Available Soon at the BCHA On-line Store
Tamara Applebaker, Oregon, High Desert Trail Riders BCH
Tamara has learned to love the back country on horseback and appreciate the beauty and solitude there. She has been an active participant on trail projects and with fish packing. She helps with the Kid’s Corral at the Horse Packing and Wilderness Skills Clinic and is making it her Senior project this year at Klamath Union High School. She participates with the Packing Clinic committee organizing the event as well. The Bob Marshall two week pack trip this last summer was a huge experience for Tamara after being on some shorter trips in Oregon and California.
GARY HOLT and TINA MAE WEBER visit with JIM MCGARVEY chairman of BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN of AMERICA. What the recent agreement with BCHA and the National Park Service means to you, the Trail Rider!
Wilson Corral Trail Report – Oct 2014
USFS TR 135 trail discription
Nancy & Shannon’s Adventure
Our adventure started early Saturday morning, we left Shannon’s house by 7:30 am, and thought how great we are actually leaving on time. We were so proud of ourselves. Then we get to the cutoff for Sagehen and had to decide which fork to take. That should have been the first clue that things were not gonna turn out good. From the directions posted it said take the 2nd fork. So we did, and boy howdy we had no idea what we were in for. Not only was the road skinny for a horse trailer and no pullouts,but from the rain the night before the black mud was like grease in spots. Once we almost lost traction on a very curvy hill. So needless to say we have calluses from holding the steering wheel and finger prints in the dash .. When we finally reached the expected meet up place we found lots of hunters and no place to turn around, and no Rob either.. We asked the hunters if they had seen Robs rig and they assured us they had not. So we thought well we may as well get the heck out of there, besides how many more gray hairs could Shannon sprout.. ?? The hunters moved vehicles so we could get turned around and we went back 3rd fork which was like a freeway compared to 2nd fork. We came straight back to the Eagle foot hills and rode there just to unwind a little and say we had rode this day.. So make sure you don’t take 2nd fork with a trailer and especially if it has rained. (The route they took was the middle option, the directions suggest 3rd fork, the blue option)
Idaho decided the best way to move beavers was to airdrop them!
Just the title – “Transplanting Beavers by Airplane and Parachute” – of this 1950 report in the Journal of Wildlife Management raises questions. Like, for goodness sake, why? And how? Did they specially make tiny beaver-sized parachutes and goggles, and push them out of the cargo hold, one by one, like a tiny dam-making army? Once on the ground, did the beavers suffer post-traumatic stress from the sudden drop? Or did they spend the rest of their days mourning in rivers, longing for another taste of the sky? Read More
Beavers, Their Dams Put to Work Restoring Streams Read More
Beavers as neighbors Read more
On September 14 a small but enthusiastic group of 4 riders set out into the Payette National Forest to clear trail and explore the Bucks Basin area. Once at the trail head, the lower trail was well defined and in good shape. There were only two areas that required some minor deadfall cleanup. Further up the trail the path became less defined as it passed through a meadow and cattle loafing area. Due to the lack of a visible trail, the group did a bit of “bush whacking” up a rocky slope in search of the trail. Once above the meadow, a few scattered cairn and trial markers guided us to the summit above Lake Basin. The views were fantastic and we spotted a small group of mule deer near the top. After a relaxing lunch in Lake Basin, the group struck back for camp. The weather was dry and pleasant and all rider and mount performed well.
MATTHEW DOPERALSKI
What begins as a relaxing, back to nature backpacking trip into Oregon’s rugged Eagle Cap wilderness soon evolves into a three month adventure of a lifetime for three people and a big white dog.Physically unprepared and ill equipped, the party sets out on a three day hiking trip only to discover Mother Nature is not always willing to accommodate such novice trespassers in her back yard.Forced to confront the challenges of nature’s wrath head on, each hiker learns true loss is not in the absence of material things, but rather the failure to discover the strength which is inside each of us.Follow the incredible journey as these ragtag wanna-be hikers set out to discover new trails and discover instead that sometimes it’s not always the destination, but the journey that is most remembered See more Eagle Cap Pictures
Enclosed is a report that summarizes the listening sessions held this spring across the Intermountain Region, including the sessions in Boise. The Regional Leadership Team has discussed the report information and there has been clear value to them to read the contents. Thank you for your participation.
