Letter from the President of the RMEF

[TLH]

March 28, 2012

To all Arizona RMEF Members

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) became aware of House Bill 2072, an act related to Big Game Tags and Permits introduced to the Arizona Legislature, earlier this month. The RMEF, representing over 5,500 members in Arizona and over 185,000 in the US, went on record opposing the bill in a letter to Arizona Governor Janice K. Brewer.

RMEF is now appealing to you, our members in Arizona, to make your voice heard on this poorly crafted legislation. HB 2072 would allocate a significant number of Arizona’s most prestigious and already limited permits to a “conservation” organization, most likely, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife, the primary advocates of this legislation. This action would undermine one of the most basic tenants of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model…that hunting is an opportunity for all. The allocation of 330 special permits for auction and raffle in a state with already limited public opportunity would be nothing short of a travesty and it will take away tags from those who participate in the public draw system.

The absurdity of HB 2072 does not stop there. This bill allows the “conservation” group selling these permits to exclusively retain an unreasonable percentage of the gross proceeds from the sale of these permits to cover administrative and operating expenses. The RMEF is proud to report that an average of only 8% of all Governor’s and Commissioner’s permits RMEF offers nationwide is retained for administrative purposes. 92% of the gross proceeds have been returned to the states and conservation projects to be invested only in benefiting wildlife and their habitat.

In Arizona specifically, RMEF currently returns 100% of the sale proceeds from the one special elk permit we sell. RMEF actually loses approximately $3,500 annually through direct expenses associated with handling the AZ elk permit. While RMEF believes it is appropriate for organizations to recover direct expenses associated with selling special permits, we firmly believe that private, non-profit entities should not take public assets to support their operational expenses. We operate RMEF the old fashion way, we work for what we get. We are not guaranteed any tags or licenses to create operational revenue.

As a member of RMEF and resident of Arizona it is time to contact your legislator and make your position known on HB 2072, or any similar legislative attempts to take public wildlife from the public. Please act today as this legislation would significantly impact your opportunity to hunt your prized big game species in your home state.

Sincerely,

 

M. David Allen

President and CEO

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

[donniedent]

Awesome! But nevermind that a national organzation opposes this bill and idea, there are a few here in Arizona that know better! Their success proves it! RMEF has 5500 members in Arizona... I'd bet that is double if not triple the membership of those who are for this bill or who are riding the fence so to speak. What do they know.. Right?

[coueshunter]

Apparently RMEF cant see the "big picture" either....LOL...I seriously dont know how anyone can feel comfortable with a Private group getting our public tags for free and keeping most of the money. Any of the really really intelligent guys need to explain to me why this is such a good idea. Basically AZSFW has tried to force getting free produc (tags), getting money from AZGFD up front to fund a new business venture (expo), get all their costs of operation covered from the tags and whats left over from the tag money generated they may give AZGFD 30% back 1 year later. Man, I want to start a business that way with zero cost of the product, unlimited ways to back charge AZGFD, and not pay for anything for 1 year. What an absolute joke...........Sure hope we kill this HB2072 and any form like it.......Allen Taylor..........p.s. Channel 3 will air the interview tonight at 9:00 that we did yesterday.....sure hope us AZ hunters are put in a good light............Allen........

[krp]

5500 is probably as many as all the state critter members total... there can't be 200 people that support this legislation that actually read it... counting their uncle fred who's 90 with dementia.

 

Anyway, who else wonders how Allen did without a keyboard as a crutch... hope they at least let him use a teleprompter... I'm gett'n his autograph next time I see him, now that he's a TV star.

 

can't wait to watch tonight amigo.

 

Kent

[Snapshot]

Nice to see such a large and established organization like RMEF standing behind sportsman and opposing HB2072. It speaks volumes as to the integrity of the club.

[yotebuster]

WOW! Hypocrisy at it's finest! The RMEF maybe needs to reconsider their use of the Double H ranch in NM if they are going to jump on the "anti HB2072" bandwagon! Sounds like one hand is scratching the typical everyday AZ elk hunters back, while the other hand is under the politicians desk... I realize I'm talking about two separate states, but this is the same idea. They're trying to make all of us think they are on our side to keep our $40 a year subscriptions coming their way. I haven't been a member of RMEF for 10 years and never will be again.

[Chef]

I'm very happy to see this letter.

[AZ402]

Great letter, apparently old Bonuspointjohn didn't take to kindly to this stance by the RMEF.

[Lv2hnt]

RMEF's stance in supporting hunting and hunters has experienced a positive turnaround on a number of issues since Dave Allen has taken the reins ...