This is Randy Newberg, the ?political hunting activist.? Happy to say that.
In a time when most our issues are being dragged to the political arena, seems hunting needs more "political activists," not less. Politicians and their well-financed friends have realized that hunters don't like politics; they've realized our groups formed as 501(c)(3) organizations have restrictions on their political activity; and they have taken the decisions away from scientists and biologists and handed those important decisions to Congress, Legislatures, lobbyists, and political appointees.
With that reality, I suggest that some degree of "political activism" is required of anyone who want to see hunting have a bright future.
I am blessed to have a wonderful wife who accepts the huge time and financial commitment that comes with being a "political activist." She is willing to let our home finances fund much of what I do. She shares the same passion for wild places, wild animals, and public lands as I do. As such, we will continue to be "political activists" for the cause of hunting and public access until such time as I am returned to the earth.
I've spent 25 years involved in hunting politics/policy, on a local, state, and national level. I use that experience to try gauge what I feel is most important to the future of hunting. I then advocate for the causes I see as highest priority; in this case the puppet politicians and their big money sting pullers trying to screw hunters out of their public hunting access.
As it relates to public lands and public access, it is pretty simple to me. Every study shows that the biggest reason for loss of hunters/hunting is lack of hunting access. Additionally, 70% of hunters west of the Great Plains hunt primarily on public lands. The other 30% use public lands for some of their hunting or the animals they hunt spend time on public lands. Pretty simple set of facts to build an argument for.
That paints a really clear picture for me. I'm going to use my platforms to advocate for public hunting access, in this case, public land access. It's that simple. So long as I have a breath in my body, my platforms and my advocacy will be focused on public hunting access on currently accessible public lands.
Some may not like it. Fine. The beauty of America is that anyone can get involved and advocate for a cause they feel is important. It takes a commitment of time, a lot of work, and maybe some money. To build platforms with a high volume, it takes a lot of time, effort and money; just ask Founder.
Some people prefer the option of hanging out at the coffee shop to complain about their life, or they snivel to their buddies down at the local pub, or they might even troll internet forums to complain about others who have taken the initiative to try do something beneficial. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference or to whine and snivel. We all get to make that choice each morning.
As for my "political activism" on the topic of public land access, it is only increasing. I have an entire 16-episode YouTube series on the folly of this State Transfer smoke screen. Right now, we are on episode #6.
I've taken plenty of flak for the episodes we've released. That is a sign of being on the right path. As a former Vietnam fighter pilot told me when I was being hacked on a few years back,
?You know you're over a valuable target when the flak gets heavy.?
I'll take heavy flak and the risks that come with "political activism," all day/every day, as compared to sitting around and whining that the other guy is giving a message I don't like. If I don't like it, I need to create my own message and find ways to turn up the volume so self-interested politicians hear the message.
Gotta run. I've committed to spend the day in Billings with media and serve on a panel discussing this stupid idea that transferring Federal lands to the states is somehow going to solve all our problems. I usually don't make a lot of friends among the anti-public land crowd with my comments and supporting evidence of how that stupid idea is an effort to use public lands as currency for settling political debts, with a huge side-effect that to screw hunters out of their hunting grounds. But, that implies I am concerned about the hurt feelings of those wanting to screw hunters out of public hunting lands - NOT!
BTW, you can always look me up in the Bozeman phone book. My phone rings all hours of the day. If you are in Montana, you can always stop by. I'm pretty easy to find at my CPA firm (My real livelihood is disinheriting the Federal Treasury) or my house. Or, you can email me ?
[email protected].
"Hunt when you can - You're gonna' run out of health before you run out of money!"