At MeatEater we try our damnedest to pour out a torrential river of information, recipes, laughs, inspiration, and entertainment — all without giving you a hard sell on anything. Now and then, however, I do have to come forward and make a big ask.

I’m doing that right now about an issue that is close to my heart. You need to call your U.S. congressional representatives and urge them to oppose H.R. 621. If passed, this bill will direct the Secretary of the Interior to begin disposing of your federally-owned public land hunting and fishing grounds in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. This is no joke, it’s real. We will not sit back and let them piss on our hunting and fishing heritage.

Here is some more information as to avenues you can use to let your representatives know you oppose the sale of public hunting lands.



http://www.themeateater.com/2017/calling-all-meateaters-we-need-you-now/

I see no problem with this. The federal government doesn't need to be in the land business.
And 3 million acres is a very small drop in the bucket.
There are a lot of federal lands that the public isn't allowed to use or the public doesn't use for various reasons. It would be better served in private hands being managed for productive use.
I have seen thousands of federal owned acres that is in such disrepair it is basically worthless.
If the government didn't own so much of the Rocky Mountains the Japanese pine beatle would not have been allowed to decimate the forest in most of the west. Most of Colorado and New Mexico is one fire away from being bald.

I see no problem with this. The federal government doesn't need to be in the land business.
And 3 million acres is a very small drop in the bucket.
There are a lot of federal lands that the public isn't allowed to use or the public doesn't use for various reasons. It would be better served in private hands being managed for productive use.
I have seen thousands of federal owned acres that is in such disrepair it is basically worthless.
If the government didn't own so much of the Rocky Mountains the Japanese pine beatle would not have been allowed to decimate the forest in most of the west. Most of Colorado and New Mexico is one fire away from being bald.

If what you are preaching is pure capitalism which there is an argument for. (I'm against it) but will the government put this land up for sale where the public like you aND i can but for market value or will it be sold to the best lobbiest with the best hooters?

"Pure Capitalism" vs "Crony Capitalism" ?

I think everyone knows the answer

I see no problem with this. The federal government doesn't need to be in the land business.
And 3 million acres is a very small drop in the bucket.
There are a lot of federal lands that the public isn't allowed to use or the public doesn't use for various reasons. It would be better served in private hands being managed for productive use.
I have seen thousands of federal owned acres that is in such disrepair it is basically worthless.
If the government didn't own so much of the Rocky Mountains the Japanese pine beatle would not have been allowed to decimate the forest in most of the west. Most of Colorado and New Mexico is one fire away from being bald.

It appears that congressman Jason Chaffetz is withdrawing the bill.

Good job to those that contacted their representative.

I get what you are saying 100% but at the end of the day 3 million is more public land then Texas has.

I'm not happy either on the eco crazies' influence not only on USFG and USFS but the court system also. Land locked land has the ability to be traded for accessible land.

I can't stand choked out Forrests and want to see logging brought back, but throwing in the towel at the land ownership level isn't the answer

Here's a story that talks about the social media hornet's nest that sportsmen kicked up regarding this bill.

http://wiredtohunt.com/2017/02/02/bill-hr-621-dies-public-land-stays-public/

Editor’s Note: Today is a big day for the #KeepItPublic movement. We’ve been talking about the threat of these public lands transfers/sales for some time and the proposals keep popping up. But this time hunters, anglers, hikers and campers stood up together and made it known that the disposal of our public lands is not acceptable – and we forced legislators to listen. I want to say thank you to everyone who called or emailed their representatives, posted on Instagram, or talked to friends and family about this issue. The halting of bill HR 621 is proof that we can make a difference. But I also want to make sure everyone remembers that HR 621 was just one small piece of a much bigger and longer running issue. There will be plenty more bad proposals and bills like this coming down the pipeline. So enjoy this one today and then ready yourself for the work left to do. Let’s keep it public. – Mark Kenyon