tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8732486.post3148760582394581136..comments2023-10-26T03:19:41.569-07:00Comments on Stephen Bodio's Querencia: Public Lands- More Perspective on Don T Steve Bodiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14434597061701369867noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8732486.post-26617476387738468612016-01-02T06:41:39.664-08:002016-01-02T06:41:39.664-08:00As an unapologetic and incorrigible trespasser for...As an unapologetic and incorrigible trespasser for many decades, I have a WIDE perspective on various forms of LAND CONTROL, to say the least! I actually find conservation groups acquisition of lands a great thing for my own selfish nomadic roamings, as they rarely or only ineffectively patrol their acquisitions! And of course, the wild habitats ARE being preserved, at the very least. I used to live where there was LOTS of National Forest(N. C./Tenn. border), open to everyone, and no one could beg to differ about my presence legally--HOWEVER, it was still wise to AVOID ALL HUMANS at all costs--lots of marijuana planters nervous about their crops, moonshine makers who had no qualms protecting discovery of their trade, auto thieves and hackers who would not tolerate witnesses, and the greatest danger, DEA agents so DESPERATE for an arrest, that anyone in the area caught out in the woods was fair game! But luckily, all these folks were TERRIBLY OBVIOUS and NOISY in the woods, and pitifully easy to avoid(AND there was enough wild land there to make it EASY to avoid them!). Now, alas, I live in much more civilized territory, and most of what wild land is here is ANALLY controlled by organized Deer Hunting leases, who are more aggressively territorial than New Guinea headhunters! And they regularly and effectively patrol their territories, making me have to slip around like a persecuted coyote! The different Leases are hostile to each other, too! There is SOME National Forest and State Gamelands that I have as much right to traverse as anyone, but most are SURROUNDED by these anal deer leases! And they know this and want to prevent any public access to these areas too(as in their imaginations, EVERYONE is a deer poacher out to steal their trophy bucks! You CANNOT convince most of these fellows otherwise! And they shoot any dog they see--a real worry for me as I am almost always accompanied by my dogs!).Though I value the wild habitat being preserved by these Deer Leases too, local peasants who DO NOT PAY MONEY are forbidden to even walk across land where they live--VERY different from the permissive, neighborly country folk/land owners I grew up with in the South. Long, long ago(sigh). Most of the controllers of these Leases are Townfolk(a contemptuous term, in my view) who do not even live nearby--but they wish to deny access to the actual residents. This is as bad(actually WORSE, in my case) as the land-gobbling, but slack-arse conservation groups!.....L.B.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8732486.post-25806727791586679682015-12-31T12:43:13.288-08:002015-12-31T12:43:13.288-08:00The erasure of Don Thomas from Ducks Unlimited is ...The erasure of Don Thomas from Ducks Unlimited is getting some ink (or electrons), and even the Outdoor Writers Association of America issued <a href="http://owaa.org/blog/2015/11/statement-thomas-ducks-unlimited/" rel="nofollow">a lukewarm condemnation</a>. People at DU may be noticing — someone with a Ducks Unlimited IP address finally read <a href="http://www.southernrockiesnatureblog.com/2015/12/do-i-have-to-throw-away-my-ducks.html" rel="nofollow">my little rant about it</a> a few days ago.<br /><br />But will they change? I doubt it. It seems the nature of nonprofits generally to start out lean and hungry (look at <a href="http://backcountryhunters.org" rel="nofollow">Backcountry Hunters and Anglers</a> today) but then, if successful, to slowly become more sclerotic, clubby, and self-satisfied. (Consider how both PETA and Mother Theresa's organization have multi-millions in the bank but keep on asking for more.)Chas S. Cliftonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00923547685265741325noreply@blogger.com