“What is CRP” How does it apply to hunting? Is it for Farmers and Ranchers?

A couple of days ago I wrote about the demise of the ‘Gentleman’s bird, the Bobwhite Quail’. In that article I mentioned the CRP. Tonight I want to write about that program.

Many hunters not familiar with ‘the CRP’ will think my sentence odd by my writing ‘the CRP’. Some hunters won’t notice at all but will wonder if I’m talking about ‘CPR’, not the life saving CPR but the hunters CPR…no kiddin’. Confused? … Many hunters are confused yet this is singly the most important piece of legislation approved by congress that benefits farmers, ranchers, our worn/overused lands & hunters in the last 30 years, that is, to the best of my knowledge.

“What is CRP”, The programs explained:

First, CRP stands for Conservation Reserve Program. It is a program where land owners receive annual rental payments for planting permanent vegetation on idle, highly erodible farmland.

The second program, It’s sister program is the CREP or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. It is a “unique program whereby state and federal partnerships allow you to receive incentive payments for installing specific conservation practices that help protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and safeguard ground and surface water.

Folks, it is EXTREMELY important you watch for alerts and notices through your various hunting and fishing organizations as well as the news and other sources. YOUR EARS SHOULD TURN TO ‘RED ALERT’ when information about these programs is in the news!!!!

You want to know why bird hunting has improved in many areas, especially plains states and wetlands? THESE PROGRAMS. YOUR TAX DOLLARS ACTUALLY AT GOOD WORK! These programs are a ‘must protect’ and a ‘I never contact my congressman but this time I will’ on your list of do’s. It’s a 1.a. if your list is so organized.

Spread the word, it’s not CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), it’s not a type of grass (no kiddin’, many folks think this), it’s not a get rich scheme invented by congress so land owners get rich. It’s serious to the preservation of top soil from erosive weather patterns, over farming / ranching, etc. It’s about preserving our land and our outdoor heritage.

If the Democrats make it to office they tend to be farmer friendly, ahh but watch out. When Clinton was in office his ‘appointees’ were trying to get a law passed that since it was a federal program whereby the farmer / rancher was to take the land out of service in exchange for federal payment that hunting on land for fee shouldn’t be allowed. Thankfully many of us ‘raised cane’ as papaw use to say. It was argued successfully that taking payment for hunting on CRP lands had nothing to do with taking it out of service for payment. The farmer / rancher gives up their right to farm and ranch, not the right to own and use their land for other purposes!

This program is NOT safe under any particular administration though the anti-hunting, tree hugging, “lets cut the budget for farmers but not the go-zillion dollar ‘touchy feely’ study” (I made that up), and other extremists in the democratic party scare the hell out of me the most. Well, I’m not really afraid as I firmly believe in the Texas CCW law (figure that out anti-gunners!). It scares me because uninformed folks hold the keys to our natural resources and some, to quote the late Jerry Clowers, “are educated beyond their own intelligence”.

These programs are jewels and need to be protected. One thing you can do is read about, understand and educate your peers.

Ask a bird hunter about where to hunt and she/he’ll ask “Does your place have any CRP lands?”. Why? Because it holds game and usually lots of it!!!

CRP and CREP are just part of the solution to protecting the fabric of our lands from overuse and the decimation of indigenous wildlife in North America. Your voice is another part. Together we can make a difference. These programs are easy to pick on when it comes to budget cutters so as we move on to a new administration, watch out!

That’s my soap box for tonight.

Happy huntin’

Dave

P.S. Want more info? Start by clicking here.