Preventing Trailer Accidents – Are you ready for the riding season?

23. February 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Trailers. A lot of us have them. Many just sit around until they are needed, then we hook up, load them up and head down the highway. They’re just back there. They follow our tow vehicles. Unfortunately trailers are the cause of an alarmingly large number of tragic highway accidents. Unfortunately most of those accidents could have easily been prevented.

Most of us have significant investments in our trailers. We often have a significant investment in the cargo that we carry and usually we have a significant investment in our tow vehicles and the people we have inside those tow vehicles. A relatively small investment in time and money can protect those other “investments” as well as protect others using the highway who may be unwitting victims of dangerous trailers.

PART ONE:
HITCHING EQUIPMENT

PART TWO:
TRAILER BODIES & RUNNING GEAR

PART THREE:
LIGHTS AND VISIBILITY

PART FOUR:
TRAILER SAFETY

PART FIVE:
WHAT SUPPORT YOU NEED

KBR / LRTC Survival School
PREVENTING TRAILER ACCIDENTS

The Wild Horse Mentors project is a concept that was first conceived by the LIFE Foundation, the “Wild horses” Internet Group and the Kickin’ Back Ranch (KBR). The idea was to develop a corps of wild horse enthusiasts who could help new wild horse and burro adopters by sharing their skills and knowledge, or who could assess situations and make referrals so that adopters can find the help that they need.

As the concept matured, a non-profit corporation called Least Resistance Training Concepts (LRTC) was formed to administer the Wild Horse Mentors, become a legal Volunteer Service Organization to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and an authorized adoption agency for the State of Nevada Comstock Wild Horse Program and for the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

I am little, but I am the winner (video)

22. February 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Video suggested by Linda Hays (click on picture to watch) & Horses Chinese New Year

Celebration Park Fun Ride

20. February 2014 · 1 comment · Categories: Fun Rides · Tags: Billy Bob, Celebratoin Park, horse racing, Mules, SBBCH, Seattle Slew

Celebration Park

A new stop on the way to the Triple Crown?

February marks the beginning of trail riding season for many of us in the Squaw Butte Chapter. We are fortunate to live in a part of the country where diverse terrain and climate allow for adequate riding weather year round. Deep snow and cold may linger in mountains surrounding arid high deserts of sand and sage suitable for horse and rider.

Celebration Park was again the chosen site for this year’s first of the season fun ride. It is easy to understand why ancient civilizations made this area their home for thousands of years. A natural fortress of rock cliffs borders an edge of the Park with the Snake River flowing with life through the center, spanned by the Guffey railroad bridge, built in 1897, marking one of few Snake River crossings.

Six SBBCHI members saddled ready to ride by 11:00AM on a beautiful February morning – beautiful despite being a Monday! The ride was originally planned for the previous Saturday but Mother Nature had plans of her own – plans of driving wind and rain not conducive to trail riding.

Our group meandered through the desert floor littered with large boulders adorned with petroglyphs dating back thousands of years. We skirted Halverson Lake, crossed a marsh fed by a small spring and tethered to the remains of an old corral for lunch.

The dilapidated corral is in dire need of repair. Loose barbed wire, rotted rails and a few sound posts are all that remain. We talked about fixing the corral up last year. Unfortunately, the corrals are not part of the park. They are owned by a California rancher and nobody seems to know how to get hold of him. It is not easy for a group of folks who seem to have the “fix it” gene imbedded in their DNA to see such a thing go unattended. I would not be surprised to find the corral in better repair come next year’s fun ride.

We looped around back toward the trailers along a trail hugging the Snake River. Janine and little Hilary had left before lunch so Janine could return in time for work. Rob and Teri rode on ahead while Bill and I took up the rear, chatting about the best way to cook rattle snake and rock chuck. Bill rode Billy Bob, a large, loveable mule whose personality is reminiscent of Eeyore. I asked Bill if he thought Billy Bob could run. Bill replied he thought so. He has seen Billy Bob run in the pasture and he sure looked pretty. I don’t think my mule, Annie, can run very fast, I commented. She runs real stiff legged. Ruth, the mule Festus rode in Gunsmoke – was the only mule I’d seen that could outrun a horse. An observation that was about to change.

I had been turned around in my saddle most of the way back talking Bill’s ear off and taking pictures. Thank goodness I’d put my camera away and was facing forward when somebody opened the starting gates. One second I’m strolling along on my mustang, König, the next – I’m pulling with all my might trying to initiate a one rein stop on a runaway mustang. Billy Bob shoots past me at exactly the speed of 1,126 ft/s. How do I know this? I heard it. 1,126 ft/s is the speed required to break the sound barrier and that is exactly what Billy Bob sounded like as he thundered past me…then past Teri and finally Rob with König and I at a close second. König is not a saddle horse. He has been a pack horse his entire life. I was riding him today only because my horse, Jack, has a respiratory infection. Had I cranked on Jack’s head as hard as I cranked on that mustangs I’d have pulled him over! I finally get König to stop about the same time Bill hit the dirt. I think Billy Bob scared himself. He ran wild-eyed back to me and König with his very best, “WTH?” mule expression. Eeyore my ASS! (pun intended.)

Thankfully, Bill was not seriously hurt although I imagine the next couple of days would find Bill discovering soreness in places he didn’t know he had.

I pulled away from Celebration Park with a conviction of working on König’s brakes in the days to come and one more reason for the heartfelt prayers that Jack would heal quickly.

Back home I came across a documentary on the great Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. Slew was purchased for the unbelievably low price of $16,000.00. It was said by some that he was not a pretty horse in the sense of what a race horse was supposed to look like. Some said he looked more like a mule than a horse. I pulled up a picture of Seattle Slew and placed it alongside one of Billy Bob….damn if there wasn’t an uncanny resemblance. I know where I’d place my $2.00 bet.

