Access And Opportunity Are On The Chopping Block

Public lands, and hence hunting, are under threat like never before. From states like Utah (and 14 others) laying claim to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands—which was shot down by the Supreme Court—to Congress attempting to sell public lands using the budget reconciliation process to the Trump administration proposing selling public lands under the guise of promoting homebuilding to rolling back national monument protections.[1]

In a nutshell, hunting access and opportunity are on the chopping block.[2] Public lands provide access and opportunity to 70 million American hunters and anglers. Hunters cite lack of access as the #1 reason they quit hunting. Nothing will limit access and opportunity more than privatization of public lands combined with the removal of habitat protections provided by national monuments.[3]  

Any effort to sell off public lands or transfer them to the states is a stake in the heart of hunting. Surveys by the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation have found that over 90% of Colorado hunters use public lands.[4] About 80% of critical habitat for elk and other big game is found on public lands. Approximately 72% of sportsmen and sportswomen in the West rely on public lands for hunting. A prime example is hunting mountain Merriam’s turkeys in southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains.[5]

“Colorado’s southwest corner is home to some of the highest, wildest public lands wildlife habitat in Colorado and the country: the San Juan Mountains,” I wrote in a 2016 Colorado Outdoors story (“Mountain Merriam’s (Turkey) Hunt”). “The San Juans encompass … not only the largest designated wilderness area in the southern Rockies, the 500,000-acre Weminuche Wilderness, but also the largest roadless area, the 150,000-acre Hermosa Creek watershed.”[6] Which is why this region has always been my go-to for both elk and turkey hunting.

Day 1 (April 14): And So It Begins

Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Habitat Watch Volunteer (HWV) Rick Hooley and I started hiking in spotlight-bright, shadow-casing moonlight at 4:15 a.m. in order to reach a San Juan National Forest turkey hunting destination by 5:45 a.m., not long before sunup, when we’d expect local toms to start gobbling from the roost.[7]

“In turkey hunting, the magic first hour around sunrise is the best time of day, not just to be in the spring woods as it comes alive, but to locate tom turkeys and hopefully get the draw on one,” outdoors columnist John Myers wrote in the Duluth News Tribune. “It is—sometimes, not always—when they are at their spring breeding season randiest, calling often, trying to start their day with a little action.”[8]

And as Rick says, “There is nothing like the sound of a gobble in the spring woods. Like every other type of hunting, I learn something every time I’m out there.”[9] We started learning early, encountering our first tom in the vicinity of an amphitheater-sized meadow at 7:15 a.m. Rick commenced calling, the tom gobbled, Rick responded, repeat. Within minutes our boy approaches at a sprint from across the meadow, slowing down to fan and strut about 50 yards out.

Then, at 35 yards, I fired (twice) and missed. He was heading towards me and I could have waited for a better shot but rushed it. The shotgun blast-dodging tom then proceeded to walk (not run) in the opposite direction while also gobbling and strutting—with some putting mixed in—as if to mock my poor shooting (turkeys 1; hunters 0).

No more turkeys were heard or encountered. I’m somewhat consoled knowing that even the best turkey hunters out there—the ones with multiple grand slams to their names—make plenty of mistakes every season. Turkeys are good at not getting killed.[10] We returned to the trailhead at 11:30 a.m. after hunting/hiking for 7.25 hours/covering 12 miles.

Day 2 (April 15): The Hunt Continues

For a Day 1 encore we call a gobbler in at 7:30 a.m. This time it’s Rick’s turn to shoot (twice) and miss (turkeys 2; hunters 0). Later another tom approaches but won’t close to visual distance. “Wild turkeys are wary and supremely adapted for survival on the Colorado landscape—they live through the vast majority of encounters with hunters,” I wrote in a 2015 Colorado Outdoors story (“Backcountry Tom”). We proved the point twice so far,

After relocating to new meadow another tom closes to shooting distance but spots something amiss (i.e., me) the instant he struts out from behind a downed tree. The gobbler does an immediate about-face before I can make a move and circles out of range, moving toward Rick. Frustratingly, he hangs-up in range but just out of sight while also gobbling enthusiastically (for thirty minutes or so) in response to all our hen and other calls.

“Most big game hunters give sheep the nod as having the best vision (supposedly the equivalent of eight-power), but I have hunted sheep and can tell you turkeys put them to shame,” Boundary Waters Journal publisher Stuart Osthoff wrote in the Fall 2024 issue. “If you even blink when a gobbler is not facing directly away, they will pick you off and be gone in a heartbeat.”[11] I blinked apparently.

