Book largely preaches civility, despite its title

“The Hunter and Angler Field Guide to Raising Hell,” by Ben Long might suggest the best way to get things done in the conservation community is to be combative.

The slim book, full of essays and examples, however, is more of a case study in civility and using the American system of democracy to its fullest and greatest extent to achieve conservation than table pounding and protests.

Still, there are plenty of times in the course of American history, both past and present, where a little arm wringing of a politician and the public came in handy.

“People like you and me don’t hunt and fish in order to get involved in politics, Quite the opposite. We go outdoors to escape the hassles of life. Hassles like politics.

“So why read this book? Because we give a damn. Because the future of hunting and fishing is being set today. Our society is deciding right now whether hunting and fishing will continue to exist, let along thrive,” Long opines.

He notes everything from creel limits to habitat and public access is all on the block.

Long is no stranger to conservation efforts. He’s been a field representative for Resource Media for more the past 20 years. Resource Media is a non-profit public relations firm that specializes in helping non-profit conservation organizations. He’s worked on efforts from the Canadian high arctic to projects in suburban Los Angeles.

He said he decided to write the book as a guidebook, if you will, for conservation efforts.

“A primer on how to make a difference,” he said.

The book delves into the basics of how government works, particularly state and federal government, and how to build consensus and support for conservation projects.

It also preaches civility.

“We are civil because it works,” Long said.

He notes the recent conservation efforts west of Kalispell on former Plum Creek lands as an example.

Those easements continue to allow for timber harvest, while preserving the public’s ability to hunt, fish and recreate on them.

Education is also key.

Another success story was stopping the Pebble Mine above Bristol Bay in Alaska. The book notes that just before the 2020 election, Donald Trump Jr., who had fished Bristol Bay and grown to appreciate it, announced that his father, Donald Trump Sr., opposed the mine.

Now groups are working on a long term solution to preserve the habitat surrounding the bay, which is critical to the fishery and native peoples.

The book also notes that most conservation projects are grassroots local efforts.

In an essay by Jim Posewitz entitled “Rules on Leadership” he drives that message home.

“Never, never, never stray from your grassroots constituents. Be one with them and among them and they will never fail you,” he writes.

“The Field Guide to Raising Hell” is $10 plus shipping. It’s available at the on-line store at Backcountry Hunters & Anglers on Amazon or through https://www.scottpublishingcompany.com/fieldguide