Pacific Crest Trial bridge crosses the Bumping River – BCHW

19. February 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

This Pacific Crest Trial bridge crosses the Bumping River at Goodwin Meadows in the William O. Douglas Wilderness. During August of 2013 the several Back County Horsemen of Washington members worked with the USFS, Naches Ranger District and helpers from the Pacific Crest Trial Association and Earth Corps replaced the bridge.
Members of Washington Trails Association and a local multi-user trail organization from Yakima also provided labor for the project. The BCHA Education Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to purchase the bridge decking.

To see more picture

To read about the project

07. February 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Download Mountain Manner Handbook Back Country Horsemen Trail Etiquette – BCWV

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles

07. February 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are also available for various environments and activities.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
  - Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
  - Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
  - Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
  - In pristine areas:
  - Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
  - Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find

Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

WHAT DOES BCHA DO FOR YOU?

04. February 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

• National Newsletter
• Public Lands Committee
• Public Liaison Committee
• Education Chair/Committee
• National presence on the “Hill”
• Website: www.backcountryhorse.com
• Guidebook, publications and traveling display
• Camaraderie
• Strength in numbers
• Sharing information

BCHA Fact Sheet BCHA Do For You

Back Country Horsemen of America Welcomes New Advocacy Partner

03. February 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

by Sarah Wynne Jackson

Back Country Horseman of America preserves our right to ride horses on public lands across the country. They know that joining forces with other groups strengthens our voice and our influence. They proudly introduce their latest Advocacy Partner, the Lake Ray Roberts Equestrian Trail Association. LRRETA is an affiliate of the Greenbelt Alliance of Denton County, a not-for-profit organization that promotes recreation and preservation of the Greenbelt of Lake Ray Roberts State Park in Texas.

The Best Trail in Texas

Located just outside the city of Pilot Point in North Texas, the Lake Ray Roberts equestrian trail system is 20 miles of multi-use trails that runs north from Highway 380 to Pilot Point. This unique trail corridor meanders along the heavily wooded banks of the Elm Fork Branch of the Trinity River. Equestrians, hikers, and bikers can access the trail at three trailheads.

This popular trail is shaded from summer sun and shielded from winter winds. Considered one of the best trails in Texas, it offers riders beautiful scenery and varied terrain, including undulating hills and flat stretches, woods and meadows. The highly prized sandy loam soil provides excellent footing, regardless of the weather.

Coming Together to Get It Done

In 2010, local flooding washed out a bridge in the middle of the trail, significantly impacting the trail experience by breaking it into two shorter trails. Park Rangers proposed collapsing the equestrian trail into the biking trails due to the wash-out, but over 200 equestrians responded to a call to action and expressed their support for separate and expanded horse trails. The equestrian community volunteered to clear trails and attended various meetings to resolve the damaged section.

In June 2013, the Lake Ray Roberts Equestrian Trail Association formed to restore the trail to its original condition. In short order, they voted in officers, created a Board of Directors, and appointed folks to oversee various committees. Their goal is to raise $60,000 to $120,000 to replace the bridge through construction of a new one or placement of a used one.

LRRETA’s long-term mission is to maintain and enhance the Lake Ray Roberts equestrian trail system. Certified horse country, Denton County and the Pilot Point area are home to many riders of different disciplines, all of whom enjoy taking their horses on the trail. In the future, LRRETA would like to add additional and enhanced horse camp sites and put Lake Ray Roberts on the map as a destination for trail riders from across the country.

About Back Country Horsemen of America

BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at-large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes regarding the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands.

If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com; call 888-893-5161; or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!

Wilderness turns 50 video & Facebook

Items to Carry on Trail Rides

03. February 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Stay out of trouble with these essentials

When you’re on the trail it’s a good idea to carry a few emergency items. This list will give you ideas for what you may want to carry.

The object of carrying these items is to ensure that both horse and rider have a great ride and make it back to the trailhead to ride another day.

The combined weight of everything in this list is under 4 pounds.

What to pack:

Map of the Area – It helps to know how to read it
Compass – Again, it helps to know how to use it
Rain Gear – These items usually get tied behind the cantle and include a set of rain chaps and a Wyoming Traders Rain Slicker.
First Aid Items – bandage, antibiotic ointment, aspirin
Flashlight
Cell Phone (for emergencies) – Make sure you’ve ICED it! Keep your phone in a shirt or jacket pocket so it stays ON YOU in case you become separated from your horse.
Water Bottle(s)
Bandanna
Hoof pick
Baling Twine – Almost as good as duck tape
Garbage Bag
Camera
GPS
Spare batteries

If you have pommel bags use them so the weight is over the withers instead of the horse’s kidneys.

You may also need to carry other items depending upon the length of time and the distance you plan on riding.

Buckle-less Hobbles by Outfitters Pack Station

These custom made hobbles boast a unique and very effective buckle-less closure system that eliminates any awkward fumbling with buckles, a welcome feature on cold and wet mornings. The benefits of this no buckle system go far beyond the convenience factor and extend into the user’s safety as well. Being able to quickly fasten and unfasten the hobble cuffs will get you out of the danger zone that exists when you’re under the horse by his hoofs and very vulnerable to an accidental strike or kick.

Outfitters Pack Station crafts these heavy duty hobbles from high quality oil tanned harness leather that has been hot dipped in paraffin wax to resist the effects of water and the environment. The hardware is nickel plated steel that is both lightweight and very durable.

The durability of these hobbles is compounded by their unique construction. The inner body of the hobble is a strip of heavy duty polypropylene webbing that is sandwiched between two layers of heavy duty harness leather. The poly pro webbing prevents any stretching of the layer from occurring and adds a significant measure of strength as well. The cuffs are lined with soft chap leather that is very easy on the animal’s legs and is also easy to clean.

