Hunters, anglers, Idahoans, and Americans spoke up loud and clear in opposition to the proposed sale of public lands during last summer’s budget reconciliation process.  This united voice spoke to the high value Americans place on our public lands.  A legacy that has been handed to us and we hope to hand to our children and grandchildren.

While Congressman Simpson and Senators Risch and Crapo stood up against the sale of public lands last summer, Congressman Fulcher voted in favor of this deeply unpopular move.

Recently Congressman Fulcher of Idaho released a letter stating that a transfer of federal public lands to the state is imminent and necessary.  Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) manages most of our state-owned lands.  The IDL mandate is to manage for maximum long-term financial return.  Recreation is allowed on these lands as long as it is consistent with financial goals.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers strongly opposes any large-scale transfer of public land to state ownership.  We see this as a step towards a loss of access and potential privatization of our shared legacy of public lands. Managing public lands is expensive, but it is an investment in our future.  The state of Idaho is constitutionally mandated to raise revenue by selling off public lands if they are not turning a profit for the state through other uses.  State lands can also be managed for specific goals that can place restrictions on hunting, fishing, and public access. 

"My experience hunting and recreating on state land in Montana gives me great pause when I think about transferring federal lands to Idaho. In Montana, if the state land is leased for grazing, the lessee can require that any user notify the lessee before they can access the land. Also, camping on any leased land is limited to only two days. The state land can also be closed for “management activities” or other activities that are deemed “incompatible” with recreation." - Jessica French, Region Rep, Idaho BHA

This is very different than the mandate of multiple use on our federal public lands.  A strategy that offers incredible access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping.  Federal management allows public access, extraction, and for this legacy to be passed on to the next generation.

Congressman Fulcher states that the federal management agencies are overwhelmed and unable to do their jobs.  There is truth to this statement.  But, it is Congress that has cut funding and staffing to these very organizations.  BHA urges Congressman Fulcher to support funding and staffing the federal agencies that are tasked with stewarding our public lands. 

Congressman Fulcher advocates for local management.  In my experience as a hunter, backcountry user, and outfitter, local management does happen thru our federal agencies. 

Public comment is an important component of federal land management, allowing local citizens and organizations to offer input on decision making.  The majority of federal land managers and workers are members of our communities.  They live in our towns and cities and work on the public land they are entrusted to care for.

Public lands should stay in public hands.  We encourage Congressman Fulcher to engage with local stakeholders, including Idaho Fish and Game, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and other wildlife and conservation groups as we work to improve, not transfer, the management and legacy of our federal public lands.