It gives the number of animals that can be supported by the land (though its definition has some variation and is not 1 to 1 comparable all the time). Important as you need a lot less land in say east Texas per bovine than in a place like west Texas.
You are about as far away as could be about what I think or who I am, or even what I have accomplished in conservation. If It wasn’t for people like me and what we have accomplished, you wouldn’t be fishing, hunting or trapping today! Agriculture is not the ogre. The 4th and fifth generation family ranches and farms are a way of life. They determine their own economy. They help each other out to survive. Most work hard and struggle to put their kids through school. They seldom go beyond the local town.
As a 501(c)3 they could argue exemption status, but instead voluntarily pay property taxes.
You using AI to cite to yourself to support your claim is an absolute illogical masterpiece.You are about as far away as could be about what I think or who I am, or even what I have accomplished in conservation. If It wasn’t for people like me and what we have accomplished, you wouldn’t be fishing, hunting or trapping today! Agriculture is not the ogre. The 4th and fifth generation family ranches and farms are a way of life. They determine their own economy. They help each other out to survive. Most work hard and struggle to put their kids through school. They seldom go beyond the local town.
Ranchers like Clarence Mortensen have made a huge impact on the landscape. Their contributions have returned a good amount of the short grass prairie to its original state. Simply because they realized that a natural prairie can graze more cattle. Their enriched lands have benefitted wildlife. You want to blame the fat cats for a reason to grab that land and put it all into a reserve for your own piece of mind. The reality is the family rancher, who has been the good steward of that land, is being displaced. That is not the democratic way to have a park.
Montana is roughly one third public lands. Some other Western states don’t have that much public land. They need to recruit private lands for hunting access or they can’t do very much hunting.
AI here gives a good synopsis of why hunters like me….are against American Prairie Reserve. What is missing is the impact that grizzlies and wolves will have on our hunting. I have already delivered my own talking points ad nauseam:
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Some hunters oppose the American Prairie Reserve due to concerns that its land acquisitions limit public hunting opportunities and favor wealthy individuals through high-end safari experiences. Critics argue that the organization's practices may not align with the interests of the hunting community, leading to a perception of exclusivity and reduced access to hunting lands.
rokslide.com
hunttalk.com
Concerns Among Hunters Regarding American Prairie Reserve
Limited Hunting Opportunities
Many hunters express concerns that American Prairie Reserve (APR) limits hunting opportunities. Initially, APR did not allow hunting on its properties, which raised suspicions among the hunting community. Although APR has since introduced some hunting tags, the extent of hunting allowed remains unclear. This uncertainty leads to frustration among hunters who feel their interests are not adequately represented.
Perception of Land Ownership
Some hunters view APR's acquisition of large tracts of land as a threat to public access. The organization has been involved in significant land purchases, which some believe could restrict traditional hunting grounds. This sentiment echoes historical concerns about wealthy landowners controlling access to resources, leading to feelings of disenfranchisement among local hunters.
Legal and Environmental Issues
APR is currently involved in legal disputes over grazing permits for bison, which some hunters believe could further complicate hunting regulations. The ongoing litigation with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has raised questions about the organization's commitment to balancing conservation with hunting rights. Hunters worry that these legal challenges may hinder their ability to hunt in the future.
Community Sentiment
The local hunting community is divided. While some support APR's conservation efforts, others feel that the organization prioritizes wealthy clientele and high-end experiences over traditional hunting practices. This division reflects broader concerns about the impact of large land acquisitions on local culture and hunting traditions.
Overall, the apprehension among hunters regarding American Prairie Reserve stems from a combination of limited access, legal uncertainties, and the perception of prioritizing affluent interests over community needs.
wlj.net
Looks like a failure of the agency in charge. There are regulations in place why are they not enforced? Should we also be skeptical that the govt is capable of managing the public land ?
I am very ignorant of the ag economy. I am from the Midwest in a state that is very ag dependent on corn/beans. My state also has next to zero public land to hunt. My kids love to hunt, so working (probably until death) to pay for as much ground to hunt as possible. I also grew up helping with cattle, hogs, hay, bit no row crop on a dying family farm. By the time I was an adult it was but a shadow of the 1960s and 70s success it had and was a glorified 120 acre hobby farm. I heard my grandpa, uncles, and dad talk about the "good old days" of the family farm in America.
When I worked briefly for Nevada Department of Wildlife, I got to know some other local ranch hands in the area. One invited me to a ranch BBQ. Steak was on the menu.
First thing I noticed is that most of the areas on that rangeland health map that red are in Nevada. Nevada has the highest wild horse population of anywhere in the state, and a fair number of burros too. It is also the driest state in the nation. I'll bet if you can zoom in, a lot of those red zones are in Churchill, Pershing, and Humboldt counties with clusters in Elko, Lander and Eureka counties. Churchill county is the driest county in the nation as far as annual rain fall. I think Pershing is second.
Really there's two packing companies for beef, because JBS owns one of the others and kept the name and Cargill or Tyson own the other.
