BHA congressional contact link for writing your Senators and Reps about the public land selloff.

[Wildabeest]

It was private land when you grew up recreating on it as well. Just because one private landowner allowed access doesn’t guarantee subsequent landowners will.

But the Liberals! We must blame the Liberals!

 

[Corndog Nation]

At risk of drifting too much from the main thrust of this thread...

Are we talking about the Plum Creek land that was sold to Weyerhaeuser that was sold to SPP that was sold to Green Diamond? Are Plum Creek and Weyerhaeuser not private land owners that allowed access?

Also seems like much of the area west of Kalispell is dominated by anti-federal land sentiment and politicians. There's also a significant faction of no net gain in federal and state lands. And not to mention concerns over the debt. Sure seems like it was a non-starter to suggest buying some half million plus acres.

Sorry you lost access to areas you used to recreate, that sucks.

Are you kidding me? Anti Federal land sediment? A non starter? What kind of bizarre statement is that? Do you even live in montana? Was it a non starter when fwp bought the spotted dog wildlife management area by Avon? Uh no. I think we all appreciated and benefited from that. And if we have to pay taxes it should go to things like that. No matter how you try to spin it, BHA and the liberal politicians they love let us Montanas down big time west of Kalispell. It wasn't 500 thousand it was almost 1 million acres by the way. And although a portion, (definitely not all) of it is still open to hunting, it's highly restricted. I'm sure BHA prefers it that way. As far as drifting too far from the main thread, I don't support BHA and I consider them frauds.

 

[Corndog Nation]

But the Liberals! We must blame the Liberals!

Absolutely blame them. They had the governorship and a senator at the time. And we were force fed this propaganda that they were for protecting public lands and access from organizations like BHA. Well there's almost 1 million acres now sold off thanks to that. It's ok to point out hypocrisy from time to time guys.

 

[BuzzH]

Are you kidding me? Anti Federal land sediment? A non starter? What kind of bizarre statement is that? Do you even live in montana? Was it a non starter when fwp bought the spotted dog wildlife management area by Avon? Uh no. I think we all appreciated and benefited from that. And if we have to pay taxes it should go to things like that. No matter how you try to spin it, BHA and the liberal politicians they love let us Montanas down big time west of Kalispell. It wasn't 500 thousand it was almost 1 million acres by the way. And although a portion, (definitely not all) of it is still open to hunting, it's highly restricted. I'm sure BHA prefers it that way. As far as drifting too far from the main thread, I don't support BHA and I consider them frauds.

Well, in fairness, BHA did just open up 8 million acres of access to public land in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Utah.

 

[Corndog Nation]

It was private land when you grew up recreating on it as well. Just because one private landowner allowed access doesn’t guarantee subsequent landowners will.

You somehow missed my entire point. Try re reading what I said. As far as the history of that land we can get into that if you'd like.

 

[BuzzH]

Absolutely blame them. They had the governorship and a senator at the time. And we were force fed this propaganda that they were for protecting public lands and access from organizations like BHA. Well there's almost 1 million acres now sold off thanks to that. It's ok to point out hypocrisy from time to time guys.

BHA the only conservation organization in Montana?

Just curious what the other Montana based conservation orgs did about your woes?

 

[sapperJ24]

Are you kidding me? Anti Federal land sediment? A non starter? What kind of bizarre statement is that? Do you even live in montana? Was it a non starter when fwp bought the spotted dog wildlife management area by Avon? Uh no. I think we all appreciated and benefited from that. And if we have to pay taxes it should go to things like that. No matter how you try to spin it, BHA and the liberal politicians they love let us Montanas down big time west of Kalispell. It wasn't 500 thousand it was almost 1 million acres by the way. And although a portion, (definitely not all) of it is still open to hunting, it's highly restricted. I'm sure BHA prefers it that way. As far as drifting too far from the main thread, I don't support BHA and I consider them frauds.

Although Millet is new to the scene, he campaigned on federal land transfer, among other things. It seems like a stretch that his comments would be new.

