Only thing I might not like about the West

The only the thing I think I might not like about the West is the lack of hardwoods. Coming from a forestry background and having grown up in Wisconsin where there are many diverse hardwoods, I've learned to appreciate the variety of trees here. It seems like aspen and birch are the only hardwoods present out west along the Rockys. It may not be so much that I dislike that about the west, but rather I'd miss the hardwoods of the Midwest. Never the less, I have my eyes set on Idaho for permanent employment come graduation this December, but we'll see what happens. Trout, trees, mountains, elk, white-tails, even salmon, rural, and much much more... I can't see not falling in love with Idaho.

Other than that I can't think of any reason not to like the West. So is there anything to dislike about the West? Or any comments?
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stillhunterman
I can't think of a SINGLE thing that I dislike about the west (Rocky Mountains specifically). I've been all over the country and all places have thier own atmosphere to enjoy, but I have a special place inside for the western landscape. I have no doubt you will come to love it for its own merits in no time at all...best of luck on your new position! :thumb
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The wilds of the rockies is beautiful, dangerous and a place to feel truly free. If you're an outdoorsman you should love it.
Mark
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sneekeepete
Hardwoods are beautiful in their own right but nothing compared to the rocky mountain west. You will see for yourself I am sure.
Well I would have to say wolves and all their liberal peta freak followers are one thing not to like.
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It is much appreciated stillhunterman, but I don't have anything lined up just yet. I'll be sure to try my hardest though.

Wolves are the talk amongst white-tail hunters across the northern half of Wisconsin as well. It's kinda the same story of reintroduction as it is in the West. So I'm used to it.

I can't imagine not liking it in the Rockys. I've never been further west than Fargo, ND, but it has been very much anticipated. Last night I was watching Idaho trout fishing videos on youtube and I was in heaven. I just might even shed a tear when I catch that first cutthroat, and I know I'll be in awe when that first mountain becomes apparent through the haze. [-o<
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"Trout&Trees" wrote:The only the thing I think I might not like about the West is the lack of hardwoods. Coming from a forestry background and having grown up in Wisconsin where there are many diverse hardwoods, I've learned to appreciate the variety of trees here. It seems like aspen and birch are the only hardwoods present out west along the Rockys. It may not be so much that I dislike that about the west, but rather I'd miss the hardwoods of the Midwest. Never the less, I have my eyes set on Idaho for permanent employment come graduation this December, but we'll see what happens. Trout, trees, mountains, elk, white-tails, even salmon, rural, and much much more... I can't see not falling in love with Idaho.

Other than that I can't think of any reason not to like the West. So is there anything to dislike about the West? Or any comments?
 Mind numbing winter!
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ABert
Don't worry about hardwoods, there are plenty of them in the river bottoms out West. Not up in the mountains,though.
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The only thing I could think of you not likeing out west is a few people thet come from back east. lol
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Well, I should be able to adapt to the winter snow and cold pretty easily. I don't like it, but I deal with my fair share in WI. You can't beat four seasons and that wouldn't be possible without winter. I'm glad people like it where it's warm. They can all pile up in Florida for all I care. :-$

I figured the streams and rivers would be the one place there'd be hardwoods, but I hardly notice them in pictures. Never the less, that'd be all the hardwoods I need to make me happy. :thumb

Haha, maintguy, I honestly couldn't agree more. I definitely understand, but I guess I'd be one of them, too. It'd only take me a day of residence in Idaho to be like "Damn them Wisconsinites!". Actually, I have that mentality right now. lol
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fatrooster
Wolves, mustangs, movie stars and liberals. fatrooster.
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The only thing I dont like is the WIND! Just had 140mph gusts in my hometown a couple weeks ago.
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One thing you may notice right off is that you are usually a long ways from any sort of assistance if you are hunting. It really freaks out some of the people I've had as guests from the east. It's a place for self sufficient people. Also there is alot of territory that holds no game. You need to find the places they use and it will probably be seasonal use. Sometimes you have to cover lots of ground to find deer or elk.
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"fatrooster" wrote:Wolves, mustangs, movie stars and liberals. fatrooster.
 Traffic, illegal aliens and all the problems that they bring with them, and really high taxes.
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Traffic, illegal aliens and all the problems that they bring with them, and really high taxes.[/quote]

I hear Denver is spiraling downward with no hope of recovery from the cost of illegals. I warn the folks in the small towns I frequent along the rockies that have rising populations of obviously barely english speaking hispanics that they need to stop being nice and helping them because when word gets out they send the info all the way to Guatemala and put it in little pamphlets with maps. They look at me like I'm foolish and tell me how nice these people are. ](*,) ](*,)
Mark
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Well I appreciate all your input. It has made me realize there truely are more things not to like about the West than I originally thought :)) as everything you've all mentioned seem to be reasonable dislikes. However, I still believe many of these are somewhat minor, and I can escape a lot of it by trailing back into the wilderness; except for natures harsh elements of course. But besides, the negatives are no where near the positives.
"m gardner" wrote:One thing you may notice right off is that you are usually a long ways from any sort of assistance if you are hunting. It really freaks out some of the people I've had as guests from the east. It's a place for self sufficient people. Also there is alot of territory that holds no game. You need to find the places they use and it will probably be seasonal use. Sometimes you have to cover lots of ground to find deer or elk.
 That is the one thing I may not be accustomed for. I've never camped before in my life, and so I'd have a lot to learn if I wanted to go on a week long backpacking and camping trip hunting elk. A reliable vehicle will have to be a must for me, too. I have absolutely zero knowledge in mechanics/automotives or pretty much anything with a motor or engine. As for finding the game, I think that'd be the fun part! I have extreme willingness to do the research, study the maps, and put on the miles walking as I need to in order to be successful.
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