JIM VASHRO
Iâve lost three hunting spots on corporate timberlands in the last two years. Iâve always appreciated the privilege of hunting those lands but knew they could be sold. One sale blocked a road leading to thousands of acres of U.S. Forest Service where Iâve hunted for over 30 years. The hunt for new spots is hindered by a rash of new âNo Trespassingâ signs.
Public lands, owned by you and me, are our ace-in-the-hole for recreating. A couple of proposed bills on Fish, Wildlife and Parksâ Habitat Montana program this legislative session would ban fee title purchases, put conservation easements under final State Land Board approval and require no net gain of state lands. Who thinks we have too much, much less enough, public land?