It's all good though if someone else pays the landowner to allow public access? CRP comes to mind...
Assuming you're talking about the conservation reserve program? If so, landowners are not required to allow public access to it.
I think a better example of what you're talking about would be the AccessYes program in WY or Montana's Block Management program where hunters pay landowners for access.
I'm a huge fan of those, for the simple reason that the theory is that the average guy has a place to hunt. Priority of who hunts those is not determined by who has the fattest wallet and access is usually handled by the GF department.
While it is a "lease", its not an exclusive lease. The program is voluntary on all sides, with the funding for these programs coming from a percentage of a conservation/habitat stamp or donations.
Again, like others have said, the broad brush painting and comparison's of an exclusive private lease and a hunter access program is just not an appropriate argument.
I have 100% buy in on Wyoming's program, its the best I've seen in the various States I've hunted. So much so, that my wife and I have been in the top 10 individual donors to it in the past, and WYBHA has also made substantial donations since the Chapter was formed.
Lots to like, with almost all upside, and no downside, for everyone involved.
So, if we're all into being honest, I think rammac is full of crap...
I've hunted many HMA's and some are well past very good hunting...