Do you know who bought the weaver ranch? could they possibly be willing to let you hunt the property? Heck they might be interested in becoming a BMA! Who Knows?!
I'm a glass-usually-half-full guy but, yep, I find it difficult to swallow that I've given plenty of money to a business that now facilitates the sale of unprotected quality habitat and shamelessly promotes outfitters who lease large blocks of land previously accessible simply by asking permission. It's a little ironic that the company who formerly offered the layman an alternative to the lofty Orvis types of catalogs now caters to that very crowd with its realty and international hunt depeartments. To be honest, I'm not sure what to make of it. Is it just a sign of the times, the simple exercising of landowner rights, and/or American capitalism at its best? Probably all of the above...but it still sucks for the future of hunting.
I read in the Lewistown paper that the reported buyer has been asking the county planner lots of questions about subdivision laws in the area. That makes me nervous, though. I don't know what they plan to develop with subdivisions....
I agree with the comments regarding Cabelas and how two-faced it seems to try and promote the "sportsman" yet do something that will likely create sportsman/landowner/wildlife problems in the future. I think they are just proving it comes down to the almighty dollar.
Soon they will have folks like Chuck Rein working for them in the legislature to change the way wildlife is viewed by law. Wildlife will become the property of the landowner where it resides, this way landowners can market it the same as cattle. I just dream of the day I can pay Cabelas $300.00 a day or more to shoot gophers or coyotes.
Well that is the end of my tirade for now, but companies like Cabelas are a cancer on the landscape. They have ruined Nebraska, and the southern half of South Dakota and now want to see if they can't commercialize the wildlife thru out the rest of the west. To support them in any fashion is like using your hard earned recreational money to limit your own opportunity. I personally would not buy a single toothpick off them.
Atleast they had a good auction last friday. I don't shop cabelas any more. BBJ
May 30, 2007
Mr. Dennis Highby, President & CEO Cabela's 1 Cabela Drive Sidney, NE 69160
Dear Mr. Highby:
The first words on the website of CABELA'S TROPHY PROERTIES, under the question: What is Cabela's Trophy Properties? Read: "For over 46 years, sportsmen have trusted Cabela's."
Regrettably, we now come to the conclusion that we sportsmen of Montana can trust Cabela's no longer.
Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF), Montana's oldest and largest organization of 7,000 hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, and with 23 affiliate sportsmen groups from throughout the state, have a substantial stake in the future of our diverse natural wealth: diverse landscapes, diverse wildlife, diverse waters, diverse fisheries, and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. Our natural wealth has made Montana a wildlife, hunting and fishing paradise that we have fought long and hard to maintain.
The MWF Executive Board find that Cabela's is trading on its trusted reputation as a merchant of sporting goods to engage in a real estate marketing activity that is calculated to subvert and destroy the very system of North American wildlife conservation that has provided Cabela's with the hunter-and-angler markets that gave your company life in the first place.
Many MWF members have come to live in Montana precisely to escape the results in other states of such "recreational land marketing" that squeezes out hunters and anglers of ordinary means from access to publicly owned wildlife that is located on private lands. Please be informed that many thousands of Montana hunters and anglers are dedicated and committed to preserving our heritage of democratic public hunting and fishing. Virtually all of us have purchased sporting goods from Cabela's at one time or another. You cannot expect us to continue as your patrons if at the same time we are financing the loss of our hunting and angling opportunities.
Access to hunting opportunities is an issue of vigorous public debate in Montana and has been for many years. You cannot expect to escape the glare of public scrutiny and possible public policy change that will logically result from your campaign of marketing "trophy hunting properties."
We recommend a substantive discussion of this matter between the management of Cabela's and the leadership of Montana Wildlife Federation. We recognize that previous experience in marketing real estate as hunting properties may have left you uninformed of how strongly this practice is opposed by hunters and anglers in Montana. We still respect the great merchandising service that Cabela's has provided. We would hope that a discussion could be respectful and constructive.
In the absence of a discussion, however, this issue will not lie unattended.
The history of controversy over management of public wildlife on private land in Montana is too extensive and complex to fully relate in this letter. We will provide knowledgeable people to discuss this with you at your request. In brief, however, we in Montana have not surrendered rights of equitable opportunity to hunt wildlife on private lands as have the hunters and anglers of many other states.
