Having seen very few posts that discuss GSC/Ovis management and policy issues, I am sticking my neck out to see if there are any members out there who are interested in taking this Community Bulletin Board up another notch.
As a devil's advocate-rabble rouser, here goes ...... I've been on a few RMEF/MDF/FNAWS boards and really do appreciate the extraordinary commitment that it takes to do the job on an international Board such as exists with GSC/Ovis. It is just that I firmly believe that GSC/Ovis has out grown the once-a-year meetings being held at the National Convention. I would like to see the Board hold at least four meetings every year at four different places so that GSC/Ovis members can come out to meet the Board and share their thoughts, ideas, opinions, etc. about on-going issues of concern, etc.
Let me provide an example of something recent that really got my interest up. As we all know, GSC/Ovis and FNAWS National are in a time of disagreement (i.e., litigation) over the GSC/Ovis trademark to Grand Slam and similar slogans, phrases and terms. I am assuming that one important reason for the dispute is that GSC/Ovis desires to maintain it's own, unique identity. That in my view is admirable. Why then has GSC/Ovis now moved closer to the identity and practices of yet another international wildlife organization ..... Safari Club? The recent adoption of yet another truckload of award categories is a Safari-esque move in my opinion. And what do Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze have to do with mountain hunting anyway, except to remind us that mountains are often torn down to get these minerals, gems, etc.
I am opposed to all these awards that have nothing to do with the wild sheep and goats of the World unless it is having enough money to go lots of places to kill lots of animals. I would like to see awards (i.e, recognition) being given for other reasons. I am very much in favor of giving the biggest sheep award in every political jurisdiction in North America. In other words, an award for the largest bighorn, where residents and non-residents both are allowed to apply, in each of Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Texas and any other state that has at least one tag. Where there are multiple subspecies, one award for each subspecie, but again only if both residents and non-residents can apply. In Canada the Yukon and NW Territories, BC, and Alberta for Dall, Stone and Rocky and California bighorns. In Mexico, for Desert sheep in each state. An award system like this would have more of a random element to it so that a broader spectrum of hunters would have a chance at recognition. And it would acknowledge that the biggest in one state is just as admirable an accomplishment as the biggest in another where horns get a lot bigger.
I feel that the recently adopted Diamond-Platinum-Gold-Silver-Bronze system is one that awards the shooting, not the hunting. Plus the names of the awards all represent $$$$$$$$$$$$. Let's get some awards (i.e, recognition categories) with names that represent the mountains and the animals.
I certainly support periodic meetings of the members to discuss issues with the board members. No doubt a number of agenda items would arise and over a weekend a lot of member input would happen which I agree would move our organization forward and give credibility to the direction GS/OVIS takes.
Ditto. I have only been a member for a year. I was very impressed in the beginning about Grand Slam/Ovis but have come to see this orginization is for the rich and all the money involved with sheep/goat hunting. What ever happened to the small guy who doesn't have deep pockets all the time? Oh well? BIG RED
I think the award is for the animal, hunter and very importantly, the guide (if guided). It is too bad rules and politics get in the way of what should truly be an honor. I have to disagree that GSCO promotes exclusivity and elitism. It is a reality that wealth allows more opportunity to hunt but GSCO is the most open and welcoming hunting organization I am aware of. The majority of members have hunted few sheep and I believe many have never shot a ram. I know they are just as welcome in the club and make a huge contribution to its success, they just don't get into the magazine as often.
I did not mean my note of Oct. 4 to be a criticism of wealth. It is not accurate to suggest that those with money are 'suspect' or might somehow by buying and using the high $ tags reduce opportunities for other hunters. I am in favor of the high $, exclusive tags. Those funds have done wonders for wild game in many states and provinces and have in general increased the hunting opportunities for those of us with more limited funds. What I would like to see, however, is a more general system of recognizing achievements and no Safari Club system of rewards. Diamonds, platinum, gold, silver and bronze have absolutely nothing to do with the wild sheep and goats of the world. And the largest bighorn ram out of Wyoming deserves recognition as much as the largest out of Montana or Alberta. Nuff said.