Made without chains these hobbles are extremely light weight, a fact that appeals to anyone packing for extended periods or camping off of their riding where every once counts. Not only are these hobbles lightweight the sandwiched construction allows them to be very narrow (only one inch wide) which reduces pack volume and even allows them to be easily hung from a saddle ring for quick accessibility during a break.

The TrailMeister says: Feel good about bringing these on the trail!

New BCHA Logo’s

21. January 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

January 21, 2014 This morning the Back Country Horsemen of America executive committee voted unanimously to adopt the attached image as the official BCHA “brand.” This brand image does not replace the old BCHA logo but will be used exclusively in all official online and published communications and correspondence. The brand was designed by Squaw Butte member Robbin Schindele with finishing touches by freelance creative director Kevin O’Callaghan of Minneapolis, MN.

Ralph Shimon Custom Saddles Retirement Sale

19. January 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

“My Favorite Trail” – Essay Contest Winner Named

16. January 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

“He has left the village and mounted the steep, And beneath him, tranquil and broad and deep, Is the Mystic, meeting the ocean tides; And under the alders that skirt its edge, Now soft in the sand, now loud on the ledge,
Is heard the tramp of his steed as he rides.” Read Essays

BCHA E-Blast January 7, 2014

08. January 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

BCHA E-Blast Jan 7-2014

Boise National Forest – North Zone Trail Crew

07. January 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

2014 will be the 4th year of a Zone Trail Crew on the Boise National Forest. The North Zone (Emmett, Cascade, Lowman) currently has one of the largest trail crews in the region and has been able to do some outstanding work over the last 4 seasons. Much of this work comes with the help of our volunteer organizations, outside funding, and IDPR. I would ask each of you to look through the attached grant proposal and see if you might be willing to write a letter of support for this proposal. You will notice that this is for motorized trails. Many of the trails on the North zone are Multi-use allowing both motorized and non-motorized travel and they are utilized as such. As we move forward I would like to bring these groups together to help not only with trail work but managing any issues that may arise. As a part of this proposal we are also looking for volunteer commitments. If you would like to commit a number of hours to the “match” of this proposal please include that.

Many of the projects that we have taken on the past 4 seasons have come at the request of our users, we will continue to do so as we try one season at a time to bring our trails back up to standard. If you have questions, comments or concerns about this proposal please feel free to let me know. We input from everyone.

Thank you for your time and thank you for all of the work you have put in over the years.

Zach Poff
Lowman Ranger District
Boise National Forest
zpoff@fs.fed.us
(208)259-3361 ext.7554

Trail Maintenance Pics 2014 trail maintenance grant

BCHA News Releases – January 2014

03. January 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Back Country Horsemen of America Celebrates 40 Years with
100 Miles of Volunteerism
by Sarah Wynne Jackson

This year marks Back Country Horsemen of America’s 40th year as the
leading organization keeping trails open for horse use. Their state
organizations have been celebrating this milestone in many unique ways.
Back Country Horsemen of Utah combined their love oftraveling by
horsepower with their dedication to caring for the land. From July 27 through
August 4, about 130 people on 10 authentic Conestoga-style wagons and
horseback rode over 100 miles across central Utah, doing trail projects along
the way. BCHA Utah 40 years trek 2013

Back Country Horsemen of America Teams Up with Tennessee Walkers
by Sarah Wynne Jackson

Back Country Horsemen of America leads the fight to save trails for horse
use and the Tennessee Walking Horse is one of today’s most popular trail
horses. It makes sense that BCHA and the Tennessee Walking Horse
Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) form a partnership to
recognize Tennessee Walking Horses and their riders that best exemplify the
mission of Back Country Horsemen of America. BCHA TWHBEA recognition program 12 2013

A Better Way to Tie a Rope Halter
Many thanks to Gene, a long time Backcountry Horsemen of Washington member who has many miles and years under his saddle. If you use a rope halter you can save yourself trouble and aggravation by tying the halter properly.

Map Reading for Horse Riders

03. January 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

TRAIL BLAZER MAP READING ARTICLE – JULY 2011

The Art of Map Reading – Visualizing Terrain Beyond the Lines and Colors

Are you ready and confident in your ability to find your way safely through the mountains and return in time for dinner? When your destination is remote one of most important skills to learn and be proficient at, is how to read your map. Knowing how to interpret a map helps in planning a trip by allowing you to “see” the terrain prior to your ride. While most people do carry a map, and sometimes even a compass, I find that quite often these vital tools are carried more as lucky charms intended to make the rider feel better about their ride. Take the time to learn how to properly read and interpret your map. Failure to do so could prove annoying at best and disastrous at worse should you become separated from your group and your horse in the back country.

Happy New Year!

01. January 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Local Horsemen donate to community

31. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Current Events

LOCAL HORSEMEN DONATE TO THE COMMUNITY

Several members of the Squaw Butte chapter of Backcountry Horseman of Idaho delivered to the Emmett Valley Friendship Collation 75 lbs of food along with a monetary donation to help stock the shelves there. Pictured left to right are members Bill Conger, Nancy Schindele, Marybeth Conger, Phil Ryan, Shelly Duff, and Kay Ryan. Then they were off to the Pet Adoption League where another 100 lbs of food was donated there. These donations were gathered at the Chapter’s end of year Christmas party on December 14. For more information visit our website at sbbchidaho.org.

Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council

31. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council

With a Sportsmen’s Caucus in place in the Idaho Legislature, the ball was now in the sportsmen’s court to form a viable, effective, balanced, and long-lived support and advisory group to those caucuses. Their role is to know when legislation is introduced, research its impacts, gauge the sportsmen’s position(s) on it, determine a consensus position on it, and provide data supporting that position to the Caucus members in both houses before the debate is scheduled.In March of 2005 twenty founding sportsmen’s organizations adopted the bylaws, elected officers and officially formed the Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council.In the end, sportsmen (the largest constituency in the state after women) can gain a voice and serious influence in conservation issues that affect our wildlife. It is up to us to behave responsibly with restraint and resolve. To deal with the best science available and with the long-term welfare of wildlife in mind. United with other state caucuses around the country we can present a united front against anti-hunting nonsense, habitat destruction, and against bad-science game management programs that might represent other interests than those of wildlife. Contact Phil Ryan our BCHI member on the council for more information

2014 President’s Corner

30. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

Each month a new president’s corner piece is posted by Kay Ryan on the Squaw Butte website. This blog posting will provide links to each piece posted during the year.

