Hello, my name is Joshua Coursey and I am the Chairman of the Muley Fanatic Chapter. My phone number is 307-389-7495 and I would welcome any of you to call me and discuss this matter as adults with fact finding and accurate information. Your opinions are exactly that... opinions. Nothing more, nothing less. Just like mine. But, since so much of this is directed at me in an indirect way, let me share some info with you... My opinion, and for those that don't bother to seek... a few facts that you may find to be pertinent information.
I must admit this is a little disheartening to see this conversation continue with such negativity. But before I continue, I need to set some facts straight... I just caught wind of this and I feel that your comments and concerns should be directed towards me since I am the one who calls the shots for the Chapter. To tarnish the works of our volunteers is more than disappointing, it is wrong by all accounts. Our volunteers have put an enormous effort in accomplishing a goal set forth a year ago. To be the top fundraising chapter in the entire MDF. We eclipsed the previous mark last Saturday night and are extremely grateful for the opportunities this will allow our Chapter to accomplish to improve habitat in Wyoming.
As far as the elk hunt, which started out as the original topic... it was fully donated by Thunder Mountain Elk Ranch out of Soda Springs, Idaho and I am grateful that Billy Rassmussen of TMER wanted to partner up with our Chapter and see what could be done to help us generate revenue. Mr. Rassmussen is a first class individual and is nothing short of a good American that I am proud to know and be associated with.
Secondly, it is amazing how rumors get out of hand. Shame on all of those who didn't bother to get their facts straight before letting their typing get out of hand.
Friendly reminder and food for thought... My Lord and Savior asked me to be a witness not a judge or lawyer...
FOR YOUR INFORMATION, as it deems necessary, let the record show... The elk hunt was purchased by a 71 year old gentleman from Rock Springs for $7,500 with no relation to any convicted poacher etc...
The afore mentioned purchase of a post containing the $11,100 was for the Wyoming Commissioner's Tag, which was brought in the live auction. It is unfortunate that everyone wants to point out the particulars of something non-related to the facts and turn this into something that is completely off the mark.
If you commented on this or was one to question if someone involved with the elk hunt tag or Commis's tag for that matter, was the relation to a convicted poacher, than let me be the first to encourage you to do the right thing and publicly post that you jumped the gun and allowed rumors to circulate with your adding of fuel to the fire. I won't be surprised if you don't, as I know your type.... I depsise charcter traits such as these. Traits like these are parasites and eat away the good efforts of genuine concern and pure organizations accountable to a standard you will never know.
But just so you know, since you don't bother to check your facts, the winning bidder of the Commissioner's tag, is not keeping the tag but rather checking into the legalities of running advertisments for all 12 year olds in the County to register free of charge to have a chance to win the highly coveted tag....
I digress, I am not here to defend anyone. I circulate with people of honor and integrity and do not find it necessary to defend those I associate with.
It appears to me that the original subject at hand is the ethics behind the "canned hunt". I am not here to say if this is correct or not. If you don't think this is correct, I imagine you wouldn't purchase the packaged hunt. So be it. There are others out there that do, that is the beauty of this country that I love so dearly. That is what makes the world go round. Really, is it an issue that you should be concerning yourself with? It is not the MDF that is partnering with this hunt, it is our chapter and we don't regret this decision as it was based on good intentions and was the right thing to do. Would we do it again? You bet in a heartbeat. So if this is going to keep you from supporting us in the future, glad to know where you stand.
Our involvement was to add to our efforts the potential of something that would generate revenue for our Chapter that in turn would be used to make a difference for mule deer and improve habitat in Wyoming. If you don't agree with this philosophy, that is fine as I will not lose sleep to your opinions. If you want to discuss this further to possibly enlighten me to your view, I welcome the conversation... please call me.
As far as the comment on the accountability of our projects...
I had to refrain a little because my first reaction was to call you a worthless puke and tell you things that would only disappoint myself and my own regard for the standard I hold myself accountable to. It appeared to me that you were judging us on our productivity and ability to get things done.
Fortunatley, I thought about my response and didn't let my lack of fact seeking skills distract me. Our projects in our short three years have included the placement of 22 Stop Poaching Signs, partial funding of the Wyoming Range Habitat Assessment $70,000(coined the highest priority by the Wy G&F), and three years running of the sponosrship of the firt All-Female Hunters Safety Course. Our projects this year include the placement of water guzzlers and continued support of the WRHA as well as forage efforts through partnerships throughout the state sponosred by MDF national.
I hope this info has helped with some. For those that it don't, I encourage you to call me and see if I can be of further assistance. If not, continue to jump to conclusions, post inaccurate info and let your words be backed by falsehood and demeaning efforts. On the other hand, we will let our work back up our actions and stay out of rumor mill.