Western allure

[NDGuy]

My greatest wish is that these lands will be the same 50, 100, or 200 years from now as they are today. My short half-century observing this society convinces me that the fecundity of the American womb combined with the opportunistic purveyors of crisis will bring too many pressures to bear for that wish to be the legacy of Americans yet unborn.

Well said Randy, I hope my children and grand children generations to come can too enjoy the outdoors. It is scary how unattainable some outdoor experiences are becoming due to greed and exclusivity.

 

[noharleyyet]

My greatest wish is that these lands will be the same 50, 100, or 200 years from now as they are today. My short half-century observing this society convinces me that the fecundity of the American womb combined with the opportunistic purveyors of crisis will bring too many pressures to bear for that wish to be the legacy of Americans yet unborn.

In the high fa'lut'n loquacious category of Randyisms.....very well said my friend.

 

[Duck-Slayer]

Ah America..... land of the free and home of the brave..... and the Rocky Mountains!
Matt

 

[SFC B]

My first trip out west came on a skiing trip 19 years ago. At that time I had never hunted, been to any sort of real "big woods" and never seen any mountains other than the bumps of North Georgia. I drove from the Denver airport west in a mild snow storm while the other 3 in the truck slept. As I climbed from 70 up the Berthoud Pass I could feel an excitement that I didn't understand. The scale of the mountains around me, even in the dark, was imposing. The amount of snow was strange and wonderful too me. We got into the condo and I crashed. The next morning we woke to -25F actual temps and headed out to ski. The morning was spent on some lower level blues getting used to the altitude and settling in. After lunch my buddy and I head to Mary Jane to give it ago. As we got above the tree line and saw this .... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Park_Resort#/media/File:Parsenn_Bowl.jpg it was OVER for me!! With my AOH adding to the draw I had to do all kinds of gymnastics to finally get out here. I have never regretted the choices I had to make. These mountains fill me up, give me peace, provide for me and simply make me HAPPY!! I am grateful everyday to live here.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Its pure and simple for me.

Its the abundance of public lands for 1.

Its the variety of game I never had access to in my youth for 2.

 

[Huntkook]

I'm just here for the free chips & salsa.

Or what Finn said. Well put, Randy. It's the people as well as the place. I've yet to find a spot on the planet where people wave at you as you drive, who stop and help without hesitation or who value fairness as much as westerners.

Your definitely right about the people. The first year I went out had no clue what I was doing. Stopped at a local ranch and talked to the owner about hunting antelope, he gave his permission then proceeded to talk to us like he knew us, we talked for about an hour. Same with the meat processor we've gone there every year and my Dad (83) and the owner (78) talked liked they have known each other for a long time. Those are just two of many people that we've encountered that draws you to the west.

 

[onelionhunter]

A different world here, grew up in SW PA, hunted NW PA as a kid, remember how big that seemed. Moved to NE NV at 22 and never looked back. Realized what wilderness is, that NW PA country that seemed so intimidating was actually a state that if you walked in an absolute straight line, you could not go over 8 miles without hitting a road in any direction.

NE NV actually really spoiled me, I had and still have crap luck drawing tags, my LE tag this year is only 3rd of my hunting times, but that country in NV, 89% public land I believe at the time, what little was private, just stop and talk to the rancher, most likely you had access. Great basin country is its own beautiful world.

Ten years later, I land here in Gallatin County MT, beautiful country all over, but I can't get to half of it because public land is surrounded by private with closed gates. Took me a while to build relationships that made getting to what I can see from my house accesible. Then learning all about MT other public opportunites, 50 days in the Bob Marshall, wild fishing trip in the Crazies, I do not even know how many hundreds of days and nights in the dreaded griz country. Just put drift boat back on trailer tonight, yet another amazing thing we have here. Life has been good, it keeps getting better, I will pass somewhere in the west, the east is like a kennel for me now.

 

[Idahoarcheryhunter]

I think it is multiple things for me, I call Idaho home and don't see myself leaving unless California continues to invade. I can get deer and elk tags otc, antelope as an unlimited tag, turkey, and bear over the counter at the store. The people are also a big part of it for me, I think that goes for much of the west full of good people. I can still get access to private lands with a knock on the door and a firm handshake in some places. I simply can't imagine being anywhere but the west great pieces of public lands for pretty much any activity. Idaho sucks by the way so don't move here.

 

[Elkdog]

These remote places cleanse the soul.