Transfer of Public Lands

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Remember,

All of those public lands are accessible by air, and more and more become accessible through private/public collaboration. I hunted some formerly landlocked BLM through MT's Block Management program this past season.

 

[swampokie]

By air? Really?

Remember,

All of those public lands are accessible by air, and more and more become accessible through private/public collaboration. I hunted some formerly landlocked BLM through MT's Block Management program this past season.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Yes really. On your own adventures had a couple successful elk hunts on the tv show using that very tactic.

 

[tdub24]

Air travel all depends on the state so check your regs. NV doesn't allow.

NRS 503.010  Manner of hunting or trapping: Unlawful use of aircraft, helicopter, motor-driven vehicle or boat:

5.  It is unlawful to use a helicopter to transport game, hunters or hunting equipment, except when the cargo or passengers, or both, are loaded and unloaded at airports, airplane landing fields or heliports, which have been established by a department or agency of the Federal or State Government or by a county or municipal government or when the loading or unloading is done in the course of an emergency or search and rescue operation.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Air travel all depends on the state so check your regs. NV doesn't allow.

NRS 503.010  Manner of hunting or trapping: Unlawful use of aircraft, helicopter, motor-driven vehicle or boat:

5.  It is unlawful to use a helicopter to transport game, hunters or hunting equipment, except when the cargo or passengers, or both, are loaded and unloaded at airports, airplane landing fields or heliports, which have been established by a department or agency of the Federal or State Government or by a county or municipal government or when the loading or unloading is done in the course of an emergency or search and rescue operation.

Is that on federal lands or state? Sounds like a law that needs rethinking.

In MT you just can't hunt for 24 hours after flying.

 

[tdub24]

I definitely think they need to revisit that BB. The only reason I know about it is because I saw Randy Newberg's episode and thought it was brilliant.

As far as federal or state, I believe that applies to both. Nevada is 84% federal, 1.5% reservation, 0.35% state government, and 12.8% local government and private.

 

[swampokie]

Too bad the average hunter doesn't have a chopper to get to the landlocked properties. And Newberg is supposed to be all about the average diy hunter isn't he? The average hunter will never have a shot at hunting these parcels that the private land owners and grazers claim as their own so I don't see that they are doing the average diy hunter much good. Maybe unit wide ranch tag holders but not the average DIY hunter.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Hiring a flight is not as expensive as you might think, especially if the flights are short. The point is ... "No legal access" is inaccurate (although apparently NV discriminates against hunters). I would rather work to improve access to these parcels than sell them to private interests.

 

[swampokie]

I would certainly agree with ya there!

 

[jjenness]

Too bad the average hunter doesn't have a chopper to get to the landlocked properties. And Newberg is supposed to be all about the average diy hunter isn't he? The average hunter will never have a shot at hunting these parcels that the private land owners and grazers claim as their own so I don't see that they are doing the average diy hunter much good. Maybe unit wide ranch tag holders but not the average DIY hunter.

A fixed wing flight here in central MT to one of the dirt air strips on public land will run a guy around $500 round trip if it is within a 30 minute flight,, and around $300 per extra trip to get your animals out if it can't be done in one trip. A helo flight into same places or even more remote will cost $2000 and up to 4 guys can ride at the same time, and he will sling load your animals out when the hunt is over. So for the average guy it is affordable if you just check around.

 

[NDHunter]

And Newberg is supposed to be all about the average diy hunter isn't he? The average hunter will never have a shot at hunting these parcels that the private land owners and grazers claim as their own so I don't see that they are doing the average diy hunter much good.

Randy has done more good for DIY hunters than any other TV personality.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Hiring a flight is not as expensive as you might think, especially if the flights are short. The point is ... "No legal access" is inaccurate (although apparently NV discriminates against hunters). I would rather work to improve access to these parcels than sell them to private interests.

Depends on what is legal access in various states. Lets say a 640 acre parcel is totally landlocked by private property and is leased for grazing by one of the adjacent landowners. They might legally be able to get you for trespassing if you choppered in...depending on which state it is in.

 

[Wild Country]

If indeed most of these acres have limited access because they are surrounded by private land, I would like to seem some sort of trade or consolidation plan instead of sale to private parties. IMHO the goal should be to retain approximately the same number of public acres or approximately the same value of public acres. In any case, I am skeptical of a 20 year old assessment...which would certainly need to be updated.

Best to leave it alone. This would be the camel's nose under the tent.

++++1 on that HPD!!!

 

[buckbull]

Just because the land is inaccessible doesn't mean its not of value to public land hunters. It possibly would be providing an undisturbed area for calving, winter feeding grounds, etc....

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Here are some of the statements that were made when the bills were introduced. It is obvious that the sponsors don't think like we do on this forum. I struggle to understand how we all grew up in the same country and have such different values:

Lee: "It is long past time to liquidate these federal lands and hand them over to those who will carefully and responsibly manage the property."

McCain:“The federal budget, much like the household budgets of millions of American families, is stretched alarmingly thin in today’s fiscal climate. Our legislation aims to reduce the federal estate in a way that’s mindful of how we currently manage our public lands and only seeks to dispose land that the federal government simply does not want. With more than 450,000 acres of federally managed land identified by the Interior Department as being eligible for disposal in Arizona, our citizens could reap tremendous benefits by putting this land to use in the private sector.”

Chaffetz: “While there are national treasures worthy of federal protection, there are lands that should be returned to private ownership. If the lands serves no public purpose, and are ‘identified for disposal’, let’s put them to use in a way that will benefit the states and local communities.”

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Still at it in Alaska:

http://www.alaskacommons.com/2016/02/03/unconstitutional-land-grab-bill-passes-through-third-committee-for-no-apparent-reason

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Still at it in Alaska:

http://www.alaskacommons.com/2016/02/03/unconstitutional-land-grab-bill-passes-through-third-committee-for-no-apparent-reason

It is actions like this that remind me how important the upcoming presidential election is. It is quite clear the states cannot legally force the federal government to transfer land. However, the federal government clearly has the authority to voluntarily transfer or dispose of federal land. They have done so many times to support railroad growth, several Homestead Acts, etc.

If the Republicans win the presidency and they control the House and the Senate, we will have a hell of a fight on our hands. Those of us who are Republicans and hunters have a massive educational challenge ahead of us. I hope all are contributing to the outdoor organizations that are leading that educational effort.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Yikes,

I see what you mean, HPD:

[video=youtube;EzjE2OrM5MI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzjE2OrM5MI[/video]

I don't think it is fair to paint the broad brush to all Republicans, though, as many have spoken up in opposition to transfer and sale of federal lands. I congratulate Montana's own Ryan Zinke for it.

 

[mnhoundman]

I have not read through every page here, but what would be the difference between State land and federal land? We have state land here and it's seems fine. Would the state sell it off? We haven't seen that here.

 

[ScottR]

I have not read through every page here, but what would be the difference between State land and federal land? We have state land here and it's seems fine. Would the state sell it off? We haven't seen that here.

Yes, the precedent has been set for states to sell off land. Especially when things get tight with state budgets.