David R. Olson
Public Affairs Officer
Boise National Forest
1249 S. Vinnell, Suite 200
Boise, ID 83709
208-373-4105 (w)
208-861-0768 cell
The story of a Chainsaw Chaps Injury (Blog Post)
Watch this Chap demonstration video
Chain Saw Safety – Training Video
Chainsaw Accident Statistic
Chainsaw Chaps Guide
When was the last time you checked your trailers tire pressure? Just a few pounds of pressure low can make a huge difference in handling and load capacity. Just a quick look before loading can prevent a picture like this somewhere along the road. Use a tire pressure gauge on each tire & spare before using your trailer. That few minutes can save you a lot of grief and expense later.
Click on picture
Learn how to read your trailer tires Proper tire Care & Safety
Trailer Safety Check List Trailer Safety Inspections and Maintenance
Cupp Corral Cut-off Report Camping area Latitude: 44.48816 Longitude: -115.71245
Nine members of Squaw Butte spent a great weekend at a new camp site for us, off FR 409 east of Cascade, ID on the head waters of the Middle Fork of the Payette river. The forest service map on Trail 033 indicates this is it northern termination and checking it out and doing some trail maintenance seemed like a good idea. The camp site is one of the best we have every used, the trail was a disappointment. After clearing about 3/4 of a mile the trail could not be found, it is likely it was washed out by high water over the years.
The trail head / camping site was excellent with trailer parking, water for stock and shade for setting up a great group area.
This sign indicated we were in the right place and we found a defined trail bed and logs that had been cut by prior trail maintenance efforts.
A survey on Friday night indicated that the trail had some major downfall and the best plan of action was to start the project on foot, and only get the stock on the trail after we had cleared the first 1/2 mile of trail.
Unfortunately at the 3/4 of a mile mark the trail could no longer be located. It appears that the original trail bed has been washed away by the river and we could go no further. After a good lunch, the group did a nice afternoon ride.
While the group didn’t accomplish what they had hoped on trail 033 north, we all had a great time. SEE MORE PICTURES
Mike McGlenn, past chairman of BCHA (2011-2013), Bill Conger and Phil Ryan spent a week in late July riding in Montana’s horseman’s paradise the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
One of the Bob’s great trail heads – a model for how all horse trail heads should be setup!
Bill and Phil in camp
View’s like this make the Bob special and popular with horseman all over the west
Mike, Phil and Bill
Phil spending some quality time with his horse as another pack string passes.
One of the many bridges in the Bob Marshall
Back at the trail head after a great trip. To view more picture, CLICK HERE!
Susan Jenkins – McCall Trail ranger on the weekend – I felt terrible that we didn’t have a project! But it was a good weekend, nonetheless. I only learned late last week that someone else had cleared the trail. I didn’t have a backup trail that would have included a place for folks to camp with stock. You are right, though, about the time spent with Laurie, Lou Ann and Phil. We had a great time with them. Phil was gracious enough to provide the trail folks with a short packing lesson Saturday morning. It certainly raised their interest in using stock for trails work. It was all they talked about this morning at the office. (Which makes me extremely happy, given that the trail crew is comprised of a lot of kids that ride motorcycle dirt bikes on our trails.) See Pictures of the project
Five members of Squaw Butte spend seven day exploring the Sawtooth wilderness. Pictures of the trip are available on the website.
Rob’s account of the trip The Chicks Pack Trip Account
Link to Laurie Bryan’s blog
I feel it safe to say that most of the really cool discoveries happen quite by accident. One such discovery presented itself during a four day pack trip into the Eagle Caps.
