Thanks for posting that Clem...

https://www.hcn.org/hcn/hcn/issues/48.5/the-darkness-at-the-heart-of-malheur

That was probably the best articles I have ever read on the Bundy vs the Government deal...

I honestly would hate to think if the federal Government gave all the National Forests to the States. On the other hand what ever the Federal Government gives us it can just as easily take away. And what I mean by that is that that States have enough trouble administering the state forest and state parks with the money that they have. And secondly just because the Federal Government allows us to use the National Forests for hunting they could just as easily take that away.

The only thing that is certain: If all the public lands were suddenly in private hands we sure as hell couldn't hunt, fish, hike, canoe or camp there.

Here's one from Hal on the situation in the Everglades:

https://www.fieldandstream.com/catastrophe-in-everglades-and-how-to-fix-it#page-9

TRCP and BHA are not declaring political loyalty. They are opposed to the republican strong hold of liquidating public lands. Because of that stance, they get money from groups who do oppose Republicans.

I always vote red, but I am diametrically opposed to the Republicans stance on public lands, so I associate with some public land groups with my wallet, thus holding their feet to the fire.

I've told senators and representatives that while I appreciate their fight for the 2nd emdment, my public lands are not protected by the constitution, so I would appreciate their fight for us on that. They ignore, so I fund groups to fight them. It's messy and ugly, but that's politics and policy making in a nut shell.

Definitely. Politics isn't always easy or pretty. Makes sausage-making look like baking cookies in a convent.

I read that one too. It was linked in that same article. Good stuff.

Hey folks, I'm on the Southeast Chapter Board of Directors and I just got back from the SE Chapter of BHA's latest board meeting. We are definitely ramping things up in the Southeast and have several Alabama action items in which all of you should be interested. If you have any specific questions or would like to get involved please contact me or look us up on Facebook or Instagram, or attend one of the four Pint Nights scheduled next week in Alabama: 1/21 in Huntsville; 1/22 in Birmingham; 1/23 in Auburn; and 1/24 in Fairhope. If you are a member or just curious about the organization please come by and say hello. I'll post more information on location, time, etc tomorrow. Great to see this discussion on ALdeer! Thanks, Andrew Monaghan

Glad to see this come up here. I haven’t visited in a while due to military service in Iraq and getting back settled with the job.

Big points: Huntsville Pint Night on 21 JAN 19 at the OTBX downdown. I will be there, along with our chapter coordinator.

Who am I? Jeff Jones, I live in Huntsville, and am the Chair of the Southeast Chapter BHA. I have also recently been added to the BHA North American Board of directors.

Our chapter has grown to over 1,000 members...doubling in the last year. Hope to meet some folks at the HSV pint night.....come even fit you are skeptical.....I want to talk with you.

I have been involved in BHA for three years now, and cant say enough about the folks I have met in this organization. Look forwarding to seeing you at one of our events....and if you have questions....ask us anything in this thread.

Will be out of town during both upcoming events in H'sv but look forward to meeting you guys another time. Have a stout for me at OTBX.

I'll be coming to the Birmingham Pint Night unless I get called out of town. Looking forward to it.

Here is more detail for the upcoming Pint Nights:

Huntsville Pint Night on January 21 at the OTBX downtown from 4-7 pm. (This one starts early because it is a federal holiday.)

Birmingham on January 22 at Cahaba Brewing Company from 6-8 pm

Auburn Pint Night will be January 23 at Bow and Arrow from 6-8 pm

Fairhope Pint Night will be January 24 at Old 27 Grill from 6-8 pm

Josh Kaywood, our Chapter Coordinator from the national organization, will be at all the events.

I (Andrew Monaghan) will be at the Fairhope event, Jeff "SapperDawg" Jones will be at the Huntsville event, Andrew Maxwell of the Southern Outdoors fame and one of our Alabama State Captains will be hosting the Auburn event, and my brother, Jamey Monaghan, who is Alabama State Chair, will be hosting the Birmingham event with Chad Granger, who is another AL State Captain.

All are welcome to attend and there is no entrance fee. We want to introduce ourselves, answer questions, talk about public land hunting and fishing, and issues we will face together.

Thanks for the info. Hope to make the Auburn meeting

Thanks for the update. I will definitely try to make it. Did not know there was one happening in Hsv. Does an email from BHA go out for these pint nint meetings?

Isn't this already the "way it is" in Alabama? I know in some states, if a river goes through your place, it's yours.

This is a hugely debated issue right now across the country - access to water that may run through or adjoin private property. It's happening in Louisiana with canals and bays, western states (with rivers) and in the northeast. In the latter, public lakes are being closed off to the public because a developer bought the land around it for homes, put up gates-fences, and prohibited access. I think Inland Lake in Alabama is an example of this here. In the northeast it's more of an issue than it was-is here.

Involves issues with navigable waters, laws or such dating back centuries, landowner rights, erosion - a big issue in Louisiana, and more.

Certainly among the public use issues that deserve attention.

Yes, we will send out an email. Details should be in the next chapter update email that is going out in the next day or two, if not today and we will be blitzing the social media tomorrow.

Louisiana is a booger bear because there's so much water, and it varies with tides, etc. It's a huge percentage of the state.

For those of you who are interested in Backcounty Hunters & Anglers but not able or interested in attending an event like these, we will participate in more family oriented events too. We will be manning a booth at the Hoyt/Pro Am ASA 3D tournament in Foley next month and we will have a booth at the World Deer Expo in Birmingham in July. We are in planning stages of trash clean up events throughout the state for after turkey season. And, we are formulating a plan for a shooting/hunter ed event at the Talladega CMP Park in the early Fall. More in the works too.

Since I'm obviously in Mobile tonight, I can't make this Pint night. I hope at least one of us goes so you can report back and give us the scoop.

Hey Irishguy, sorry you can't make the Birmingham Pint Night. We do have one in Fairhope Thursday night which I will be attending. I will let you know how it goes. I understand the Huntsville event was well attended.