GAYLORD NRC RALLY by Dick Kleinhardt
After seeing a very one sided post on the Michigan Sportsman.com website, I would like to give my rebuttal to that post!
I am a dairy farmer, veteran, hunter, fisherman and horseback rider! I spoke at he Gaylord Rally which was portrayed as hostile. Passionate yes, hostile no! When my rights are being messed with I tend to voice my opinions. When asked if anyone was present representing the DNR, the room was silent. After the meeting I had an opportunity to intercept Mr. O'Neill as he was walking out the door. I introduced myself and as we were talking a newspaper guy was doing that scribbly stuff! The bottom line is that he told me, and I quote,"We have a lot of pressure from "fringe groups" and that you horse people should just stay out of the Pigeon and ride the heck out of the 400 and some odd thousand acres!" I told him that was insulting and arrogant to not only me personally, but to my family and friends who have enjoyed riding the PRC for more than 20 years! I told him that it was our land, belonging to the people, not the DNR! I also told the crowd that I've been in contact with Nugent's folks and Mr. Ted is not going to be thrilled!!!!!!!!!!! We've always regarded our state forests as a privilege and right to ride! Furthermore, I heard that there were other DNR folks there and they were instructed not to identify themselves, wear anything with DNR on it; and just sit there and record names of the individuals that were speaking! WOW!!!!! Is this America or where am I???
The DNR is coming up with all of these erroneous claims i.e. Noxious weeds, Elk leaving the forest as a result of horses pushing them, 17 sections deemed incompatible with horses, 53,000 acres not harmonious with horses, Pittman Robertson and on and on it goes! We have scientific data refuting all these allegations! We have been camping legally in some 15 remote campsites that were approved by the DNR, not just anywhere and everywhere as was miss-stated by the spinsters! Tourism will take a huge hit as well, we drop big dollars into the surrounding communities!
The bottom line here ladies and gentlemen is that this is a pre-destined intentionally exclusionary elitist agenda targeting horses! Mr. Jacobson wondered what the legislators thought of the Gaylord Rally!!!! Let me tell you what they thought of it; They thought enough of it to hold a special committee hearing chaired by Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D) who is the Chairman of the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and NRC Committee. I had the opportunity this past Tuesday, May 13th, as did my fellow comrades to let the truth be told -our side of the story was finally heard. The DNR testified 1st and was caught in the usual spin cycle.
I would encourage any and all outdoor enthusiasts to stand up and be counted. This is our land to enjoy RESPONSIBLY! Call your legislators; right now it's the horse issue; it's only a matter of time and they will be dealing with your land rights!
Dick Kleinhardt
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