and pulled out, leaving FNAWS, MDF and SFW. Now, all that remain are MDF and SFW....both with Utah ties.

Peay orchestrated the "convention" tags to hook people into coming to Salt Lake...which was a good marketing idea.......but built into this entire convention "deal" were issues about where the money was going. At one time, allegedly, there were issues of conflict of interest and accusations that Peay had a "consulting firm" that was in the deal...not sure where all of that went.

For those of you who remember when SFW got started by Peay, RMEF was dead center in his cross-hairs. The common theme which was used at small town banquets in southern Idaho went something like this.....Your contributions to SFW will be used right here in your own community....and none of it will be sent back to the Mother Ship (aka RMEF HQ-Missoula). Then SFW went on to say how they were going to use the money to control the coyotes that were killing the pronghorn and deer fawns...playing on the emotions of the locals so SWF could collect their cash. So..there is a history of conflict between RMEF and SFW.....and this conflict was not initiated by RMEF.

The entire wolf issue has similar threads running through it. Peay jumped on it to build his membership and line the financial coffers of SFW. When you read many of the SFW emails and news releases it appears that SFW is taking all of the credit for the wolf delisting, when SFW, in fact, worked against the other "partners" in getting the wolf management into the hands of the state wildlife agencies.

Most recently, via his newspaper ads and the Alaska fiasco, Peay/SFW have shown their true nature and total misunderstanding of the basis for and importance of the North American Model in the great conservation successes in this country. Elk with ear tags in his ad illustrate where SFW is coming from....they are simply opportunists, preying on those who believe their "line."

The bottom line here goes back to Don Peay and SFW......Karpowitz and Peay are together in the "convention" tag deal.....and David Allen should be commended for calling them out. We need a full financial disclosure of where all of the funds associated with the "convention" tags and the Salt Lake "convention" are going. The public needs to know who benefits from all of this cash which is collected in the name of "wildlife conservation."

As for the full-page newspaper ads.....they all about money and greed....and nothing about wildlife or wildlife conservation......at least, in my opinion.