January President’s Corner

February President’s Corner

March 2014 President’s Corner

April 2014 President’s Corner

May 2014 President’s Corner

June 2014 President’s Corner

July 2014 President’s Corner

August 2014 President’s Corner

September 2014 President’s Corner

October 2014 President’s Corner

November 2014 President’s Corner

December 2014 President’s Corner

2014 Presidents Report

Squaw Butte had another very productive year

26. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

DSCN7668

Our boots on the ground trail clearing efforts, educational, and political (lot of time attending public meeting) all paid off. The 2013 year was very successful and sets us up well for 2014. Great job everyone. Let’s see if we can top this in 2014!

2014 Squaw Butte Leadership Team

22. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

President Kay Ryan
VP Bill Holt
Treasurer Bill Conger
Sec team Linda Erickson, Shelly Duff
State Board Robbin Schindele, Phil Ryan, Marybeth Conger
Foundation Roger Segers

41 camping hacks. Some of these are ingenious. Check it out..

13. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Tips, Tricks and Tid Bits · Tags: camp, camp fire, camping

Start preparing now for next seasons camp! Check out this website for some pretty cool camping tips and tricks. From how to make your own lantern out of mountain dew to converting a coffee can into the perfect container for protecting that all important roll of toilet paper.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/camping-hacks-that-are-borderline-genius

National Forest Trails Stewardship – December 2013 Update

07. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

The Problem

America’s National Forest trails are squeezed between the demands of an enthusiastic public and the challenge of shrinking budgets and a lack of attention. According to the comprehensive June 2013 study by the Government Accountability Office, The Forest Service trail maintenance backlog exceeds a half-billion dollars, and only one-quarter of the agency’s 158,000 miles of trails meets agency standards for maintenance. Nearly two-thirds of these trail miles receive no maintenance at all.

Meanwhile, National Forest trails are giving back to American communities at unprecedented levels: since 1980, trail use has increased nationwide by 376% as people seek exercise, relaxation, and adventure on America’s public lands. Forest trails help fuel a $646 billion recreation industry. The constituency of people supporting trails is enthusiastic and energetic, bringing people together through unique partnerships that link hunters, horsemen, hikers, anglers, bicyclists, conservationists and many others in service of our national trails system. Today, nearly a quarter of Forest Service trail maintenance is provided by volunteers, state funding, and other federal and non-federal sources.

The trail network on our national forests is simply too important to let lapse into ruin and disrepair. We are aware that additional resources are necessary to fully maintain our nation’s trails and are working to secure additional funding for trail maintenance. But in a time of limited budget, there are things that the agency can do now to improve trail maintenance, and the Forest Service needs to look for creative solutions to supplement limited funds, empower volunteer networks, and ensure existing resources are used more efficiently.

The Solution

The ideas we support to address these challenges and improve and safeguard our rich treasury of national forest trails include the following:

• Increase transparency in the trail maintenance program by providing an annual breakdown of how the US Forest Service’s trail maintenance budget is used. This breakdown should detail amounts retained for overhead costs and the resulting amounts that are used for actual trail work. This disclosure will allow the Service and the public to consider whether the amount of overhead can be reduced to enable the agency to do more trail work on the ground;

• Institute national-level goals and targets for trail maintenance and stewardship that will be used as performance measures; create incentives that reward exceptional leadership and service on trails among agency staff;

• Modify the “Volunteer in Forest” program to more evenly distribute the risks associated with the use of volunteers throughout the National Forest System, limit the liability carried by any single forest, and lower the liability barriers for using volunteers to assist with trail maintenance and stewardship;

• Provide national direction and better coordination to maximize the utilization of fire crews for trail work whenever possible;

• Prioritize the selection, training, and retention of skilled and motivated trail staff as well as leadership on trails at higher levels of the agency;

• Develop a USFS Enterprise Team focused on addressing the problems and challenges of existing national forest trails – including working more effectively with partners and providing rapid response crews to remediate severe and sudden trail impacts;

• Standardize national protocols for training and certification on chainsaw and crosscut saw use and expand sawyer training capacity beyond the agency to include skilled non-agency partners; and

• Develop policies, procedures, training, and leadership that would allow volunteer crews to operate more independently, effectively, and efficiently, regardless of the presence of US Forest Service staff.

National Forest Trails Stewardship Administration Concepts Proposal

National Forest Trails Stewardship – FINAL Concept Paper Oct 2013

TRAILS Legislation sign-on letter FINAL TRAILS Admin sign-on letter FINAL

Public lands not public without access

05. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Current Events

If you live in Idaho and play outdoors, chances are good you’re doing it on public land. They are critical to our quality of life. Outdoor recreation adds billions to the state’s economy and is a magnet for newcomers.

Public lands are a precious resource, and as more people go outdoors, those public lands get more pressure. We could always use more, but buying private land creates problems of its own.

What if we could get more public lands without doing that? It’s possible by getting access to public lands that are currently blocked by private lands.

According to a recent report by the Center for Western Priorities, Idaho has 163,314 acres of inaccessible public lands.

Winter was Tough on Cowboys in the Open Range Era…

04. December 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Excerpted from Charlie Russell—The Cowboy Years

By Jane Lambert, Stevensville, MT

Living on sourdough bread and coffee…

Con Price has a long recollection of spending the early winter (1890) with Charlie and three others. He wrote:

“They throwed together a log cabin on Warm Spring Creek, in the Judith Basin country… It had a dirt roof, dirt floor. Our cooking utensils were a frying pan and a coffee pot, and very little grub, as we were all broke when the winter came on.

