Home Forums Campfire Forum Please speak up for Public land access…

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    • Mntmaniac
        Post count: 4

        If you hunt public land in Montana view HB 235 and sign the petition that could open up more public land in Montana.

        It is rare when the sportsmen and women of Montana have been offered a chance to greatly increase our access to public lands. HB 235, currently being heard by the House Judiciary Committee, offers such an opportunity. HB 235 would allow corner crossing where a person could cross over the top of a property corner from one property that was public or they had permission on to another property that was public or they had permission on.

        HB 235 is sponsored by Rep. Hill-D and co-sponsored by Rep. Kerns-R who is the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Due to this bi-partisan support the bill has the very real possibility of passing.

        For many, many years, sportsmen have bemoaned our lack of a specific statute that allowed access to public land from another piece of public land by crossing over the corner of said properties. With the advanced GPS technology, including land ownership software, available today it is possible to determine property corners with a high degree of certainty.

        We may get only one shot to pass a bill such as this. Add your name to this roster and fight for the right to increase our access to public lands.

        The bill… http://legiscan.com/MT/text/HB235/2013

        The petition… http://www.change.org/petitions/speak-up-for-public-lands-access

      • WICanner
          Post count: 136

          Is there a requirement to be a Montana resident, or can others sign? I wouldn’t want to create an invalid signature. Thanks for posting this.

        • lyagooshka
            Post count: 600

            WICanner has a good point. I wouldn’t think non-residents would be excluded as tourism dollars are pretty well sought after, but you know what happens when we assume. Let us know. Be well.

            Alex

            😀

          • Mntmaniac
              Post count: 4

              There are several names on the petition from out of state and I’m confident that they will be accepted….thanks for the support!

            • Raymond Coffman
              Moderator
                Post count: 1235

                mtnmaniac –

                I support and signed your petition – did not sign the 2 that popped up after it –found it odd they were placed there.

                Scout

              • Bruce Smithhammer
                  Post count: 2514

                  Done. As someone who lives near the MT border, I hope my vote counts!

                • lyagooshka
                    Post count: 600

                    cyberscout wrote: I support and signed your petition – did not sign the 2 that popped up after it –found it odd they were placed there.

                    Scout

                    Same here. Not sure why that would pop up. Not telling anyone what to sign or not sign (though this land access petition is something I support as MT is on my “bucket list”, but read the others carefully).

                    Be well.

                    Alex

                    🙂

                  • David Petersen
                    Member
                      Post count: 2749

                      I assume this legislation specifies foot travel only. If it allowed increased access to ATVs it would work strongly against us. Every piece of access legislation must be carefully inspected, as the motors are known to try and sneak themselves in any little mouse hole. Before I would sign, I would need to know that motors are expressly not included. With Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife so very active in MT and other western states now, we must be doubly alert. Their primary goal is the insidious privitization of public wildlife but they also like motors.

                    • Bruce Smithhammer
                        Post count: 2514

                        One encouraging note that further convinced me to sign on – Bruce Farling, Director of MT Trout Unlimited, voiced his supportive comments. I know Bruce, and I doubt he would support a bill that was bad for habitat, or that had a hidden agenda.

                      • Mntmaniac
                          Post count: 4

                          David Petersen wrote: I assume this legislation specifies foot travel only. If it allowed increased access to ATVs it would work strongly against us. Every piece of access legislation must be carefully inspected, as the motors are known to try and sneak themselves in any little mouse hole. Before I would sign, I would need to know that motors are expressly not included. With Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife so very active in MT and other western states now, we must be doubly alert. Their primary goal is the insidious privitization of public wildlife but they also like motors.

                          On Montana State lands motorized use is restricted to designated routes and existing county or state roads…currently.

                        • Mntmaniac
                            Post count: 4

                            Thanks again for the support gang…

                            “The bill died in judiciary committee. All 12 republicans voted against and all 8 democrats voted for the bill. Looks to be a very bad leg session in Montana for hunters.

                            There is a planned rally for feb 18 at the capital in helena. Co sponsor rep Hill wants to try and boost HB235 out of committee. Many hunters are planning to attend.”

                          • lyagooshka
                              Post count: 600

                              Mntmaniac,

                              Sorry to hear it. I am not wanting to get political, but the breakdown you gave really surprises me. Maybe I’m a bit boas, but I wouldn’t have expected that. Anyway, hope they keep trying. Let us know if we can do it again. Be well.

                              Alex

                              🙁

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