Soapweed
Well-known member
Michael Martin Murphey riding to Badland Ranchers' aid, by Tim Huether
This is from the Martin, South Dakota newspaper Bennett County Booster II (Wednesday, August 23, 2006) where Tim Huether is the Editor/Publisher/Owner.
Singer songwriter Michael Martin Murphey made a stop at the Circle View Guest Ranch near Interior, SD recently, and heard of several local ranchers' fight against the prairie dog and the government's handling of them. Murphey left saying he'd be back...to do a benefit concert to help offset their legal costs.
For Charlie Kruse, it is a big relief in a year when prairie dogs and drought have made things even tougher to ranch in the Badlands.
"Micheal heard of our problems and how we're running out of money," said Kruse. "He said he'd like to do a benefit concert for us. He's such a gracious man."
Michael Martin Murphey will be at their Guest Ranch Saturday, September 2, with the concert at 6:30 pm. "Michael likes to stand up for people who are being run over by the government," Kruse said.
Kruse said Murphey stayed at their business, the Circle View Guest Ranch, on his way to a concert in the area and took the time to play some songs for them and guests there. That's when they talked about the prairie dogs and how the government said they would control them and compensate ranchers if the dogs encroached on their land.
Kruse said when the government re-introduced the Black Footed Ferret in the Badlands, in the park in 1994, and on the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands in 1995, ranchers were told they would be compensated for damages. Kruse said it's too bad they have to hire attorneys to force the government to do what they said they would do.
"When they brought the ferrets in, we had wet years, now with the dry years, the prairie dog population has exploded," said Kruse. "The whole Conata Basin is full of prairie dogs."
Area ranchers have formed an organization called Nuicance Abatement Group (NAG). This group has filed suit against the government. The proceeds of the benefit concert will go toward the preservation and protection of private landowners in South Dakota.
The cost of the special concert is $50 in advance or $60 at the gate. The Circle View Guest Ranch is located four miles west of Interior on Highway 44. Those planning to attend and support the ranchers' cause are urged to bring lawn chairs. Refreshments will be sold.
Advance tickets will be sold at First Western Bank, First National Bank in Philip, Badlands Trading Post, Cammack Ranchers Supply and Circle View Guest Ranch. For more information on the concert or the Nuisance Abatement Group, contact Charlie Kruse at 605-433-5332.
Michael Martin Murphey, the "singing cowboy poet", is not only the number one, best-selling singer/songwriter of American Cowboy Music, but he is one of the world's most respected singer/songwriters in the Pop and Country-Western field.
This is from the Martin, South Dakota newspaper Bennett County Booster II (Wednesday, August 23, 2006) where Tim Huether is the Editor/Publisher/Owner.
Singer songwriter Michael Martin Murphey made a stop at the Circle View Guest Ranch near Interior, SD recently, and heard of several local ranchers' fight against the prairie dog and the government's handling of them. Murphey left saying he'd be back...to do a benefit concert to help offset their legal costs.
For Charlie Kruse, it is a big relief in a year when prairie dogs and drought have made things even tougher to ranch in the Badlands.
"Micheal heard of our problems and how we're running out of money," said Kruse. "He said he'd like to do a benefit concert for us. He's such a gracious man."
Michael Martin Murphey will be at their Guest Ranch Saturday, September 2, with the concert at 6:30 pm. "Michael likes to stand up for people who are being run over by the government," Kruse said.
Kruse said Murphey stayed at their business, the Circle View Guest Ranch, on his way to a concert in the area and took the time to play some songs for them and guests there. That's when they talked about the prairie dogs and how the government said they would control them and compensate ranchers if the dogs encroached on their land.
Kruse said when the government re-introduced the Black Footed Ferret in the Badlands, in the park in 1994, and on the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands in 1995, ranchers were told they would be compensated for damages. Kruse said it's too bad they have to hire attorneys to force the government to do what they said they would do.
"When they brought the ferrets in, we had wet years, now with the dry years, the prairie dog population has exploded," said Kruse. "The whole Conata Basin is full of prairie dogs."
Area ranchers have formed an organization called Nuicance Abatement Group (NAG). This group has filed suit against the government. The proceeds of the benefit concert will go toward the preservation and protection of private landowners in South Dakota.
The cost of the special concert is $50 in advance or $60 at the gate. The Circle View Guest Ranch is located four miles west of Interior on Highway 44. Those planning to attend and support the ranchers' cause are urged to bring lawn chairs. Refreshments will be sold.
Advance tickets will be sold at First Western Bank, First National Bank in Philip, Badlands Trading Post, Cammack Ranchers Supply and Circle View Guest Ranch. For more information on the concert or the Nuisance Abatement Group, contact Charlie Kruse at 605-433-5332.
Michael Martin Murphey, the "singing cowboy poet", is not only the number one, best-selling singer/songwriter of American Cowboy Music, but he is one of the world's most respected singer/songwriters in the Pop and Country-Western field.