“No stove, we cooked on a kind of fireplace we built. No table, a few tin plates, empty corn cans for cups. We lived on sourdough bread and coffee, and once in awhile we’d find a maverick. We had one horse among all of us, and we would take turns saddling that horse, and go out and look for some meat.

“There were thousands of cattle everywhere, and I don’t think we looked too close to see if an animal had a brand or not. We called it a maverick, no questions asked. The cowmen weren’t too severe about a cowboy eating a piece of their meat once in awhile, as long as they didn’t make a business of selling it. read more

Thermoregulation in horses in cold time

27. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

In order for a mammal to survive, internal body temperature is kept within a very narrow range. If the temperature exceeds these limits either above or below, the chemical reactions on the cellular level function improperly. Or they stop functioning at all. Fluctuations outside of the normal temperature range result in health problems or death of the animal. Mature horses maintain their internal body temperature at a range around 38℃. Foals, rapidly growing youngsters, pregnant and lactating mares have a higher norm of their internal body temperature (Hines, 2004). Most horse owners are aware of the damage and crisis inherent with fever states. Few horse owners realize how well adapted horses are to deal with cold when certain aspects of their lifestyle are in place for them.

Over thousands of years, the wild horse has spread over the entire world. Whatever place in the world they live, the horse was exposed to constantly changing temperature — through a day/night rhythm or a seasonal rhythm. Yet even today wild and semi-wild horses, as well as domestic ones, provided with species appropriate living conditions, survive perfectly any conditions Nature exposes them to. Whether it is the north of Europe, or Australian deserts, the horse is exposed to all of Nature’s changing elements — wind, sun, rain, snow, fluctuating temperature, etc. Never in nature seeking such excessive enclosed shelters as man-made stables and barns nor caves, never in nature seeking ways of covering themselves with fabric. The horse has naturally evolved ways of thriving. Read More

Sophia’s Fund – Nov 26, 2013

26. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Current Events

Sophia & brother Emmett

On Saturday November 23, 2013 Squaw Butte Chapter member Laurie Bryan’s granddaughter Sophia fell about 5 feet onto the concrete basement floor. She has an orbital fracture and a fractured skull and the biggest shiner ever. She is conscious though now and responding well. She recognizes everyone and seems to be healing at a remarkable pace. She is just over a year old – which is in her favor. Laurie and her daughters family are with Sophia in Denver Colorado – actually Aurora – at the Children’s hospital. They are staying at the local Ronald MacDonald house. The Squaw Butte chapter of BCHI is setting up a fund for anyone who would like to donate to help with expenses while Sophia is being treated in Denver. To donate to the Sophia fund, checks can be sent to Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen, PO Box 293, Emmett, ID 83617 or brought to the December meeting or the end of season party.

Update December 5th– Sophia is home in Wyoming now, after extensive treatment and evaluation. She is doing very well and the doctors feel she has an excellent chance of full recovery. She will be returning to the Children’s Hospital in the new year for more evaluation and treatment.

Update December 18th – Sophia and her mother were in Denver for additional testing and treatment this week. Athena, Sophia mother said she did really well and will be completely in the clear the end of February!

Sophia’s sporting shades after smoking the eye appointment. No hemorrhaging behind the eye and appears to have no vision damage. First of many follow ups and doing well.

Update January 17 – Sophia’s mother Athena said the Dr’s told her she will be in the clear by the end of February and can lead a totally normal life including roller derby and mutton busting.

The family wants to thank everyone who donated to the fund, your support and concern was appreciated.

Rocky Mountain Regional Specialty Pack String

24. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

In the December Issue of Western Horseman, author and photographer Jennifer Denison wrote a very interesting piece about one of the two remaining Pack Strings run by the US forest service.

The South Platte Ranger District is home to the Rocky Mountain Specialty Pack String based at the AG Ranch in Shawnee, Colorado. Horses and mules based out of this station still ply trails and aid their packers in teaching lessons on horsemanship, packing and low impact techniques for backcountry use. The packers of the Rocky Mountain Specialty Pack String provide specialty packing and educational outreach throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.

photo-packer on lead horse
The Rocky Mountain Region Specialty Pack String consists of eleven highly trained pack mules and two saddle horses along with their equipment and tack. Working as two mule strings, the pack string uses special packing equipment such as gravel bags, lumber racks and swivel bunks to carry loads into work sites. Able to be utilized anywhere within the United States, the RMRSPS uses two semi-tractors with 27 foot trailers to haul the mule teams.

The pack string supports a wide variety of projects on the national forests, including hauling materials and gear to support Forest Service and volunteer trail crews, assisting in building bridges and other structures, packing sand or gravel for trail maintenance and reconstruction, loading timbers, hauling junk out of backcountry areas and hauling fish to stock remote streams and lakes.The pack string is authorized two packers – a lead packer and an assistant – to accompany the string to shoe, pack, lead and care for the livestock. In addition to scheduling work to support on-ground projects, the packers also conduct a variety of classes such as packing and “leave no trace” training, as well as providing educational outreach presentations to the public about the pack string, its history, capabilities and uses. Finally, the packers and their mules support a variety of community events, such as parades, rodeos and fairs.

Packing a mule string … some history & background

Pack strings are valuable tools in managing the 191 million acres which make up the national forests, America’s Great Outdoors. These lands were set aside over 100 years ago to provide for the needs of the American people in ways that also protect the environment.

Today, while there are numerous smaller mule teams serving the wilderness needs of individual forests, there are only two full regional specialty pack strings serving U.S. Forest Service needs throughout multiple States: (1) the Rocky Mountain Region Specialty Pack String (Region 2), supporting forests in Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota; and (2) the Northern Region Pack Train (Region 1), serving Montana, Northern Idaho, North Dakota and Northwestern South Dakota.

