The republicans are on the wrong side of this issue. Follow the money in the form of lobbying and wholesale law writing through places like ALEC and almost anyone will conclude that this moves stems from potential profit after the transfer.
I really have no problem with there being public land as long as why it is public is justified and those using it pay for it. If the state wants a million acres for hunting and ATV, hiking, snowshoeing or whatever, fine keep the land public just charge those who want to use it for those purposes rather than expecting taxes to. I have no problem paying my fee for PUBLIC boat landings is use, or registration of my boat with that money going into the pot. I don't mind buying a pass to go into state parks. I do have issue with things where taxes are used to pay for what only a few do or use.
Seems we need a refresher course on the North American Model of Conservation. In the end, I'm not worried about access, directly. I'm worried about the wildlife that call that land home. I don't care what kind of hole in the budget it is... Our wildlife is always worth it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Once again, I would agree with you. It’s great that most Federal land can be hunted, but I think overall public value comes from a preservationist/conservationist platform.
I'm not real sure the BLM shares your views on preservation and conservation. Oil & Gas Permitting, Bureau of Land Management California Oil and Gas Statistics
I'm not saying that I don't agree that public land should be accessible to the public and be preserved, I'm just not sure that is really the goal of the BLM and the federal government. If it were, we wouldn't have so much non-accessible land through the landlocked and checkerboard lands out west.
Not sure about other places but the state owned land in Wisconsin has all kinds of stupid rules and restrictions that the fags in Madison make up. All the federal land you can pretty do what you want to and be left alone. Shoot? Yes. Camp anywhere? Yes. Hunt anywhere? Yes. State owned land you can't camp outside of developed campgrounds (gay). And don't even think about target shooting your bow on state owned land much more less guns. The state owned land is set up for hikers and bird watchers.
Interesting thought just ran through my head. You won't support the GOP if they want to return the public land to the states, but on the other hand if the Liberals have their way, you won't have access to your guns and weapons of war(as they would describe them). Seems like neither direction is beneficial to the hunter.
If anyone wants to hear the talking points regarding the public land transfer, Randy Newberg is one of the leaders in this battle. I am strongly against transferring the public lands to the states. State are notorious for selling land and that would endanger the western hunting of all hunters in america unless you have the privilege of owning mountain sides in MT. For more information check out hunttalk.com or check out this video: PUBLIC LAND TRANSFER - Introduction to State Transfer (Episode 1 of 15) - YouTube
You are absolutely correct. Goes hand in hand with some of the other good discussions we've had in the forums lately about the chasm that is the two party system Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It is funny that people are worried about access if the lands are transferred to the states, but I can't even hunt on federal land in most states because I am an out of stater, I have to wait years and buy points to go west and hunt land my tax dollars support. I am from the camp that the government, either state or federal should not own land.
Wyoming and Alaska. Not most states. Your gripe about preference points etc is a complaint about the states, who have the right/responsibility to manage the wildlife as they see fit Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I don't have the exact statistics on me at the moment but I'll find them. Something like 70% of hunters in the western states rely solely on public land. Having no public land at all would put all of those hunters out of a place to hunt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
How much land do you own out here in the Rocky Mountain region then? I can hunt whitetail and antelope on my property but for elk, mule deer, and moose I usually hunt public lands.
Could that be a result of the Federal government owning from 30 to upwards of 80% of the land in the western states? For what reason does government own that much land? Get it out of government hands and let people buy it.
Well, by that same measure, you better save your pennies so you can afford land on your favorite fishing hole/stream/river/lake because heaven forbid there be public boat landings! Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's stance RMEF on Public Lands Transfer
