A number of the hunting and fishing groups/organization that I subscribe to are sending out informational emails that in the budget reconciliation bill in the Senate there are provisions to sell off a huge amount of public land. The last figure I saw this morning was the sale would encompass about 260 million acres of USFS and BLM land. The sale would be in 11 Western States so would not have any impact on hunters throughout the rest of the country.
From reading OG for several years there appears to be many turkey hunters that only have access to public lands. The concern from the groups I have read that access could end or be very restricted if these sale are completed, which obviously would have a significant impact on hunting and fishing on these lands along with other outdoor activities. Also it was mentioned that this sale could impact cattle ranchers who utilize public grazing lands.
I am posting this as information only and not about the merits of this sale.
It's a not good proposition that is designed to circumvent land sales procedures that are already in place. Plus it's being done under what I personally believe is a BS pretense. The story the politicians that are trying to get it done are putting out is that it is to balance the budget and have areas to build affordable housing.
The questions I have about this i haven't seen answers for. How many acres are they going to sell exactly and is it mainly land locked ground the public can't use? What are the funds of land sales going to be used for? Who will have the opportunity to buy the ground they are trying to sell off?
The article was in Field & Stream and there was a break down by state with Alaska having the biggest share at 82 million acres and the smallest amount was Washington at 5.3 million acres. I did see a map of the effected areas, not in the aforementioned article, but it did not breakdown if the lands were landlocked by private lands. My understanding is the funds from the sale would go toward the expenditures in the bill. I would assume anyone with available resources could purchase the land.
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on June 22, 2025, 10:23:31 AMIt's a not good proposition that is designed to circumvent land sales procedures that are already in place. Plus it's being done under what I personally believe is a BS pretense. The story the politicians that are trying to get it done are putting out is that it is to balance the budget and have areas to build affordable housing.
This ^^^
I have heard all sorts of rumors about the bill and the impacts it could have for public land users. From what I have seen, pretty much every informed outdoors-oriented individual, as well as most all of the outdoor publications/entities I am aware of have expressed grave concerns about the wording of this provision and what it might lead to in terms of loss of our public lands and the recreational opportunities they provide. The course-of-action at this time is to simply contact your two senators in your state and strongly express your opposition to this provision in the bill.
Quote from: NCL on June 23, 2025, 02:21:10 PMThe article was in Field & Stream and there was a break down by state with Alaska having the biggest share at 82 million acres and the smallest amount was Washington at 5.3 million acres. I did see a map of the effected areas, not in the aforementioned article, but it did not breakdown if the lands were landlocked by private lands. My understanding is the funds from the sale would go toward the expenditures in the bill. I would assume anyone with available resources could purchase the land.
Quote from: NCL on June 23, 2025, 02:21:10 PMThe article was in Field & Stream and there was a break down by state with Alaska having the biggest share at 82 million acres and the smallest amount was Washington at 5.3 million acres. I did see a map of the effected areas, not in the aforementioned article, but it did not breakdown if the lands were landlocked by private lands. My understanding is the funds from the sale would go toward the expenditures in the bill. I would assume anyone with available resources could purchase the land.
First I want to say I DON'T approve of selling of public lands. Depending on what they get for the land sold i wouldn't think they would even sell off close to the number of acres that have been discussed. Does the government need to be 80 trillion in the positive?
Texas is about 96% private land if I recall the number exactly. Keep those public lands, they are more valuable for public access than $. Of course Congress would promptly waste all that money on who knows what and then we wouldn't have the land or the money.
No thanks.
Don't give an inch. Keep public lands public!
I just saw a report this morning that the provision has been removed as it doesn't belong in a budget reconciliation bill. J hope this is correct. As pointed out once this land is gone it will not return.
I did find the map I reference above but it was only for Washington, Oregon and California, much of the land appeared to be timber land which would probably have been bought by the timber companies.
Here's a video with an explanation of how it got pulled and potential end arounds to keep an eye out for. Yes, I know the guy is a YouTube public land hunter but his podcasts have been informative in this fight.
https://youtu.be/1ymB4ESWqVc?si=MIpLlvKb2nIP0iIF
Very detailed video. Thank you for posting. I thought it was a done deal but the video indicated it was still possible.
I got an email yesterday saying that Lee has amended his bill and is trying to get it included. Link below
https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/public-lands-and-waters/mike-lees-amended-bill-will-still-require-sale-of-public-lands
So in short who's contracted their senators and simply said "I'm opposed to the sale of public lands"
I did and got a reply back that said thank you for voicing your opinion and he would be reaching out to me to discuss the issue further.
I'm not gonna hold my breath waiting.