Mules in the Forest Service

Cowboys, trappers and woodsmen–outdoorsmen of every variety–filled the early forest ranger ranks. A good pack animal was an equal partner in protecting the forest reserves from timber, theft and fire. Often, that animal was a mule. Mules were preferred because they possess intelligence, agility and stamina. It was only a matter of time before several pack mules were tied together, creating a working pack string. These working strings became lifelines to the crews who fought fires, carved trails, built fire towers and bridged rivers in the backcountry.

Jennifer Denisons Story in Western Horsemen / Glenn Ryan thought on use of pack string

Four men, 13 Mustangs and more than 3,000 miles (Blog)

22. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Horse Camping

3000 miles, 12 horses, 5 states, 4 men, 1 goal: to complete a 6-‐month journey that was once a reality for the western frontiersman and still stirs in the human spirit. UNBRANDED follows four young men as they take on a monumental challenge that will change them forever.

Having recently graduated from Texas A&M, Ben Masters, Jonny Fitzsimons, Ben Thamer and Thomas Glover are delaying their entry into the job market to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Ben Masters’ dream is to ride horses through the great American west from Mexico to Canada. It took no time to convince his college buddies to go along with him. Each one begins the adventure with his own dreams to fulfill, knowing full well that hardships and hazards come with the territory. They’ll face unrelenting heat, freezing temperatures, hail and lightning storms, rattlesnakes, Grizzly bears, raging river crossings and high mountain passes buried in snow. We will travel with them as they blaze a trail through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. The backdrop for this incredible journey will be our majestic public lands, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.(Blog Entry) It has been a relatively smooth trip so far, and we have covered 2,000 miles of our planned 3,000 mile-plus trip. Currently, we are bedding down at Red Rock Ranch, a guest ranch on the Gros Ventre River just east of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The sun sets over the Grand Teton Mountains here. Looking north, we’re about to go through one of the largest expanses of Wilderness in the lower 48. For the next 300 miles we will cross only two roads, see no power lines, very few people and go through some of the most incredible landscapes in the world.

Our route will take us through the Bridger-Teton National Forests, the Teton Wilderness, Yellowstone National Park, Gallatin National Forest and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. We’ll pass Hawk’s Rest—the furthest point from a road in the lower 48 at 33 miles—Yellowstone Lake, dozens of thermal hotspots, hundreds of bison, Two Ocean Pass—the only place where water splits to go to the Pacific and to the Atlantic—and arguably the best Cutthroat Trout fly fishing in North America. Excited is an understatement, this is the jewel of the trip! Read the Blog

How Equestrians Can Help Protect the Future of Riding Trails

21. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

You don’t have to own your own horse or even be a frequent trail rider to recognize the importance of conservation of horse trails. Learn how you can become involved to help protect your local riding trails in a quickly modernizing world.

by Jocelyn Pierce

Now more than ever, horse trails need support to remain accessible for the public to enjoy them. An overburdened Forest Service is unable to maintain all the recreational trails available to the public, hindering equestrians from accessing many riding trails. Horses and use of the horse are a tradition in United States culture and history that must be preserved for future generations. Only by creating an awareness of the importance of our riding trails and the danger they are facing can we have an impact on the American public and land management agencies.

Back country horsemen of america horse riding

BCHA Diane Eek and Brenda Cordonnier packing in the Teton Wilderness in Wyoming, approaching the Continental Divide.Conditions of Horse Trails

There are currently 155 national forests in the United States, with over 158,000 miles of recreational trails for horseback riders, hikers, bicyclists, and others to use. That’s roughly six times around the globe at the equator. With all those miles of trails, it’s difficult for the Forest Service to maintain all of them. The Government Accountability Office completed a study on national forest maintenance and found in 2012 only 37 percent of their 158,000 miles of trails had some level of maintenance performed and only one-quarter met the Forest Service’s standards. The Forest Service estimated their trail maintenance backlog to be $314 million in 2012.

Dennis Dailey has been involved in wilderness management for 40 years, and has seen a dramatic shift in the way trails are maintained since he began his career. Dailey worked for the Forest Service, and for Back Country Horsemen as Wilderness Advisor. He has an expert’s understanding of trail conditions. Dailey explains wilderness areas have seen much neglect over the last 60 years and some trails haven’t even been touched in ten years.

Read rest of story

Equine Emergency – First Response

18. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Definitions

Adhesion – ad·he·sion – A condition in which bodily tissues that are normally separate grow together. A
fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate anatomical structures.

Amniotic Sac – am·ni·o tic – A thin, tough, membranous sac that encloses the embryo or fetus of a
mammal, bird, or reptile. It is filled with a serous fluid in which the embryo is suspended.

Avascular necrotic bone – a·vas·cu·lar – ne·cro·tic – Not associated with or supplied by blood vessels. – Death
of cells or tissues through injury or disease, especially in a localized area of the body. Failure of tissues to
adhere correctly to the bone.

Catastrophic – cat·a·stroph·ic -Involving or resulting in substantial, often ruinous medical expense: a
catastrophic illness.

Suture – su·ture – The fine thread or other material used surgically to close a wound or join tissues.

Cellulitis – cel·lu·li·tis – A spreading inflammation of subcutaneous or connective tissue.

Debride – To remove debris, non-beneficial tissue, etc.

De-gloving – The peeling away of the skin and subcutaneous layer in an injury.

Epithelial border – ep·i·the·li·al – Membranous tissue composed of one or more layers of cells separated by
very little intercellular substance and forming the covering of most internal and external surfaces of the
body and its organs. The epithelial border is this tissue development along the outer edge of a wound.

Granulation bed – gran·u·la·tion – Small, fleshy, beadlike protuberances, consisting of outgrowths of new
capillaries, on the surface of a wound that is healing. Also called granulation tissue.

