American Prarie to provide Bullwhacker Access

[Flynarrow]

American Prairie is pleased to announce the acquisition of Anchor Ranch and two additional properties in Blaine County, Montana, marking a major milestone by growing the private and public land leases it manages to more than 600,000 acres.

The acquisition of these properties, particularly Anchor Ranch, ensures the permanent protection of critical wildlife habitat and public access in this portion of the Upper Missouri River Breaks. It also represents a powerful win for public access, as American Prairie plans to reopen access to nearly 50,000 acres of public land after years of closure and controversy.

 

[djacker]

This is great news, thx for sharing.

 

[Elky Welky]

Well done American Prairie! Bullwhacker Road is now back to the public! Some people have strong feelings about AP, but you have to appreciate a landowner that cares about public access to public land.

Wilks brothers sell Anchor Ranch in Missouri Breaks to American Prairie

The group announced in a press release it plans to reopen public access to nearly 50,000 acres of adjoining public land by allowing travel on Bullwhacker Road.

billingsgazette.com

 

[SAJ-99]

Anyone find it concerning that we are relying on a private group to follow through on things like “We believe that public lands should be in public hands,…”?

 

[D4570]

Anyone find it concerning that we are relying on a private group to follow through on things like “We believe that public lands should be in public hands,…”?

Or the government following through on things like, We believe that public lands should be in public hands,

 

[Irrelevant]

Anyone find it concerning that we are relying on a private group to follow through on things like “We believe that public lands should be in public hands,…”?

It concerns the hell out of me that our public land managers are completely spinless and unwilling to defend the public interest.

 

[rogerthat]

It concerns the hell out of me that our public land managers are completely spinless and unwilling to defend the public interest.

Strong statement. Everyone has a boss

 

[Straight Arrow]

Anyone find it concerning that we are relying on a private group to follow through on things like “We believe that public lands should be in public hands,…”?

Anchor Ranch isn't and wasn't public land. Don't take this good news on an irrational tangential anti-gubment bent.

Simply, good on American Prairie and good for public access, as well as for wildlife and wildlands.

 

[SAJ-99]

Anchor Ranch isn't and wasn't public land. Don't take this good news on an irrational tangential anti-gubment bent.

Simply, good on American Prairie and good for public access, as well as for wildlife and wildlands.

Not my intention. Just pointing out that AP, a private group, has added a lot of access for people, including those who hate it for "destroying the cowboy" or something.

 

[rogerthat]

Anchor Ranch isn't and wasn't public land. Don't take this good news on an irrational tangential anti-gubment bent.

Simply, good on American Prairie and good for public access, as well as for wildlife and wildlands.

I don’t know if @SAJ-99 was making this point but I used to think the us govt was a much safer bet to keep our public lands in public hands than AP but I’m less sure of that today than at any other time that’s for sure. That’s how I took SAJs comment

 

[Irrelevant]

Strong statement. Everyone has a boss

Sure, but there's a Grand Canyon-sized gap between doing what is right and not. I would love to be less jaded on this topic, but my personal experiences are all on one side of the equation.

 

[Straight Arrow]

I am and have been a strong supporter and advocate for American Prairie and the organization's goals and programs, as clearly expressed by my posts in previous threads.
I don't follow the rationale about AP being a "much safer bet to keep our public lands in public hands". The only public lands associated with AP are grazing leases. The land acquisitions by AP have been private properties.
Otherwise there is no "keeping public lands in public hands", nor any comparison with any govermental efforts or lack thereof.

SAJ-99"s explanation is clear; his initial statement is not. If the intent is to applaud AP for opening access and for securing these valuable wildlands, then why not just say that?

 

[rogerthat]

Sure, but there's a Grand Canyon-sized gap between doing what is right and not. I would love to be less jaded on this topic, but my personal experiences are all on one side of the equation.

Kudos. Self awareness is a strong skill most don’t possess.

 

[SAJ-99]

If the intent is to applaud AP for opening access and for securing these valuable wildlands, then why not just say that?

I thought that was obvious, but the comment by AP should be noted. To your point, there is no reason for them to say it, other than that public land helps them to their goal of unbroken stretches of native prairie. How many Montana landowners that own substantial acreage think the same way about public land?

I can go on the anti-government rant, but mostly think it would also be a good idea to revisit this thread below and speak up on the recent directive that prevents LWCF money from being spent on land acquisitions. Particularly for those against AP that warn of them potentially restricting access. But yeah, God forbid we talk anything that might resemble politics. I'm not sure where we go from here. The house may not be burning down yet but there are people outside with matches and gasoline, and I think we agree the AP is more friend than. Why more hunters can't more strongly support AP, TRCP, or TNC is beyond my understanding.

