Wolves do affect business

[idahohuntr]

Sitka you are a persistent bugger, I'll give you that.   

However, again you are trying to tap a point that is probably useless in this discussion. To my knowledge, that elk herd hasn't suffered any wolf impacts yet, so it's sort of a useless post at best for this discussion. Just for a reminder, it's the wolf impacted herds that have reduced hunter opportunity and damaged local businesses.

Think Yellowstone, lolo, selway, middlefork, panhandle, etc,... and you will be more on target.

Just out of curiousity, do you hunt the selway, middlefork, lolo, or panhandle zones? Or do you have any experience in any of them?

That's a reasonable question given that I shoot off my mouth so much!

First I would point out that my claims are based on IDFG statistics which are documented on the IDFG website, in the IDFG Predator Management Plans, and in numerous topics on this forum, and in most of these topics the same handful of "_____" members always derail the discussion. 

Next, my son is an Idaho resident and spends most of the year in wolf impacted Idaho units. He has been followed off the mountain by packs of howling wolves that skirted him and his dogs wanting to eat his dogs. That scares the dickins out of him, he will not go on the mountain without a gun. He has been on many winter ranges hunting lions and hunting wolves with clients for other outfitters. He also hunts spring bear in the higher areas in the spring and sees the herds then too. He probably has a better handle on many elk, deer, and moose herds than many people working for F&G. We knew about several of the undocumented panhandle wolf packs before wolf season opened and IDFG found out that half the wolves taken were killed from undocumented wolf packs.

Lastly, Yes, I have spent time in many of those zones myself and I almost purchased an elk hunting business in the Selway a few years ago, glad I backed out of that it just keeps getting worse. More recently I nearly purchased a business in the Lolo, two different businesses in the Coeur D Alenes, and two businesses in the St Joe, but backed off at the last minute because of the predator impacts. Just last year I tried to buy a business in the middle fork and a business in the southern hills, but both deals fell through because the outfitters had not done any business in the last three years and they lost the business back to the state due to non-use. I still have the correspondence to prove that.

There just isn't much value in the ungulate outfitting businesses in most of those units, if I can find a business that's cheap enough I will buy one for the predator hunts, but most of these outfitters are buried in businesses that they paid 4 to 6 times current value so they are trying to hold out. But I can tell you that many outfitting businesses are in the red with few if any hunters each year. In my search for additional outfitting businesses my son and I have probably talked to no less than 20 or 30 of the outfitters in wolf impacted areas in the last 1-3 years. We have also made scouting trips to check out these outfitting areas and when I talk about what outfitters say, in many cases that is coming directly from the mouth of outfitters (who have outfitted these areas for 10 or more years) when I have talked to them in search of buying their business.

Two years ago another outfitter friend purchased a Lolo outfitting business for just over $40,000. The previous owner of that business had paid $250,000 cash for that business in 1995. The new owner (friend) is doing predator hunts and hoping that IDFG can recover the elk herd with wolf control actions.

I can assure you that I know exactly what I am talking about when I discuss these wolf impacted areas. 

It wasn't a leading question...I was just curious what your experience was.  There is a lot of good information one can get from IDFG data...but there are mountains of subtleties and knowledge you can only ever glean by actually putting boots on the ground.  I will tell you something I know you won't like...but thats nothing new.  I have very little sympathy for most outfitters in places like the Lolo and Selway zones.  In the 80+ years my family has hunted the Lolo and Selway we have obviously run across a number of outfitters...it never ceases to amaze me either through direct feedback from immediate family or my own personal experience what jack@*** guides and outfitters can be on public land.  Not all, but a healthy percentage of them act like they own the area they guide in...which IS BEYOND INSULTING.  Usually it was the non-residents from California and Washington with no real tie to the area that were the WORST! I mean, take a non-resident guy like you for example...and you guys are dime a dozen, you buy some outfit for a low price, swoop in and try to turn a profit on an area you usually know little about and have not spent much time in.  Most of the time they go broke or sell but while they are trying to turn a profit they act like a jack*** to DIY hunters.  Now, thats not how every outfit operates and some are quite reputable.  But a lot are not...so for the most part...I am not going to lose sleep over having fewer outfitters in many of these areas of Idaho.  Its actually been one of the upsides to decreases in elk numbers in those units...the outfitters I have met and liked are all still operating...its mostly (*not all*) the fly by night jack@*** that have gone belly up and I am glad they did. 

