So let me get this straight, if non residents want equal opportunities to hunt a state full of federal land, they should "move out west" and they don't deserve even a measley 10% of the tags, but western residents don't trust their state govs. to manage this land without selling it off. Federal lands are owned by every U.S. citizen, and everyone should have equal opportunities on it. Proximity to an equally owned asset shouldn't increase someone's rights to it. Now to be honest, I don't have a huge problem with the current distribution of tags(I would like maybe 20%, and no off-limit wilderness, and more reasonable tag fees) but I can't stand hearing a resident complain about my "high" odds in his state. If everyone wants federal land to stay federal, (which I do) just remember that includes the animals, and access. I pay plenty of taxes too! AND OVER $2000 FOR SOME TAGS!
Transfer of Public Lands
- Thread starter npaden
- Start date
laxwyo
Very Active Member
Wildlife are managed by the state and belong to the state even on federal land. You don't even deserve 10%. You can come play on all the federal land you want. That's free
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
Well Boiler, that's how it is. You know what they say if you don't like it. Move out west and vote. I agree with Laxwyo.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
boiler,
I think before you complain, you should be aware of whats already been posted, land ownership is in no way tied to wildlife and who controls it.
Second, if you cared to do a bit of research, you would realize that many States in the West are pretty darn generous to NR hunters when it comes to their wildlife resources.
MT offers 17,000+ elk/deer combination licenses, WY offers 16% of their LQ elk tags to NR and 7250 total full priced licenses. NR hunters in Wyoming get over 50% of all the available pronghorn permits. They also get 25% of all the sheep tags, 20% of moose, goat, and bison as well. Colorado has OTC tags available to NR's. AZ has OTC archery deer tags for NR's. Oregon has OTC tags available.
Bottom line is that you're making a pretty thin argument that NR's are treated poorly. As has been stated, Residents and the States they live in are NOT required to give NR's any opportunity at all, in regard to THEIR wildlife resources.
Instead of complaining, maybe just think about taking advantage of the generosity of the Western States...only thing holding you back from hunting federal lands in the West is YOU.
I think before you complain, you should be aware of whats already been posted, land ownership is in no way tied to wildlife and who controls it.
Second, if you cared to do a bit of research, you would realize that many States in the West are pretty darn generous to NR hunters when it comes to their wildlife resources.
MT offers 17,000+ elk/deer combination licenses, WY offers 16% of their LQ elk tags to NR and 7250 total full priced licenses. NR hunters in Wyoming get over 50% of all the available pronghorn permits. They also get 25% of all the sheep tags, 20% of moose, goat, and bison as well. Colorado has OTC tags available to NR's. AZ has OTC archery deer tags for NR's. Oregon has OTC tags available.
Bottom line is that you're making a pretty thin argument that NR's are treated poorly. As has been stated, Residents and the States they live in are NOT required to give NR's any opportunity at all, in regard to THEIR wildlife resources.
Instead of complaining, maybe just think about taking advantage of the generosity of the Western States...only thing holding you back from hunting federal lands in the West is YOU.
Mr. Eastwood
Sorry if I came off a little harsh to you. I'm just up to my eyeballs sick of these liberal groups that are constantly attacking us hunters and gun owners. Please accept my apology.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
Mr. Eastwood? I wish I had his money and his looks. All I did was stole one of his names
Thanks for the apology!oneye
Member
Let's get this post back on track. KEEP PUBLIC LANDS IN PUBLIC HANDS. End the idea of public land sales or transfers, contact your representatives with calls and emails as often as you can on the threats that face our amazing public land system.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
Outdoor Life just published this story about federal land transfer. For the most part it covers issues that have already been discussed here, but it pulls things together nicely.
http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/open-country/cherish-or-trash-week-perspectives-competing-value-our-public-land?cmpid=enews022516&spPodID=030&spMailingID=24819131&spUserID=MTAwMTM1MzgyNDU0S0&spJobID=744324077&spReportId=NzQ0MzI0MDc3S0
http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/open-country/cherish-or-trash-week-perspectives-competing-value-our-public-land?cmpid=enews022516&spPodID=030&spMailingID=24819131&spUserID=MTAwMTM1MzgyNDU0S0&spJobID=744324077&spReportId=NzQ0MzI0MDc3S0
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
Here is some followup information about the hearing that was held in Congress last Thursday relating to federal land transfer (as discussed above). The committee heard testimony from a number of sources, but did not take further action. That does not mean these transfer bills are dead...just delayed.
http://www.kplu.org/post/western-gop-congressmen-promote-transfer-federal-forests-states
http://www.kplu.org/post/western-gop-congressmen-promote-transfer-federal-forests-states
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
If this doesn't make your blood boil, I don't know what will! He is not only promoting transfer to the states, he says it would be better yet if the land were privatized. Let's hope the people of Idaho send a strong message tomorrow.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/environment/article64362377.html
http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/environment/article64362377.html
ceby7
Active Member
This is downright scary talk from Cruz. I can't imagine how an even mildly educated person who likes to hunt and fish in this country could vote for this man.
islandlaker
Member
Well Cruz just lost my vote. Hilary is a crook, Sanders is a nut, and Trump is a bit. We sure have some great choices this election.
bdan68
Active Member
Trump is the guy to vote for. His two oldest sons are both avid hunters, and they have clued him in to how important our public lands are to hunters in the western states. There are many other good reasons to vote Trump but just the public land issue is enough for me.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
I shared that elsewhere, hpd, thanks for the link.
Made me sick to my stomach. At least he is leaving the whole "transfer to the state" ruse and coming right out about his plan for privatization.
Scary times with his campaign surging a bit lately.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
I'll still vote for him over Hillary or Sanders. I disagree with both of them on WAY more than this one issue with Cruz. If he's the nominee and ends up winning as president let's hope he gets enough push back that he changes his views on this. Really feels like we're in trouble in one way or another with any candidate.
MOHunter
Member
My gut says he's just toeing the party line established by lobbyists. A real win would be for us to be able to convince conservatives that this is a mistake. We need the NRA to really push back on this one.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
I don't think the NRA will push back. They tend to be a single issue organization. So WE need to do the pushing. I hope the people on this forum are taking this as a call to action. Cruz is declaring war on our western heritage/tradition of hunting on federal lands. I for one am not going to sit back and do nothing. Here are some suggestions:
Inform your friends and relatives about the issue.
Write letters/emails to your elected officials.
Attend Republican caucus' and let your opinion be known.
Join outdoor organizations that are against transfer and donate money to those organizations.
Sign petitions against transfer.
Write letters to the editor of your local paper.
Post comments on relevant Facebook pages.
Participate in any local rallies against transfer.
Stand public lands proud!
MOHunter
Member
I agree, and am already doing many of those things. My point is simply that all of those efforts need to get the backing of a political organization that actually has some clout.