WSI ENews...Serving Hunters' and Landowners' Needs Since 1987

Civic Responsibility in Maintaining our

Hunting Heritage

June 3, 2014

Serving as our third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson is noted as being the author of our Declaration of Independence, which essentially guarantees citizens the "unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." It is through civic responsibility that our American citizenry continues to enjoy the qualities that were shaped through our American history. These responsibilities may include things such as voting, participation in government and church, philanthropy, and volunteerism. Motives might include humanity and quality of life, economic, environmental, economic, civil, and fundamental values that are central to a healthy society. Simply put, civic responsibility is an elemental component of who we are as Americans, and engagement within this principle is essential in protecting these core values.

Perhaps no other quote sums up this dictum of civic responsibility than that of John F. Kennedy, when he proclaimed, "Ask not what your Country can do for you, ask what you can do for your Country." Kennedy's famous observation that he shared during his inauguration has application to many things in life that we value, but sometimes take for granted.

As a community of hunters, we have similar civic responsibilities that are no different than those that help ensure the democratic freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. As hunters, we have a duty to understand and appreciate the values that our hunting heritage has afforded all citizens of this country. For many hunters, there's a tendency to quickly reflect upon what hunting does for them from a personal recreational and enjoyment standpoint, and this indeed is one of the great features of hunting. However, it is of paramount importance that we never lose sight of the integral role that hunters play in the sustainable conservation equation, and as a hunting community, it should be our duty to treat this as a civic responsibility to promote and celebrate this relationship. Conservation of our natural resources is fundamental to the health of our society, and hunters capitalize terrestrial wildlife conservation and management like no other practice in this country. Our non-hunting population may never fully comprehend what our hunting heritage and our hunting culture means to those who participate in this practice, but it is a failure of civic responsibility for hunters to not adequately promote and advocate the importance of hunting in the conservation equation. Even some 70-80 years ago Aldo Leopold often opined the need for civic engagement as a fundamental conservation tenet.

So, how can you do your part in exercising your duties as a hunter by civically engaging? There are many ways this can be accomplished, and click here to see a few.

People being people, it's awfully convenient to sit on the side-line, expecting the next person to carry your water. If you value hunting, and if you want your grandkids to enjoy the same wildlife and hunting pleasures that your generation has enjoyed, it is your civic duty to engage in some fashion. Little is better than nothing, and nothing will get us no-where. Collectively we can make a difference....you can make a difference.

Thanks for taking the time to peruse this edition of our WSI ENews. Please drop us a line if we can assist in any way. Generous rainfall of over 10" in some areas over a 3-day period a few weeks back sure has this country around San Angelo looking nice right now. Life's better outdoors, so get out and enjoy it!

Best,

Greg Simons

New Mexico Pronghorn

James Dreibelbis - New Mexico Pronghorn

Wildlife Systems, Inc. is please to offer pronghorn antelope hunts on the historic Day Ranch located between Clayton and Raton, New Mexico. Comprising well over 40,000 acres, this is outstanding pronghorn country, known for its great numbers with quality horn characteristics.

This hunt is well suited for many different occasions,including young hunters, husband/wives, and corporate outings, as well. This is not a physically demanding hunt, and with warm temperatures, along with a 2 � day program, it is a convenient option for someone looking for a fun hunt without tying up a lot of time or having to bring much specialty clothing or gear. Please click here to see the complete information on the New Mexico Pronghorn hunt, including: dates, lodging, meals, etc...

Two Great Raffles for Great Causes

Here's your chance to support a couple of great causes, while also having an opportunity to win gr eat prizes.

Polaris Model 570

Limited to only 100 tickets, you can purchase a chance to win a Polaris 570 EFI 4-Wheeler. Tickets are $100 each and you can buy as many as you would like. Proceeds will benefit the education and hunting heritage programs of the Texas Wildlife Association. The lucky winner will be drawn this coming Saturday, June 7 in Lubbock at the regional Texas Big Game Awards. A big thank you to Lee Hoffpauir of Hoffpauir Outdoor Superstore for generously making arrangements for this great raffle item. Okay folks, help us sell some tickets and support the cause....you may be the lucky winner of a great item. Feel free to call Greg Simons at (325)655-0877 to make arrangements to purchase tickets. Deadline is this Saturday, June 7 by 2:00....don't delay!

Two Great Hunts

Fortson Turner

Bob Schlagel

For more information on these two hunts, click here and see details.

Ticket sells are limted to 200 at $100 per ticket. Proceeds from this raffle benefit the North Texas Buckskin Brigade, which is a youth leadership camp featuring wildlife and hunting as a platform for engaging and teaching high school students about a wide variety of wildlife and hunting related topics. This award-winning camp also emphasizes various human life-skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, self-confidence, government affairs, arts, and performing under pressure. Although the cut-off date for the raffle is listed as July 17, the date has been adjusted to July 24. You can either print out the form and send in or you can contact Greg Simons to make arrangement to purchase your tickets. So, come on people, support this great cause!

TWA Convention

J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

For those of you who are looking for a great get-away, spending time with some 1500 other wildlife and hunting enthusiasts, you may want to consider attending the Texas Wildlife Association Convention, scheduled for July 10-12 at the fabulous J.W. Marriott in San Antonio.