We certainly continue to respect the private property rights of landowners and recognize many contribution's they make to habitat and hunting management. For these reasons we have engaged in extensive efforts to help financially and legally with managing the interface of hunters, game animals and private property.
The management scheme you facilitated for the 29,000-acre Weaver Ranch in Petroleum County, Montana is completely destructive of everything we have tried to accomplish in landowner - sportsman relations in this state. The North American Fish and Wildlife Conservation Model cannot survive this kind of management scheme.
We await your response. In the meantime we will proceed to protect our Montana heritage of democratic public hunting and angling.
Craig Sharpe Executive Director Montana Wildlife Federation (800)517-7256 (406) 458-0227 Official Web-site: www.montanawildlife.com This message brought to you by Montana's largest statewide wildlife organization of nearly 7,000 conservation minded hunters and anglers with a common mission 'To protect and enhance Montana's public wildlife, lands, waters and fair chase hunting and fishing heritage' They have been driving around and just pulling in to farms/ranches and asking if the folks want to sell. My niece and her husband asked them to leave!!!
You definitely can't tell someone what they can or can't do with their land, but I am surprised at how willingly these families let their properties that have been in their families for generations, homesteaded, get broken up. I guess I am used to the folks I know with large ranches think differently. You will only split up thier land over their dead bodies. And I hope these people that are going to buy these 20s or 160s or whatever they are understand that you cna't go hunt the p!$$ out of a piece that small and expect elk and pheasants and such to stick around very long.
Don't blame brokers, blame the beauty of the land
June 27, 2007
The availability on the market of a large, historic piece of northcentral Montana property calls attention to a phenomenon that has been occurring in Montana for decades, if not since its founding.
We're referring generally to the purchase of prime Montana land by wealthy out-of-state interests, and specifically to the possible sale of the spectacular Charlie Lincoln ranch, more than 10,000 acres encompassing about 14 miles of Marias River breaks country southwest of Shelby. Lincoln died in March at age 84, and he left the ranch to the Catholic Church. His caveat was that if the church sells the land, the state of Montana gets first crack at buying it.
Exactly how that is supposed to happen wasn't clear, but as a first step the state Fish, Wildlife & Parks has let the Diocese of Helena know that it wants to be in on the discussions. "They understand we are very interested and will be getting back to us at the appropriate time," said Jeff Hagener, FWP director.
That's good, because this is a rare stretch of river, one running free and virtually undeveloped on its way from the Rocky Mountain Front to Lake Elwell 15-20 miles downstream. It would make a fine addition to the state's public land inventory.
"You can float from one end to the other and not see crops, sprinklers or farmsteads," said Gary Olson, a Conrad wildlife biologist. "It is pretty remote. If you wanted to travel back in time to see what Meriwether Lewis saw on his return trip, this would be the place."
A wildcard in the deal — one that has jaws a little tight among some area recreationists — is that the sporting goods giant Cabela's is rumored to be involved in marketing the property.
The Nebraska-based chain, which also does a substantial catalog and online sales business, operates a Web site called Cabela's Trophy Properties.
On Monday, the site listed no fewer than 35 Montana properties with asking prices above $1 million.
Some Montanans evidently are concerned that such high-profile marketing could run the price beyond the state's reach, and that an out-of-state buyer would be more likely to put the land off-limits to hunters and other recreationists.
We share those concerns — in general — but we can't fault Cabela's or any other land broker for connecting sellers with moneyed buyers.
There's always been out-of-state ownership of Montana properties. Some of those owners are good neighbors; some of them aren't.
We credit FWP with trying to educate new landowners about Montana's traditions of openness and conservation.
We're also glad the state now has a mechanism and some money to acquire such properties.
Perhaps folks concerned that the state will be outbid can raise money themselves to supplement the state's offer, if and when the state makes an offer.
S/F,
Jagger8dogs
Keep up the good fight,use your local, state and national representatives as much as possible to keep this from continuing. Join those associations who will help to fight Cabelas. As a resident of Missouri who has visited your great state I can tell you with no reservations that you don't want what is happening in my part of the country to happen in yours!! Keep Montana as wild and free as possible, I will do my part by writing Cabelas and getting rid of my Cabelas credit card and they will no longer receive my business if they continue on the path they have chosen.
