forest service regulation
General Topic
Contributors to this thread:
Since I couldn't locate the original thread concerning this forest service regulation, I decided to start a new one. The november/december edition of Sporting Classics at pages 13 and 14 had a article entitled " A Forest Service Fiasco". I tried to forward it as an attachment to the bowsite website but don't know if I was successful. I was hoping that bowsite would publish it for you all. The article repeats some of the horror stories that the forest service is trying to foist on us when we are on certain federal lands bowhunting or just enjoying the scenery. If you photograph or write about the experience you could be committing a crime. I hope someone can post that article on here and then I urge you all to consider forwarding the article to your congressional representatives. The article was written by Ron Spomer, Senior Editor for the magazine.
The USFS has regs concerning photography, always has but somehow it got blown way out this summer when some thought was being given to the rules. The FS at last I heard is making no changes. So if you are not using huge crews and props or keeping the public from using the area you are not in violation. If you are and will be selling as a pro then you would need a permit. Video is another thing.
smokey: Thanks for your output. I still have a lot of problems with the proposal. For example, if an outfitter takes a picture of a client with an mountain in the background and uses that picture in a brochure,then he is in violation. Taking a photo of public property should never be a violation.
To be clear on that... an outfitter is authorized to operate commercially on National Forest. For profit. So he can take pics and put them in a brochure or website. Keep in mind licensed outfitters pay a user fee on every client.
You can take pics and film all you want BUT... you cannot display the material publicly if you plug (promote) and products or companies that could stand to profit from the photographic material.
To do so you must get a permit in advance.
smokey's Link
This is what started the talk.
Mule power has it right
smokey's Link
Here is the regs as they stand as of now.
I am a photographer and I also worked for the FS for 33 years. But I will say I have issues on how the FS does things and where it is headed.
A different subject but.... one time at a Forest Service/Outfitter meeting they started with "We're not sure yet and we don't one anyone overreacting but...."
And they proceeded to tell us that there was a proposal being considered where we may have to pack out all of our horse poop. After 15 minutes of laughter and mumbling I raised my hand and asked... "Have you guys done any expensive government studies on the average weight of a horses bowel movement multiplied by 5 times daily and then multiply that by 7 days.... times about 12 head?..... I assume you'll be letting us use helicopters?"
We never heard another word about it. I have some friends in the USFS but somewhere upstairs there are folks who don't have a friggin' clue!
A few examples. If you have a TV hunting show and are video taping a hunt on the National Forest you would need a permit. If guided then the Guide would not need one but you would. If you did not have a show you do not need a permit to video unless you are selling to a production company.
For still photos again only commercial photography requires permits under some situations but non-commercial does not need one even if you later sell some of them.
You sure don't get much for your tax dollars these days.
Thats why they are known as the FOREST CIRCUS !