Yes, I too am glad that larger and more credible organizations spoke up despite the ARHJ's attempts to discredit them.
I too am a bit surprised with your ramblings. We went through this about a year ago on the AO Board and you claimed you understood things.
I have taken the liberty to once again post the explanation of the ARHJ originally posted on a thread that you yourself started on March 3rd, 2008.
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ARHJ was spawned by a common desire to eliminate the Open Spaces Proposal. Very early on, many members were accused of spreading misinformation and untruths about the OSA proposal. There was a lot of changing information from SRD and the University of Calgary and we found that it was often difficult to keep up. Many Alberta Outdoorsmen members expressed their reluctance or frustrations to read through the numerous threads to find facts and information. A few of us decided to meet and do something in an attempt to rectify the situation.
Similar to what the “Sportsmen of Alberta” did in their quest to expose the Interim Métis Harvest Agreement, we felt that it would be beneficial to dedicate a website to collecting the documentation and facts in regard to Open Spaces Alberta.
I would venture a guess that 99% of the information that is shared among individuals connected to the group also makes it’s presence on the AO boards. The ARHJ board provides a convenient way to consolidate information... old and new.
I do not pretend or purport to represent anyone other than myself. If you happen to agree that Open Spaces Alberta is the most dangerous scheme to resident hunters in Alberta, great! If you do not agree or you remain unsure, I am hoping we can change your mind.
With regard to participation, I think we all recognize that writing the Premier and our MLA’s a letter outlining our opposition is currently our best and most effective tool. Contact information is available on the website. Any other ideas would be most welcome and may also be shared on the AO board or via PM!
Our goal, much like the “Sportsmen of Alberta” website, was to make things easier.
AND (in the same thread)
Brady,
I don’t know that we have ever considered, nor do we want to consider the ARHJ as a membership group. I personally feel well represented by my participation with groups such as AFGA, ABA, RMEF, DU, PF, etc. All funding to this point has come from our own pockets, and to this point the wife has not figured this out, so I think we are okay.
My understanding of ARHJ (and if I am wrong I hope to be corrected) is that it is much
more of a study or research tool that attempts to marry hunters and anglers to information on Open Spaces Alberta.
I appreciate your recognition of the group’s efforts. We continue to research and ask a lot of questions and as answers or facts are revealed we share them.
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Apparently, I take a different view than you. I was very happy that a group of concerned individuals chose to provide information and expose the prejudices and bias of these paid hunting schemes. If you believe that the ARHJ was attempting to discredit those in favour of paid hunting and inequality among concerned landowners, I guess I can live with that.
I really don’t know if I can make it any clearer?