#"$,$06/53: TM +063/"- Winter 2011 OFFICIAL) ##&'!4#() MAGAZINE OF BACKCOUNTRY%)/(.,3"/(.,-((!&,- HUNTERS AND ANGLERS "ACKCOUNTRYBANNERINDD !- BC Moose Hunt EAGLE POINT, OR POINT, EAGLE PERMIT NO. 09 NO. PERMIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S. NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT EXECUTIVE DIREctor’s NOTE By Jim Akenson and stepped up enforcement activities fo- BHA roars cusing on protecting habitat from abuse and overuse by off-highway vehicles. Colorado and Washington have been into 2011! focusing on their states wilderness and roadless area protection issues. s we enter 2011, I wonder how Throughout the West, BHA has be- the conservation efforts of today come a powerful voice for sportsmen pro- would score with our forefa- tecting the public lands and waterways Athers of a century ago. Would Theodore that support our outdoor traditions. As Roosevelt or Aldo Leopold say our ef- Executive Director Jim Akenson has set our membership expands, we are also ex- forts are on target? up BHA world headquarters in Joseph, panding our geographic scope, cultivat- I imagine they would be proud of Oregon, gateway to great backcountry. ing opportunities to protect wild places the current land protection status with a in the Appalachian states and hopefully fairly robust wilderness system, and the of John Gale from Colorado. John has someday the great swamps and bayous of general recovery of “huntable” wildlife been serving as a Co-Chair of the Colo- the Deep South. The list goes on and on populations across this country’s rural rado Chapter and he’ll continue that task – wherever there remains wild country landscape. However, I think they would while taking on new duties as one of that supports our freedom and traditions. also be alarmed with modern man’s thirst BHA’s national Board members. So, would Teddy Roosevelt and Aldo for mechanization and the shear human In this past year, BHA has also de- Leopold respect and appreciate our ef- population pressure on our planet. The veloped staff positions to operate the new forts? I think those two men would ap- challenges of the next 100 years will be BHA office in Joseph, Oregon, and to plaud them, but they would warn us to huge, even in our relatively narrow focus manage the daily business and infrastruc- maintain vigilance and avoid apathy. In of “wild habitat protection for quality ture of our growing organization. Recent- short, stay involved. If you don’t know hunting and fishing opportunities.” New ly, the Board confirmed Rose Caslar as how to be involved, contact any of our Year is a good time to re-examine our ef- our half-time Executive Administrative state or national leaders, staff, or any ac- fectiveness, both as individuals and an Assistant. For several months now she tive members for advice, and please feel organization. has been doing bookkeeping duties on free to contact me anytime to locate BHA For Backcountry Hunters & An- contract. Rose will now help me identify people in your area. My email is: glers, 2010 was a year of sweeping and complete grant applications, organize [email protected] change in our leadership and structure. BHA financial records and budget, man- Let’s maintain our momentum and Founding Chairman Mike Beagle has of- age daily business and coordinate mem- “keep the faith” in conservation for 2011 ficially stepped down, a task that he has bership matters with our membership co- and beyond! tirelessly and effectively tackled, bring- ordinator, Arlene Holmes, in Medford. ing BHA from a fledgling organization Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Backcountry Hunters and Anglers in 2004. Mike literally took BHA from a have grown into a mighty force for wild- Board of Directors group of friends in a bull session around country conservation and fair chase hunt- Mike Beagle, Eagle Point, OR a campfire near Eagle Point, Ore., to a na- ing access. We currently have larger Tony Heckard, Secretary, Molalla, OR tional organization that is a highly sought scale projects going in several states. In David Lien, Co. Springs, CO after as voice for the concerned sports- Idaho the big project is the Clearwater Ben Long, Co-Chairman, Kalispell, MT men of today. Basin planning collaborative, entering Joel Webster Co-Chairman, Missoula, MT Fortunately, Mike will stay on as a its third year. In Alaska there’s a new Brian Parker, Treasurer, Lander, WY regular Board member and we have two project focused on protecting the Chuitna John Pollard, Park City, UT John Gale, Boulder, CO very capable people from Montana step- River, a pristine salmon stream, from a Advisory Members: ping in his leadership role. Joel Webster coal strip-mine proposed to occur in the Holly Endersby, Pollock, ID will serve as