One of the items I like to carry in my saddlebags is a packet of baby wipes. They come in handy for washing up before lunch on the trail or as a bedtime sponge bath when you can’t quite make yourself jump in that cold mountain stream for a much needed bath.
The problem I’ve found with baby wipes is they dry out between trips. You might use a dozen or so out of a pack and the rest dry up like a popcorn fart, wasting product and money. Not anymore… Read More!
Introduction to the horse.
I am Mike McGlenn Chairman of BCHA and my horse “Jake”, 16-1 Quarter Horse gelding, 1200 pounds, 15 years old. Haney Meadows Washington.
A. Discuss the Horse and Rider relationship.
B. Discuss the Aging demographic of the horse rider. We are not all 18- 25 years old anymore. We are able to ride, we are able to pack in the camps for the trail workers. It is the way we can continue to enjoy the Wilderness.
C. The Horse as companion and team member.
D. Emotional bond of rider and horse.
E. The Horse is not a piece of sports equipment you pickup at the store. The horse can have a bad day just as we can.
F. Mutual trust between horse and rider.
G. Discuss the horse’s vision (what he sees and how he sees it), eyes wide set, nearly 360 degree visibility, eyes work independent of each other, the eyes of a prey animal. How the ears work and relate the horses attitude. Don’t approach if the ears are pinned back. Don’t walk up quietly behind the horse, no surprises. Talk to the horse, make some non threatening noise. The back legs can kick back up to 6 feet so stay close to the horse when going around behind them. Approach is best from a front quarter or side. We are predators, use your own body as an example, eyes close together, ears pinned back, hands carried like claws. All the things that 60 Million years of breeding have trained the horse to avoid.
Issues Stock users face
Hiker on a log across the Pacific Crest Trail, Glacier Peak Wilderness, Washington State. We have planned for weeks, driven 2-300 miles, loaded up the pack string and 5 miles in we come to this across the trail. This tree completely blocks the trail with no way to go around or over it. This is an inconvenience to the hiker. It is a total trip stopper for the pack string and rider.
Fire and blow down damage in the Teton Wilderness, Wyoming. The pack string is stopped while two riders dismount to clear the trail. The string gets restless and gets tangled up. There are no good places to tie up any of the stock. A potentially dangerous situation for both stock and riders.
Fire and blow down, Wind River Mountains Wyoming. There are miles of this kind of damage. How do you clear this extent of debris off a trail efficiently? Discuss minimum tool analysis.
Wind River Mountains, Wyoming. Fire damaged trees on a major trail. A trip stopper for a string. No room to turn around. 13 animals in this group. The Cross Cut Saw is on the Pack animal, number 13 of course, at the back of the string.
Wind River Mountains, Wyoming. Wilderness Society on the right, USFS Wilderness Ranger on the left cutting out the log. During the time it took, the wind came up and blew down a tree behind us. Fortunately no one was injured and the tree fell beside the trail not in it. With great difficulty, we were able to turn the string around and ride out of this pile of pickup sticks.
Wind River Mountains, Wyoming. A good example of lack of maintenance. The tree across the trail in the top background closed the trail. So someone made a go around out into the woods. This then lengthened the trail forming a new trail where one should not be. Trees grow about 3” of growth a year in this area. So you lose 6” of trail width a year if not cut back. In 4 years the trail corridor is 2’ narrower than it was.
Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Baker Lake Trail, Washington. A 160 mile round trip drive for a day ride. The trail was reported clear and open for stock. An hour from the trail head and this is across the trail. In this case the trees had come down in the week since checking with the USFS. A gamble we take. This is a 14 mile trail and we were in about 3 miles. No way around these.
Two people working with saddle saws to clear enough to continue the ride. The trail must be cleared adequately wide enough for a loaded pack horse to clear on both sides. BCH can’t support the work crews if the tail isn’t cleared for pack stock with loads.
Two people, two saws nearly an hour to clear the trail.