[bearpaw]

JLS, I've seen the Montana Charts before and would agree that some objectives are too low to satisfy farmers, this happens in some areas of most states, also please keep in mind that MFWP is still somewhat in denial about wolves and wolf impacts and still trying to blame other factors in much the same way as WDFW and some members on this forum. IDFG has been confronted with so much data and there has been some wolf lovers taken out of their ranks, finally IDFG is openly publishing their findings regarding wolf impacts. As certain wolfers are no longer in MFWP, that agency is coming around, but they are still somewhat behind the curve, but I'm confident they will continue to realize more of the impacts as wolves spread further across Montana.

It wasn't a leading question...I was just curious what your experience was.  There is a lot of good information one can get from IDFG data...but there are mountains of subtleties and knowledge you can only ever glean by actually putting boots on the ground.  I will tell you something I know you won't like...but thats nothing new.  I have very little sympathy for most outfitters in places like the Lolo and Selway zones.  In the 80+ years my family has hunted the Lolo and Selway we have obviously run across a number of outfitters...it never ceases to amaze me either through direct feedback from immediate family or my own personal experience what jack@*** guides and outfitters can be on public land.  Not all, but a healthy percentage of them act like they own the area they guide in...which IS BEYOND INSULTING.  Usually it was the non-residents from California and Washington with no real tie to the area that were the WORST! I mean, take a non-resident guy like you for example...and you guys are dime a dozen, you buy some outfit for a low price, swoop in and try to turn a profit on an area you usually know little about and have not spent much time in.  Most of the time they go broke or sell but while they are trying to turn a profit they act like a jack*** to DIY hunters.  Now, thats not how every outfit operates and some are quite reputable.  But a lot are not...so for the most part...I am not going to lose sleep over having fewer outfitters in many of these areas of Idaho.  Its actually been one of the upsides to decreases in elk numbers in those units...the outfitters I have met and liked are all still operating...its mostly (*not all*) the fly by night jack@*** that have gone belly up and I am glad they did. 

idahohntr, I've seen your attitude before, it pretty much explains your hostility towards myself, you've got a chip on your shoulder and labeling me as someone that you hate even though you've never met me. Do you also hate non-resident hunters? I will remind you that most western states and businesses welcome non-resident hunters and outfitters. Your comments seem to imply that because I am a non-resident outfitter I am a "____-___", as a non-resident yourself this seems pretty much like the pot calling the kettle black. FYI - I already knew you hated outfitters, it's regularly evident in your comments. For what it's worth I'm very sorry that you were mistreated by someone and that you now have this extreme hatred. 

You did avoid or over looked the fact that fewer resident and non-resident hunters has significantly impacted many other local businesses (such as the friend I mentioned that had to close his restaurant) in many small towns in wolf affected areas. Do you have some sort of disliking for other businesses who cater to non-resident hunters and outfitters as well? 


Here's another worthy article forwarded by Toby Bridges which details wolf impacts in Montana:

Why Anti-Hunters Are Dead Wrong About Wolves
by David Hart   |  February 21st, 2014

Things were pretty good the first year Drew Johnson and a group of friends hunted elk in Montana’s Gallatin National Forest. He arrowed a 4×5 bull near the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park in 2000, but things went down hill the next season.

“Every time we tried cow calling or bugling, we called in wolves. We saw quite a few elk carcasses, and we heard wolves howling around us every night,” recalls Johnson, a Farmville, Virginia, dentist. “We never saw an elk.”

He and his friends moved to a different part of Montana and had a few good years before the wolves eventually caught up to them again. The elk disappeared, so last fall Johnson and his friends booked a hunt with a New Mexico outfitter, a move they plan to make permanent.

“I’m not going back to Montana,” he says.

Johnson isn’t alone. Hunters are abandoning some parts of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, turning their attention instead to wolf-free states. The number of non-resident elk hunters traveling to Idaho was down 23 percent in 2011, and for the first time in 30 years, Montana did not sell all of its non-resident elk licenses during the general drawing in 2012.

No wonder. As wolf populations have increased, big-game numbers spiraled downward. There is no better example than the elk herd north of the Yellowstone border, the same region Johnson used to hunt. Land that once had 19,000 animals in 1995 now holds less than 4,000.

Elk numbers in other wolf territories are experiencing similar declines, despite assurances from some pro-wolf groups that the predators would only prey on the sick and weak. Turns out, they are taking a huge toll on elk calves, too. Cow-to-calf ratios in some parts of Montana have fallen to as low as 11 calves per 100 cows, a number too low to maintain current populations. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks cut the number of elk licenses in some units as a result.

