Transfer of Public Lands
- Thread starter npaden
- Start date
Iron Mike
Active Member
Thank you. We dont need that stuff here. Good constructive debate is healthy. Belittling other members is not.
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
- 2,167
- 1,354
I can understand his frustration and strong feelings with the Feds and how they manage federal lands. What puzzled me was that same vigor applied to turning over control of those lands to the state. There is not a history to show that the states would manage these lands better than the feds. Grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.
Just to be clear on the subject here. Trent and I have been watching the tone on this one for a while. Most of you have read where we as a company stand on this, and you can tell that we dont discourage debate based simply for how long we let Okie voice his opinion.
However, we asked that personal attacks and belittling be taken out of the debate. He refused, others moved on with no issues. Trent asked him again and okie didn't respond politely or in a way that honestly communicated he wanted to stay.
All that to say, let's debate facts on this subject. If someone has an opposing opinion or belief DO NOT talk down to them or negatively about them if you can't win them over. I know I am preaching to the choir, but it is only fair to reiterate it.
We believe that we have the most respectful and well behaved forum in the western hunting market. We have all of you to thank for that, Trent, myself or anyone else can't make that happen on its own. You guys are a great community and some of the most helpful to each other that I have ever seen. That is what makes it so much fun for us to do giveaways and seeing all of you enjoying the opportunity to win gear. You guys are gracious and we received thank you notes from every winner with the tax day giveaway. That kind of behavior isn't found on other forums. Thank you guys for what you do here!
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
However, we asked that personal attacks and belittling be taken out of the debate. He refused, others moved on with no issues. Trent asked him again and okie didn't respond politely or in a way that honestly communicated he wanted to stay.
All that to say, let's debate facts on this subject. If someone has an opposing opinion or belief DO NOT talk down to them or negatively about them if you can't win them over. I know I am preaching to the choir, but it is only fair to reiterate it.
We believe that we have the most respectful and well behaved forum in the western hunting market. We have all of you to thank for that, Trent, myself or anyone else can't make that happen on its own. You guys are a great community and some of the most helpful to each other that I have ever seen. That is what makes it so much fun for us to do giveaways and seeing all of you enjoying the opportunity to win gear. You guys are gracious and we received thank you notes from every winner with the tax day giveaway. That kind of behavior isn't found on other forums. Thank you guys for what you do here!
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
RICMIC
Veteran member
I do have an opinion on this issue, but have refrained from contributing here because of the continual back and forth "discussion" that was often too close to the edge. All sides have been articulated better than I can do it, but we should always be respectful. Maybe we can resolve these issues like we did in the good old days, with a one armed Bowie knife fight.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
A lot of hunters and outdoors people in general have strong feelings about access to OUR public lands, be it BLM or NF. I'm one of those guys who hunts 100% on public land. Without access to it, my hunting days would come to an abrupt end. I cannot afford some of the outrageous trespass fees charged for private land hunting, to say nothing of what outfitters charge. I'm retired and on a fixed income. Federal Lands should stay in Federal control.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
I would add that I prefer to hunt public land because of the numerous options provided by the vast acreage. I also like the feeling that it is partly my land, even if there are 330 million other owners. My part ownership helps me feel more at home than if I was hunting someone's private land where I would certainly feel like a quest.
While I might be able to afford to buy a small parcel of hunting land, it certainly couldn't compare to the millions of acres I now have access to. I doubt if it would abound with elk, moose, antelope, deer, bear, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat (and provide fishing, snowmobiling, ATVing, etc.)
Make no mistake, federal land transfer would eventually forever change hunting for those of us who are free-ranging hunters who don't want to be caged up. Where would a highplainsdrifter drift if there were no public land?
