Ten, actually it feels pretty good to be the winner...
For starters, I dont believe the BLM will be granting many landowners the right to block public access to public lands, I really dont.
If they do, they'd better be ready for some pissed off people, pissed of politicians, etc. My guess is, this idea will die a quick and decisive death...
Sure, I'll admit to having a few selfish ideas, but I dont express them here, really I dont. When I make decisions and write comments on issues, I try to keep wildlife and the environment in mind over my own selfish wants...but thats just me.
Hell, I know 99 percent of the hunters out there dont give wildlife any thought beyond getting their limit of _______(fill in the blank with whatever animal they hunt) as quickly and as easily as possible. Which is why we've seen a huge increase in 300 ultra-mags, ATV's, scent-lok suits, etc. etc. etc.
Theres really no need to quote me on how I feel about ATV's. I havent changed that stance at all...I think they should be restricted to designated routes for all purposes (on public lands).
I also have never changed my ideas on the right of the public to access their public lands, where a recreationalist can gain legal access. What good are public lands with NO access?....notice I didnt say LIMITED access.
I dont find it necessary or even appropriate for an all or nothing approach to public lands access...do we need a road or an ATV trail to access ALL PUBLIC LANDS? I dont think we do, why must access involve being able to drive your schoolbus, microbus, 4X4, motorcycle, atv, or sedan to every piece of public land? Couldnt we just have some access by non-motorized means? With 380,000 miles of open roads just on FS lands, and most BLM lands even more open than that, the problem isnt too little motorized access, in my opinion.