Read more: http://www.petersenshunting.com/2014/02/21/anti-hunters-dead-wrong-about-wolves/#ixzz2uDwrAibs

[deaner]

JLS, I've seen the Montana Charts before and would agree that some objectives are too low to satisfy farmers, this happens in some areas of most states, also please keep in mind that MFWP is still somewhat in denial about wolves and wolf impacts and still trying to blame other factors in much the same way as WDFW and some members on this forum. IDFG has been confronted with so much data and there has been some wolf lovers taken out of their ranks, finally IDFG is openly publishing their findings regarding wolf impacts. As certain wolfers are no longer in MFWP, that agency is coming around, but they are still somewhat behind the curve, but I'm confident they will continue to realize more of the impacts as wolves spread further across Montana.

It wasn't a leading question...I was just curious what your experience was.  There is a lot of good information one can get from IDFG data...but there are mountains of subtleties and knowledge you can only ever glean by actually putting boots on the ground.  I will tell you something I know you won't like...but thats nothing new.  I have very little sympathy for most outfitters in places like the Lolo and Selway zones.  In the 80+ years my family has hunted the Lolo and Selway we have obviously run across a number of outfitters...it never ceases to amaze me either through direct feedback from immediate family or my own personal experience what jack@*** guides and outfitters can be on public land.  Not all, but a healthy percentage of them act like they own the area they guide in...which IS BEYOND INSULTING.  Usually it was the non-residents from California and Washington with no real tie to the area that were the WORST! I mean, take a non-resident guy like you for example...and you guys are dime a dozen, you buy some outfit for a low price, swoop in and try to turn a profit on an area you usually know little about and have not spent much time in.  Most of the time they go broke or sell but while they are trying to turn a profit they act like a jack*** to DIY hunters.  Now, thats not how every outfit operates and some are quite reputable.  But a lot are not...so for the most part...I am not going to lose sleep over having fewer outfitters in many of these areas of Idaho.  Its actually been one of the upsides to decreases in elk numbers in those units...the outfitters I have met and liked are all still operating...its mostly (*not all*) the fly by night jack@*** that have gone belly up and I am glad they did. 

idahohntr, I've seen your attitude before, it pretty much explains your hostility towards myself, you've got a chip on your shoulder and labeling me as someone that you hate even though you've never met me. Do you also hate non-resident hunters? I will remind you that most western states and businesses welcome non-resident hunters and outfitters. Your comments seem to imply that because I am a non-resident outfitter I am a "____-___", as a non-resident yourself this seems pretty much like the pot calling the kettle black. FYI - I already knew you hated outfitters, it's regularly evident in your comments. For what it's worth I'm very sorry that you were mistreated by someone and that you now have this extreme hatred. 

You did avoid or over looked the fact that fewer resident and non-resident hunters has significantly impacted many other local businesses (such as the friend I mentioned that had to close his restaurant) in many small towns in wolf affected areas. Do you have some sort of disliking for other businesses who cater to non-resident hunters and outfitters as well? 


Here's another worthy article forwarded by Toby Bridges which details wolf impacts in Montana:

Why Anti-Hunters Are Dead Wrong About Wolves
by David Hart   |  February 21st, 2014

Things were pretty good the first year Drew Johnson and a group of friends hunted elk in Montana’s Gallatin National Forest. He arrowed a 4×5 bull near the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park in 2000, but things went down hill the next season.

“Every time we tried cow calling or bugling, we called in wolves. We saw quite a few elk carcasses, and we heard wolves howling around us every night,” recalls Johnson, a Farmville, Virginia, dentist. “We never saw an elk.”

He and his friends moved to a different part of Montana and had a few good years before the wolves eventually caught up to them again. The elk disappeared, so last fall Johnson and his friends booked a hunt with a New Mexico outfitter, a move they plan to make permanent.

“I’m not going back to Montana,” he says.

Johnson isn’t alone. Hunters are abandoning some parts of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, turning their attention instead to wolf-free states. The number of non-resident elk hunters traveling to Idaho was down 23 percent in 2011, and for the first time in 30 years, Montana did not sell all of its non-resident elk licenses during the general drawing in 2012.

No wonder. As wolf populations have increased, big-game numbers spiraled downward. There is no better example than the elk herd north of the Yellowstone border, the same region Johnson used to hunt. Land that once had 19,000 animals in 1995 now holds less than 4,000.

