09/07/06 Wayne Hage

Wayne Hage Western ranchers lost a legend this past June. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back with comments in one minute. Legendary fighter for rancher's property rights, Wayne Hage, died June 5th, 2006. Starting to support himself at fifteen, Mr. Hage became a self-made man. He put himself through college earning a masters degree in organic chemistry with honors. But Wayne Hage was a cowboy first and foremost and in 1978, he and his first wife, Jean, purchased the Pine Creek Ranch in Nevada. Almost from the moment the Hages moved to the ranch they encountered harassment from government agencies. About this time the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in that region became indoctrinated with environmental policies instead of actual land management policies. Encouraged by major environmental groups, years of agency harassment followed. Staged and made-up violation such as cattle trespass and failure to maintain fences, along with taking Hage water without permission became the norm. In 1991, the Forest Service wolves underestimated their prey when they sent in armed riders to gather Hage's stock. The prey became the wiliest wolf agency people ever wanted to confront. The Claims Court battle cost Hage dearly  time, money, and stress, stress that could have contributed to the untimely death of his wife Jean. Eventually Hage emerged the undisputed winner. Wayne and Jean Hage died as the most important symbols of western property rights of our time. They have my utmost gratitude and respect. I'm Jeff Keane.