If it is true, they have seen my last dollar.
If you go to Cabela's home page and click Trophy Properties and then the State of Montana. They have two new and recent ranches advertised. Look at the one called Missouri River Breaks Ranch for $7.9 Million.
Here is part of the marketing for this property: "Wow! Missouri River Breaks Ranch consists of approximately 15,683 acres that is a combination of deeded (9,142 acres), BLM (5,901 acres), and state (640 acres) property, with the deeded ground completely surrounding the BLM and state parcels, CREATING A PRIVATE SANTUARY! Located in prime central Montana, about 40 minutes from Fort Benton, the Missouri River Breaks Ranch features 4 1/2 miles of frontage on the meandering Missouri River. Sitting just outside the small ranching community of Geraldine, this property is the picture of peace and solitude in a setting that cannot be duplicated." In other words . . . they are advertising that whomever buys the property can block public access and have access to public land exclusively.
They gave FWP lip-service when they told them they would not be marketing property through their website that would advertise or promote the taking away of access to hunters. Looks like they lied for the sake of the almighty dollar.
I just looked at it, you are mistaken,it is listed like any listing that has state or BLM leases should be, they are shown as part of the property, as leases are transfered with real property. No where does it say anything about closing off existing public access to public lands. Looking at it on Cadastral, there are roads that go into the BLM, provided the roads are public, there is your access. another option: take a boat, you will have acess to all the public land in the listing (just KNOW where boundries are).
Nothing like biteing the hand that feeds them. They could take the "high road" and have a "hands-off approach" to marketing property. I'll take my business to Big Bear, Scheels, Sportsman's Warehouse or locate sporting goods store. In the end they will be selling their products to a select few.
With your approach you had better cancel all subscriptions to out doors magazines as most have a classified section that advertises properties. And dont forget your local news papers too! they are advertising these listings as well. The stores you mention have bulletin boards that I have seen similar properties posted for sale, I guess you'd better boycot them too!
I just looked again today after reading ansci's reply, the phrase "Creating a private santuary" has been removed. Good for them. I copied the descirption from the website and pasted it as they wrote it.
Well, Dan, I will right an e-mail or letter to Clearwater Realty today. You are correct, they and many others are held in the same regard. They are promoting, through marketing, privatization of wildlife and the exclusion of residents.
Ansci-"The ONLY thing cabelas does is advertise, no different than any land magazine." -the difference is other advertisers are not trying to sell me things to hunt with.
JMG- you are mad at the wrong people. You should be mad at your government, that is allowing this to happen. Write your congressman let him know what is happening, and if he does not want to do anything fire him.
By Bill Schneider, 11-22-07
It has taken Cabela’s a long time to move into Montana, but now that iconic retailer of hunting and fishing goods finally has a stake in the sand down in Billings, it might be wondering if it was the right decision.
Cabela’s has become accustomed to being revered by hunters and anglers, but in Montana, many sportsmen and women now have the opposite attitude, disdain--and they’re sending back their catalogs with promises never to spend another penny there. When opening a new store, Cabela’s expects the local hunters and anglers who have lusted for years to have a store nearby to more or less knell on the doorstep, but if Cabela’s doesn’t stop endorsing the loss of public hunting, the corporate VIPs might see people picketing the Billings store opening with anti-Cabela’s placards.
Here’s the rub. Back in June 2004, Cabela’s went public and is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CAB. Such initial public offerings are always accompanied by plans on how to use all the new money for aggressive growth. And sure enough, Cabela’s launched into a major expansion, which primarily involving more and faster store openings.
No problem so far, the more and faster the better as far as I’m concerned, but a small part of that growth plan, a real estate marketing division called Cabela’s Trophy Properties might hurt Cabela’s bottom line and stock performance (already down to about half of its opening price) more than it helps. In Montana, the ruckus over the real estate division has already tarnished the best brand in the business, and it looks like it could get much worse and spread to other states.
