HighnDry wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2020 at 9:20pm:

I just came across this one from his youtube channel that provides a lot more details.   (You need to Login or Register

HighnDry,

Thanks for sharing that video.  I've been watching Harlan's videos for a long time but somehow missed that one.  It explains a lot... at least from his point of view. 

There has been so much of a dust-up in the Red Lake air over the past couple years, it's been hard to know what or who to believe.  Frankly, it is STILL very cloudy from where I sit BUT at least I'm hearing how Harlan wants us to view & understand what had happened up until last July.  As most of us know, he has since departed the scene and his business was sold to Chukuni Outdoor Supply.

Years ago, I'm pretty certain I used that "other" outfitter that Harlan alleges (in the linked video) had been giving him so much trouble.  I found the guy pretty much as described by Harlan... an on-again, off-again, marginal outfitter who mostly worked in the mines.  He was VERY difficult to reach and, seemingly, not nearly as serious & certainly not as successful a business person.  I wasn't particularly impressed. 

On the other hand, Harlan certainly did a lot to promote the region and his business.  He WAS successful.  Therefore, I can certainly envision small town enmities, politics, and hi jinks at play but I don't necessarily know if the way he tells it is the entire story.  Harlan has high credibility with me (ie. he has always done what he said he was going to do) but, likewise, some of the WCPP park officials have decent credibility with me, too... and I KNOW they didn't always see eye-to-eye with Harlan.

I think it is fair to say Harlan was a "change agent" (probably a fairly aggressive one) and, well, we all know that most folks don't do so well with change.

I truly know very little about the reasons for Harlan's departure from the scene and the demise of Red Lake Outfitters.  My bottom line, whatever the reasons were, is: I'm going to miss the guy.  He was an effective "promoter" and I think he did a lot of good for the area.  I think it's sad that, for whatever reasons, folks in Red Lake couldn't play well in their sandbox together.  What with all the fires and now the loss of their top marketing guy and advocate, it may be a while before WCPP activity and popularity recovers.

Jimbo   8-)