Nebo, I do appreciate your efforts. And I do not think the RAC to be a joke. I will not back down from my comments that it, the RAC meeting, is used numerous times as a scapegoat, when poor magament is put into play. You claim to have "good balance" within the group. I do believe it was set up to be that way with the many different "walks of life" folks on the board. Where you are mislead is the DWR panders to the special interest groups for the very reason you mention in your last post, Quote" Every conservation group -- yes, including SFW--has and is helping to improve the deer situation-- If it weren't for them our opportunity to hunt wouldn't even be close to what we have right now. The DWR would simply not be able to work and fund everything that is going on right now".
I don't blame folks who honestly want to help improve the situation. I have Hunted Utah since is was 12, hunted Big game from 16, I am now, well lets say on the down hill slope. I hopefully, have raised my kids to Love hunting as much as I do. My oldest (of 3) grandsons accompanied me on a Deer hunt for the first time 3 years ago, He has been studying the Hunters Education manual for months now. And soon will take the class.
I will tell you something now, and I think you will know who I am . My wife and I were "Hunter Education instructors of the year" in 2008. Before that, I am the person who petitioned for a longer muzzleloader season and presented the proposal to the RAC. I was involved with the YHEC and Youth hunting and firearm safety for years. My wife was the person who arranged for the (short lived)Firearm safety class at Walmart, and She was responsible for contacting all the vendors for prizes. I have build foot bridges, planted browse, rebuilt bird watching towers. all for Hunting programs, in this State. I tell you this NOT to be padded on the back, You keep that for the guys who do "projects" and actually expect something for it. (like sfw).
If the situation with the DWR is ,as you say, They cant do the work and fund everything that is going on right now, Then ITS TIME the DWR is accountable. Why Cant they do the things we pay them to do, is it because there are to many programs like the Provo River Project ( for watchable Birds) How much is spent on Hardware ranch every year, and how does it help with the Deer hunting issues in southern utah. How much is spent at Farmington bay for Bird watching, Who pays the GLN centers upkeep, how does all this help Hunting issues. It does appease special interest groups, But where does the money come from?? I'd like an answere to this question. I have seen the "operating budget" For the DWR. its easy to find, Unlike the budgets for the special groups like sfw. How many employees, Contractors, Companies, does this budget fund, and how many are actually "in the field" officers. How many drive State trucks and sit at a desk. WHY, The DWR Cannot make laws only enforce them, Why do we allow the bureaucracy, Why is the money collected from sportsmen split and divided so many ways. Here is something you might know. Utah has the most successful Hunter Education program in the U.S. their "Blue Card" is excepted throughout not just the U.S. States, but many places throughout the World. How much DWR money is spent to run it?
I no longer Teach hunter Education, I have been ask several time in the last while, but don't think I will. I am done with the koolaid. It is a good program And I hope it continues to be. I will no longer be involved with the Dedicated Hunter program. It is way to distant from what it was, when I was involved with it. Politics aiding and aided by the special interest SFW types have about spoiled or smelled up most programs within the DWR.
Nebo, IMO your good folk, Fight the good fight,But when you've had enough of the kool aid, And that time will come, You will be just as cynical towards the sfw groups, as I am.