Laceration – lac·er·a·tion – A jagged wound or cut.

Lamina – lam·i·na – A thin scalelike or platelike structure, as one of the thin layers of sensitive vascular
tissue in the hoof of a horse

Macrophage – mac·ro·phage – Any of the large phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system.

Neutrophil – neu·tro·phil – A neutrophil cell, especially an abundant type of granular white blood cell that
is highly destructive of microorganisms

Occlusive – oc·clu sive – To cause to become closed; obstruct: occlude an artery. To prevent the passage of:
occlude light; occlude the flow of blood. Chemistry To absorb or adsorb and retain (a substance).

Placental tissue – pla·cen·tal – A membranous vascular organ that develops in female mammals during
pregnancy, lining the uterine wall and partially enveloping the fetus, to which it is attached by the
umbilical cord. Following birth, the placenta is expelled.

Purulent – pu·ru·lent – Containing, discharging, or causing the production of pus: a purulent infection.
Purulent discharge.

Viable – vi·a·ble – Capable of living, developing, or germinating under favorable conditions.

Dr. David G. Jolly, DVM stepaheadfarm@yahoo.com – (501) 844-5050

BCHA in the news – Getting the job done

18. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Tips, Tricks and Tid Bits

Partnering with the Bass Lake Ranger District, the Sierra Freepackers Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of California repaired a section of the Spring Cove Trail at Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. Their goal was to bring it up to acceptable standards by widening the trail, which required blasting out some rock that made the trail unsafe for horses.

The Sierra Freepackers used mules to pack in a variety of equipment needed for the project including a specialized pionjar drill, Boulder Busters, and hand tools. The pionjar is a versatile gas powered tool used to drill holes in the rock.

Idaho Horse Council – Membership Meeting

09. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

Idaho Horse Council Web Site // More information PDF

Horse Care – Budgeting for the known & unknown

09. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation

01. November 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

Finally, don’t forget to browse through our website and our Facebook page for even more information about the SBFC.

Owyhee Initiative – Status October 2013

27. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Current Events

By ROCKY BARKER — rbarker@idahostatesman.com

MARSING – You wouldn’t have known from Owyhee County rancher Dennis Stanford’s presentation Wednesday about reseeding after a range fire that he is facing orders to remove up to half his cattle from public land.

Stanford is one of the ranchers the Bureau of Land Management told in January to reduce their seasonal grazing to meet rangeland health standards. He also is one of the key proponents of the Owyhee Initiative, formed by Owyhee County more than a decade ago to bring ranchers together with groups such as the Idaho Conservation League and the Nature Conservancy to protect wilderness and ranching.

The grazing cuts came as a result of an order by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill, who ruled in a lawsuit by Western Watersheds Project, an environmental group that opposes grazing. Winmill ordered the BLM to update the grazing permits to show the agency was meeting its standards for rangeland health, guidelines to ensure that the desert ecosystem is functioning. The standards help agency scientists determine that native grasses and shrubs are healthy, streamside areas and watersheds are thriving, and habitat for sage grouse and other endangered species is protected.

Many observers predicted the BLM’s grazing orders would break up the collaboration, which helped Republican Sen. Mike Crapo get a bill passed by Congress in 2009 to protect 517,000 acres of wilderness and provide help to ranchers and other groups.

4-H Halloween Trail Clinic

26. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Fun Days, Training Events

4-H Halloween Trail Clinic

By Marybeth Conger, one of several Squaw Butte Back Country Horseman Volunteers

The 4-H Halloween Trail Clinic at the Gem Country Race Track in Emmett Idaho on October 19^th was a great success.

Lots of Learning and some serious fun was had by all on October 19^th. The Squaw Butte Chapter decided it was time to get serious and promote Backcountry Horseman to those that do not have a plethora of gray hair. Gail Duke, the 4Horse leader Superintendent, embraced Linda Erickson’s outreach offer, and the Halloween Trail Clinic evolved with the SBBCH chapter providing coaches at various obstacles and registration assistance. We also set up a booth with Backcountry Horseman of Idaho information and even had complimentary Horse Soaps from the SBBCH chapter for participants. The Peppermint Soap was by far the favorite of the participants and the horses.

Over 30 participants went thru the obstacles at the race track where there were experienced trail riders and coaches positioned thru out the course. Morning was for intermediate and advanced riders and afternoon for beginners. These obstacles were awesome and helped to build confidence in the rider and the horse. But there was fun too, and games included a Costume contest, Trick or Treating on horseback and even Horse bobbing for apples. So Kudos should go to SBBCH members Phil and Kay Ryan, Charles and Lorraine Chick, Bill Holt, Janine Townsend, Rob Adams, and yours truly for volunteering that day and yes we made a difference. The SBBCH Chapter is starting to receive hand written Thank you cards from 4 H members who participated.

Next we are volunteering to help Gail Duke, 4h Leader Superintendent with a 4-H Trail ride so some of the Arena/ Fair horses will get a chance to get outside in the Backcountry. Since we must lead by example and the 4-H rule in Gem country is helmets, we should have some great photos. Promoting Backcountry Horseman to 4 H is a logical way for our organization to grow.

See you on the trail.

MB Conger

Idaho’s first horses

24. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Tips, Tricks and Tid Bits

by Kimberly Williams- Brackett

I was taught in school that the Spanish introduced horses to the Americas. But while the Spanish did bring them, plenty of horses were here before the Spanish arrived.

“The Spanish did indeed introduce the modern horse to the Americas, although one could argue that it was a re-introduction,” said Laura Walkup, a ranger at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and the Minidoka National Historic Site.

The Hagerman Horse remains mark the largest sample of this extinct species found in one area. Although remains of the same species have been found in several states, they’re all much younger. Hagerman’s is the oldest.

The first appearance of the modern genus Equus — which includes modern horses, donkeys, zebras, etc. — was Equus simplicidens, also known as the Hagerman Horse, Walkup said.