I personally don’t want to see this happen because I’m one of those who grew up revering Cabela’s. I’d probably live in a Cabela’s store if they’d let me--at least for a few days until I had to leave to file for bankruptcy. And I bet the company’s brass and shareholders want to prevent damage to their brand even more than I do. If so, they need to act quickly and decisively instead of doing what they’re doing right now, which is seriously underestimating the potential of the problem.
The controversy erupted when Cabela’s Trophy Properties opened an office in Montana and started listing what the Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF), the state’s largest group of hunters and anglers, calls “traditional public hunting properties.” Those listings shot up a warning flare to the MWF’s 7,000 members, and the result was a strongly worded letter from executive director Craig Sharpe going to Dennis Highby, president & CEO of Cabela’s. In the letter, Sharpe warned of a “strong response” to the real estate marketing, such as mailing back or burning catalogs, unless Cabela’s addressed the group’s concerns and agreed to a meeting to discuss the issues.
A flash point in the controversy was the sale, planned subdivision and eventual closure to public hunting of two large ranches in central Montana by Cabela’s Trophy Properties. “Is this in line with Cabela’s mission?” Sharpe asked in his letter.
Following Sharpe’s letter and several others sent to Cabela’s by MWF members, two of Montana’s premier outdoor writers, Mike Babcock at the Great Falls Tribune and Mark Henckel of the Billings Gazette wrote detailed articles on the debate. Neither article painted a rosy picture of Cabela’s real estate deals and ended up turning up the heat another notch.
Then, and typical of large corporations that don’t really understand damage control, Cabela’s managed to make it worse with its responses. First, Cabela’s spokesperson David Draper implied that this was no big deal and told Montana hunters they shouldn’t fret because the properties were selling to sportsmen who are “probably going to make the land better,” a bonehead statement that Sharpe called “insulting.”
Throwing more gas on the fire was the corporate response that, in essence, tried to dodge the bullet by saying we aren’t really in the real estate business, just the real estate marketing business.
Here’s how that works. Cabela’s doesn’t actually buy and sell land, Instead, it licenses its brand to local real estate brokers and allows them to market prime hunting and fishing properties under the banner of Cabela’s Trophy Properties. The brokers pay Cabela’s for the license, probably with a license fee and a slice of the commission on property sales.
Cabela’s third response was the old “can’t we just get along” comeback, which was in the form of an invitation for the MWF board to an exclusive VIP reception at the Billings store opening and agreeing to send out a packet of information to buyers of “trophy properties” suggesting they do good things for wildlife.
Well, we all hope buyers do good things like leave land open to public hunting and file for a conservation easement preventing future subdivision and that the board members has a jolly time at the reception, but that response doesn’t address what concerns Montana hunters i.e. Cabela’s promoting the loss of public hunting. In fact, the tokenism worsened the problem.
Sorry, Cabela’s, these responses get zero traction. Licensing your name to realtors who use it to market property definitely makes you part of the real estate biz--and not just any real estate biz, but the worst kind.
I doubt anybody has a problem with Cabela’s buying 44 acres down on the edge of Billings and then selling off a chuck or two to Burger King or Day’s Inn. But using a nation’s top hunting and fishing brand to promote the sale, subdivision and closure to public access of prime hunting land is quite a different real estate deal. It is, in fact, exactly opposite of everything Cabela’s stands for, and you’d think the company would be trying to distance itself as far and as fast as possible from it.
Earth to Cabela’s. You’re using your brand to promote the loss of public hunting on private land in large sections of Montana and other sates. This could destroy your brand, and you really don’t want to do this.
Getting out of real estate can’t be that tough a decision for a company with $2 billion in sales, very little of it from real estate marketing. I perused the annual report and couldn’t even find the words “Cabela’s Trophy Properties,” let alone anything about the millions Cabela’s makes in license fees and commissions--because, of course, this is probably a microscopic part of the giant’s revenue.
It has potential, though--potential to cost Cabela’s fifty dollars in retail sales for every dollar earned in license fee income.
So, I hope President & CEO Highby sees this column, recognizes the real estate division as a major (but still correctable) mistake, and decides get out of the real estate business faster than he can say it.
If you’d like to support me in encouraging, Cabela’s to rapidly get back on course, here’s a couple of phone numbers that might work, 308-254-5505 and 1-800-237-4444, or you can go to the customer service email page and send your comments in writing. In the meantime, until we get a better response, keep sending those catalogs back. Cabela’s definitely understands what that means.
