LAST EDITED ON Dec-15-03 AT 06:16PM (MST)[p]I posted this on the "demise of trophy mule deer" thread but it is in the middle of the pack now so I will post it again here because I believe it contains numerous "wives tales".
Drum
30inchbucks,
Everybody here wants to see the number of quality bucks increase and we are all passionate about hunting these amazing animals. Its not your passion and committment that I question so I went back and reread your original post very carefully and again came away with the feeling that you have some underlying issues. The last paragraph, or conclusion, of your post pretty much sums it up:
"All we need is a statement that reads like this, ?I am in full support of amending the law to make it unlawful for any person to use chute planes or any other aircraft that hovers at any time of the year, in order to locate, observe, or harass any big game animal or protected wildlife? along with your name and full address"
I read on either this forum or one of the others that this was an article you had written and typically the last paragraph would be the conclusion and would sum up the point of the article. Your conclusion pretty much spells out what your real intent was.
Here are a few more points in your article that I find interesting seeing as to how this article was about more than just chute planes as you claim.
"A chute plane is an aircraft that holds 1 to 2 passengers and is able to hover at slow speeds. It uses a parachute for wings, a light-duty engine for power, and is also referred to as an ultralite. They are becoming more and more popular especially among the guides."
And your article is not going to be just about chute planes?
"Most of these bucks were purchased with the almighty dollar."
Most? I doubt it, the tax bracket you refer to all but negates the word "most" in this statement. Its also an insult to the guys that go out and hunt hard and find what they are looking for.
"But these areas are creating moneymaking opportunities for the guides, landowners, and even the fish and game (Governor Tags). These landowner, conservation, and governor tags are being sold to the rich for prices ranging from four to one hundred thousand dollars! The rich are able to hunt these units every year at the prime times and the rest of us are being left out."
And someone got mad when I mentioned jealousy
" This is where the chute plane comes into play as a major contributor to eliminating the big bucks."
Again, I thought that this was going to be about more than just chute planes?
" This year 2003 out of 127 public rifle tags there was one buck known of taken that was 30-inches plus. The magazines and books that come out will claim different and show pictures of big bucks taken, but what they don't tell is that the hunter paid big money to harvest it and chute planes were used to locate it."
If you only know of 10-12 people that have chute planes are you telling me that they guide every hunter in every magazine to all of those big deer? What a load of crap and its insulting to the people that dont complain and get out there and hunt their arses off. Furthermore, when did 30 inches constitute a "trophy" buck. I see 30 inch deer every year that I would not kill with somebody elses tag and conversely, I see sub-30" deer that I would give my left testicle to harvest.
?In the beginning God created everything including big bucks, then he created man and they bought chute planes, in the end there was nothing!?
Getting a little bit freaky here. I thought that chute planes were just a minor problem as you recently stated?
"Another thing we can do at a more personal level is not support these activities by purchasing their products. Names will not be mentioned but a lot of them are involved with creating videotapes, books, and magazines."
Again, there is an underlying issue here and its so transparent its not even funny! Seriously, tell us how you really feel about Ry..... OOPS, I forgot, you were not mentioning names. MY BAD!
In conclusion, I feel that your post was about more than the decline of trophy mule deer. If it were just about the decline of the mule deer I would hope that your article would include some major factors these deer have to deal with and some solutions other than just telling us exactly what to write and who to send it to. If you are wondering what I am refering to then go back and reread every post on this thread and you will see some very well thought out problems and solutions. If you have a problems with the wealthy, the landowners, guides and outfitters then you should just say so. I find it transparent and disgusting that you try and stereotype all of these individuals and blame them for the problems facing mule deer today. All of that being said, you stated something in your last post that could not have been more true and that was "everyone" and I repeat "everyone" that has posted on this site in my opinion cares what is happening with our mule deer here in the west or they wouldn't be posting their feelings." That statement could not be more true. In order to get ahead in this uphill battle we need to focus our attention to the areas that will make the most impact first and work our way down the list. Going after 12 guys with chute planes would be a minor problem in my book when you look objectively at the problems facing mule deer today.
Drummond
