Today one of the most respected of the large hunting organisations, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, reversed it's stance on the anti roadless area bill.
High Country Elk Habitat Photo Colorado DOW
If one type of hunting epitomizes roadless areas it's elk hunting.
Elk in their natural habitat shy away from roads. Elk hunting demands long rides on horseback or by foot at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains. Elk are one of the most elusive of deer and though big and prized many more people fail than are successful.
It's for that reason that many members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) were very unhappy when the Foundation joined with the NRA and Safari Club in support of a bill to remove roadless protections from some BLM and Forest Service lands.
Now Democratic senators can vote against this bill knowing that it won't necessarily put them on the wrong side of sportsmen.
The House Bill is HR 1581, but the place to stop it is in the companion senate bill S 1087.
RMEF, joins the Obama Administration, the National Wildlife Federation (the USA's largest environmental conservation group), Trout unlimited, Back Country Hunters and Anglers, Hal Herring of Field and Stream, and a plethora of other conservation minded hook and bullet types.
Supporters besides NRA/Safari Club are mostly off road driving groups. It's been suggested that oil access is the real reason for the bill. That might well be the case but the oil companies dont vote, hunters and off road drivers do.
http://www.fieldandstream.com/...
If you have a Democratic Senator, and are a hunter, it might be a good idea to send him one of those emails forms they have on their web site and mention the bill's number and that you don't support the bill because you like roadless areas.
If you've enjoyed this please take a look at the group Hunting and Fishing Kos: Hunting and Fishing Kos is for anyone who has an interest in hunting, fishing, fieldcraft and, the preservation of these traditions and America's hunting and fishing grounds for future generations. We are a diverse group of individuals who fall to the the left on the political spectrum but represent the entire range of America's outdoors community. All are welcome here.