RAMP - What does everyone think?

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Pudelpointer

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Another thread got sidetracked when the evil "R" word came up, so I decided that we are into bird season and rifle opened in the 300's today, so what does everyone think?

From what I have seen so far (and admittedly I have not looked at the properties on the web) most of the properties were already allowing hunting. So where are all the "new opportunities"?

Sound off!
 
I'll put in my two bits. Of all the guys I've spoken to or heard from, the only ones ticked off over the program are the guys who have been hunting 'their own little corner of the province' for a number of years and don't like the idea of anyone being welcome to use the land.

My view is this: Not every hunter, especially new hunters have the contacts or the condefence to approach land owners for one reason or another. I see the pogram as an oppertunity to allow new hunters to the sport who otherwise would not have had the oportunity to partake because they had no contacts, and many new hunters were not aware they were allowed to hunt in the forestry. Myself, I prefer hunting on public land for a number of reasons. One place I go, (private) I have the landowners permission to hunt anytime but he just asks that I check in first. I have no problem doing that, but I like to arrive well before legal light and I certainly don't like kocking on someones door at such an ungodly hour. I usually call the night befor and let him know where I would like to hunt the following morning, however sometimes he's not home and I won't call after a certain hour as it's rude. Another reason is I like going to a place where I need not ask permission and where nobody can ask me to leave.

There will be pro's and con's to this program, but I firmly believe it will benifit hunting in this Province. Yeah, it's my tax dollars funding it but I'd rather see my money going towards this as opposed to anti hunting programs.
 
The "new" opportunities are that a few of these areas are open without permission. All you need to do is sign in at a sign in box. The other areas are sign in at a box, but you need to contact the landowner ahead of time and see if they are at their allowable limit of hunters for the day you want. The third typr is register with the landowner and register with them before hunting each day.
 
pharaoh2 said:
I'll put in my two bits. Of all the guys I've spoken to or heard from, the only ones ticked off over the program are the guys who have been hunting 'their own little corner of the province' for a number of years and don't like the idea of anyone being welcome to use the land.
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And the guys who like it are getting something for nothing. No?
 
chuck nelson said:
And the guys who like it are getting something for nothing. No?
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Not at all. You as a hunter should appreciate new blood coming into the sport, and being encouraged to partake. In the end, the more hunters out there, the better our chances and our childrens chances of becoming hunters. Thinking any other way in regards to your question is just selfish. I have hunted on a section of land that now falls under the RAMP program. I for one will be happy to share it with others and if there are too many others, I will go elsewhere, simple as that. And for what it's worth, chances are I'll take a drive out to that very same spot next Wednesday. :)
 
pharaoh2 said:
Not at all. You as a hunter should appreciate new blood coming into the sport, and being encouraged to partake. In the end, the more hunters out there, the better our chances and our childrens chances of becoming hunters. Thinking any other way in regards to your question is just selfish. I have hunted on a section of land that now falls under the RAMP program. I for one will be happy to share it with others and if there are too many others, I will go elsewhere, simple as that. And for what it's worth, chances are I'll take a drive out to that very same spot next Wednesday. :)
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I'm hardly selfish when it comes to helping other hunters. Even when it comes to hunting on spots I've hunted for a long time. I resent you calling me that.

This program is a self serving vendetta if you want to define selfish.
 
I was in Lethbridge area over the weekend and we hunted a RAMP colony (pheasants, huns and ducks). Very easy and we were the first hunters the Hutterites there had seen this season.

The problem I have heard occurring is other landowners shutting down their previously huntable lands because they AREN'T getting paid. They are refusing to reopen their lands to hunting until they get their cut. So long term this could cause LESS land to be open to hunting rather than more.
 
the only time it sucks shareing land is when you get permission from the land owner get all set up just to have an outfitter show up with the land owner telling you to leave as they are hunting the same place later that day and dont want the spot screwed. that is a whole world of frustration
 
In regards to the last two posts, if you have permission to be someplace, no outfitter can tell you to leave. If they do tell them to pound salt. As for the landowners shutting down land, deer are a plauge to them. Most will tell you to shoot deer throught out the year. (Not that anyone should, that's how they regard them) I wouldn't worry too much about that and I haven't heard of anyone shutting down access for those reasons.
 
pharaoh2 said:
Ok, I appoligize if I offended you. Now please explain why you don't like the RAMP program in regards to the land you have hunted for years and why you consider it self serving. :)
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It is the idea of one man to be implemented at all costs. IE SELF SERVING. Property that one phone call allowed access for a season now requires multiple calls to gain access. For starters.
 
Why multiple calls? Most RAMP locations that I'm aware of have a check in station. You pull up, fill out your info and put it in the box then you go hunting or fishing with no phone calls required. Most locations have contact info on site or if not online. And most require no phone calls, just read the info to the specific location. AND finally, most locations have no maximum person quota. It is there if the land owners choose to use it. In all it's not a bad program if your willing to take the time to learn what it's all about.
 
My question is RAMP was supposed to open up MORE land to hunting and fishing; so does anyone know of a property that was previously closed that is now open?

For those that do not see what the fuss is all about, it is NOT about rural vs. urban, nor is it about tax dollars. It is simply a change in a long entrenched belief and practice in AB that it is ILLEGAL TO PAY FOR ACCESS to land for hunting. This is a 3 year "pilot program" that has opened a can of worms when it comes to landowner rights.

My personal opinion is that this will become a disaster. I do not have any problem in landowners who provide habitat and access receiving consideration from the rest of the population, but, cash payment for access (which is what RAMP is) sets a precedent that may be irreversible. I believe that tax incentives would have been a much safer, and just as effective route to go.
 
pharaoh2 said:
Why multiple calls? Most RAMP locations that I'm aware of have a check in station. You pull up, fill out your info and put it in the box then you go hunting or fishing with no phone calls required. Most locations have contact info on site or if not online. And most require no phone calls, just read the info to the specific location. AND finally, most locations have no maximum person quota. It is there if the land owners choose to use it. In all it's not a bad program if your willing to take the time to learn what it's all about.
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There are properties that have hunter limits imposed. They will require multiple calls.
 
Next on the horizon? A separate RAMP license fee of $200 to allow you access to RAMP lands? You'll get a little card and everything. You just watch. It'll happen and $200 might be on the cheap side.

Anyhoo. I'm not sure that I'm 100% against RAMP but it does present some sticky potential problems.
 
True enough, but do you only hunt one piece of land? Have you ever tried gaining access to a favorite spot only to find the land owner is on vacation? Now, what do you do? Do you go anyways, knowing he has always allowed you access and it won't be a problem? Or do you go elsewhere? And I've looked at most of the RAMP access lands around here, about a dozen if I remember off the top of my head. I cannot recall a single one that requires users from making contact other then the initial sign in station. I cannot speak of the 300's which I know you hunt and I don't. I cannot imagine more them a few requiring maximum numbers in that country unless your getting close to the gas plants where public safety may be an issue with too many guns around. Can you tell me which pieces that fall under the RAMP access program require more then the standard sign in procedure so i can check them out?
 
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