Make no mistake, federal land transfer would eventually forever change hunting for those of us who are free-ranging hunters who don't want to be caged up. Where would a highplainsdrifter drift if there were no public land?[/QUOTE]
well stated highplains
well stated highplains
Thanks forum leaders for taking care of an issue member. I personally stayed out of any threads he was in cause i felt he was out to make people look stupid and pick a fight with everyone he could. He seemed to me to be a problem right when he joined. Thanks again for make this a great forum
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
Here is some information about the American Lands Council. It is the group that is promoting federal land transfer. Be sure to click on counties where taxpayers have helped toward the bottom of the article. If your county is one that has contributed, you may want to talk to your elected officials.
http://www.wyofile.com/the-taxpayer-money-that-fuels-federal-land-transfer-demands/
http://www.wyofile.com/the-taxpayer-money-that-fuels-federal-land-transfer-demands/
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I had lunch recently with one of our County Commissioners and we discussed this subject at length. He is the only one I know really well. Recently they voted to join this organization and sent them $1,000. The prevailing public sentiment around here is really anti federal government. Our Commissioners have been at odds with the USFS on public access and road closures in our local NF for years. It is a pretty hard sell with them as they want to keep the voters view of the county government as anti federal government as much as possible. My friend was absent at the meeting the4 vote happened, but I am sure he would have voted with the rest of the Commissioners.
We just have to keep after them and put our views out there.
We just have to keep after them and put our views out there.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
Thanks for meeting with him personally. That is exactly the kind of thing we need to do.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
If you click on several of the links in the article I posted above, you will come to the Wyoming Republican Party Resolution on federal lands. It absolutely makes my blood boil!!!
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/americanlandscouncil/pages/84/attachments/original/1412555697/WyGOPLands-Resolution-Feb-2014.pdf?1412555697
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/americanlandscouncil/pages/84/attachments/original/1412555697/WyGOPLands-Resolution-Feb-2014.pdf?1412555697
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
Folks, this morning I was so angry when I read the Wyoming Republican Party resolution in favor of land transfer that I sent an email to the party chairman (Matt Micheli) asking him to repudiate the resolution. Mr. Micheli was kind enough to provide a quick response. In part, he stated that "the purpose of the resolution is to prevent the federal government from denying access to public lands for hunting, fishing, and recreation. I am curious why you believe the federal government and people 1,000 miles away from Wyoming that in most cases have never even seen Wyoming would be a better steward of the lands in Wyoming and would protect your ability to recreat on public lands more than your neighbors and those that live in Wyoming?"
As to the purpose being to prevent the federal government from denying access to public lands for hunting, fishing and and recreation, I see nothing in the resolution indicating that is the purpose. Looks like political spin to me. Also, it is more than suspicious that the bottom of the resolution contains a link to the American Lands Council. They are not known for being concerned about public access.
As to his question about why I think the federal government can do a better job than locals, I have provided him with a link to this forum rather than repeat the many excellent points that have been made here. Hopefully he will visit the forum.
If you are as unhappy as I am with the direction of the Wyoming Republican Party on this issue, I urge you to contact Mr. Micheli. His email address is: [email protected]
In my opinion they are a party completely out of touch with the sportsmen of this state.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Wow, HPD.
That is bad. The land managers making day to day decisions for the federal agencies in my area live and work in my area.
The major land management bills affecting MT that go through congress ( like the RMFHA) were written by MT's federal representation from both parties.
Yeah, I think he is out of touch.
That is bad. The land managers making day to day decisions for the federal agencies in my area live and work in my area.
The major land management bills affecting MT that go through congress ( like the RMFHA) were written by MT's federal representation from both parties.
Yeah, I think he is out of touch.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
Here is a link to a recent article in Field and Stream Magazine. The author argues that the real danger of federal land transfer is not how the states would manage the land, but that the states would sell the land. He says sale is the real goal of transfer proponents.
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-conservationist/the-return-of-the-public-land-privatizers
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-conservationist/the-return-of-the-public-land-privatizers
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I sent an email to this idiot and received and answer that basically said...We've made up our mind, don't bother me again!
I am a life long republican and I am basically fed up with this type of attitude.
Thought the purpose of the initial set-up of public lands and resources being in a public trust was to keep overzealous politicians from overreaching. Let's just forget that taxpayers 1000 miles away footed the bill to buy a lot of WY. (And parts of other states). Feds have no reason to transfer to a state that reliant on federal revenue, they'll still have to foot the bill for it if it stays public. That faux Republican's response ticks me off as well...wth happened to actual conservatives.