Elk numbers in other wolf territories are experiencing similar declines, despite assurances from some pro-wolf groups that the predators would only prey on the sick and weak. Turns out, they are taking a huge toll on elk calves, too. Cow-to-calf ratios in some parts of Montana have fallen to as low as 11 calves per 100 cows, a number too low to maintain current populations. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks cut the number of elk licenses in some units as a result.

Read more: http://www.petersenshunting.com/2014/02/21/anti-hunters-dead-wrong-about-wolves/#ixzz2uDwrAibs

no dale, this is why anti-hunters are dead-RIGHT.  look at the last line.   CUT THE NUMBER OF ELK LICENSES.  the anti-hunters are achieving their goal.  they knew wolves would *censored* up elk numbers, at least the people behind the show did.  the little "think theyre doing the right thing- have good intentions but no knowledge" type people who actually fund this *censored*, they have no idea that their cause is killing more animals than its protecting.  they just drink the kool-aid and smile, because it gives them credibility with their friends, who are also know nothing urbanites with no knowledge of wildlife dynamics.
    the "dead wrong" thing means youre underestimating these wily *censored*s.

[JLS]

JLS, I've seen the Montana Charts before and would agree that some objectives are too low to satisfy farmers, this happens in some areas of most states, also please keep in mind that MFWP is still somewhat in denial about wolves and wolf impacts and still trying to blame other factors in much the same way as WDFW and some members on this forum.

Blame other factors for what?  That they hunted the crap out of cow elk in the Bitterroot and the Northern Yellowstone?  That they are maintaining a trophy area for lions in the Bitterroot?  That the Bitterroot went to permit only, but numbers are coming back?

Bottom line, there are still plenty of elk in Montana, even in a lot of units that have wolves.  If you disagree with this statement then you are the one in denial.  Look at HD 121.  Right in the heart of wolf country, yet it's still producing elk far and above what the objective is, and numbers are increasing.  So, I repeat, the lost of late season hunts in the Yellowstone and the Gallatin is not in any way reflective of the quality of elk hunting in the majority of the state.

Hunter access is still a far greater issue in Montana than wolves are or ever will be in my opinion.

Edit:  Continue spinning this however, but this fact you cannot argue:

There are plenty of hunting districts in Montana that have plenty of elk.  To imply broadly that the elk hunting in Montana sucks because of wolves is unfair to the businesses there that lose dollars because hunters go elsewhere thinking there are no elk.

[bearpaw]

JLS, I've seen the Montana Charts before and would agree that some objectives are too low to satisfy farmers, this happens in some areas of most states, also please keep in mind that MFWP is still somewhat in denial about wolves and wolf impacts and still trying to blame other factors in much the same way as WDFW and some members on this forum.

Blame other factors for what?  That they hunted the crap out of cow elk in the Bitterroot and the Northern Yellowstone?  That they are maintaining a trophy area for lions in the Bitterroot?  That the Bitterroot went to permit only, but numbers are coming back?

Bottom line, there are still plenty of elk in Montana, even in a lot of units that have wolves.  If you disagree with this statement then you are the one in denial.  Look at HD 121.  Right in the heart of wolf country, yet it's still producing elk far and above what the objective is, and numbers are increasing.  So, I repeat, the lost of late season hunts in the Yellowstone and the Gallatin is not in any way reflective of the quality of elk hunting in the majority of the state.

Blame other factors for what?

Hunter access is still a far greater issue in Montana than wolves are or ever will be in my opinion.

You know exactly for what, for the decline of elk in the wolf impacted units.

For the umpteenth time I will remind you that I am addressing wolf impacted areas where herds are declining. You continually attempt to mix data of units above quotas to try and hide wolf impacts in declining herds.

I would add that it appears wolf management is beginning to work in some areas and herds are beginning to recover.

[idahohuntr]

idahohntr, I've seen your attitude before, it pretty much explains your hostility towards myself, you've got a chip on your shoulder and labeling me as someone that you hate even though you've never met me. Do you also hate non-resident hunters? I will remind you that most western states and businesses welcome non-resident hunters and outfitters. Your comments seem to imply that because I am a non-resident outfitter I am a "____-___", as a non-resident yourself this seems pretty much like the pot calling the kettle black. FYI - I already knew you hated outfitters, it's regularly evident in your comments. For what it's worth I'm very sorry that you were mistreated by someone and that you now have this extreme hatred. 