Goat Rocks Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail Washington State. The drive down, two rigs, 500 mile round trip for a week of riding. 3 hours up a trail that was reported clear for stock. A trip stopper. We need better information on the trails when we call the agency desk. The front desk folks need to understand the importance of good information and what it costs us if the information is bad. This trail is very narrow, very steep up and down on the sides. We had to dismount on the uphill side as there was nowhere to stand on the normal (left/downhill) side. Slide under the front legs of the horses and then get the saddle saws to cut the root off. No turn around room. Not a problem for a hiker. A dangerous trip stopper for a horse, rider and pack string.
Same root as the one in the slide above. This is about 6000’ elevation so two more mature folks took turns cutting this out, still took about half an hour.
Goat Rocks Wilderness, Walupt Lake Trail. A good example of a trip stopper log on this PCT access trail. It had taken 3 Cross Cut saw cuts thru this to get the hole thru the tree.
Pacific Crest Trail just north of Snoqualmie Pass in the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. This section of trail, note the hiker mid way up the slope, is called the Kendal Cat Walk. We are often asked to share the trail with other users. This is not an issue with the hikers. But this example clearly shows the potential safety issues when hikers and horses are asked to share with something coming down at 15 or 20 miles per hour when we do 3 or 4 miles per hour. There are some trails that clearly do not lend themselves to sharing for all users.
Some of the financial aspects of owning and operating horses. Sometimes it IS about the money.
Jake and the Trailer.
A. Horse, $3000 to $5000 dollars to buy a decent trail horse.
B. Yearly expense of owning one horse if all goes fairly well $4000 to 5000 dollars for feed, shoes (every 8 weeks), Vet bills and general maintenance.
C. Saddle, $500 to $3000 dollars, other tack and gear $500.
D. Trailer, $5000 to $20,000 or more.
E. Travel. We commonly drive up to 125 miles one way for a long day ride. Then get just up the trail and find a trip stopper in the trail. Turn around and go home. 250 miles of driving, an entire days time and money wasted because of either bad information or poor trail maintenance.
Goat Rocks Wilderness, Walupt Lake Horse Camp. A nice camp, able to get two rigs in one site. This trip was in planning for a couple of months for 5 days of riding. The agency office was contacted twice and the trails were all given a green light.
A. 2 diesel one ton pickups @ $ 50,000 to 60,000 dollars each.
B. 2 Campers @ $20,000 each.
C. 2 Three Horse Slant load trailers @ $20,000 each.
D. 500 miles round trip for two rigs.
E. Food, expensive weed free hay, 500 miles of diesel for each truck, camp ground fees, time off work for two people.
F. The riding and trip had to be cut 2 days short. The reported open trails were not open. A bridge was out on one of the trails. It had been out for quite some time. We were not informed of this even though I had called the agency twice checking stock trail conditions.
Why do we do it?
Mount Baker and Baker Lake, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington State.
A. The scenery.
B. Serenity.
C. Beauty.
D. Peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
E. To spend quality time with our partner and companion the horse.
The horse is not a piece of sports equipment. It is a 365 days a year, 24/7 life style. You can’t take the horse off the back of the car and lean it on the garage wall when you are done for the day.
The horse and rider spend years creating a bond between two living thinking creatures who quite literally trust their lives to the partnership that has been created between them.
Heading down a dusty road
If one does not count getting lost, a flat tire, broken shocks, two tipped over horses, several impalements and a flyaway awning…one might consider the SBBCHI scouting trip into the Owyhee’s a success.
The objective: Meet with BLM staff at Current Creek to scout area for fence removal project in June. The project will involve the removal 6 miles of barbed-wire in the new wilderness area included in the Owyhee Initiative.