Quote from: Gooserbat on June 28, 2025, 09:54:17 AMSo in short who's contracted their senators and simply said "I'm opposed to the sale of public lands"
I was born raised and lived all of my life in Florida and yes I have contacted my senators and others. I don't think any of the land that is being proposed for this bill is within 1,000 miles of where I live, but that doesn't mean it could not or, would not personally affect me. I was out west in mid May hunting and surounded by hundreds of thousands of acres that could all be potentailly put on the market due to this bill. NOT ONE ACRE is my stance!
The problem with this proposal is it's not a budget issue, it's a smoke screen and a slick way of paving policy change for public land grab.
This isn't the first time and won't be the last of someond hoping to slide in some changes that could greatly affect our public lands. Myself and many of us have been fortunate enough to travel to these lands to hunt, fish, etc but there is no guarantee what's here today won't be gone tomorrow. I'm literally watching my state change right before my eyes day by day. I'll fight for mine and I'll fight for yours too.
At some point this issues is going to come down to senators from other states voting to allow this, or putting pressure on this being taken out of this bill or they'll vote NO. It's not over so if you live in MI, NY, TN, AL, or wherever, contact your sentators and tell them you appose this bill, our public lands are for sale, NOT ONE ACRE.
https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/republicans-land-sale-senate-budget-bill/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4fWmH04xisNdSFpOChPUwaQ4ZxDJVRP-CK1zlgOtsfmmhuF0A6uTJxC4da_g_aem_CW5ySbYYuHdzqZvK4tkIgg
From today.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Gooserbat on June 28, 2025, 09:54:17 AMSo in short who's contracted their senators and simply said "I'm opposed to the sale of public lands"
In the past couple weeks I have used pre prepared letters provided by conservation groups I belong to or follow to email my senators and representatives three or four times. These emails were in opposition to both "the big beautiful bill" and the softening of the roadless act.
I have also forwarded links to those emails to friends to send to their elected officials.
Yeah I'm in Indiana so these things are not NIMBY issues for me but the sale or exploitation of OUR public lands is unacceptable period IMHO. But, I'm an unashamed tree hugging hippie freak who has been an outdoors lover all of my 65 years.
This just showed up in my email. Seems like the outcry worked. I think these "elected representatives" mat have gotten the message but concerned folks need to keep vigilant. Our president is a land developer after all.
https://www.backcountryhunters.org/public_land_sell_off_in_senate_defeated_after_national_uprising_by_hunters_and_anglers
Thank you for your work keeping us informed.
If they start selling public land they won't stop till it is gone,we need to fight this.
i guess my original post was deleted?
Be sure to thank the Youtubers for the added pressure and bringing light to this issue, they've all been resilient in the past month or so applying pressure. this land is ours. No thanks to Donald Trump Jr... the guy with a massive following who didnt share any info till it was over. could have easily rallied more troops to combat this awful bill. dont worry hes taking a victory lap now.
at least he found time to share the same old recycled whoopi goldberg memes instead of an actual issue and threat to our country.
this land is your land, this land is my land. we must all continue to rally here.
dont give em an acre.
Quote from: kytrkyhntr on June 30, 2025, 08:34:18 AMi guess my original post was deleted?
Be sure to thank the Youtubers for the added pressure and bringing light to this issue, they've all been resilient in the past month or so applying pressure. this land is ours. No thanks to Donald Trump Jr... the guy with a massive following who didnt share any info till it was over. could have easily rallied more troops to combat this awful bill. dont worry hes taking a victory lap now.
at least he found time to share the same old recycled whoopi goldberg memes instead of an actual issue and threat to our country.
this land is your land, this land is my land. we must all continue to rally here.
dont give em an acre.
You know i was wondering where some of the mouth pieces were. I was informed by a couple 2A groups and blogs like this. I think good old grass roots effort. Thanks to all.
for sure, thanks to everyone! amazing the power of people when we have a common goal
I did the same as 10th Legion and used the attached letters to Senators I received from the various groups I belong. I did receive responses from both Senators that they opposed the sale. I think we need to remain vigilant as Lee from Utah proposed this sale twice in this bill and I think he will jeep trying.
I just watched this news report out of Idaho from last week. At the end they reported that Sen. Lee posted on social media that opponents to his bill should "stay tuned". Sounds like he's not giving up.
https://youtu.be/5BgnEQZn8UA?si=-vNvT-WsLo6VDryW
Back Country hunters and anglers were a major driver along with other conservation organization. They have a good sized lobby
Quote from: arkrem870 on June 30, 2025, 04:24:55 PMBack Country hunters and anglers were a major driver along with other conservation organization. They have a good sized lobby
BHA had a drive on 6/25 to get 25,000 people to contact representatives/senators. I got an email a couple days ago saying that over 35,000 people made contact that day.
I got an email yesterday from Hunters and Anglers for the Brooks Range that the provision to construct the Ambler Road had been removed from the BBB. Information on the road here
https://huntfishbrooksrange.com/
Glad to see your voices were heard, but if a few thousand acres of the vast West has to be sacrificed in order to make America great again, I have no problem with it.