The tom is now only some 75 feet away from Rick but obscured by thick pine trees and brush. So, I decide to back away from the immediate vicinity while also hen-calling to see if he might follow, providing Rick with a shot opportunity. It’s a tactic that goes against a gobbler’s natural tendencies because hens usually go to the toms.

Not only does the tom opt not to follow me, two real hens are attracted to all the commotion and join him. “He was on the prowl, and I was trying to draw him in,” John Myers adds. “But this isn’t always easy because, in nature, it’s almost always the hen that goes to the calling tom. In turkey hunting, we’re trying to reverse nature and seduce the tom into coming to the faux hen.”[12]

Despite getting skunked again, one of the many side benefits of hunting mountain Merriam’s in western Colorado is encountering blue (“dusky”) grouse. Check your GPS and when you’re above 8,000 feet you’re likely in blue country. After the turkey trio moves off we’re treated to a male dusky fanning/displaying for two seemingly disinterested females.

We move on and encounter one more strutting tom (with a hen in tow) that veers away just out of range. An afternoon shower rolls in at about the same time and we watch the tom shake his feathers like a wet dog while exiting the area. Returning to the trailhead at 2:30 p.m., after hunting/hiking for 10.25 hours/covering 13.5 miles, we feel everyone one of those hours and miles. But as the old U.S. Marine Corps saying goes, “pain is weakness leaving your body.”[13]

Day 3 (April 16): Pay Dirt

After getting an early (4 a.m.) start under another shadow-casting moon, within the hour clouds roll in. Regardless, by sunup there are a half-dozen toms gobbling from the roost. While hiking in the direction of the nearest gobblers I also hear hens in the vicinity. The two toms, likely otherwise occupied, don’t bother to respond to my mediocre-at-best hen calls.

By 7:00 a.m. it’s raining lightly, so I duck under some pine trees to wait it out before dropping down to a ridgeline overlooking a picturesque meadow where two toms commence gobbling. A quick check of pot/slate calls confirms that one is completely wet and the other has only one-third of its surface dry. When using pot calls keeping a dry surface is critical. After setting up behind a car-sized boulder I scratch out a yelp sequence.

While hunting there are moments when everything slips away and you’re completely immersed in the wild. Not as a bystander, but an active participant. This is one of them. The tom’s gobbled response from the meadow is immediate and enthusiastic. This, for me, is a big part of what turkey hunting is all about. It’s a participatory sport.[14] There is something magical about having a one-on-one discussion with a wild animal.

The gobbler’s excited tone convinces me it’s time to prepare for avian incoming! Scanning the slope below, I spot him moving deliberately but cautiously up the ridge. At 7:30 a.m. a shotgun blast breaks the morning silence, and the sound of scattering turkeys filters up from the meadow (turkeys 2; hunters 1). I admire the bird before breasting him (a two-year-old), then return to the trailhead at 10:30 a.m. after hunting/hiking for 6.5 hours/covering 9.80 miles.

This experience was the culmination of 24 hiking/hunting hours covering 35 miles over 3 days that included 5 close (tom) encounters (i.e., within visual but not necessarily shooting range). Rick emailed me on April 19: “Snowed and rained yesterday and today. I’ll get out on Monday and Tuesday.” On April 21 he added: “I had a great day out there. I ended up putting about 13 miles on the boots and called in two toms and one hen … Saw a bunch of elk too.” On April 23 Rick called a tom in from 200 yards and closed the deal (turkeys 2; hunters 2), saying: “Another great morning out there for sure!”

As Rick knows well, any day spent turkey hunting is a very good day, close encounters or not. “With each of these close encounters you can flip a coin to determine if the hunter gets the drop on the gobbler or vice versa, which is why they call it hunting,” I wrote in a 2024 BHA Blog post (“Hunting Colorado’s Mountain Merriam’s (With The Colonel & The Fox)”). “Gladly, it’s a ‘win either way’ scenario for mountain Merriam’s turkey hunters. All you have to do is try.”[15]

Hunters Are The Next Endangered Species

“With more than 23 million acres of public land, Colorado boasts some of the best hunting access in the nation,” I wrote in a 2025 Colorado Newsline story (“Selling off public lands is not an affordable housing fix”). “Here you can hunt national forests, state wildlife areas, state parks, state trust and Bureau of Land Management lands. Hunting mountain Merriam’s turkeys in Colorado epitomizes the spirit of fair chase in vast expanses of public lands terrain.”[16]