At least we had an objective. An accurate map would have been nice to go along with that objective. Janine and I met at I.O.N between Homedale and Marsing. Our plan was to haul in via the Jordan Valley route. We figured if anyone was going to get lost, it was best to get lost together. I had the GPS coordinates to the project site; however, past experience with “Dave” the GPS has left me with emotional scars likely to never heal. We were also unsure if the coordinates were to the camp spot or the actual fence. Our plan was to wing it.
Click here for the full story:Dusty Roads and Dandelions
Revised 5/9/2014
1973 Flathead Valley, Montana
1977 Backcountry Horsemen of Washington
1979 Salmon, Idaho + Montana = BCHA
1981 California High Sierra Stock Users
1986 Constitution adopted by: California, Idaho, Montana, Washington
1996 Grown to 13 states (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, N. Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming)
2004 Grown to 19 states (Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, S. Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)
2005 20 states (Michigan)
2006 Added Georgia (21 states)
2007 Added Alaska and Florida (23 states)
2008 Added Alabama, Kentucky and Wisconsin (26 states)
2009 Virginia (state) + Iron Mtn VA, Ft Harrod KY, Red River KY, Big South Fork TN, Pigeon River & Beyond MI; lost S. Carolina
2010 Added West Virginia (state); Lost Wisconsin (25 states)
2011 Black Hills South Dakota (state) (26) East Coast Florida BCH (affiliate)
2012 None
2013 None
2014 Arkansas (state), Florida (state), Kansas (State) 27 states
Personal Protective Equipment (Required to work in the National Forests)
(Health and Safety Code Handbook chapter 70, section 72)
Items that must be included in the JHA:
(Chain Saw Operations) (Crosscut Saw Operations)
• Forest Service-approved hardhat • Forest Service-approved hardhat
• Eye protection • Eye protection
• Appropriate gloves • Appropriate gloves
• Heavy-duty, cut-resistant Boots • Heavy-duty, cut-resistant Boots
• Hearing protection • (Not required)
• Long-sleeved shirt • (Optional)
• Chain saw chaps • (Optional)
Chain Saw & Crosscut Training Student’s Guidebook (PDF)
Chain Saw use and Maintenance (PDF)
Chain Saw Tasks and Techniques (PDF)
Cross Cut
Crosscut Saw Tasks and Techniques (PDF)
It’s a beautiful morning, and you’re eager to get out on the trails. The weather forecast calls for a chance of moderate afternoon winds and a slight chance of rain. But you’re not worried. When you set out, the skies are clear, and you plan to be home by lunchtime. Besides, a little rain never kept you home – and you’ve packed a jacket, just in case. By midmorning, however, the weather suddenly deteriorates. You’re miles from home, and the wind is gusting up to 60 miles per hour. Dark thunderclouds boil up. Heavy rain pounds down. Then the hard rain becomes punishing hail. Your horse tries to swing his rump to the storm. As you try to keep him on track, he stumbles and falls to his knees. Visibility is almost nil. Now, you’re truly scared. What should you do? Dismount and seek shelter, or quickly head for home – if you can find your way? How could you have better prepared for such a storm? Here, we’ll tell you how you can prepare for six types of extreme weather conditions that might hit singly or together – high wind, drenching rain/thunderstorms, lightning, hail, snowstorms/blizzard, and extreme cold. Then we’ll tell you the course of action you should take in each case to help keep you and your horse safe, tell you what not to do, and provide expert tips. We’ll also give you six additional survival tactics and a list of resources for extreme-weather gear. Read More!
In the past at pack clinics, we have used live stock or a combination of stock and a packing dummy. At this year’s clinic in May, we are focusing on 4H horse groups and with a group of kids learning to pack, live stock just adds to the confusion and may result in someone getting hurt. We have a very nice pack dummy, Woody the mule, but for this clinic having a couple more would be better. I had a couple of the blue plastic 55 gallon drums and thought they would make good pack dummies. Read More!
BCHA ensures you, your children, and future generations can enjoy the wonder, beauty, and joy of unspoiled landscapes and viewscapes. Help us stay on the job!
Robbin Schindele produced and directed this video!