Quote from: WLT III on July 03, 2025, 09:33:21 AMGlad to see your voices were heard, but if a few thousand acres of the vast West has to be sacrificed in order to make America great again, I have no problem with it.
There are at least a hundred other ways I think we can cut fraud waste and abuse in the government system before we sell any public land which is a huge part of what makes America so great. Also the proposed acreage was a few million not a few thousand. -a government worker
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Gooserbat on June 28, 2025, 09:54:17 AMSo in short who's contracted their senators and simply said "I'm opposed to the sale of public lands"
I did.
Quote from: WLT III on July 03, 2025, 09:33:21 AMGlad to see your voices were heard, but if a few thousand acres of the vast West has to be sacrificed in order to make America great again, I have no problem with it.
I've got a big problem with it, and so should any true conservative, hunter or angler.
The big problem with the sale was the size. I thought I read, but could not find again, the sale was about 40% of available public land in the effected states. Alaska sale was 82,000,000 acres and the total sale was around 260 million acres.
Quote from: Zobo on July 05, 2025, 01:10:20 PMQuote from: WLT III on July 03, 2025, 09:33:21 AMGlad to see your voices were heard, but if a few thousand acres of the vast West has to be sacrificed in order to make America great again, I have no problem with it.
I've got a big problem with it, and so should any true conservative, hunter or angler.
If you choose to worry about it, thats your right. Exercise it freely, as you should. I care nothing about the West, or the North for that matter. Their states, their rights, their politics.
Quote from: WLT III on July 05, 2025, 09:12:48 PMQuote from: Zobo on July 05, 2025, 01:10:20 PMQuote from: WLT III on July 03, 2025, 09:33:21 AMGlad to see your voices were heard, but if a few thousand acres of the vast West has to be sacrificed in order to make America great again, I have no problem with it.
I've got a big problem with it, and so should any true conservative, hunter or angler.
If you choose to worry about it, thats your right. Exercise it freely, as you should. I care nothing about the West, or the North for that matter. Their states, their rights, their politics.
Well yes, it's no skin off my back either personally.
But how does selling American land make America great again? Who's buying it, the Chinese or the Crown Prince of Dubai?
The problem with the above mentioned logic is this is not a state issue but a national issue. It is not a state selling off public land which would be a local political issue but the Federal Government selling off Federal Land such as NPS and BLM land. The proposed sale only included lands in 11 western states. So the question becomes why should I care it does not effect me? But the sale of any public lands become a very slippery slope, once the sale is made and he money is spent. Then the next sale becomes easier and those public land may be in your state. I guess it is kind of like that saying about they came for others and I did not say anything because I was not one of those and when they came for me there was no left to defend me
Quote from: NCL on July 06, 2025, 02:46:02 PMThe problem with the above mentioned logic is this is not a state issue but a national issue. It is not a state selling off public land which would be a local political issue but the Federal Government selling off Federal Land such as NPS and BLM land. The proposed sale only included lands in 11 western states. So the question becomes why should I care it does not effect me? But the sale of any public lands become a very slippery slope, once the sale is made and he money is spent. Then the next sale becomes easier and those public land may be in your state. I guess it is kind of like that saying about they came for others and I did not say anything because I was not one of those and when they came for me there was no left to defend me
The thing about the Sen Lee land sale that it was/is basically a fire sale to "help balance the budget and provide opportunity for affordable housing". I'm calling BS on both fronts. IMHO it's a land grab for rich dudes/companies to increase their holdings. Plus there's the very real possibility that it could be sold to foreign buyers. (Maybe I'm being a little protectionist)
Additionally, there are already procedures in place for selling/trading federal lands. This bill would have totally circumvented those procedures and greased the skids on the slippery slope that NCL is taking about.
Once it's gone, it's gone for good.
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on Today at 12:16:02 PMQuote from: NCL on July 06, 2025, 02:46:02 PMThe problem with the above mentioned logic is this is not a state issue but a national issue. It is not a state selling off public land which would be a local political issue but the Federal Government selling off Federal Land such as NPS and BLM land. The proposed sale only included lands in 11 western states. So the question becomes why should I care it does not effect me? But the sale of any public lands become a very slippery slope, once the sale is made and he money is spent. Then the next sale becomes easier and those public land may be in your state. I guess it is kind of like that saying about they came for others and I did not say anything because I was not one of those and when they came for me there was no left to defend me
The thing about the Sen Lee land sale that it was/is basically a fire sale to "help balance the budget and provide opportunity for affordable housing". I'm calling BS on both fronts. IMHO it's a land grab for rich dudes/companies to increase their holdings. Plus there's the very real possibility that it could be sold to foreign buyers. (Maybe I'm being a little protectionist)
Additionally, there are already procedures in place for selling/trading federal lands. This bill would have totally circumvented those procedures and greased the skids on the slippery slope that NCL is taking about.
Amen brother