Coloradans recognize the importance of our public lands. According to a 2025 Colorado College State of the Rockies poll, over two-thirds of Coloradans oppose public land sell-offs.[17] “As hunters and anglers, we know these lands are vital to our hunting and angling heritage, outdoor industry, and connection to the outdoors,” said Don Holmstrom, Colorado BHA Co-Chair. “Selling these lands for short-term budgetary relief would not only jeopardize our access to these spaces but also threaten the integrity of the ecosystems and wildlife that depend on them.”[18]

During March 2025, we celebrated the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 25-009, “Protection of Colorado’s Public Lands,” which reaffirms the state’s dedication to conserving our public lands for all Coloradans, now and in the future. The resolution, passed unanimously on March 13, demonstrates a powerful bipartisan commitment to protect Colorado’s public lands from any efforts to sell or privatize them.[19]

“This is a landmark event at the Colorado State Capitol,” Don Holmstrom emphasized. “The resolution passed unanimously in the Colorado Senate, while other neighboring states are passing resolutions to sell our public land. Colorado stands out as a shining example of broad bipartisan support rejecting the sale of our public lands and its heritage rooted in democracy and freedom.”[20]

On April 17, the Pueblo Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed a resolution opposing public land sell-offs. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers sent out a related Action Alert, and one of our local Colorado BHA Chapter Leadership Team (CLT) members spoke in favor of the resolution at the commission meeting.[21] On April 8, the La Plata Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed a resolution opposing public land sell-offs.[22]

Whether it’s selling off public lands outright, transferring them to the states where they will also likely eventually be sold off, or rolling back national monument protections, all these proposed actions will negatively impact hunting access and opportunity. Hunters are already on the verge of becoming an endangered species, but these proposed Trump administration actions will essentially guarantee it.[23]

Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands

This is why BHA strongly supports the bipartisan Public Lands in Public Hands Act, which would reduce the ability for federal land management agencies to dispose of the lands owned by all Americans.[24] The Public Lands in Public Hands Act would require congressional approval for the sale or transfer of publicly accessible tracts of federal land greater than 300 acres, or greater than five acres if accessible by public waterway.[25]

“Core to the BHA mission is the sanctity of public lands and waters, resources cherished by hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts, and valued as an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage,” Patrick Berry, BHA President and CEO said. “Without publicly accessible places to recreate, many Americans who share a love for hunting and fishing would be excluded from the opportunity to pursue their passion. We thank Reps. Zinke and Vasquez for introducing the Public Lands in Public Hands Act which would help to ensure our hunting and angling traditions can continue for future generations.”[26]

Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, who served as Interior secretary during Trump’s first term, said he’s told House leadership public land sales are a red line for him. “I have made clear: There are some things I won’t do,” he said. “I will never bend on the Constitution, and I won’t bend on selling our public lands.”[27] Now is the time for hunters and anglers to stand firm against any attempts to liquidate our shared inheritance. Nothing locks up land and eliminates access more than privatization.

Our public lands are not commodities to be auctioned off; they are a legacy to be stewarded and protected for the enduring prosperity of Colorado and the country. “I can say that public lands belong in public hands, and that they are one of the country’s great equalizers,” former Bureau of Land Management director Tracy Stone-Manning said. “It doesn’t matter the size of your checkbook, you have equal access to them. We need to hold on to that.”[28] Public lands are not a left or right issue, they’re an American issue.[29] Join us in the fight to keep public lands in public hands!

David Lien from Colorado Springs, Colo., is co-chair of the Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, an author, and former Air Force missile launch officer.[30] In 2014 he was recognized by Field & Stream as a “Hero of Conservation.”[31] During 2019 he was the recipient of BHA’s Mike Beagle-Chairman’s Award “for outstanding effort on behalf of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.”[32]

Additional/Related Information/Resources

Turkey Hunting Stats

-Take (Public Lands) Action: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/take_action#/406

-Hunting mountain Merriam’s turkeys on public land in southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains … keep public land in public hands (video)!

-Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (4/18/25). “Get out there folks!”

2025 Turkey Hunting Stats:

-April 14: 12 miles/7.25 hours (1 close encounter/2 shots fired/missed-David).

-April 15: 13.5 miles/10.25hours (3 close encounters/2 shots fired/missed-Rick).

-April 16: 9.8 miles/6.5 hours (1 close encounter/1 shot fired/hit-David).

-Totals: 3 days/35 miles/24 hours/5 close encounters/2 shot opportunities.