Why the Campaign?
Because our trails on public lands need you.
Like you, the men and women of Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA) care about protecting and sustaining a safe and accessible outdoor experience for our families and future generations. But we can’t do it alone. We count on our partners and you to help us preserve access to public lands. In 2012, only 37% of the 158,000 miles of National Forest Service trails received basic maintenance. Only one-quarter of these trails meet standard regulation for public use.
Gaps of investment, oversight, and maintenance point to a future with fewer sustainable trails in our 144 National Forests.
Please take a few minutes to support and share our campaign! Trails may be owned by government entities, but volunteers are needed to keep them open and maintained.
A National Foundation has posted a Challenge Grant of $25,000 when we hit our goal! That means for every $1 you donate .50 cents will be added to your donation when we reach our goal!
The Untrammeled video .
BCHA National Board Meeting Live Broadcast
For the first time the Back Country Horsemen of America will broadcast live the National Board Meeting along with Announcing the “Keep Trails Open For You” Campaign. Please join in April 23rd to 26th.
CLICK HERE IS GO TO LIVE VIDEO FEED
Live Video Streaming Schedule
Wednesday, April 23 All Times Eastern Standard Time
- 8:30 am – 10:15 – BCHA NBM Opening; Speaker Joe Meade Director, USFS for Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources
- 1:00 pm – 2:45 pm – Boardsmanship; Chairman’s Report; Resolutions
- 3:15 pm – 5:00 pm – Speaker Amos Tuck Program Coordinator, Coosa River Basin Initiative
Thursday, April 24, Public Lands Day All Times Eastern Standard Time
- 8:00 am – 9:15 am – “Opportunities to Engage Public Lands Stewards – Working Effectively with Youth”
- 9:30 am – 11:45 am – Solutions: USFS Trail Maintenance Backlog – Panel Discussion
- 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm – National Park Service: A Trend Toward Limiting Stock Use; Joining via Skype Bob Ratcliffe, NPS Chief, Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Program
- 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm – Issues from States
Friday, April 25 All Times Eastern Standard Time
- 8:00 am – 9:45 am – Movie “Untrammeled”; Strategic Plan
- 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Nominations; Elections of Officers and EC Members; BCHA Foundation Report
- 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Election Results; Roll Out of Initiatives
- 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – ONLINE CROWD FUNDING START
Saturday, April 26 All Times Eastern Standard Time
- 8:00 am – 9:40 am – Committee Reports
- 10:15 am – 12:00 noon – Committee Actions; Resolution Reports; Executive Committee Actions
- 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Discussion of 2015 and 2016 NBM’s; Conclusion of NBM
NOTE: Videos will also be available for later viewing
– See more at: http://www.backcountryhorse.com/blog/2014/04/16/bcha-national-board-meeting-live-broadcast/#sthash.Q9IVLWEY.dpuf
Notes from the National Board Meeting:
TO: Jim McGarvey
Subject: Four things
1. Thank you for everything you did to make it a great meeting!
2. I have asked everyone to get me numbers for monies owed by the 5th so will have it all to you by then
3. The embroidery guys contact information is Eric Craig – The Cad Company 404-392-3356 mail@cadcompanies.com He can put new logo on anything!
4. Recipe Requested after BarBQ
Recipe: Blue Cheese Cole Slaw
1 Bag of the Angel Hair Cole Slaw
¾ cup of Hellman’s Real Mayo
4 oz. block of Blue Cheese – crumble it (we used the Kroger Private Selection) Sprinkle salt, white pepper and sugar over the top.
Let sit for a couple hours before serving… may get too soupy if made the night before.
Thanks again!
Cindy Mitchell-McGarvey
The Spanish Mustang is a horse breed of historical importance. They descend from horses introduced from Spain during the early conquest of the Americas. They are a type that today is mostly or wholly now extinct in Spain.[1] They are classified within the larger grouping of the Colonial Spanish horse.