You did avoid or over looked the fact that fewer resident and non-resident hunters has significantly impacted many other local businesses (such as the friend I mentioned that had to close his restaurant) in many small towns in wolf affected areas. Do you have some sort of disliking for other businesses who cater to non-resident hunters and outfitters as well? 

I don't "Hate" you or any non-resident hunter.  I am giving you honest feedback about what I have observed regarding a portion of outfitters in those units.  If you or friends of yours guide on public land you can not possibly tell me you have not run across a portion of them that feel they "own" that public land. 

Restaurants and other businesses in towns that rely on hunters closed because hunter numbers dropped significantly in relation to elk numbers, economic recession, and increased elk tag prices.  Those local businesses did not go under because non-resident guides lost their business...surely you are not making that point?? 

I obviously do not "hate" NR hunters as I am one.  We do bring in a lot of money to rural communities every year.  But this is not about me, or you, or non-resident hunters....you wanted to talk specifically about how wolves have effected business...and I would say there have been some positive effects for DIY public land hunters with a lot of these less than reputable guides going under.   

[JLS]

You continually attempt to mix data of units above quotas to try and hide wolf impacts in declining herds.

I would add that it appears wolf management is beginning to work in some areas and herds are beginning to recover.

No, I am not trying to hide wolf impacts.  I am stating that wolves do not just expand to fill every nook and cranny and eat every elk in the mountain range.  Hence my point of showing that there can be units that are above objective that have wolves in them.

[bearpaw]

idahohntr, I've seen your attitude before, it pretty much explains your hostility towards myself, you've got a chip on your shoulder and labeling me as someone that you hate even though you've never met me. Do you also hate non-resident hunters? I will remind you that most western states and businesses welcome non-resident hunters and outfitters. Your comments seem to imply that because I am a non-resident outfitter I am a "____-___", as a non-resident yourself this seems pretty much like the pot calling the kettle black. FYI - I already knew you hated outfitters, it's regularly evident in your comments. For what it's worth I'm very sorry that you were mistreated by someone and that you now have this extreme hatred. 

You did avoid or over looked the fact that fewer resident and non-resident hunters has significantly impacted many other local businesses (such as the friend I mentioned that had to close his restaurant) in many small towns in wolf affected areas. Do you have some sort of disliking for other businesses who cater to non-resident hunters and outfitters as well? 

I don't "Hate" you or any non-resident hunter.  I am giving you honest feedback about what I have observed regarding a portion of outfitters in those units.  If you or friends of yours guide on public land you can not possibly tell me you have not run across a portion of them that feel they "own" that public land. 

Restaurants and other businesses in towns that rely on hunters closed because hunter numbers dropped significantly in relation to elk numbers, economic recession, and increased elk tag prices.  Those local businesses did not go under because non-resident guides lost their business...surely you are not making that point?? 

I obviously do not "hate" NR hunters as I am one.  We do bring in a lot of money to rural communities every year.  But this is not about me, or you, or non-resident hunters....you wanted to talk specifically about how wolves have effected business...and I would say there have been some positive effects for DIY public land hunters with a lot of these less than reputable guides going under. 

I've actually ran into more resident hunters who dislike anyone from outside of their license plate area. (In Idaho your county is on the license plate..)

It sounds like you are using a pretty wide brush to paint an ugly picture of nr outfitters, exactly how many different outfitters have caused you grief, since they are out of business anyway, please name them?

It sounds like you are happier with less competition even though there are fewer elk for everyone to hunt. 

[bearpaw]

You continually attempt to mix data of units above quotas to try and hide wolf impacts in declining herds.

I would add that it appears wolf management is beginning to work in some areas and herds are beginning to recover.

No, I am not trying to hide wolf impacts.  I am stating that wolves do not just expand to fill every nook and cranny and eat every elk in the mountain range.  Hence my point of showing that there can be units that are above objective that have wolves in them.

Yes, I would most definitely agree that if wolf populations are not too high they will not severely impact ungulate populations. That is the key, if wolf numbers increase in an area we need the flexibility to manage them and reduce wolf numbers before the damage is done. 

[KFhunter]

about ID license plates

they're hostile towards other ID plates that come from rival schools and such.  I'm surprised ID still does this,  if you're a high school aged kid driving around in a rival school district you could get singled out by your plate.