2024 Turkey Hunting Stats:[33]

-April 15: 12.5 miles/9 hours (1 close encounter).

-April 16: 13.9 miles/9.75 hours (1 close encounter).

-April 29: 14 miles/9.5 hours (2 close encounters).

-April 30: 15 miles/9.5 hours (1 close encounter/1 shot/miss).

-May 1: 11.5 miles/6.75 hours (0 close encounters).

-May 20: 9.5 miles/4.5 hours (0 close encounters).

-May 21: 8.5 miles/7.0 hours (2 close encounters).

-Totals: 7 days/85 miles/56 hours/7 close encounters/1 shot opportunity.

Public Lands Under Attack (BHA Updates)

-Kaden McArthur. “April 2025 Federal Policy Roundup: President Trump Announces Intended Elimination of National Monuments.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/22/25.

-David A. Lien. “Selling Off Public Lands Is Not An Affordable Housing Fix.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/8/25.

-David A. Lien. “National Monuments At Risk (Veterans Defend Camp Hale).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/8/25.

-Nadia Marji. “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Urges Congress to Abandon Proposal to Sell off Public Lands as Part of Budget Discussions.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/2/25.

-Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (4/2/25). “Now (or potentially never) is the time to act!”

-Kaden McArthur. “Efforts to Streamline the Sale of Public Lands for Housing Continue to Grow.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/19/25.

-Devin O’Dea. “Colorado BHA Applauds Passage of Senate Joint Resolution 25-009 in Defense of Public Lands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/13/25.

-Kaden McArthur. “Reintroduction of CORE Act Renews Hope for Conservation of Colorado Public Lands and Wildlife Habitat.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/28/25.

-David A. Lien. “Freedom & Fire: A Brief BHA History II.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/24/25.

-Nate Collins. “Agency Layoffs Jeopardize Our Public Lands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/21/25.

-Zack Williams. “Public Lands Firings Hurt Hunters and Anglers.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/18/25.

-Kaden McArthur. “Interior Secretary Burgum Issues First Orders, Conservation Doesn’t Make List.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/7/25.

-Kaden McArthur. “Entering the119th Congress and the Second Trump Administration.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/27/25.

-David A. Lien. “Public Lands On The Chopping Block: It’s Now Or Never.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/24/25.

-Kaden McArthur. “President Trump’s Day One Actions Include Assault on Alaska Public Lands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/21/25.

-Kaden McArthur. “Legislation Introduced to Repeal President’s National Monument Authority, Undermining Bedrock Conservation Law.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/16/25.

-Kaden McArthur. “Supreme Court Rejects Utah’s Land Grab Lawsuit: A Victory for Public Land Owners.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/13/25.

-Patrick Berry. “The Great Betrayal: America’s Public Lands Legacy is Under Siege.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/19/24.

Public Lands Under Attack (Other Updates)

-Justin Reutter. “Pueblo BOCC passes resolution to protect public lands as Trump rolls back protections.” Pueblo Chieftain: 4/18/25.

-David A. Lien. “Selling off public lands is not an affordable housing fix: Once public land is sold, it’s lost forever.” Colorado Newsline: 4/16/25.

-Reuben M. Schafir. “La Plata County passes resolution supporting federal public lands: ‘This is the American way of life. And it’s being threatened,’ Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton says.” Durango Herald: 4/10/25.

-Dac Collins. “Most Americans Want More Public Land, Not Less, Poll Shows: The majority of respondents said they oppose the sale of existing public lands, along with layoffs and funding cuts to federal land management agencies.” Outdoor Life: 4/16/25.

-David A. Lien. “Local View: Selling off public lands is not a fix for affordable housing.” Duluth News Tribune: 4/6/25.

-Garrett Downs and Kelsey Brugger. “Republicans weigh sales of public land in reconciliation.” E&E News: 4/2/25.

-Andrew McKean. “Congress Is Seriously Considering Public Land Sales as Part of Its New Budget.” Outdoor Life: 4/2/25.

-Mike Dombeck, Dale Bosworth, Gail Kimbell, Tom Tidwell, Vicki Christiansen, and Randy Moore (the six authors served as U.S. Forest Service chiefs between 1997 and 2025). “Trump’s approach has us worried for the future of public lands.” Denver Post: April 2025.

-Jonathon Klein. “Selling Public Lands to Fix the Housing Crisis Is a Lie, Don't Believe It.” RideApart: 3/19/25.

-David A. Lien. “OPINION: Energy Dominance Puts Public Lands At Risk.” Pagosa Daily Post: 2/19/25.

