CNN’s “Inside Man” – Drought, Ranchers & Ranches
I generally don’t like watching television, but there are a few shows that I’ll tape (or DVR or Tivo or whatever the kids are calling it these days) to watch when convenient, without ads. One new show that I’m really enjoying is CNN’s “Inside Man” which is directed by, and stars, Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.
One of Spurlock’s previous films was “Supersize Me,” where he ate nothing but McDonalds for a month and suffered some serious and disgusting health problems in the process. I’ll never forget the scene where he’s trying to down his second or third Big Mac of the day and ends up puking all over the Mickey D’s parking lot. But I digress….
In his new hour-long show (40 minutes without ads), he examines many controversial issues including immigration, elder care, and bankruptcy. All of the shows are eye opening and educational, but also entertaining. In one of his more recent shows, he investigates the drought that has been plaguing the America West for the better part of the last decade. In this episode, Spurlock follows a Nebraska ranching family whose cattle operation has practically imploded because of the lack of rain – which translates into lack of grass – which translates into not being able to raise cattle.
Over the course of the show, we see the family having to sell off cattle because they simply don’t have enough grass on their 11,000-acre ranch to feed their herd. Buying supplemental hay or feed is not an option, because the price of both has skyrocketed to the point that it doesn’t add up financially. We see where a prairie fire scorched a portion of their ranch, effectively reducing their cattle carrying capacity by half. We watch them trying to protect the small amount of hay they did mange to grow from thieves, who have begun systematically stealing it because of its high value and scarcity. We even see them visit their local banker’s office, weighing the pros and cons of completely shutting down their ranching activities and liquidating their assets.
As unsettling as it is to watch this family’s struggles, it even more disconcerting to think that this same drama is being played out in every ranching community, all over the American West and Mid-West. I appreciate Spurlock bringing this issue to the forefront, because it seems that most “news” outlets (CNN included) are more focused on Kim Kardashian or American Idol than real issues like this ongoing debilitating drought. No matter where you live, the drought is real issue that directly affects our economy, our national security, and our national identity.
Set your DVR or VCR to record the show. You’ll be smarter because of it.
Colorado Ag Network – Summer Happy Hour
If you’re going to be in Denver next Thursday, August 15th, be sure to join us for the Colorado Ag Network’s Summer Happy Hour. We’ll be meeting from 4:30-6:30 at Del Frisco’s in Greenwood Village, and our guest speaker will be Mr. John Stulp, Special Policy Advisor to the Governor for Water.
You can find directions and additional information here: Colorado Ag Network – Upcoming Events
For those of you unfamiliar with the Colorado Ag Network, it is a relatively new networking group that was created with the purpose of bringing together leaders from Colorado’s agriculture and conservation sectors, so that they can meet, get to know each other, and discuss ideas in a casual, relaxed setting.
Historically, farmers and ranchers have found themselves at odds with conservationists (and vice versa) when it comes to political ideology and certain land use issues throughout the Rocky Mountain West. However, when you take a step back, it is fairly obvious that many reasonable conservationists and level-headed ranchers share similar goals – More times than not, they both want to preserve and enhance Colorado’s agricultural communities, natural resources, wildlife habitats, and scenic open spaces. Their means to those ends may be different, but there is no denying that the two groups share many goals.
The Colorado Ag Network is a place where folks from both sides can come together, have a drink, and discuss their goals, similarities and differences in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The first two events were resounding successes, and we anticipate the positive forward momentum to continue.
For more information on C.A.N. – the mission, core values, and leadership – please visit the Colorado Ag Network website.
Hope to see you there!
T.R. on Hard Work and the West
An great quote from Theodore Roosevelt, written to his lifelong friend William Sewell during T.R.’s Badlands ranching days. Although written in a completely different time and context, I think the quote still holds true today regarding life and work in the Rocky Mountains:
“Now a little plain talk, though I think it unnecessary, for I know you too well. If you are afraid of hard work and privation, don’t come out west. If you expect to make a fortune in a year or two, don’t come west. If you will give up under temporary discouragements, don’t come out west. If, on the other hand, you are willing to work hard, especially the first year; if you realize that for a couple of years you cannot expect to make much more than you are now making; if you also know at the end of that time you will be in the receipt of about a thousand dollars for the third year, with an unlimited field ahead of you and a future as bright as you yourself choose to make it, then come.”
