I'm not crying because I lost some favorite hunting spot to leasing. On the contrary I have plenty of places that I have access to hunt in Montana, both public and private. I don't think non-residents are the problem either. If you noticed my location you'd see that I'm a non-resident of Montana, even though I was born and raised there.

The real problem I see with leasing is that it forces out the next generation of hunters and that's who we need to perpetuate our sport. Just look at the generational decline in hunters over the years and it is quite discouraging, and that's largely due to young people not being able to afford to hunt. If young hunters can't afford to hunt they're going to take to other past times and they won't necessarilly care about the future of hunting they way that myself and my predecessors did.

My family for instance owns some prime access to the lower Yellowstone River. They could lock it off for their own private hunting reserve or they could lease it out and make ita pay to play situation, but they don't. They allow anyone to huntthere provided they call ahead, close the gates, don't drive on the roads when they're muddy, and they pick up their empties. You wouldn't believe how greatful people are for that opportunity. My family isn't overly wealthy, we just understand that the opportunity for young people to hunt like we did does us all more good in the long run than any money generated from exlcusive access would. If you think differently more power to you...just don't ask me for any help.

AK Jeff