-David A. Lien. “Local View: 'Energy dominance' agenda puts BWCAW at risk.” Duluth News Tribune: 2/19/25.

-Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT). “Zinke Introduces the Bipartisan Public Lands in Public Hands Act.” Press Release: 2/19/24.

-David A. Lien. “Don’t put public lands on the chopping block: American liberty and American wilderness are intertwined.” Yahoo News: 2/1/25.

-David A. Lien. “Don’t put public lands on the chopping block: American liberty and American wilderness are intertwined.” The Durango Herald: 1/26/25.

-David A. Lien. “Opinion: Public lands linked to our liberty should not be for sale to corporations.” RealVail.com: 1/22/25.

-David A. Lien. “Don’t put public lands on the chopping block: American liberty and American wilderness are intertwined.” Colorado Newsline: 1/22/25.

-David A. Lien. “Guest Column: Public lands on the chopping block.” Steamboat Pilot & Today: 1/21/25.

-Wes Siler. “Congress Proposes Selling Public Land To Pay For Billionaire Tax Cuts: The House Ways and Means Committee just created a menu of available revenue, including sales of lands like National Forests.” Wes Siler’s Newsletter: 1/18/25.

-David A. Lien. “Stand up for public lands, which are on the chopping block.” Duluth News Tribune: 1/13/25.

-Facebook post (11/29/24). “A good year with significant challenges ahead: ‘We don’t back down, we double down.’”

-David A. Lien. “Project 2025 proponents underestimate our resolve: Manifesto for new administration is taking aim at our public lands.” Colorado Newsline: 11/24/24.

Turkey Hunting Stories/Articles

-“Hunting Colorado’s Mountain Merriam’s (With The Colonel & The Fox) and Struttin’ & Cluckin’ at Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/28/24.

-“Mountain Merriam’s (Snow Toms) Hunt.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/16/23.

-“Hunting Mountain Merriam’s (& Gettin’ Schooled).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/22/22.

-“Hunting Backcountry Mountain Merriam’s (The Bare Essentials).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/18/22.

-“Tag Team (Backcountry) Toms.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/22/21. (repeat)

-“Tag Team (Backcountry) Toms.” Colorado Outdoors: 4/21/21.

-“Why Hunt Mountain Merriam’s? (Part II).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/5/21. (repeat)  

-“Why Hunt Mountain Merriam’s? (Part II).” Colorado Outdoors: 4/7/21.

-“Why Hunt Mountain Merriam’s? (Part I).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/25/21. (repeat)  

-“Why Hunt Mountain Merriam’s? (Part I).” Colorado Outdoors: 3/19/21.

-“Mountain Merriam’s Therapy (& Botched Shots).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/18/20.

-“Gobbler Fever: Curse & Cure.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/4/20. (repeat)  

-“Gobbler Fever: Curse & Cure.” Colorado Outdoors: 5/1/20.

-“Mountain Merriam’s Chess Match.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/16/20. (repeat)  

-“Mountain Merriam’s Chess Match.” Colorado Outdoors: 3/13/20.  

-“Hunting Turkeys (& Tyrannosaurus Rex).” Colorado Outdoors: 1/10/20.

-“Hunting Colorado’s Mountain Merriam’s (& The Tenth Legion).” Colorado Outdoors: 5/2/18.

-“Tom Foolery: Hunting Mountain Merriam’s.” Colorado Outdoors: 5/3/17.

-“Mountain Merriam’s (Turkey) Hunt.” Colorado Outdoors: 4/22/16.

-“5 (More) Tips For Hunting Merriam’s Wild Turkey.” Colorado Outdoors: 4/15/16.

-“5 Tips for Hunting Merriam’s Turkeys.” Colorado Outdoors: 5/14/15.

-“Spring Elk Scouting & Shed-Antler Hunting.” Colorado Outdoors: 4/29/15.

-“Backcountry Tom: Turkey Hunting in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains.” Colorado Outdoors: 3/11/15.

-“First Turkey.” Colorado Outdoors: 4/2/14.

-“Backcountry Turkey Hunt.” Colorado Outdoors: 12/5/13.

-“Turkeys (and Skunks).” Whitetales: Winter 2009, p. 24.

[1] Patrick Berry, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO. “The Great Betrayal: America’s Public Lands Legacy is Under Siege.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/19/24; Kaden McArthur. “Supreme Court Rejects Utah’s Land Grab Lawsuit: A Victory for Public Land Owners.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/13/25.