– Theodore Roosevelt letter to Sewall, 6 July 1884
(Thanks to The Almanac of Theodore Roosevelt for the quote)
Ted Turner + Bison + American West
Another interesting Ted Turner article, this one from the good folks at The Land Report. I’ve worked with a number of bison ranchers over the years, and it’s undeniable that Turner and his restaurants have played a pivotal role in the reintroduction of bison throughout the American West.
“Ted didn’t want to be in the cattle business. He didn’t want to be in the hay business. He didn’t want to be in the oil and gas business. He wanted to be in the bison business because it would rekindle America’s West the way it was.”
Sixteen Million Bison Burgers Later …
(If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m somewhat obsessed with the bison and have read and reviewed several books about North America’s Most Interesting Animal. I definitely recommend learning more about this unbelievably powerful and historically significant animal!)
Ted Turner – Western Art, Land Stewardship, and Business
I just came across this interesting article in Western Art and Architecture magazine about Ted Turner, his love of Western Art, and how that passion for art has guided some of his land acquisitions and stewardship efforts. Even though I’ve read every book that I know of on Ted Turner, this article shed some new light on the roots of his love for Western landscapes.
Article: Ethos by Todd Wilkinson
Incidentally, the article was written by Todd Wilkinson, the author of Last Stand: Ted Turner’s Quest to Save a Troubled Planet. I just finished Last Stand and will be posting a review of it in the next week or so.
Ranches and Private Equity
Be sure to check out this interesting article in today’s Wall Street Journal about several private equity funds that are purchasing large western ranches, improving their fisheries and wildlife habitat, and reselling them at a profit:
I’ve had the opportunity to work with several of these groups over the past few years, and I personally admire the way they are able to bring together governmental, non-profit, and traditional business groups to simultaneously improve the natural landscape AND turn a profit for investors.
Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park
My wife and I spent the weekend camping and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, enjoying some of the most scenic and spectacular terrain in Colorado. While RMNP (and most other National Parks) can get rather crowded during the summer months, it amazing how few people venture more than 2-3 miles into the backcountry.
We hiked up to Sky Pond, a small glacial lake just east of the continental divide at an elevation of around 11,000 feet. After passing Alberta Falls, most of the other hikers quickly thinned out, and, by the time we reached Sky Pond, we were the only people around.
If you find yourself in Northern Colorado, I highly recommend spending at least a day in RMNP. There’s unbelievable scenery, abundant wildlife, and fun outdoor activities for all ages and ability levels.
(Also, my new listing Three Creek Ranch is actually located just 30 minutes from the Park’s western entrance in Grand Lake – just another feature that makes it such a unique property!)
A few additional photos from the day:
Grazing elk in Moraine Meadows
Sunset in the Park
Rising moon over the Continental Divide.
Loch Vale
Waterfall just below Sky Pond
Taking a very cold, very quick swim in Sky Pond!
Afternoon in Moraine Meadows
Summer in Red Feather Lakes
Over the weekend, I had showings on both of my ranch listings near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado – Phantom Lake Ranch and the Jensen Ranch. Given the huge amount of April snowfall, both ranches are just now reaching their full summer greenness. On both properties, the water was flowing and flowers were blooming, making it a perfect day to spend outdoors, with great clients, in the Colorado mountains. Enjoy these photos from the day:
Top 3 Conservation Updates
Head over to the Mirr Ranch Group Blog to read my most recent blog post:
This Spring’s Top 3 Colorado Land Conservation Updates
And speaking of conservation, the photo above is from my most recent trip to the Jensen Ranch, a unique 174-acre Forest Service inholding that has been conserved by Northern Colorado’s Legacy Land Trust.
Quandary Peak Sunset
After a full day touring ranches, I decided to make a quick trip up 14,265-foot Quandary Peak before starting the two hour drive back to Boulder. I didn’t leave the trailhead until 6:30 PM, so I had to move fast to catch the sunset. My timing could not have been better.
MK Blog Post – Colorado Fly Fishing
Head over to the Mountain Khakis blog for a new post on fly fishing in Colorado’s South Park basin:
Fly Fishing Adventures in South Park (not the cartoon)
I’ve been a fan of Mountain Khakis apparel for years – I’ve found their clothes to fit perfectly with my professional and personal outdoor lifestyle. Given that a normal work day for me can include everything from climbing over barbwire fences to hiking ridges at 11,000 feet to face-to-face client meetings, I appreciate MK’s durability, versatility, and professional appearance.
I’m excited to be teaming up with them as an MK Ambassador. I’ll be contributing several blog posts and photos per year, so keep an eye on their site!