[idahohuntr]

I've actually ran into more resident hunters who dislike anyone from outside of their license plate area. (In Idaho your county is on the license plate..)

It sounds like you are using a pretty wide brush to paint an ugly picture of nr outfitters, exactly how many different outfitters have caused you grief, since they are out of business anyway, please name them?

It sounds like you are happier with less competition even though there are fewer elk for everyone to hunt. 

Yes...license plates are a big deal    Just buy the wildlife plates and then you can't tell which county your from if you are a resident!

Are you telling me you haven't observed or heard of outfitters mistreating or lying to DIY guys like they own public land??   

And yes, there is more to an experience than killing an elk...I do believe less competition and fewer elk is not all bad...at least if you find some elk you don't have a posse of hunters trying to beat you to them.  Of course this is a distant second to more elk and few/no other hunters 

[bearpaw]

I've actually ran into more resident hunters who dislike anyone from outside of their license plate area. (In Idaho your county is on the license plate..)

It sounds like you are using a pretty wide brush to paint an ugly picture of nr outfitters, exactly how many different outfitters have caused you grief, since they are out of business anyway, please name them?

It sounds like you are happier with less competition even though there are fewer elk for everyone to hunt. 

Yes...license plates are a big deal    Just buy the wildlife plates and then you can't tell which county your from if you are a resident!

Are you telling me you haven't observed or heard of outfitters mistreating or lying to DIY guys like they own public land??   

And yes, there is more to an experience than killing an elk...I do believe less competition and fewer elk is not all bad...at least if you find some elk you don't have a posse of hunters trying to beat you to them.  Of course this is a distant second to more elk and few/no other hunters 

Of course any group of people has the good and the bad, the same with hunters in the woods as with outfitters.

You avoided the question, how many nasty oufitters have treated you like you claim, please name them?

[AspenBud]

I've actually ran into more resident hunters who dislike anyone from outside of their license plate area. (In Idaho your county is on the license plate..)

It sounds like you are using a pretty wide brush to paint an ugly picture of nr outfitters, exactly how many different outfitters have caused you grief, since they are out of business anyway, please name them?

It sounds like you are happier with less competition even though there are fewer elk for everyone to hunt. 

Yes...license plates are a big deal    Just buy the wildlife plates and then you can't tell which county your from if you are a resident!

Are you telling me you haven't observed or heard of outfitters mistreating or lying to DIY guys like they own public land??   

And yes, there is more to an experience than killing an elk...I do believe less competition and fewer elk is not all bad...at least if you find some elk you don't have a posse of hunters trying to beat you to them.  Of course this is a distant second to more elk and few/no other hunters 

Of course any group of people has the good and the bad, the same with hunters in the woods as with outfitters.

You avoided the question, how many nasty oufitters have treated you like you claim, please name them?

Sorry, just injecting a thought here...

The biggest complaint I've ever heard about outfitters is they lock up private land and generally only allow in those who can afford to pay. Personally I think that's a bit of an unfair characterization since it's the land owners who sell the leases that allow the outfitters to setup shop.

It does make me wonder however if this is lowering hunting pressure in some areas and leading to more food (ungulates) for wolves to chow on. But that's a different topic??

[KFhunter]

how can you "lock up" private land,  it's private!

The owner does as they choose with it, should someone offer them a fist full of dollars for exclusive access then so be it.

In most cases it's a small handful of people being displaced who may have had access,  but in a lot of other cases no one had access previously and the presence of an outfitter changes that. 

[AspenBud]

how can you "lock up" private land,  it's private!

The owner does as they choose with it, should someone offer them a fist full of dollars for exclusive access then so be it.

In most cases it's a small handful of people being displaced who may have had access,  but in a lot of other cases no one had access previously and the presence of an outfitter changes that.

The complaints I read generally go like this. People used to be able to knock on doors and be allowed to hunt a lot of land in a lot of places in states like Montana. But in the last 20-30 years people have gotten tired of hunters mistreating their lands, saw an opportunity to make money, and started selling leases to outfitters who in turn act like private game wardens who take care of nuisance animals. The business has gotten more and more lucrative and more and more land has been locked up for the privileged people who can afford to pay.

Montana saw it as enough of a problem to have Initiative 161 pass.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/hunting/2010/09/montana-initiative-could-raise-license-fees-gut-outfitter-industry

http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/i--a-success-but-outfitter-sponsored-bill-ravaging-revenue/article_a293fc26-a028-11e1-992a-0019bb2963f4.html