Lawmaker sponsors resolution supporting federal land transfer to states

Montana’s public lands are back in the political crosshairs, with a new push to transfer federal lands to state control—reviving an old battle that could reshape access, management, and the future…

www.montanaoutdoor.com

 

[Corndog Nation]

BHA the only conservation organization in Montana?

Just curious what the other Montana based conservation orgs did about your woes?

My woes? Lol. Everyone who claims to be in favor of public lands and public access should have had the same "woes." Believe it or not I used to support BHA. Then they tried to shut down motorized boats on the flathead river.

That's great they help open lands in other states. Kinda curious how restricted those lands are.

 

[Corndog Nation]

Although Millet is new to the scene, he campaigned on federal land transfer, among other things. It seems like a stretch that his comments would be new.

Lawmaker sponsors resolution supporting federal land transfer to states

Montana’s public lands are back in the political crosshairs, with a new push to transfer federal lands to state control—reviving an old battle that could reshape access, management, and the future…

www.montanaoutdoor.com

Not sure what this has to do with Bullock and Testers failure to keep their promises. But I absolutely do not support transferring federal land into state. Although it sounds appealing, I don't trust the state. I know of a chunk that was sold within the last 5 years that actually really makes me mad.

 

[BuzzH]

My woes? Lol. Everyone who claims to be in favor of public lands and public access should have had the same "woes." Believe it or not I used to support BHA. Then they tried to shut down motorized boats on the flathead river.

That's great they help open lands in other states. Kinda curious how restricted those lands are.

Not restricted at all...unless you're afraid of hiking boots.

 

[Corndog Nation]

Not restricted at all...unless you're afraid of hiking boots.

Not afraid at all. I guarantee I hike more than most the BHA hippies during hunting season. But I also like to camp with my young family where ever I want and not just designated campgrounds, collect firewood. Drive old back roads that have been open for years. Pick shrooms, hucks and sheds. Drive four wheelers. Ya know, the fun shit that BHA people tend to look down on.

 

[Corndog Nation]

Not restricted at all...unless you're afraid of hiking boots.

Since you asked, their is an organization I do somewhat support. It's called citizens for balanced use. They seem to take a more common sense approach to public land use.

 

[BuzzH]

Not afraid at all. I guarantee I hike more than most the BHA hippies during hunting season. But I also like to camp with my young family where ever I want and not just designated campgrounds, collect firewood. Drive old back roads that have been open for years. Pick shrooms, hucks and sheds. Drive four wheelers. Ya know, the fun shit that BHA people tend to look down on.

I think I know what kind of 'shrooms you pick, you maybe ought to lay off them for a while.

 

[Corndog Nation]

Not restricted at all...unless you're afraid of hiking boots.

Haha! You laugh but you know exactly where I'm coming from. It's like BHA trying to shut down motorized use on the flathead river. Thankfully that was stopped. It wasn't hurting anything and it's still not.

 

[sapperJ24]

Since you asked, their is an organization I do somewhat support. It's called citizens for balanced use. They seem to take a more common sense approach to public land use.

Oh come on, CBU? Led by Kerry White who introduced legislation for... public land transfer to the states.

Interestingly, you're the first person I've met that advocated for CBU and hiking.

My point in the prior post was to address your refutation on the anti federal land sentiment west of Kalispell.

But I am glad to hear that you are not in favor of PLT.

 

[rogerthat]

@Corndog Nation - With the appellate ruling, like it or not BHA is directly responsible for the biggest increase to accessible acres in my lifetime. To say otherwise is laughable and ignorant. With a Supreme Court affirmation of this case, this will be the biggest access increase for hunters with the lowest financial investment possible. We owe a huge gratitude and thank you to BHA and guys like @BuzzH. Nothing like it has or will be possible in the future.