Spring Calf Branding in Wyoming
This past Memorial Day weekend, my wife and I headed up to Wheatland, Wyoming for a client’s annual spring calf branding. We worked our way through around 250 calves – roping them, wrestling them to the ground, then vaccinating, branding, and (if necessary) castrating them.
It was tough, dirty work, but there’s something very special and historically noteworthy about participating in spring branding in the Rocky Mountain West. I love to think that (minus the vaccines and the propane flame for the branding iron), the exact same scene was playing out over 150 years ago: neighboring landowners coming together to rope and brand, then enjoy a big meal together after the hard work is complete.
Enjoy these photos from a great day:
View from the top of Colorado
After a few days on the road with minimal exercise, I decided to give my legs a test on Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado (14,433 ft). I didn’t leave the trailhead until around 3:30PM, but I made great progress up and down the northeast ridge, finishing before dark and making it back to Boulder in time for a somewhat reasonable bedtime.
Despite the fact that I had to posthole through thigh deep snow (in shorts!), I was glad to see that there’s still a good amount of snow up top. Given last summer’s terrible drought conditions, we need all the moisture and snowpack we can get.
Spring in Winter Park
Spring skiing at Winter Park… No crowds! Grand County, Colorado.
From the WSJ – Bison in Yellowstone
An interesting short piece in this morning’s Wall Street Journal discussing Yellowstone National Park’s bison herd, and the its effect on landowners, Indian Tribes, and federal and state policy:
Montana Wrangles Over Bison Population
To read more about bison (aka The Most Interesting Animal in North America), check out this post.
Book Review – “Meat Eater” by Steven Rinella
Growing up in North Carolina, I was never drawn to the idea of deer hunting. As a young kid, it all seemed pretty boring – get up before sunrise, sit still in a cold tree stand for hours on end, (hopefully) shoot a deer, throw it in the back of a truck and drive home. Not particularly adventurous or challenging, especially when you consider the ridiculous numbers of whitetails in eastern North Carolina.
As a boy, I was in perpetual motion and chose to spend my non-school time participating in more “interesting” activities – chopping trees, building trails, and exploring the woods behind my neighborhood, fly fishing for Tar River bluegill and bass (while avoiding copperheads), and becoming proficient at rappelling out of my 2nd story bedroom window.
The adventures intensified through my teens and into my early twenties – a college semester spent mountaineering in the North Cascades, a climbing trip to Argentina’s Andes Mountains, pushing myself through long distance triathlons. Through those years, I always enjoyed fishing and bird hunting, but never really considered them to be truly adventurous, challenging, or hardcore.*
When I moved to Wyoming in September 2005, my perspective on hunting quickly changed. All of the guys I worked with were devoted elk and mule deer hunters, and, when I arrived, bow season was in full swing. The elk were in full rut and at dusk I could hear them bugling up in the hills above town. My coworkers told stories of hiking off-trail for hours – sometimes days – on end, up and over “hills” that were thousands of feet taller than the east coast’s biggest mountain. If they did actually bag an elk, which was by no means guaranteed, they would work quickly to field dress the animal and pack it out on their backs, all while trying to avoid grizzly bears that loved the smell of fresh blood.
I quickly realized that big game hunting in the Rockies was a completely different pursuit than the limited version of hunting that I had in my head. After hearing those guys’ stories, my climbing, hiking, and endurance feats seemed not just tame, but, to use a T.R. term, downright “unmanly.” Sure, I climbed the highest peak in the western hemisphere… but I sure as hell didn’t have a grizzly stalking me as I descended from the summit.
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If I had a time machine, I’d set the Flux Capacitor to 1987, hammer the accelerator to 88 mph, and take a copy of Stephen Rinella’s newest book Meat Eater back to my younger self. After reading his tales of hunting deer in the Missouri Breaks, stalking Dall sheep in Alaska, bonefishing in Mexico and tracking mountain lions in Arizona, the younger me would never make the mistake of calling any form of hunting (or fishing or trapping) boring.
The book, subtitled “Adventures from the Life of an American Hunter,” is just that – Rinella’s autobiographical accounts of some of his most exciting adventures hunting, fishing, and exploring everywhere from the Rockies to Southeast Asia. It follows his life growing up hunting and trapping in Michigan to some of his wildest and toughest adventures pursuing game around world.
But adventure books are a dime a dozen. What makes this book special is Rinella’s insights on the hunting lifestyle – the historical context of hunting as it relates to the settling and expansion of the United States, his ethical failings as a young hunter, and how hunting (or lack of hunting) is affecting our society. Rinella has the unique the talent of delving deep into the philosophical side of a subject without coming off as some kind of dreamy, head-in-the-clouds philosopher.