Spanish Mustangs today are primarily domesticated horses but are sometimes confused with the feral American Mustang. The latter animals are descended from both Spanish horses and other feral horses escaped from various sources; they run wild in protected Herd Management Areas (HMAs) of the western United States, currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and to a lesser degree, in Canada. DNA studies indicate that Spanish breeding and type does still exist in some feral Mustang herds, including those on the Cerbat HMA (near Kingman, Arizona), Pryor Mountain HMA (Montana), Sulphur HMA (Utah), Kiger HMA and the Riddle Mountain HMA (Oregon). The true Spanish Mustang as a modern breed differs from the “wild” American Mustang in appearance and ancestry.
The Last of the Spanish Mustangs
This is the 1/2 hour show that aired in Phoenix and Tucson. It drew a 4.4/8 rating with no promotion, highest in its time slot in Phoenix. People are interested in wild horses. This show also won the Associated Press award for best enterprise news.
Wild Mustangs PBS Documentary Untamed Legacy
Sometime after 1864 Chinese laborers constructed an impressive rock wall and ditch on each side of lower Reynolds Creek. It will still acquaint you with the kind of countryside that has been protected in the new Owyhee Canyon lands wilderness bill. This is a non-motorized hiking area that’s also open to mountain biking and horseback riding. The area is managed by the BLM.
Riding the ditch wall
Enjoying the Pot Luck after the ride
Dear BCHA members,
Bryce Canyon National Park has proposed changes for users of privately-owned stock on designated horse trails within the park. The changes are intended to ensure the safety of all visitors and to protect park resources. The park initiated a public comment period on the proposed changes for 30 days beginning March 26, 2014.
The changes proposed by Bryce Canyon National Park include a requirement that all horseback riding must be coordinated with the park’s authorized trail-ride concessioner, prior to entering the park. Of concern, however, is that private stock users also would be required to the pay a substantial fee to the park’s concessioner to guide and accompany all privately-owned stock riding groups for the duration of their trip over any portion of the eight miles of park trails available for stock use.
The fee that would be charged by the concessioner for this service would be based on the number of riders, up to eight riders per guide. The proposed fee schedule would range from $100 for the first rider to $345 for eight riders.
For more information, view the Park’s website here:
http://www.nps.gov/brca/parknews/proposed-rule-change-for-private-horse-use.htm
Squaw Butte’s founding member Verl J Law (1992-2003) has left us for a new wilderness.
Verl J. Law, 68, of Emmett, Idaho, died Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at his home. Services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at Emmett LDS Stake Center. Burial is at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the Brigham City Cemetery in Brigham City, Utah. Services are under the direction of the Potter Funeral Chapel, Emmett.
BCHI State Board Meeting and Convention, hosted by the Selkirk Valley BCH on March 21 and 22nd was a great success and tons of fun, says SBBCH Roving Reporter, Marybeth Conger
The Weather God was looking out for those that made the trip too, as roads were clear and dry. The views of the northern Idaho landscape to include some Moose and Elk sightings were awesome. Due to the distance (appx 1,000 round trip) there was some major carpooling going on. A big thanks to Phil and Kay Ryan, Robbin Schindele, Bill and Marybeth Conger and Roger Segers who represented the Squaw Butte Chapter well at the State Board and State Foundation Meetings.
It is apparent that the Squaw Butte Chapter is active, both locally and statewide, as 4 of the 4 resolutions discussions items came from us. So let’s recap these Proposals. The State Insurance Proposal, presented by Bill Conger, BCHI Insurance Chairman passed. This mean the State established a policy that at PUBLIC EVENTS dogs must remain contained in camp, and no alcohol shall be sold unless by a licensed caterer.
Then our State and BCHI National Director Robbin Schindele, presented another Proposal dealing with Crowdsourcing and this too passed. So BCHI will be donating$ 2500.00 BCHA to show support of our National organization. In fact, the BCHA chairman called to thank us that day!