TWA was formed in 1985 to serve as an advocate for landowners, hunters, and other wildlife enthusiasts. WSI owner, Greg Simons, currently serves as President of the 6400 member organization. Programs of TWA, in 2013, took well over 1500 kids hunting through Texas Youth Hunting Program, entered almost 1400 animals into the Texas Big Game Awards, reached over 450,000 people through the various education programs, while also providing a strong advocacy effort through TWA's public policy and governmental affairs efforts.

Fun For the Entire Family!

For more information on this fun and important TWA Convention, click on here. Additionally, a Private Lands Summit is being held on the Thursday of this Convention, in conjunction with this event, and to see more details about this outstanding event, click here. Hope to see you there.

Distinguished Economist Finds EPA Economic Analysis Flawed

EPA's report severely underestimates the effects on local communities and the national economy

San Antonio, TX: Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) notes with interest the release of Dr. David Sunding's report, Review of 2014 EPA Economic Analysis of Proposed Revised Definition of Waters of the Unites States. The report examines the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) estimates of probable costs and benefits associated with the proposed rule on "Waters of the United States," and finds that EPA significantly underestimates the economic impacts the rule will have on local communities and businesses. Dr. Sunding is an economist on the faculty of the University of California-Berkeley and a principal with The Brattle Group.

The proposed rule includes a significant expansion of the term "Waters of the United States" to include previously unregulated waters located in floodplains and riparian areas, ditches, and the all-inclusive "other waters."

Dr. Sunding chronicles how EPA systematically excluded costs, underrepresented jurisdictional areas and used flawed methodologies to arrive at much lower economic impacts. He also examines how the lack of transparency in the report makes it difficult to understand or replicate the calculations, evaluate the underlying assumptions, or understand discrepancies in the results. Dr. Sunding explains how EPA's analysis downplays non-404 impacts, resulting in an artificially small increase in jurisdictional waters. A full copy of his report is available online at http://tinyurl.com/kq2dks5.

Dr. Sunding concluded that the errors in the study are so extensive as to render it unusable for determining the true cost of the proposed rule. His report underscores the need for EPA to withdraw the rule and complete a comprehensive and transparent economic review.

"This rule will have widespread impacts on communities across the country," said a spokesman for the Waters Advocacy Coalition. "It is not just businesses trying to expand in this struggling economy that will suffer, but the proposed rule would impact everything from local governments trying to start or expand infrastructure projects to community gardens. It will dictate land use decisions across the United States. It is a far-reaching expansion of the EPA's jurisdiction, and the EPA has not been forthright about the costs to our businesses and communities."

According to TWA President, Greg Simons, "Water is a central necessity for our entire Texas citizenry, and when you consider that the vast majority of Texas water resources are tied directly or indirectly to private lands stewardship, it is absolutely imperative that private landowners be granted the tools and incentives to be good care-takers of those private lands resources, ultimately benefitting all Texans. TWA strongly opposes any expansion of federal regulations that compromise landowners' rights and encumbers or adds costs to landowners' abilities to effectively and efficiently manage the natural resources found on their lands."

The report was commissioned by the Waters Advocacy Coalition (WAC), which represents the nation's construction, real estate, mining, agriculture, wildlife conservation, forestry, manufacturing and energy sectors, and of which TWA is a member. As part of WAC, TWA will continue to push for EPA to withdraw this proposed rule, and work to develop a better rule that balances the needs of affected communities with protections for "Waters of the United States."

TWA, with a membership of 6400+ members who represent some 40 million acres of private land in Texas, was formed in 1985 to serve as an advocate for private landowners, hunters, and other wildlife/outdoor stakeholders.

Free-Range Aoudad Sheep Hunt

True to sheep form, aoudads tend to frequent rugged, remote terrain. Their eye sight is eagle-like, they are as wary as any game animal in North America, and they are extremely hardy, and hard to anchor, even with a well placed bullet. Simply put, this is a hunt that should be in any serious big game hunter's travel plans.

James Dreibelbis with 34" sheep

We conduct the majority of these hunts on two large properties near Alpine and Marathon, TX. One ranch encompasses almost 200,000 acres, and the other even larger than that. This is big, raw, unspoiled country, very well suited to a sheep's liking.

Our package includes 3.5 days, and 4 nights, with guide, lodging, meals, and game care included as part of the package. Facilities are modest, but plenty adequate. Our 2 x 1 guided hunts are priced at $4200, and our 1 x 1 hunts are $4700. Nonresident licenses are $48 and are guaranteed, with no drawing or lottery.

Brian Cassium

Over the last 5 years, we have had a great run on big sheep, with well over 50% of our harvest including rams over 30". The majority of the aoudads we harvest are in the 29"-31" range, with most of the rams being 8-10 years old. Success rates on having shots at mature rams approach 90%. But, make no mistake; this is not a fish shoot. This is most well suited for a hunter looking for a sporty, challenging experience in big wild terrain, chasing extremely wary animals. Big time hunting, at a very reasonable price.

(325) 655-0877

[email protected]

www.wildlifesystems.com

Serving Hunters' and Landowners' Needs Since 1987

June 3, 2014