Harney County Standoff

bonepicker

Very Active Member
Messages
1,328
I'm not sure how many of you guys/ladies are following or are interested in what is happening out here in Harney County but after carefully watching this play out for two weeks, I've got some thoughts as a local.
First, I know that this issue stirs strong feelings and opinions in many and I'm seeing this clearly in our county. The majority of people in Harney County are completely against the Bundy's and their actions but there are a few that sympathize with them and that division has broken some lifelong friendships throughout the county. It's ugly here and that's sad to see. All that to say, I'm not trying to berate anyone or pick a fight, these are just some thoughts I have come to after watching this situation. Here you go:
-Regardless of what your opinion of Federal, State or local government is, don't throw your hat in the ring with these guys. What they are advocating is not good for a vast majority of Oregonians, including hunters, ranchers, outdoorsmen, and rural residents. They want to turn all federal land over to private ownership, therefore, if you have ever hunted, fished, hiked, rafted, camped, driven through, photographed etc any BLM or Forest Service land (our public land) in Harney, Grant, Malheur, Lake or any other county with a lot of public land, you will be dramatically affected if their ideas get traction. Private land will undoubtedly have far less public access than federal land!
-Even if you disagree with the way the Refuge is managed or the possible formation of the Owyhee Canyonlands, or how feral horses are (or aren't) managed, or road closures or regulations on sage grouse or spotted owls or any of a myriad of other hot buttons, don't make the jump from frustration with policy to advocating anarchy. The sportsmen, rancher, rural voice is already marginalized, treating these guys like heroes will cause our voice to be ignored entirely. So speak up, loud and proud but don't glorify what the Bundy's are doing or you run the risk of being written off as a fool by the majority of people you talk to. Because people feel so strongly about this, even saying "I appreciate that the Bundy's have brought attention to some issues but I disagree with their methods" will turn people off to what you have to say.
-If you're interested, get good information. I can't even tell you how much gossip, misinformation, wild speculation, and how many crazy conspiracy theories there are out there, don't believe everything you hear on facebook or wherever, do some digging and find the real story. As much as it surprises me, the Oregonian and even more surprising OPB have done some of the best, most accurate and balanced reporting on this issue. And while the national news has gotten bored with this (and believe me, the locals are tired of it and want it to end as well) those two news organizations have continued to work hard at accurately covering the story and keeping people informed.
Just some thoughts, you can take them for what they're worth.:)
 
This a simple situation with simple solution.

Come out with your hands up. resist arrest and you will be killed . game over.













Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
Thanks for the post Bonepicker. I have been following and I too have worked hard to find the facts. I have a son that knows how I feel and he was surprised when I told him to stand down on this one. I believe there will be a time and place to stand up for what is right. I feel for all of the ranchers that have been persecuted by the Feds. But a lot of the same ones have harassed me on Public ground for being on "Their" pasture.

DZ
 
I am an eastern OR rancher and I used to run on an allotment. these guys are not being persecuted they just want more.

An allotment is just like anything else. if you don't like what you're getting for your money you're free to walk away or sub it to one of the many who will be happy to help you out. they stay because it's the cheapest pasture in the nation and they know they're getting one hell of a deal. end of story.

There are folks who deserve sympathy I this country. these aren't some of them.
















Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
Absolutely right on all counts. As a co-owner of these lands I can hunt, fish, cut firewood or christmas trees, camp, etc. If I were interested, I could compete for a share of the commercial timber, mineral or grazing available to those like most of us who cannot afford to purchase our land outright. Of course, there should be no expectation of affordable access--especially to lands of marginal quality where the profit margin is simply too thin. On the other hand, where I see private land, I see mostly fences and "No Trespassing" signs. Of all of the rights I possess in the USA, gun ownership and access to public lands are my most precious.
 
>I am an eastern OR rancher
>and I used to run
>on an allotment.
>these guys are not being
>persecuted they just want more.
>
>
>An allotment is just like anything
>else. if you don't like
>what you're getting for your
>money you're free to walk
>away or sub it to
>one of the many who
>will be happy to help
>you out. they
>stay because it's the cheapest
>pasture in the nation and
>they know they're getting one
>hell of a deal. end
>of story.
>
>There are folks who deserve sympathy
>I this country. these aren't
>some of them.





>>> Nailed it! this is 100% correct







>Absolutely right on all counts.
>As a co-owner of these
>lands I can hunt, fish,
>cut firewood or christmas trees,
>camp, etc. If I
>were interested, I could compete
>for a share of the
>commercial timber, mineral or grazing
>available to those like most
>of us who cannot afford
>to purchase our land outright.
> Of course, there should
>be no expectation of affordable
>access--especially to lands of marginal
>quality where the profit margin
>is simply too thin.
>On the other hand, where
>I see private land, I
>see mostly fences and "No
>Trespassing" signs. Of all
>of the rights I possess
>in the USA, gun ownership
>and access to public lands
>are my most precious.


>>>> Also 100% correct and I agree with you 100%


Bonepicker, thank you for the post. We as sportsmen need to drop the apathy regarding this public land grab.
 
Thanks for this post. I 100% agree. These lands need to stay public and owned by all Americans. We need to work on better management and policies within the BLM and other federal agencies but these men do not deserve support or sympathy. They are selfish and delusional men who need to be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for what they've done.
 
Back
Top Bottom