Comments on: Is the Recession a Boon for Habitat Acquisition?

By: Joshua

Joshua — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:57:19 +0000

If you are interested, perhaps we could talk to some TPL folks I know, and maybe that Bull Moose Club you blogged about. Who knows, perhaps we’ll start something here?

By: Phillip Loughlin

Phillip Loughlin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:45:13 +0000

Josh, you’ve definitely got the edge on me when it comes to understanding economics and the way some of these decisions get made. I also recognize that there’s really not a hunting organization whose charter is primarily driven by land acquisition (DU may be an exception… I dunno). However, the opportunity is there, as you suggest, to put heads and resources together with these other organizations. In fact, the Nature Conservancy has worked together with DU on some pretty key acquisitions. Seems like I saw where they just did a big project with the RMEF recently too… so the truth be told, I guess some of this is going on.

The time is probably about as good as it will ever be to take advantage of reduced property values, and I’d love to see this result in more huntable land, rather than more wildlife “museums” and fenceless zoos.

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:01:35 +0000

I figured you were being facetious about TPL being small, right?

Usually, in bad economic times, organizations and companies go “back to the basics.” For TPL and other land trusts, the basics are buying up lands for protection/transfer to public agencies. However, I don’t know of any major land trust whose focus is on hunting. Also, I don’t think the major players in hunter conservation and promotion want to wade into a new and complicated project during such an uncertain time, nor would I recommend it for them. I would, however, recommend those pro-hunting organizations talk to TPL and TNC about creating coalitions or even a new land trust whose focus would be on hunting. I’d work for it.

By: Arthur

Arthur — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:53:34 +0000

I don’t have the answers either, Phillip. It is a heck of an idea, though. It’s too bad a few of our outdoor organizations didn’t use some of their funds to snap up some cheap land that would allow a few more hunters access that maybe don’t have a place to hunt….or need a different place.

It does seem like a golden opportunity, but I’m sure there are issues I’m not thinking about that are keeping them from buying these pieces of property.

A very intriguing idea, though.