And we have this response from Chuck Clayton of Huron...
To the management of Cabela’s;
I have heard of your “real estate” division in your catalog offers. I am very disappointed you are involved in this venture. You are sealing the fate of hunters who can’t afford your fees for hunting, and will no longer buy your merchandise. If the land sold under your name becomes private and not open to anyone to hunt, that is even worse.
Family hunters and fishermen have been your bread and butter for many years. Do you really want to be part of the demise of our new recruits to the sports of hunting and fishing ------ the people that buy your products??
You should rethink your participation in real estate development. You should withdraw from “Cabelas Trophy Properties”, and anything that resembles that sort of thing if you want people like me to keep buying from you.
Chuck Clayton Past President Izaak Walton League of America, South Dakota Wildlife Federation
Pl;us another from Jeff Albrecht...
Chuck, Good response to this article. Several years ago Chuck Rokusek had mentioned at a SDWF meeting that he had lost hunting access because of Cabela's leasing property to sell hunts. I sent an email to Cabela's via their website. I told them of the concern. Cabela's response was they would forward the comments to their Board of Directors. I was immediately removed from their email listing and that was the last I heard.
You are exactly right, Joe six pack has been Cabela's bread and butter for many years and now it appears that Cabela's could care less. If memory serves me Cabela's all ready operates this real estate business in the Black Hills of SD and has for sometime now. Perhaps folks need to bombard Cabela's website with comments. Seems like this work a few years ago when WalMart was going to discontinue firearm and shell sales because these items were not leaving a good impression on the general public. Carry on!!! Jeff M. Albrecht Brookings, SD
I’ve been aware of your “Trophy Properties” program for several months now, ever since the fiasco with the sale of the Weaver Ranch. After continued research through your website, news reports and discussions with other sportsmen and women, I remain but with one conclusion; Cabela’s is putting short-term profits ahead of relations with the very individuals who support long-term company sales.
Even through I understand you don’t directly sell these properties and you have recently “promised” to tighten the restrictions on the sale of properties under your licensing agreements, your participation in real estate development is hurting the very family sportsmen, women and children who buy your products. Apparently, the value of a few, wealthy individuals is more important to Cabela’s than the common sportspersons who have been your bread-n-butter.
As a longtime customer of both your catalog sales and credit card program, I’ve taken a wait-n-see attitude; hoping Cabela’s would wake-up and realize how detrimental their Trophy Properties program is to the hunting and fishing community. Cabela’s dogged pursuit of this program has already changed my buying habits; I no longer look to Cabela’s as my provider of choice.
So far, I’ve seen little progress. I’m willing to wait a little longer before I eliminate Cabela’s as a company I use, but time has all but run out.
When you say, "So, who would you rather have selling the land, us or them?” -- Mike Callahan (Tony Dean Outdoors, 12/04/2007), my response is – “Given Calela’s track record so far, Mr. Callahan, not you!”
Robin H. Trenbeath
We'll see if I get a canned response or what.
RobinHood.........
Nice letter, Robin.
It’s the latest move in a flap that began in the summer, when some Montana Wildlife Federation members sent back their Cabela’s catalogs and called for a boycott because they believe the Nebraska-based company is involved in selling key wildlife habitat and properties that are subsequently being closed to hunters and anglers.
The action came after Cabela’s started its Trophy Properties Web site, which showcases high-end recreational parcels for sale or lease around the globe.
Some of the properties touted their exclusive access to public lands — a bone of contention among Montanans being gated off from traditional hunting or fishing grounds.
Other lands were marketed as being ripe for subdivisions.
Recently, Cabela’s changed its marketing approach and is now committed to promoting access and educating potential buyers about access issues, Mike Callahan, Cabela’s senior vice president, told the commission before presenting the check.
The company also will drop references to subdivisions, he said.
Callahan added that the company will donate $12,000 each year for the next five years to FWP, with the only stipulation that the money be used for public access programs in Montana.
Commission member Shane Colton worried that accepting the money might look like Cabela’s “came in and bought the commission off,” and said Montanans felt betrayed by Cabela’s.