I’m not enough of a talented writer to give the book its due, but this review from the Wall Street Journal does the trick.
If you like adventure, history, and smart writing, I encourage you to check out this book. And when you’re done, read his other book, American Buffalo (I mentioned it in a previous post). You don’t have to be a hardcore hunter to enjoy and learn from Meat Eater. In fact, I think open-minded non-hunters may enjoy and benefit from this book more than any other group of readers.
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(*The most memorable hunting adventure I ever had was not a result of the wild animal or severe weather, but a result of the crazy-ass people involved. It’s a long story, but the basic gist is that I worked for 3 weeks at a duck hunting camp in the bayou of SW Louisiana. I lived in a trailer with a bunch of Cajun dudes, one of whom would keep a zip lock bag of fried chicken under his pillow, and would gnaw at greasy drumsticks until he fell asleep. Every night, just after collapsing in his bed and just before the gnawing began, he’d say, “Eddie, this is where I do my best work.” Another one of my roommates jumped out of a moving jonboat and wrestled a swimming deer to its death. There are plenty other stories, all R-rated. I should write a book.)
The Farm Bill – History, Updates, and Conservation
Be sure to check out my recent article on the Mirr Ranch Group blog: The US Farm Bill – Current Status and Potential Impact on Conservation. In it, I give a little history on the US Farm Bill, make a book recommendation, and discuss last summer’s partisan silliness that led to Congress completely dropping the ball on a new 2012 Farm Bill.
Tax Implications of Conservation Easements
Head over to the Mirr Ranch Group blog to read my most recent blog post: The Fiscal Cliff Deal and its Effect on Conservation Properties. In it, I give a brief overview of how the overhyped “fiscal cliff” deal and its resulting legislation will affect federal income tax deductions for conservation easements.
When reading that blog posting, be sure to notice the photo of the massive moose (I’ve reposed it here). That photo was taken on the Jensen Ranch, one of the ranches I represent that has been permanently protected by a conservation easement.
Upper Trout Creek – South Park’s Hidden Gem
It’s no secret that Colorado’s South Park basin is one of the premier trout fishing destinations in the United States. A devoted fisherman could spend years exploring the major rivers, creeks and reservoirs, and still only scratch the surface of fishing possibilities in the valley.
When most people think of fishing in South Park, a long list of well-known and extremely productive fisheries come to mind: The South and Middle Forks of the South Platte, Tarryall, Jefferson, and Michigan Creeks, and the Antero and Spinney Reservoirs. For the most part, these fisheries are easily accessible from the valley’s major highways, and, even with the most basic fishing skills, guarantee at least a few decent-sized browns and rainbows. However, easy access plus hungry fish usually equals crowds.
While I’ve never encountered crowds in South Park to rival the mobs of fishermen that descend on Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer months, it is rare to have one of the major fisheries all to yourself. However, if you’re willing to step off the beaten path and put in a little work, there are numerous opportunities to find both hungry fish and solitude.
One of my favorite hidden gems is upper Trout Creek, located in Pike National Forest, at the base of southeast ridge of Mount Silverheels. I had the good fortune to discover this creek because of my work listing and marketing Red Hill Ranch, a 2,080-acre property that borders the National Forest and upper Trout Creek. As you can see in the photos, the scenery is unbelievable – a meandering creek with abundant willows that backs up to the aspen-covered base of a 13,829-foot mountain. There is a healthy beaver population living in upper Trout Creek, and the numerous beaver dams have created deep pools that allow the trout to survive the cold winters. The most exciting aspect of upper Trout Creek is that it supports Greenback Cutthroat trout, a rare and highly sought-after species.
For the general public, there’s no easy way to access upper Trout Creek, unless you have a very high-clearance and super-durable truck. And in my experience, a big truck does not guarantee an easy ride. The forest service road leading to the area is fraught with holes the size of Volkswagens… no exaggeration! But for the devoted fisherman, it is well worth the time and effort to drive as far as you can up the road and hike in the rest of the way.
The current and future owners of Red Hill Ranch, however, have extremely easy access to this relatively unknown fishing spot. From the northwest corner of the ranch, the landowner can simply unlock the gate, walk a few hundred yards and begin reeling in the Greenbacks. Because there are no well-maintained roads to upper Trout Creek, whoever purchases Red Hill Ranch gets the best of both worlds – private use of the deeded acreage for hunting and ranching, and fairly exclusive use of the National Forest for fishing, hiking and horseback riding.