Montana House Bill 676 - Sale of "Isolated" Sections of State Trust Land

HB 676 - Sponsored by House speaker Brandon Ler (R-Savage) will "facilitate the sale of isolated sections of State Trust land". Seems like the slippery slope of selling State Trust lands and this may lead to the selling of State Trust lands. Billings Gazette Article 03/27/2025

www.hunttalk.com

 

[Flynarrow]

The capital investment required for the most desirable ranches in Montana far exceed any potential revenue/return from a livestock/ag revenue source. Simply, in the foreseeable future, many Montana ranches will be sold for amenity values to the wealthy. Some purchasers will benefit from blocking access to adjacent public lands.

So the benefit to Montanans of aquisition of these lands by AP cannot be overstated. Besides opening public access to public lands via the Bullwacker Road, they may also allow some public access to their deeded lands in the future. And they have been leasing some/much of their lands to locals for grazing. AP has been vilified by locals since their arrival, often spouting some conspiracy theories of their real intentions. But the choice of either AP or another wealthy owner purchasing these ranches seems to tilt toward AP for most Montanans.

 

[Irrelevant]

Kudos. Self awareness is a strong skill most don’t possess.

IDK if you're being sarcastic or not but I can't stand the argument "because my boss said so". In no way does that absolve the person of the responsibility to do the right thing. Where would we as a civil society be if all we did was follow orders and not think, and ACT, for ourselves.

 

[rogerthat]

IDK if you're being sarcastic or not but I can't stand the argument "because my boss said so". In no way does that absolve the person of the responsibility to do the right thing. Where would we as a civil society be if all we did was follow orders and not think, and ACT, for ourselves.

I wasn’t being sarcastic. You admitted you were jaded…and you are. I have no doubt you have had some experiences with some very poor public land managers so have I. Most of them are probably attempting to do the best they can minus the few bad apples. Anyway no reason for a derail. I got your point

 

[Straight Arrow]

... I used to think the us govt was a much safer bet to keep our public lands in public hands than AP but I’m less sure of that today than at any other time ...

I completely get that and don't disagree, but there's potential for improving federal management of public lands. PLT to states, with likelihood of sale to such buyers as Wilkes and other uber wealthy will eliminate public access and result in uncertain impacts to wildlands, wildlife, public access, and public hunting. American Prairie (AP) is an anomaly, with goals and programs in best interests of wildlands and wildlife ... and a kicker benefit of public access and hunting opportunities.
Remember the slogan "Public lands in public hands" eminated from the Utah movement even directed by Montana's own Public Service Commissioner, Jennifer Fielder, and expanded meaning when PLT became a Republican Platform agenda goal. The recent Congressional proposal to sell public lands is even more concerning and needs continuous strong pushback. It could soon be a Republican goal.

AP acquires only private properties, but the potential nexus would be realized only if PLT took hold and/or public lands were sold by Congressional legislation and AP bought some. However, more likely the uber wealthy entities with the political influence and relationships would buy and close our cherished public lands.

So spend your resources opposing PLT and outright sale of public lands. Support American Prairie for the long haul longshot ... and don't worry about "save the cowboy", as there are more horses across the country than seen a hundred years ago, rodeos are more popular than ever ... and even my soccer player grandson transitioned into a MSU Bobcat college rodeo star and now goes "down the road" all over the country wrestling steers and tying down calves! Check out the COWBOY CHANNEL ... there are more cowboys than you can imagine,
many of whom do actually cowboy on ranches.

 

[SAJ-99]

American Prairie (AP) is an anomaly, with goals and programs in best interests of wildlands and wildlife ... and a kicker benefit of public access and hunting opportunities.

Someone should call and ask if they need help removing some of that Wilks fence.

 

[noharleyyet]

Wilks Brothers is a multifaceted, family-based partnership headquartered in Cisco, Texas. We invest in relationships and recognize the value in people, communities, and businesses. Our customers are not a number; they are a name, a family member, a friend. In the good times and in difficult times we treat them all equally – exactly how we want to be treated. We believe that business is not just about profit – it is personal too. At Wilks Brothers, we respect the people that make our business grow: our employees and our customers. Our goal is to develop mutually beneficial partnerships utilizing our core values of: Faith, Integrity, Team, Growth and Loyalty.

..from Linkedin