“Horses originally evolved in North America, and specimens of Equus simplicidens as well as many earlier horse ancestors have been found throughout the continent,” she said. “The first specimen of the Hagerman Horse ever described by paleontologists was not found in Idaho; it was found and named in Texas by paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope in 1892. However, the most complete specimens ever found were found here in Hagerman — hence the nickname ‘Hagerman Horse.’ Read more

2013 End of Season Party – December 14

23. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

Utah BCH’s wagon train celebrating 40 years of working on trails

22. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

Here is the final version of video from BCHU Wagon Trek 2013 held July 27-Aug 4 in central Utah to post on BCHA website. Unfortunately… the “thank you” at end only says thanks for contributors of pictures and did not give credit to the 2 singers who provided (at no charge) the music in the video. Anyway, its a pretty good representation of the trek and the varied terrain/scenery we traveled through – about 85 miles worth – 9,400 to 4,500 elevation. Click here to see video. Sent to BCHA by Kathy Myers

4H – Scary trail ride – Gem country fair ground

20. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Current Events, Tips, Tricks and Tid Bits

On Saturday October 19, 2013 Squaw Butte members assisted the Gem & Boise Country’s 4-H horse programs in hosting a fun trail course with a Halloween theme at the Gem Country Fair ground. The participants were to come in costume as did a number of the adults. The trail course was set up on the track and had step overs, bridges, flags, gates, simulated water hazard and a camp site the riders had to negotiate. BCHI member worked with the riders to ensure that they had fun and were safe.

The goal of Squaw Butte and the 4-H leadership is to forge a strong relationship, that results in a couple of events each year with the goal of an annual horse camping trip, and a new generation of back country trail riders. Click here from more information on the event.

Sunny with a brisk breeze

14. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Sunday found members of the Boise Chapter, Rebekka Hankins and Carol Green, joining Squaw Butte members, Shelly Duff, Phil Ryan and Rob Adams on a fall ride out of the Wilson Creek trail head in the Owyhee’s. Due to wind, the trail of choice was Wilson Creek, which afforded protection while providing a scenic and interesting ride. While the only wildlife seen were some birds, we did encounter three woman running on the trail and two mountain bikers. In each case they stopped, stepped off the trail, we talked for a couple of minutes and each proceeded on. At the end of the ride, after we loaded our stock in their trailers, the bikers returned to the parking lot. One came zooming over the berm, realized there was a large rock in his landing zone and ended up sliding into the rock on his right side. We all rushed over to see if he was all right. His helmet protected his head from ground and rock, but he had a classic case of road rash on his right leg from knee to boot.

Search For Missing Woman In Craters Of The Moon Continues (found 10/22/2013)

14. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

Originally reported missing on September 24th, the search for Dr. Jodean “Jo” Elliot-Blakeslee will continue this weekend, with approximately 20 searchers led by National Park Service and Butte County Sheriff’s Office personnel. See more Pictures // Location of Search The effort to find Dr. Jo and her hiking companion has been heroic, but if they had been carrying a device the size of a cell phone, and been able to press the 911 button on that device, this story likely would have had a different outcome. Help would have been dispatched sooner, and the help would have known were to look. If you ride, hike, hunt or bike in the back country, you should have a SPOT in your pocket. Idaho Statesman report 10/23/2013

Idaho Recreation Groups should set up a trail training program like Missouri’s

13. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Training Events

View classes // visit Missouri Volunteers Website

Congressional report shows the high costs of public land

10. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events

By ROCKY BARKER — rbarker@idahostatesman.com

Three federal agencies spent $392 million to manage 32 million acres of public land in Idaho in the 2012 budget year, a Congressional Research Service report shows.

The report shows that Idaho would have to make up for much of those costs if it succeeded in getting control over the land, as a resolution passed by the Idaho Legislature demands.

The Idaho Department of Lands has estimated that the state could raise $50 million to $75 million annually in timber receipts from federal land. But one cost not figured into the estimate could swallow that revenue by itself — $58 million in payments to counties under two programs, one that makes up for former timber revenues and another compensating for the fact that counties can’t tax federal land. read more

2013 Squaw Butte Trail Warriors

06. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, Horse Camping

Between June 1st and September 30th 2012 Squaw Butte supported eight trail maintenance and packing projects. These projects covered a large section of south western Idaho, taking place in the Boise & Payette National Forests. They were in partnership with the Emmett, Cascade and Weiser Ranger Districts.

The work covered a large spectrum of activities, from packing, to rock rolling, but mostly entailed the removal of a very large amount of blow down and pruning. While these are “work” project, members attending also have a great deal of fun. If you didn’t make a project this season, plan on attending one in 2014.

2013 Squaw Butte Trail Warriors

BCHA Legacy Award winner Val Johnson of BCH Idaho

03. October 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Back Country Horsemen of America leads the nationwide effort to preserve trails for horse use, not only for today’s equestrians, but also for tomorrow’s. They seek to leave an inheritance to future generations; a legacy of responsible enjoyment of America’s wild lands the way our forefathers did: by horseback.

With that goal in mind, Back Country Horsemen of America selects an individual member each year whose numerous contributions, made over many years of dedicated membership, exemplify their mission and values. In 2012, BCHA chose Val B. Johnson of the Salmon River Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Idaho. BCHA Legacy Award

Halloween Horror Movie for Horses

30. September 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Learn to Smoke Meat

26. September 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire

Hello and welcome to another edition of the smoking meat newsletter and it’s time again for my answers to your most pressing smoking meat questions. I have selected some questions that get asked time and time again and delved into them with some clear and straight-forward answers. I hope you enjoy this and most of all, I hope you learn something that you did not know before.

KBR / LRTC Survival School PREVENTING TRAILER ACCIDENTS

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Buckle-less Hobbles by Outfitters Pack Station

4-H Halloween Trail Clinic

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