Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: JW_Halverson on February 13, 2011, 01:14:10 am

Title: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 13, 2011, 01:14:10 am
After the last two plus years of abject poverty and almost total unemployment, things seem to be looking good on the near horizon.  A friend and I formed an LLC and we have a contract pending with the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks for doing a paid research project.  Then the other day out of the blue we are contacted by someone with a lead on another contract for research and monitoring with a power company.  If we nail both contracts I am back in the black again. 

I won't be a millionaire, but I can make my basic requirements again.  Those of you that feel like throwing a prayer my way, I won't discourage you.  And thanks to all of you that have been so encouraging and positive over the last long haul, I appreciate you one and all.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Pat B on February 13, 2011, 01:37:16 am
Great news, John. 
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Jesse on February 13, 2011, 01:39:55 am
go get em. I'll send a few prayers your way :)
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Bevan R. on February 13, 2011, 01:49:54 am
Always praying for good things to happen for good people.

Bevan
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 13, 2011, 01:51:11 am
Yeah, but can you make an exception and pray for me this time?  Just don't be standing next to anything tall or metallic when ya do.   O:)
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Postman on February 13, 2011, 02:14:12 am
Glad to hear, JW-  gutsy call forming your company and going for it. Can you tell us a little about what you are researching? A feller from my area is a raptor guy out there.

Best of luck, hope you get 'em both and more.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: cracker on February 13, 2011, 09:25:06 am
Good luck JW hope it happens for you.Ron
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 13, 2011, 05:55:54 pm
One project is with osprey surveys and the other involves sandhill and whooping crane monitoring.  Can't believe I might get paid to watch birds!
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Lee Slikkers on February 13, 2011, 09:45:21 pm
John, congrats on getting the additional contract and work.  I wish you continued success on this new venture.  Very envious, as you well know. 

Regards,
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: John K on February 13, 2011, 10:42:11 pm
Good luck luck John  :)
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Postman on February 13, 2011, 11:46:48 pm
One project is with osprey surveys and the other involves sandhill and whooping crane monitoring.  Can't believe I might get paid to watch birds!


 ;D ;D ;D

Ospreys are cool - got to watch a few nests close up living in coastal VA one year.  They were on pylons in a marina and very habituated.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Wolf Watcher on February 14, 2011, 12:04:17 am
John:  Good news and I know you will do well! 
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Sparrow on February 14, 2011, 12:05:37 am
 Best of luck J.W.  I think I will be going entrepreneurial real soon. (Got a job,but don't like punching a time clock) Prayer going up for your enterprise now !  '  Frank
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: mullet on February 14, 2011, 12:32:50 am
 Way to go, JW. I hope it goes well and you guy's are  sucessfull. Best of luck to ya'll and I have a good recipe for Sandhill and gravy. They taste like venison.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: HatchA on February 14, 2011, 09:50:31 am
Yeah, but can you make an exception and pray for me this time?  Just don't be standing next to anything tall or metallic when ya do.   O:)

LMAO!!!! :D :D  man, that made me laugh! 

Congratulations on the potentially great news, John.  (that's not being premature, is it?  hehe)

Are ya taking on staff..?  Not quite the "birds" I'm used to watching but I s'pose I could make an exception for employment ;)

Wishes for good things going your way...

Steve.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Pappy on February 14, 2011, 10:27:40 am
Great news,hope it all goes good for you. :) :)   
   Pappy
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Parnell on February 14, 2011, 12:29:13 pm
That's encouraging to hear.  My wife and I had a rough run for the last couple of years as well, going through job and health issues.  I know what it feels like.  Lately, we are both bringing home the bread and it is a great thing.  I hope for the best for you, truly.
Best wishes.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: bluegill68 on February 14, 2011, 08:08:15 pm
Good Luck in the new venture John! I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Sean
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: stringstretcher on February 14, 2011, 08:32:31 pm
Great news and hope all goes well for you.  Enjoy the adventure.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 14, 2011, 10:55:18 pm
Thanks for the good wishes, everyone.  We submitted our counter-offer to the state of SD a few days ago and we'll know soon.  The work goes on for the contract dealing with the power company for monitoring cranes. 

