Is the current administration good or bad for public lands and hunting?

[idahohikker]

Agree with Buzz that it’s a mixed bag.

The whole he hasn’t protected x acres of public land bit is a little misleading. Most wilderness that is near me anyways is a bunch of hard to access unproductive granite. They’re saving it from nothing for the most part because no one has any plans to work it and it wouldn’t be economical these days anyways.

 

[Brendan]

I'll take the contrarian approach to a couple comments above. I can hunt with a bow, I can't hunt without a place to hunt.

For the record, I think both parties suck. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I'm economically conservative, pro-2A, generally conservative when it comes to the Supreme Court, business, and taxes. And, I respect the ideals and principals this country was founded on. But, I am generally more liberal when it comes to social freedoms, the environment, protection of public lands, and protecting wild places. But I also realize there's a need for energy independence and responsible resource extraction, but some places are still sacred and shouldn't be subject to either. Pretty much need to call myself an Independent with that stance...

Now, back to the reloading bench....

 

[Trial153]

Without going into it in detail , but suffice to say I feel up to speed enough to be comfortable forming my own opinions on what is a multi faceted issue.
I give this administration a 75/25 in policy camp for being bad for public lands and hunting.

 

[FLAK]

I'll be voting 2nd Amendment, thanks. Y'all go ahead with your bicycles.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Senators Pass Great American Outdoors Act. Find Out How Yours Voted

On Wednesday morning, Senators overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Great American Outdoors Act, thanks in no small part to vocal support from the conservation, hunting, and fishing community. With 73 ayes, two absent, and 25 nays, this legislation now heads to the House of Representatives. Click...

www.themeateater.com

I’m actually shocked to see our government managed to come together and get something so big accomplished. Perhaps there is hope for us yet...
Congress don’t blow it now!

 

[BigBird69]

Correct, and with outdoor recreation in most Western States, where a majority of the public land exists, being the number 2-3 economic driver in those states...

Not correct. 2nd amendment rights > public land

 

[FlyingDutchman]

I'll be voting 2nd Amendment, thanks. Y'all go ahead with your bicycles.

I’m all for the 2nd amendment and enjoy my guns...I feel like when we tie ourselves to a single issue vote like guns, that’s when the politicians get one over us. They know they can say they’re pro 2nd amendment or pro-life get the votes then do whatever the heck they want. I want both, guns and protection of public lands.

 

[Rokbar]

That's a pretty narrow minded statement. Not that I want to see any more firearm restrictions implemented but Public Land has a lot more value than just shooting and hunting. Maybe not to you but there are a lot of people who enjoy things like backpacking, biking, hiking and fishing - who don't bring guns every time out.

Absolutely, public lands are multi-use lands for all to enjoy. I just wish the BPers, hikers, and bikers would tell a hunter thank you every now and then instead of insulting the hunter for enjoying the multi-use public land the same as everyone else. For it is the hunters and fishermen who put more skin into public lands than the other recreationalists through excise taxes on hunting/fishing products.
I hope the current admin doesn't designate any more wilderness areas. The ones I've been to do nothing for wildlife habitat and invite more nut job environmentalists to input their idea's.

 

[Poser]

I'll be voting 2nd Amendment, thanks. Y'all go ahead with your bicycles.

Not that you have another viable choice, but I’m not sure voting for Trump = voting for the 2nd amendment. It’s more as if you might be voting for some legislation that protects the 2nd amendment along with a mixed bag of problematics legislation, the potential for EOs at any time and likely 0 legislation that advances the 2nd amendment.

If you are going to hardline on this as a single issue, I’d think there’s a 3rd party candidate out there that better reconciles the application and intent of your vote.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Not that you have another viable choice, but I’m not sure voting for Trump = voting for the 2nd amendment. It’s more as if you might be voting for some legislation that protects the 2nd amendment along with a mixed bag of problematics legislation, the potential for EOs at any time and likely 0 legislation that advances the 2nd amendment.

If you are going to hardline on this as a single issue, I’d think there’s a 3rd party candidate out there that better reconciles the application and intent of your vote.

