Okay guys here's the skinny on the LBL hunt. This hunt was originally started and handled by local guys and a general membership roughly associated with Predator Masters (meaning that PM did not spnosor the hunt, but the membership got together and decided to support PM). The LBL hunt did very well for itself and PM was/is grateful for the contributions gathered to help PM keep paying the bills. After a time PM was actually asked to help out and sponsor the hunt which we did. I was not there, but PM rented a cabin and helped out as best we could. But in reality the LBL hunt was still a local hunt and several members made it very clear that they did not like nor want Predator Masters help with their hunt. It even turned into an East vs. West rant at times. I know that many participants in that hunt thought PM was making a great deal of money off from them and did not like it at all.

The simple truth is that handling the LBL hunt is problematic, we want to support it, but many don't want our support. Then there's this fact and I hate to even bring it up, after expenses Predator Masters actually lost quite a bit of money on the 2006 LBL hunt. In itself that would have been acceptable to Predator Masters, but to combine losing money and to be embroiled in the middle of controversy is difficult to work around. So we thought we’d turn it back over to the locals and the general membership. For some reason this year everybody is in a greater hurry to plan and we failed to get this post out soon enough for your the planning process to begin. For that I am to blame, my excuse is that we have a lot on our plate this year, but that is no real excuse at all.

(Edit #2 8/21/06 - The money question is experiencing a bit of a transition right now. When origionally written, with the information I had at the time, the post was as accurate as possible. Right now it appears that after expenses, PM will at the very least break even on the LBL hunt.

The last thing I want is for the participants of the LBL hunt to believe that PM does not appreciate everything you've done, our realtionship with you is far deeper than money, quite the opposite, you have helped to keep us strong in many ways.)

In the best tradition of the LBL hunt it appears that the local guys are taking the lead and moving ahead with planning another hunt. This is good and I applaud your efforts. We are aware that planning is taking place on another board and again if it works out well for you guys that is good. To help those that frequent this board I am offering Predator Masters for your use in the planning process as well. Predator Masters asks nothing in return, except for you to have a successful hunt. I wish you good luck with the LBL hunt and I hope you reach the success level that you’ve enjoyed for many years.

Michael J. McCasland

Edit: I just got a fairly heated E-mail about this post. It appears that I've insulted at least one member with it. It is not my intention to insult the LBL hunt in any way. I'm simply offering this forum as a place to help give out information. Since both the Globe hunt and the LBL hunt arer on the same weekend I fear that there might be a belief that we will not allow or condone conversation or planning of both on this board. I welcome your efforts here and that is all there is to it. Please let past difficulties stay in the past and look toward the future.

Thanks
MJM

Edit: 10/5/06 At this time it needs to be made clear that KeeKee (Brent) did not mishandle Predator Masters/LBL funds. After an assessment of monies taken in at the LBL hunt and a look at PM expenses owed to Brent there was no inappropriate with holding of monies. We are working on better and quicker accounting procedures for future activities. Please follow the link below for more information:
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubb...page=0#52383247

Well Michael, I applaud your candor and professionalism in this difficult matter. Since the end of the last LBL hunt, which I did NOT attend, this has been a very sore subject for many and the various reasons as to why have eluded me for the most part. The who did whats, and the he said/she said, as well as several other things I have heard are somewhat astonishing to say the least and have been since the last hunt.
I enjoyed helping to organize the first hunt and was very proud of how it turned out. What has happened since the first hunt, I only know via second hand information.
I do appreciate the fact that I met a lot of good folks on this board, and the boards the preceded it (shade tree, etc.).
I'm just a lowly old coyote hunter that is despised in general by most of the hunting fraternity. They see me as a second rate hunter because I choose not to hunt deer, turkeys, or whatever their notion of what a true hunter should be.
This board helped me to find those of like minds/passion as me and helped me to meet my mentor in coyote hunting (coyotehunter1).
Before finding these boards I had felt fairly isolated in my passion for hunting coyotes. Now I don't feel nearly as isolated or "weird" as I once had.

I think, regardless of what boards we frequent or what methods we prefer, we all still belong to a fairly small fraternity of predator hunters. Like it or not, directly or indirectly we all need each other for the love of our sport.

I frequent many predator boards and it's for one basic use and that's to make me a better coyote hunter. At the very core of it, that is the reason we all come to these boards.

The amount of knowledge I have learned in the last four or five years from these boards could not be contained in several volumes of books or miles of film.

Well, I'll shut up now as I am beginning to seriously ramble here. My hat's off to all coyote hunters everywhere and no matter where we are or what we are doing.....coyote hunting bonds us all......like it or not.

Peace to all.

Thank you I appreciate the input. I’d like the LBL guys to feel comfortable here on PM , only time will tell on that one.

I understand there's an E-mail or PM or some sort of communication going around about PM and it's relation to the LBL hunt and allegedly there are private message communications issues. It's been sent to me and I've read it, most of what it said is a complete fabrication, at least in the world as I know it to be. I’ve never been called an untrustworthy Yankee before. I found that to be fairly interesting.

"I’d like the LBL guys to feel comfortable here on PM , only time will tell on that one."


AMEN! We certainley don't want to be the long tailed cat in a room full of rockers. Michael. I believe the above statment from you to be sincere, and it is appreciated. The LBL has become a touchy subject at times. Although unfournate, it's not the end for the hunt it'self. It will continue on. Many friendships were started there and will continue for years to come. I for one enjoyed my time at LBL and appreciate what support PM gave to the hunt it'self. I did not intend to become a burdon to Predator Masters, finacially, or otherwise. I therefore am willing to reimburse any funds PM lost during the 2006 hunt. An itimized statement of funds taken in and paid out for 2005 and 2006 should suffice. Thanks again, to all those who helped with the LBL hunt. kyray Ray Mills

Thank you very much for the offer, but it's not necessary. I believe that as soon as some monies that are still out are collected (this is being worked out in house) PM will break even and that is all we really expect or want. From the beginning of the PM involvement in the LBL hunt it was understood that the hunt and the get together was the most important part of the event. We never intended to be the center of controvercy, by us stepping back we hope to removed any negatives feelings PM brought to the hunt. PM doesn't harbor any hard feelings towards the LBL hunt or it's paticipants, we are greatful for what you've brought to us over the years, I'm not refering to the money aspect. The hunt stories and pictures are/were enough to keep us comming back to the LBL.

I dont agree with some of what has been posted here. I am working with Predator Masters and other to get some of this worked out.

This is all I have to say about this at this time.

Brent

Thank you Brent. It will be nice to get this wrapped up ASAP so we all can move on.

It's nice to see this chapter closed......finally.

On to the LBL hunt.......I can't wait to go.