The plum creek lands have definitely been a big loss but public land ownership is not a political issue. We need politicians on both sides of the aisle that support public lands as evidenced by the recent reconciliation bill action and Rep Zinke making Montana proud. However this is only half time for that bill and many true enemies of the public land hunter like Mike Lee are probably still scheming. He is a republican I’m sure you know. Tester and Bullock were pro-public lands too. I too wish they would/could have done more with the timber company lands but political stereotyping only serves to divide the pro public lands support. We need all hands on deck now more than ever - D and Rs

 

[Bonasababy]

Haha! You laugh but you know exactly where I'm coming from. It's like BHA trying to shut down motorized use on the flathead river. Thankfully that was stopped. It wasn't hurting anything and it's still not.

You or someone needs to answer the key question here...was it truly public land? Someone mentioned Plum Creek. NOT public land....owned by a TIMO. May well have public access...perhaps aided by tax laws.

If so this is a lot more complex than you are thinking....but still potentially has political implications.

We ran through this with Potlatch, Boise Cascade, and several others in my state.

We once had a tax law that was changed, and I would wonder if the same thing happened there.

That tax law required keeping the land undeveloped ....AND available for public access ....in exchange for a more favorable tax situation.

It also had a provision for leaving that program but the company's were then required to pay back taxes which could be significant.

That penalty has the effect of preventing the companies ..who controlled huge forested acres in the state...from considering dropping from the program.

Well one year late in our legislative session without time for public awareness or testimony....the law was changed. When I and others found out about it we all cried out s collective Oh Sh##t!

The predictable outcome came fast. The majority of those acres were leased to the highest bidder...then posted against trespass. Others with high value were sold outright.

It took a few years, but resource focused nonprofits came up with funding to buy some of it and turn it over to the state or counties, or manage it themselves ..and restore public access.

Most hunters have no clue what caused the change when they lost their hunting spots and because they lean right and listen to slanted right leaning views borne from clear anti public land stances....blame resource groups just like what is happening here.

 

[Gerald Martin]

If @Corndog Nation is referencing the same land that I’m familiar with west or Kalispell, ( Thompson and Fisher River ) most of those have conservation easements placed on them that has secured public access for hunting and fishing and non-motorized travel.

Based on reading between the lines, I’m assuming that his references of over a million acres of access being shut down he’s referring to OHV travel not being allowed on logging roads by the new owners of that private land.

I’m not aware of large scale prohibition of trespass via foot and non motorized travel that would equate to his claim of loss of 1 million acres of access being eliminated.

Also, the last change of ownership happened under G.G.’s administration not Bullock.

I’ve got plenty of criticism of both D and R’s on different issues but facts matter and currently when it comes to public land ownership and land use the undeniable reality is that only the Republican Party in MT has officially adopted a party platform of transfer of federal lands to state ownership.

That stinking corpse of a rotten albatross has been hung around the neck of the MT- GOP by the right wing fringe of the MT- GOP of whom the principle backers of that party plank reside in the immediate vicinity of those very lands.

Critique BHA where they deserve criticism. For example, the Quiet Waters Initiative alienated a lot of MT sportsmen unnecessarily. BHA’s support of “Green” Energy development of public lands is another position that I thought was contrary to their mission statement.

But, blaming BHA because they didn’t get politicians to buy the private property of timber company land and transfer it to public ownership is completely illegitimate criticism. Especially, when contrasted with the amount of public land access that has been protected and improved by them as an organization.

It’s like blaming a cancer doctor trying to cure a patient’s cancer for not preventing the patient from dying from a heart attack caused by the patient’s obesity.

 

[Straight Arrow]

It's called citizens for balanced use.

You mean Citizens for Balanced Abuse, an organization which advocates for motorized traffic and easy access everywhere, but especially to pristine places hard to reach thus more protected and wild .... like the Bob.

 

[SAJ-99]

the Quiet Waters Initiative alienated a lot of MT sportsmen unnecessarily.

If that Initiative was enough to alienate someone, they were looking for the door long before. Reasonable people can disagree. But I'm also not sure he isn't a bot.