senior Co-Chair and Ben streambed. Efforts in Utah will concen- David Lyon, Homer, AK Long will join him as the other Co-Chair. trate on BLM wilderness issues and edu- Backcountry Hunters and Anglers There are other changes on the board, as cation about these lands. In Wyoming we P.O. Box 655, Eagle Point, OR 97524 well. Kelly Smith, of Oregon, has done will be spearheading collaborative efforts 541-772-7720 a great job as BHA Treasurer and he aimed at protecting important big-game now hands that baton off to very capable hunting habitat the Absaroka Range from www.backcountryhunters.org Brian Parker from Wyoming. The other irresponsible gas exploration. Montana [email protected] change on the Board will be the addition BHA is engaged in multiple educational 2 Backcountry Journal, Winter 2011 Special Place: Opening Day on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front By Ben Lamb Montana's Rocky Mountain Front offers some of America's finest big game habitat – and sweeping vistas. y good friend Roy Jacobs, found responsibilities. This hunt helped remind me that BHA member and mem- The Rocky Mountain Front is the hunters alone have not conserved our ber of the steering com- heart of Montana. It’s our big game fac- shared treasures. Landowners have mittee for the Coalition to tory, and it’s where we go when we need helped in so many ways, from their car- MProtect the Rocky Mountain Front, and to give our world-weary souls a rest. ing for wildlife to providing hunters ac- I hunted elk on a ranch west of Depuyer There is something magical and majestic cess to their lands. As we continue our recently. Roy is a long-time hunter, ad- about watching the sun rise on the Saw- debates about access and the privatiza- vocate and outstanding guide. I could not tooth Range, or Walling Reef; something tion of wildlife resources, we must re- have asked for a better hunting partner, or that moves every hunter and lover of member that these people we tangle with better country. wild country. This is why we fight for the are also our neighbors. They deserve the We hiked about four miles, seeing Front, for wildlife and wild country. As same respect and consideration that we wolves, large herds of mule deer and you head into the forests and the fields demand ourselves. We could have never plenty of elk. We glassed a massive bull this season, remember the actions Ameri- conserved and restored wildlife without that would have given anyone a case cans have taken for more than 100 years their help. They are our partners in wild- of “buck fever.” We ran across grizzly to ensure this heritage. life management, not our enemies. sign and scanned the jack pine in hopes As many of you know, the Montana It was a truly unique hunt. It drove of catching sight of old Ephraim. We Wildlife Federation has been working home that we will not have these places watched a lone, white wolf work his way with the Coalition to Protect the Rocky unless we continue to fight for their pro- down into a thick aspen stand and came Mountain Front (I often say that we work tection, and to respect each other, and across a wolf kill. All we found left of the for the Coalition) to develop a plan that treat each other with the respect we all mule deer was scattered hair, a portion ensures future opportunities for hunters, deserve. of a rib bone and piece of four-square- anglers, and all recreationists, while pro- We are blessed to live in a state that inch piece of hide. Such experiences cre- viding for the continued use of livestock values wildlife and our opportunity to ated a bond between myself and the wild grazing, wood gathering, motorized use, harvest a shared resource. We are also country that I was blessed to experience. mountain bike use, and every other use blessed to live in a country that demands I did not feel that the wolves had taken that is allowed in this last, best place. more of ourselves than we receive. This an opportunity from me, or other hunters. We’ve crafted a plan with the input of blessing helps us all become better peo- In fact, the presence of those other outfitters, ranchers, business owners, ple. As you immerse yourself in all that critters made my hunt that much more hunters, anglers, hikers and conserva- North America has to offer, remember memorable. It made me remember that tionists. We’ve sought input from every- that our legacy is far greater than a Boone the wildlife in Montana is not here to one we could contact, or who contacted and Crockett score, or the camaraderie of serve my purposes. Rather, I should be us. The Front has always been a model elk camp. Our legacy is one of selfless here to serve their needs, and to ensure for wildlife conservation, beginning with caring and dedication to the resource.