“We thought you were one of us when it came to access issues, then we see the properties you’re marketing as exclusive and private access to public lands,” Colton said.
But he noted the money wasn’t solicited, and Cabela’s future actions will be closely watched by Montanans.
“Cabela’s understands the public and commission will scrutinize their representations and follow through regardless of the money,” Colton said after the meeting. “It’s a nice gesture and appreciated, but it will not change our scrutiny.”
Commission Chairman Steve Doherty added that FWP accepts donations all the time from organizations, and the money often can be used as matching funds for government grants.
“You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” Doherty said.
Cabela’s new attitude came about after high-level executives “broke away during one of our busiest times of year” to fly to Montana in December and discuss concerns with MWF and FWP representatives, Callahan said.
They also talked about the state’s block management program, in which farmers and ranchers are paid by FWP to provide free public access to hunters.
“We came away impressed and appreciative of how well the program is managed,” said Callahan, who noted that he grew up in Red Lodge and attended a three-room school near Big Fork.
“It became clear to us that Montana’s public access program and block management should be the model for public access planning nationwide, and we would like to promote that on our trophy property Web site.”
He then offered the check, calling it a “gesture of good faith and good will, and with the intent of becoming a contributing member of the business community, and an advocate and supporter of sportsmen and women in Montana.”
Cabela’s is opening its only Montana store in Billings later this year.
Chris Marchion, MWF board president, said they were frustrated by the initial dialogue with Cabela’s, but it has evolved into “frank and sincere” discussions.
“One thing this has done is shone a really bright spotlight on the commercialization and privatization of hunting opportunities in Montana,” Marchion said. “They’re not going to resolve the issue for us … but I commend them for the direction in which they’re heading.”
MWF member Bill Schneider, who’s been active in the Cabela’s dispute, said he thinks the “jury is still out” over Cabela’s real estate activities, and that with hundreds of brokers and thousands of real estate agents working on sales, Cabela’s will have little control over access or subdivision issues.
And while he thinks Cabela’s was surprised by, and is taking very seriously, the outcry over its real estate practices, he thinks the issue is far from over.
“People are just waiting to see if they walk the talk,” Schneider said. “Cabela’s is flirting with disaster here, in my opinion. This could easily move to other states and cause a major revolt.”
Dunner
From: Cabela's Communications Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:16 PM
Thank you for your e-mail regarding Cabela’s Trophy Properties. It's Cabela's intention to be good corporate citizens and partners with sportsmen to advance the issue of access to private and public lands. Cabela’s has long been at the forefront of conservation and sportsmen’s advocacy issues. Over the years, we have donated tens of millions of dollars to protecting the sporting heritage and we plan to continue that tradition.
Thanks to feedback from customers such as you, we’ve refined the Cabela’s Trophy Properties business model to more closely align it with our commitment to the outdoor sports. We believe we can be a positive force in educating new and potential landowners about the benefits of public access and stewardship of wildlife. It’s our hope Cabela’s Trophy Properties will be a model for recreational property sales and land-access initiatives across the U.S.
Cabela’s Trophy Properties will not advertise or market property listings currently enrolled in public access programs or that have been enrolled in a program in the past 12 months, unless the seller agrees as a condition of sale that the buyer will keep the property enrolled in a public access program. All Cabela’s Trophy Properties affiliates are required to follow Cabela’s policies with regard to explanation, education, information and understanding of conservation easements, habitat enhancement, public access programs and good stewardship.
We are also working to educate affiliated real estate brokers in our program as to the issues facing sportsmen and landowners. Cabela’s is diligent and unwavering in our insistence on adherence to our policies. Rest assured we are closely monitoring properties featured on the Trophy Properties Web site and brokers' activities supporting our policies and programs.
We agree that one of the greatest threats to the sporting tradition is the loss of access to quality hunting and fishing, particularly the availability of hunting and fishing opportunities on private lands. Cabela’s understands this concern and offers its support to efforts to open more acres to hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.
We appreciate your concern on this matter, and we share it. Through your efforts, and the efforts of all concerned sportsmen and women, we can help educate the public and advance the issues that affect us all.
Cabela's Communications
All I hear is we'll publicly do enough to fix our image, but we're making too much money at this to change the business model.
RobinHood..........
