Are you kidding me?

[Curly]

They own the land, but they do get huge tax breaks. 

And?

And what? 

[bobcat]

It's private property and they can do what they want, but we still have a right to complain. Originally the huge tax breaks were given to these companies with the understanding that the public would always have access to these lands. Of course the problem was they never put it in writing.

[Woodchuck]

The public does still have access, just for a small fee. I don't see the issue. If you own your own land, you get to make the rules. 

[bobcat]

The public does still have access, just for a small fee. I don't see the issue. If you own your own land, you get to make the rules. 

Well, not exactly true. It's debatable whether the fee is "small," but besides that, the only people that get access are those who are online with a high speed internet connection at the designated time, and are able to purchase a permit before they are all gone, which sometimes is only about 3 minutes.

[cougforester]

They own the land, but they do get huge tax breaks. 

And?

And what? 

The designated forest land tax program has no implications on public access. Many thousands of landowners across the state utilize the same program (albeit on a smaller scale), and they do not have to grant access to others. Sounds like you already many know this, just wanted to offer more info for others to better understand the issue! 

[Woodchuck]

I don't see the issue. If you own your own land, you get to make the rules. 

Well, not exactly true. It's debatable whether the fee is "small," but besides that, the only people that get access are those who are online with a high speed internet connection at the designated time, and are able to purchase a permit before they are all gone, which sometimes is only about 3 minutes.

How would you like it if other people dictated to you what you can and can't do with your property?

[Gringo31]

If you add up all the access fees, it is a drop in the bucket.  They are not making money on access fees.  I would bet they spend more than that on garbage, security and damage 3X.   

[fishngamereaper]

I know some land managers, owners. The fees they charge barley cover the clean up costs associated with allowing people on the land. They do it to provide an opportunity for those willing to pay to play....but, some of these opportunities are on the verge of becoming non existent...they are tired of how people treat the land
..

[Blacktail Sniper]

The public does still have access, just for a small fee. I don't see the issue. If you own your own land, you get to make the rules. 

Well, not exactly true. It's debatable whether the fee is "small," but besides that, the only people that get access are those who are online with a high speed internet connection at the designated time, and are able to purchase a permit before they are all gone, which sometimes is only about 3 minutes.

I know it is a sore subject for those of us that have been around long enough to remember how it was.

It is debatable on what is a small fee, but something to consider is that spread it out over the lenght of the permit and it is less than what a lot of pepole pay for a cup of coffee a day.

Some areas include camping at no extra charge and firewood cutting as well. 

The quick selling out of areas like Vail is a pain, but I think it fair to say, those who do not have high speed internet probably know someone who does. Is it a pain...yes, but certainly doable.

As has been said, at least there is the opportunity to get out in the timberlands, it could certainly be shut down with no chance to access it, and no recourse to fight it.

Think places like Capitol Forrest are over run now...??

[Magnum_Willys]

At least they allow access to a lot of landlocked state land. In montana you cant access state land many times EVEN if a piece of state land touches it on the corner.   No “corner crossing”  allowed. Crazy.

[Hot Lunch]

Not surprised. $200 is a steal for access to private land for the season.

[cem3434]

They own the land, but they do get huge tax breaks. 

True, but the original purchase agreements also stated that Weyco would provide access to the public since the state was selling them public land for $1 per acre and giving them massive tax credits. Weyco managed the property for years on behalf of the state and got the majority of the timber proceeds for managing the state land. They then in turn took the profit, bought the property and agreed to huge tax breaks as part of always allowing public access. Im torn because there are things to like and hate about pay to play land, but I firmly believe that the state should not continue to honor the tax breaks.....and I'm a Weyco shareholder.

[CAMPMEAT]

Is any private timberland subsidized by the government ? If is, then there should be a no charge, or very low admission onto said lands.

[PolarBear]

I'll never understand why people complain about this.  It's private property. At least they give you the option to access it at all.  Am I missing something? Man...what would it be like if they didn't give access at all?
It's private property.....

[PolarBear]

Not surprised. $200 is a steal for access to private land for the season.

Yeah, I paid $350 for a Vail key.  This is my last year though due to the amount of *censored*es and poaching.