Guiding hunters is one of the primary professions in rural Idaho. Hunters come from all over the country to stalk elk, deer, bear, pheasants, and now even wolves. Renewable guiding licenses are costly and difficult to obtain, especially in the National Forest. During my two days in Elk City and Orogrande, both of my guides firmly refused payment. Misrepresenting oneself as a guide is a serious offense.
The Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness Area is a protected region at the heart of 3 million acres of roadless land, making it the largest wilderness area outside of Alaska. Guides often travel by river or even helicopter; they are largely cut off from society. Trips are organized through snail mail.
Over dinner, Steve recounted the story of his Uncle John, a long-time guide. Every year, a group of half a dozen lawyers from Michigan would come for a week to hunt elk. The leader, a man named Jerry, and his core group, returned for over ten years, always during the same week of hunting season. However, for a couple of years, Jerry had to cancel while his friends continued to visit.
National Wilderness areas have a duty to protect the natural ecosystem. They tolerate visitors but, unlike National Parks and National Forests, do not promote human activity. After a lifetime of guiding, Uncle John received a letter from the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board (IOGLB) stating that no guiding licenses would be issued the following year. As this was Uncle John’s profession and only source of income, he submitted multiple appeals to the IOGLB, all of which were flatly denied.
So, when the Michigan lawyers arrived for their hunt, Uncle John sadly informed them that this would be the last time he could guide them, as he would be out of business the next year. The lawyers exchanged glances and said, “Well, let’s see if Jerry can do something.”
Months passed, but eventually, Uncle John received a letter stating that his guiding license had been reinstated. It appeared that Jerry had come through for him, and when the Michigan lawyers returned the following year, they all celebrated. Uncle John asked, “Where’s Jerry? I want to thank him.”
One lawyer replied, “Well, you know… Gerald Ford… ah… he is the President of the United States.”
The Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness Area is a protected region at the heart of 3 million acres of roadless land, making it the largest wilderness area outside of Alaska. Guides often travel by river or even helicopter; they are largely cut off from society. Trips are organized through snail mail.
Over dinner, Steve recounted the story of his Uncle John, a long-time guide. Every year, a group of half a dozen lawyers from Michigan would come for a week to hunt elk. The leader, a man named Jerry, and his core group, returned for over ten years, always during the same week of hunting season. However, for a couple of years, Jerry had to cancel while his friends continued to visit.
National Wilderness areas have a duty to protect the natural ecosystem. They tolerate visitors but, unlike National Parks and National Forests, do not promote human activity. After a lifetime of guiding, Uncle John received a letter from the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board (IOGLB) stating that no guiding licenses would be issued the following year. As this was Uncle John’s profession and only source of income, he submitted multiple appeals to the IOGLB, all of which were flatly denied.
So, when the Michigan lawyers arrived for their hunt, Uncle John sadly informed them that this would be the last time he could guide them, as he would be out of business the next year. The lawyers exchanged glances and said, “Well, let’s see if Jerry can do something.”
Months passed, but eventually, Uncle John received a letter stating that his guiding license had been reinstated. It appeared that Jerry had come through for him, and when the Michigan lawyers returned the following year, they all celebrated. Uncle John asked, “Where’s Jerry? I want to thank him.”
One lawyer replied, “Well, you know… Gerald Ford… ah… he is the President of the United States.”
President Ford's rifles