[2] Nadia Marji. “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Urges Congress to Abandon Proposal to Sell off Public Lands as Part of Budget Discussions.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/2/25.

[3] David A. Lien. “Selling Off Public Lands Is Not An Affordable Housing Fix.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/8/25.

[4] Tim Brass. “Funding for public access and conservation vital to hunters and anglers.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: June 2014.

[5] David A. Lien. “Hunting Colorado’s Mountain Merriam’s (With The Colonel & The Fox) and Struttin’ & Cluckin’ at Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/28/24.

[6] David A. Lien. “Mountain Merriam’s (Turkey) Hunt.” Colorado Outdoors: 4/22/16.

[7] David A. Lien. “Mountain Merriam’s Therapy (& Botched Shots).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/18/20; “Colorado BHA Habitat Watch Volunteer Program History & Training.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/6/20.

[8] John Myers. “Best hour of 2023 spent talking with wild turkey.” Duluth News Tribune: 4/12/24.

[9] David A. Lien. “Backcountry Tom: Turkey Hunting in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains.” Colorado Outdoors: 3/11/15.

[10] Staff. “Drawing in those young Gobbler-Getters.” Outdoor News: 4/11/25, p. 15.

[11] Stuart Osthoff. “Grand Slam Spring/Summer 2024.” The Boundary Waters Journal: Fall 2024, p. 28.

[12] John Myers. “Best hour of 2023 spent talking with wild turkey.” Duluth News Tribune: 4/12/24.

[13] “Pain is weakness leaving the body” is an expression used by the U.S. Marine Corps for recruitment. It is popularly attributed to General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller, the most decorated Marine in history.

[14] Andrew Johnson. “The 6 Turkey Vocalizations You Need to Know.” MeatEater: 3/27/20.

[15] David A. Lien. “Hunting Colorado’s Mountain Merriam’s (With The Colonel & The Fox) and Struttin’ & Cluckin’ at Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/28/24.

[16] David A. Lien. “Selling off public lands is not an affordable housing fix: Once public land is sold, it’s lost forever.” Colorado Newsline: 4/16/25.

[17] Mark Bell. “Colorado’s wild places more at risk than ever.” Colorado Newsline: 4/4/25.

[18] Nadia Marji. “BHA Commends Bipartisan Stand Against Public Land Sales as Senate Amendment Falls Short.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/7/25.

[19] Devin O’Dea. “Colorado BHA Applauds Passage of Senate Joint Resolution 25-009 in Defense of Public Lands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/13/25.

[20] Devin O’Dea. “Colorado BHA Applauds Passage of Senate Joint Resolution 25-009 in Defense of Public Lands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/13/25.

[21] Justin Reutter. “Pueblo BOCC passes resolution to protect public lands as Trump rolls back protections.” Pueblo Chieftain: 4/18/25.

[22] Reuben M. Schafir. “La Plata County passes resolution supporting federal public lands: ‘This is the American way of life. And it’s being threatened,’ Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton says.” Durango Herald: 4/10/25.

[23] Federal Register. “Rescinding the Definition of ‘Harm’ Under the Endangered Species Act.” National Archives: 4/17/25.

[24] Kaden McArthur. “Efforts to Streamline the Sale of Public Lands for Housing Continue to Grow.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/19/25.

[25] Kaden McArthur. “Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Block Public Lands Privatization, Bolster Hunting and Fishing Access.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/23/25.

[26] Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT). “Zinke Introduces the Bipartisan Public Lands in Public Hands Act.” Press Release: 2/19/24.

[27] Garrett Downs and Kelsey Brugger. “Republicans weigh sales of public land in reconciliation.” E&E News: 4/2/25.

[28] Kylie Mohr. “Outgoing Bureau of Land Management director optimistic about public lands: ‘When we save nature, we save ourselves’: Tracy Stone-Manning discusses the BLM’s achievements and talks about the future as we enter a new political era.” HCN: 1/10/25.

[29] David A. Lien. “Selling Off Public Lands Is Not An Affordable Housing Fix.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/8/25.

[30] David A. Lien. “A Higher Calling.” Association of Air Force Missileers (AAFM) Newsletter: March 2011, p. 4.

[31] Editors. “Heroes of Conservation: Safeguarding Winter Elk Range.” Field & Stream: July 2014, p. 29.

[32] https://www.backcountryhunters.org/co_bha_award_winners

[33] David A. Lien. “Hunting Colorado’s Mountain Merriam’s (With The Colonel & The Fox) and Struttin’ & Cluckin’ at Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/28/24.