I don't live or hunt in Wyoming and it took me about 3 seconds to
get an answer from the Wyoming Game and Fish via the Internet.
As a side note; why do you anti-state land people think it's easier to get the Federal government to respond to your land use wishes than it is to get the State to respond? At the state level you have a direct impact on the people that control the lands, heck, you can go to the land use board meetings and actually talk with the decision makers as they debate how to use the land. And if you don't like how the board members are doing their jobs then you can force State level changes in how the management process works. My guess is that you simply like the idea that you can force everyone else to conform to your wishes, if the State had a process more to your liking you'd side with the State.
You guys never seem to recognize that the core land use rules were dictated to the states by the Federal Government so when you claim that the State can't be trusted to manage the public lands you are actually complaining about the Federal Government because they forced those management rules on to the State. It's an age old technique for the manipulation of the public; create a problem so that you can play the hero by providing a solution, a solution that gives you power over the public.
Rammont,
You really need to stop...you're totally wrong on this issue and also never answered the OP's question. That generic answer via the GF website is just that, generic.
Its hard to say why that particular piece of State land is closed to hunting. The way it works in Wyoming, any lessee can petition the State Land Board to close state lands for any reason. Sure, the public can attend the land board meeting, but you have to: 1. know about the meeting to start with. 2. Ask the State Lands Director to be put on the agenda if you wish to speak.
Even if you jump through the hoops, the decision comes down to what the land board thinks. They have broad authority and as far as I know, there is no appeal process if the public doesn't like their decision.
I can tell you from first hand experience, having testified in front of the WY State Land board regarding a horrific land exchange, that the public is NOT listened to in many cases. In this particular case, the State Lands Director, recommended that the Land Board move forward with the exchange. In spite of a petition with over 5,000 signatures (gathered by WYBHA) on it opposing the land exchange. Further, at the public meeting in Laramie, the State Lands Director listened to the testimony of over 100 people that showed up to oppose the land exchange. The result of the land exchange would have been a loss of public access to a large piece of premier elk hunting in the Laramie Range (both NF and BLM).
Thankfully, myself and another WYBHA board member talked to everyone on the land board, which is the top 5 ELECTED officials in the State.
They opposed the land exchange on a 5-0 vote.. But, there would have been no recourse if the decision would have went the other way. We got lucky, and that's a fact.
The fate of State lands is up to 5 people and that is not a pleasant thought, at all. In particular when State politicians can be bought off with a Steak Dinner, a medium priced jug of liquor, and a modest campaign contribution. Pair that with no clear rules the land board has to follow, including allowing land exchanges that don't increase revenue to the State...it doesn't give me, or anyone else with 2 firing brain cells, a warm fuzzy.
You're also full of crap about the "core land use rules being forced by the Feds"...that's pure BS, no other way to say it. The State Land Board is under no obligation to the Federal Government for anything they decide to do with State Trust Lands, up to, but not limited to...disposal of said State Lands.
You need to pay attention and quit spreading misinformation like you're some kind of expert. You, aren't, and by a long shot.
This is a perfect example of why Federal Lands needs to stay in Federal control. The Wyoming land board made the decision that the public cant be trusted to camp on State Lands or have a warming fire...to name a couple absolutely ridiculous land board "rules".
Finally, an aside to the above mentioned State Land exchange we opposed and won...the lessee has taken it upon himself, without the approval of the land board, to punch in a gob of illegal roads across the State section he was trying to acquire in the exchange. The OSLI and State Lands Director, so far, have not done a single thing about it. But, if Joe Public starts a camp fire on that State land to roast a hotdog, they get a ticket. If a hunter drives cross country to pick up a downed game animal on public, they get a ticket. Or heaven forbid, you break out a cot and sleeping bag on State land and spend the night, you get a ticket for that too. But, some jackass punches roads across State lands with a dozer...the State Lands Director just cant see the problem with that...nothing to see here, move along.
All good reasons to strongly oppose Federal Lands ever being given to the State.