Feel free to get in touch if you’d like more information on upper Trout Creek, Red Hill Ranch, or both. It won’t be long until the snow has melted, and we are back in prime fishing season!
(Thanks to Gary Nichols for the use of a few of his excellent Trout Creek photos)
Public vs Private Lands
I was recently paging through the Atlas of the New West, an interesting book published by The Center of the American West. It’s an older book, published in 1997, yet it still has a great deal of relevant information regarding current issues affecting life in the Rocky Mountains.
This particular illustration caught my eye – a graphical representation of the percent of public lands in each state. While I’ve always known that the Rocky Mountain states have vastly more public lands than their eastern counterparts, I’ve never seen it laid out in this particular manner. Muy interesante!
source: Atlas of the New West, page 58.
Conservation Founding Fathers
I recently came across this informative video produced by the American Museum of Natural History that describes some of Theodore Roosevelt’s* conservation mentors. There’s also some interesting commentary from historian Douglas “I ain’t scared of no two-bit congressman” Brinkley.
In two of my previous posts, I’ve written about some of the folks mentioned in this video, such as George Bird Grinnell and Gifford Pinchot. If you’ve got an extra 5 minutes to spare and have an interest in the history of conservation in the United States, check it out:
*Sorry for the incessant TR posts**, but, more times than not, he’s the centerpoint of any conversation about conservation history.
**Actually, I’m not sorry. There’s no one I’d rather read and write about than TR.
Hilarious Theodore Roosevelt Quote
As I’ve mentioned before, I have a slight obsession with reading and learning about Theodore Roosevelt. Given the large number of books, letters, and speeches that TR produced throughout his life (35+ books, 150,000+ letters, 1000s of speeches), there are plenty of memorable quotes attributed to him – “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” “The man in the arena,” “The square deal,” just to name a few.
Recently, while reading TR’s 1885 book “Hunting Trips of a Ranchman,” I came across a hilarious quote regarding, of all things, his intense hatred of those “bleating idiots” known as sheep:
“Cattle-men hate sheep, because they eat the grass so close that cattle cannot live on the same ground. The sheep-herders are a morose, melancholy set of men, generally afoot, and with no companionship except that of the bleating idiots they are hired to guard. No man can associate with sheep and retain his self-respect. Intellectually a sheep is about on the lowest level of the brute creation; why the early Christians admired it, whether young or old, is to a good cattle-man always a profound mystery.”
The man definitely hates sheep. As well as anyone who associates with sheep. I wouldn’t even wear a wool sweater around this guy. Knowing the TR dictated many of his books, I laugh even harder when I picture him yelling and screaming about his hatred of domestic sheep, while some poor assistant tries to frantically capture the deluge of furious words spilling out of his mouth. No one can ever try to claim that TR wasn’t passionate!
Anyway… For those looking to learn more about TR’s time in the Badlands and his other western adventures, I do recommend Hunting Trips of a Ranchman. It’s facinating to read his firsthand impressions of hunting, wildlife and life on the western frontier in the late 1800s. However, knowing that TR was quite the self-promoter and had the habit of leaving out some of the less-than-flattering details of his exploits, you may also want to check out Theodore Roosevelt in the Badlands by Roger Silvestro. It presents a more complete picture of TR’s time in the west, and gives the interesting backstory regarding why he chose to walk away from a career in politics to pursue life as a Ranchman.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Southern Colorado Conservation Awards
In early October, I made my way down to Colorado Springs for the third annual Southern Colorado Conservation Awards, hosted by the great folks at Palmer Land Trust. Since 1977, the Palmer Land Trust has conserved over 70,000 acres of ranch land and wild places, making them the largest local, private land trust in the United States.
The evening consisted of great conversation with individuals working in the Colorado conservation community, followed by an excellent dinner prepared with local food, and, most importantly, the awards ceremony. As part of the awards ceremony, the award winners were profiled in short films that had been produced by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ginger Kathrens.
Rather than try to explain all the great work that this year’s winners have done, I’ll let you check out the four videos below. Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to Palmer Land Trust for a great evening!
Conservation Properties & Conservation Easements
Check out my most recent posting on the Mirr Ranch Group blog – Case Study: Conservation Properties. In it, I give a brief overview of how conservation easements can be used to enhance a ranch’s conservation, agriculture, and development characteristics. I also discuss one of our listings, The Preserve, that has successfully conserved a portion of the ranch, while also retaining and improving its agricultural and development potential.