Next Marybeth Conger, Alternate State Director presented the proposal on the Calendars and this failed. The Consensus felt it was better to print 2,000 calendar with the intent to sell them all. Of interest though, when the call was made for each individual calendar to commit, the State was about 200 short of the 2,000 mark. This roving reporter found this very interesting.
The last proposal dealing with the importance of growing our organization with increased chapters and increased members within our chapters was presented by Marybeth and became more of a discussion item. It was interesting hearing what other chapters are doing to grow. There continues to be more emphasis on youth projects and the scholarship idea from Panhandle was just one of these. Also, the State Board approved CONDITIONALLY the Palouse Chapter of BCHI, which is up north. Plus there is some interest to start a chapter is the South East area of our state. So it looks like BCHI is looking at ways to grow.
Roger Segers, our Foundation Director attended the Foundation meeting and reminded us to use the Foundation. There is still monies available for Education and Trail work.
Now that we have covered the business part of things, the Convention was just plain FUN. The Food of delicious, and the Speakers were informative and had great presence. Although I could have missed a few of the Trappers graphic photos right before dinner, his message was excellent. The Mayor was a kick and we learned that the Selkirk Valley has more law enforcement due to the proximity of the Canadian border. There was a lively auction and some folks brought home a few special treasures, so you never know when one of them might show up. It was great spending time with BCHI friends from all over the state. All for now!
Photo Contest Results
Devon Mills
1st Place
People Choice
- Rob Adams
2nd Place
- Laurie Bryan
2nd Place
Laurie Bryan
2nd Place
Hello BCHA and the Media,
Attached is a press release for your information and to please pass on to the members. Also attached are two group sign-on letters that BCHA and The Wilderness Society generated regarding the US Forest Service trail maintenance backlog–one was sent last week to all members of Congress, the other was sent to the Chief of the USFS.
The press release is ready to go.
Peg
Peg Greiwe, Executive Secretary
Back Country Horsemen of America
PO Box 1367
Graham WA 98338-1367
360-832-2461
www.backcountryhorse.com
TRAILS Legislation Letter 3-25-14 FINAL
BCHA-TWS Trails release – FINAL
For years I have carried a great trail saw on my saddle that I got from Sawtooth Outfitter. They no longer carry them but I did find out where you can get them. The one I like is the Fanno K24 curved tree saw. You can make a saw sheath or the are available to order. Here a a good video on care of your saw.
Fanno Saw Works
Address: 224 W 8th Ave, Chico, CA 95926
Phone:(530) 895-1762
http://www.fannosaw.com/
The Back Country Horsemen of Idaho’s annual convention was hosted in Bonners Ferry by the Selkirk chapter of the organization. The Selkirk chapter is centered in Bonners Ferry. Back Country Horsemen of America is a national organization with state organizations that have chapters located throughout the state.
Twelve Idaho chapters joined the Selkirk chapter at the Kootenai River Inn to get together to discuss current business. The organization’s mission is to promote the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in the back country. BCHI works with the Forest Service to keep trails open to horseback riders and to maintain and build trails. BCHI also promotes the use of horses on the trails and works to
educate horsemen of all ages to participate in sustainable use of forest trails by horseback. All who have interest in riding the back country of Idaho are welcome to join. It is a very close knit group of riders who have the same goal of keeping horseback riding available on the forest trails.
2014 Convention Report 2014 SBD Meeting Minutes 2014 Convention Minutes
Ever purchased a new saddle and after the excitement of you new ride wore off, realized your legs would take a beating as you try in vain to mold your fresh leather stirrups fenders into a comfortable position? You constantly turn your ankles outwards in an attempt to get that perfect placement and lose your horsemanship in the process… OR you get the brilliant idea of leaving a broomstick handle through your stirrups, with the fenders flipped outwards when the saddle is not in use?
Well, never again! Here’s a quick and easy fix to get your stirrup fenders in the perfect position for your ankles – with your toes facing forwards. How To Do a Texas Roll