Cranes and gravy?  Hmmm, might want that recipe!  Up here they call 'em Flying Ribeyes.  Sandhill populations are healthy in the central flyway and on the eastern flyway the population has risen such that they have considered a season on them.  When I think of the conservation victories we have won over the last 30 years I can't help but wonder how the anti's can continue their rantings.  But that is a subject for campfires and beverages of choice when all the world's problems can be solved simultaneously.

For those of you that live in Georgia and Arkansas, please keep your ears open for information on the whooping cranes that have been shot lately.  We need to police our ranks and get rid of these characters.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: mullet on February 15, 2011, 10:52:28 am
 I just read in the paper that one was shot in Alabama and one in Georgia. They were on their way to Chassahowitzca/ Homasassa Refuge.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: RidgeRunner on February 15, 2011, 11:02:39 am
Eddie:
As I understand it there is a $6000.00 reward for any info leading to the conviction of whoever shot the Whooping Crane here in Alabama.

David
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 15, 2011, 07:18:19 pm
I'd need the $6000 for my legal defense fund for what I'd do to the jerk.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Bevan R. on February 15, 2011, 07:31:18 pm
I'd need the $6000 for my legal defense fund for what I'd do to the jerk.

I would classify it as 'Justifiable Homicide'. Hope they get them!

JW, are you saying they are thinking of a season for the Sandhills Crane?

Bevan
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Grunt on February 15, 2011, 09:32:05 pm
J.W. hope things go well for you. Putting together something you really like and being rewarded for same is a balancing act. It ain't work brother. Good Luck.
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 16, 2011, 11:58:02 pm

JW, are you saying they are thinking of a season for the Sandhills Crane?

Bevan

Tennessee or Kentucky was considering a sandhill crane season since the eastern flyway population had reached a point that cranes in migration were actually causing crop damage.  The anti's went into high gear and threatened to tie it all up in court saying that the entire population of whooping cranes would be shot by the end of the first weekend.  Apparently they didn't consider the central flyway hunting season on sandhills and how there have not been any whoopers caught in the crossfire since I can't remember when!!!  Never let facts get in the way of your emotions, silly folks! 

UPDATE:  We got the contract back from the folks at the SD GF&P.  Our bid was more than they had money to cover, so they reworked the "scope of work" cutting quite a few unconfirmed osprey nest sites.  While it is less money, it is less time and gas to cover the more likely nesting sites and my partner and I have agreed to sign!!!  I'm gonna get paid to hike the woods and watch birds, watch me go.

Next week we have our first talks with the power company about monitoring their windfarm for migrating cranes.  Keep us in your prayers for this one because this contract pushes us over into a profitable enterprise.  And a big THANKS TO EVERYONE for all the support and prayers.  I am once again reminded of how good people when they have the chance. 
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Bevan R. on February 17, 2011, 12:31:15 am
Great news on the 'partial' win. Getting paid to hike the hills sounds good. Get to carry your stick? You know, in case of snakes and such? >:D

Bevan
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 17, 2011, 01:00:47 am
Binos, spotting scope, GPS, laptop computer, notebooks, reference books, laser rangefinder, lunch, 3 liters of water, climbing gear, safety gear, flashlights, emergency first aid gear, small folding chair/stool (for those all day stake-outs trying to glimpse an osprey chick peeking out from under mother)....

Dude, if I need a stick, I'm in the woods...I'll pick one up!  If I could get an all-terrain shopping cart I'd risk looking like a Daniel Boon inspired homeless man just to get my back some relief!!!

*shaking my head and muttering "I'll show you a stick."
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: Bevan R. on February 17, 2011, 01:02:52 am
I was speaking of a 'bent' stick.  ::)
AT shopping cart. Not a bad idea. Don't they call those 'buck carriers'?

Bevan
Title: Re: Good things on the horizon...
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 27, 2011, 07:31:26 pm
We just inked the contract for the osprey nest monitoring!  Sadly, the contract for the wind farm monitoring went to someone else.  We did get the idea to contact them and offer to subcontract with them so we'll be working on that next week. 

Meanwhile, we did an entire week of wildlife education with the non-profit Black Hills Raptor Center sweeping thru eastern North and South Dakota.  There were some nice photos that the Sioux Falls Argus Leader posted on their website if you are interested in birds of prey:

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DF&Dato=20110224&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=102240802&Ref=PH