Yep we desperately need some independents in our government. Time to break this ridiculous stalemate. Hard to break through the bipartisan political funding machine they have set up though. Perhaps Rinella/Putelis 2020 should be a real thing

 

[BuzzH]

Not correct. 2nd amendment rights > public land

People being able to pay their mortgage, car payments, electricity, put food on the table, and fund their State and Local governments is pretty high on others priority list.

You don't speak for them...and news flash, a lot of people don't put the 2nd amendment even in their personal top 10 of important things. Right, wrong or indifferent, your priorities are yours only and others priorities are theirs.

 

[BuzzH]

Absolutely, public lands are multi-use lands for all to enjoy. I just wish the BPers, hikers, and bikers would tell a hunter thank you every now and then instead of insulting the hunter for enjoying the multi-use public land the same as everyone else. For it is the hunters and fishermen who put more skin into public lands than the other recreationalists through excise taxes on hunting/fishing products.
I hope the current admin doesn't designate any more wilderness areas. The ones I've been to do nothing for wildlife habitat and invite more nut job environmentalists to input their idea's.

Not true...hunters and fishermen fund wildlife conservation through license dollars and excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment.

Federal Land management is funded via tax dollars from ALL U.S. taxpayers. You have no more, or less skin in the game than they do.

Game management, your comments are 100% correct.

 

[Akwoodchuck]

In my state, they get a big fat F in Conservation....feds are pushing hard on everything from opening up ANWR, NPR-A, Pebble Mine, road building through Izembek and Gates of the Arctic, old-growth logging in the Tongass, trawl fisheries, restrictions on hunting sows and cubs in dens, etc. etc....

 

[OXN939]

I'll be voting 2nd Amendment, thanks. Y'all go ahead with your bicycles.

Just to give a little perspective here, I literally purchased an AK-47 less than 15 minutes ago. Valuing environmental stewardship does not make someone a liberal. In fact, it's that school of thought- "you either agree with everything the conservative MAGA Trump 2020 movement says, or you are a socialist"- that drives a lot of middle of the road voters away from the Republican party.

 

[Beendare]

Maybe we should let the folks of CHAZ decide.....they are supposed to be the progressives......but then we would all be pooping in the streets.

I'm torn between the anti business and anti guns and hunting policy of the Obama admin....and the business is everything of the Trump admin. It used to be the parties would come together and hammer out a deal everyone could live with.

Sadly it has become so partisan with both sides to blame...but this Congress is the worst ever.

_____

 

[wind gypsy]

Just to give a little perspective here, I literally purchased an AK-47 less than 15 minutes ago. Valuing environmental stewardship does not make someone a liberal. In fact, it's that school of thought- "you either agree with everything the conservative MAGA Trump 2020 movement says, or you are a socialist"- that drives a lot of middle of the road voters away from the Republican party.

So you even buy commie guns... Dead giveaway that you're a freedom hating socialist.

 

[OXN939]

So you even buy commie guns... Dead giveaway that you're a freedom hating socialist.

Haha, well played!

In my state, they get a big fat F in Conservation....feds are pushing hard on everything from opening up ANWR, NPR-A, Pebble Mine, road building through Izembek and Gates of the Arctic, old-growth logging in the Tongass, trawl fisheries, restrictions on hunting sows and cubs in dens, etc. etc....

Didn't they kill the old growth logging initiative in the Tongass? I also imagine it's a pretty tough sell to be advocating for increasing domestic oil production with new fields in ANWR right about now

 

[Billinsd]

...and news flash, a lot of people don't put the 2nd amendment even in their personal top 10 of important things

A lot of people don't put their liberty and freedom in their top 10 list.

 

[Akwoodchuck]

Didn't they kill the old growth logging initiative in the Tongass? I also imagine it's a pretty tough sell to be advocating for increasing domestic oil production with new fields in ANWR right about now

A federal judge blocked the Tongass logging plan....that was 5 days ago. Forest Service will likely appeal. And the State of AK does little other official business than advocate for increasing oil production....

 

[Billinsd]

Maybe not to you but there are a lot of people who enjoy things like backpacking, biking, hiking and fishing - who don't bring guns every time out.

Right, and how has their access, quality and ability to utilize federal land been reduced under the Republicans in general compared to what the Democrats would have done in general? Not much I'll wager.