Our Public Lands for Sale...

[kyle dillehay]

Anyone that enjoys their free access to public lands should watch this new documentary to learn about the immediate threats to our American way of life on public lands.

[NumaJohn]

Thanks, Kyle.

A sobering film, to say the least, but worth watching, I agree. Public lands belong to all of us, regardless of political leanings. If the big corporations continue to have their way with us, someday there will not be any more hunting and fishing, no more clear streams. The greed of some people threatens us all and the ways we love to experience the great outdoors. Future generations will look back and shake their heads in disbelief at what was lost.

I am not a tree huggin' enviro, but I do believe in science, and I do believe in conservation and the need to preserve public land. This film makes a compelling case for all citizens to take a stand against further deprivation.

John

[kyle dillehay]

Well stated John!

[baldopepper]

Add to this threat the amount of private ground that is being put off limits to public hunting. Either purchased by anti hunters or privatized for a select few to use.  Access to public hunting is, too me, the biggest threat to future hunting
I'm afraid the hunters of the future will be those able to put a lot of money on the table to get it done.

[idahohuntr]

Good topic, but I didn't think the film was that great...sort of a convoluted mashing of several recent environmental/lands issues.  I think its a worthy topic, especially for sportsmen, but I don't think this film did the issue much justice. 

[Boss .300 winmag]

🤔

[elkboy]

Well, the Jason Chaffetzes, the William Perry Pendleys, the Jennifer Fielders, and the Rob Bishops will not stop trying, despite the reality that there is little way we could practically dispose of all of the western public domain into productive private hands.  As an American who regularly works on, recreates in, and enjoys public lands of both state and federal ownership, I maintain that we need constant political vigilance to protect our heritage, not to mention our access to these lands for hunting and fishing!

[jackelope]

This is a great cause. However, #1 question I have is where does the sponsor of the film stand on hunting?

This is kind of a trick question.

[elkboy]

Jackelope, would love to hear your insight on the issue!  As for Patagonia, first couple of hits on a search:
https://gearjunkie.com/yvon-chouinard-patagonia-hunters-anglers
https://www.fieldandstream.com/public-land-conservation-allies-patagonia-first-lite/

[Special T]

Land conservation is the low hanging fruit to build a coalition of groups both on the consumptive and non consumptive users.

One of the questions we need to ask ourselves is how well is the land the the Public currently have being managed? The unfortunate trend I see is that hands off or management by nature seems to be the overwhelming trend. which leads one to wonder how much "more" could we get from physical management? A farmer or Forrester that manages his property produces MORE if they actively cultivate it. Could we not cultivate MORE of lots of different opportunities on the acreage we currently have?

We know that edge cover is a HUGE part of what allows animal numbers to thrive in all kinds of diversity, including sea life. Why is not increasing edge cover a major part of the discussion? To me the answer is that real work and management is hard. Selling folks on buying land and preventing all manner of multiple use seems an easier sell. Out here in the west we are spoiled at the amount of public land.(of which i appreciate and enjoy) Watch andy of the whitetail deer hunting on TV and look at the active planning not only for the "farm" but the additional income from hunting because of how the property is managed.  We all dream of owning property because we understand that  we can improve it  and it provides a space where we can recreate.

I am always weary of groups that dont like hunters but want us to help out... because they never return the favor.

[kentrek]

This is a great cause. However, #1 question I have is where does the sponsor of the film stand on hunting?

This is kind of a trick question.

Is it a trick question because you know the answer? There is a ton of stuff out there on the sponsors hunting stances

He likes hunting but not all hunting...prolly no different than many of us.... does that make the film  less important/true ?

[jackelope]

This is a great cause. However, #1 question I have is where does the sponsor of the film stand on hunting?

This is kind of a trick question.

Is it a trick question because you know the answer? There is a ton of stuff out there on the sponsors hunting stances

He likes hunting but not all hunting...prolly no different than many of us.... does that make the film  less important/true ?

I'm not sure you can have the best of both worlds. It's great that they support public lands. I mean, without public lands, their products would be mostly pointless. They seem to be either tight lipped specifically about their support(or non-support) of hunting, or they don't publically take a stance.

http://oregonoutdoorcouncil.org/top-5-shocking-companies-hurting-you/

#2 Patagonia: By supporting Cascadia Wildlands, Predator Defense, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands, and the Native Fish Society, Patagonia earns the number two spot in our anti-sportsmen company directory! ............

So yay for public lands. Questionable on the hunting support.

[baldopepper]

I have a nephew who works for Patagonia in SLC. They not only give him time off to go hunting, they encourage him and his fellow employees to go. Not sure what their official stance is, but they seem to not be anti hunting in any way. From a business point of view I can see why they support a diversified number of outdoor oriented groups. Guess it's another example of today's "either you're with me 100 percent or you're against me 100 percent" mind sets.

[kentrek]

I don't think there is any question they support hunting...its the trophy hunting that things get questionable on...most hunters are the same way...if you don't believe me check out the YouTube comments with the Jimmy jon bull

A huge majority of our problems in the hunting world are associated with a lack of space...and hunters by and large forget that...they point to anything else they can because of fear

This is a mute point in my opinion...this is a battle already lost

[Bango skank]

I have a nephew who works for Patagonia in SLC. They not only give him time off to go hunting, they encourage him and his fellow employees to go. Not sure what their official stance is, but they seem to not be anti hunting in any way. From a business point of view I can see why they support a diversified number of outdoor oriented groups. Guess it's another example of today's "either you're with me 100 percent or you're against me 100 percent" mind sets.

Theyre very much pro wolf introduction and donate to pro wolf groups.  Thats enough for me not to buy their stuff.

[jackelope]

They’re also in bed with the HSUS.  Still yay for public lands but the predator support stuff along with the HSUS stuff is enough for me to steer clear of the Patagonia brand.
Conservation NW has hunters and fishermen on their payroll. A couple of them are members here on the forum. Doesn’t mean CNW supports hunters and hunting.

[Platensek-po]

Are there a lot hunters that buy patagucci?? Most of it is overpriced designer clothing. Most of the people I see that wear patagucci do so while shopping or at the office and rarely if ever go outdoors. It would seem access to the lands that are currently out there might be a pretty important issue. A lot of landlocked public land in the west.

[SGTDuffman]

Access is ABSOLUTELY an impediment to hunting, or any other outdoor activity. There is a TON of “public” land in this state that is in practice, private. Because it’s a big chunk landlocked amongst private property, or it’s behind a gate of some kind. It seems from a rough estimate of the areas I’m familiar with, maybe 35-40% of the public land can actually be accessed. This is primarily different kinds of state land, National Forest are a lot more accessible as far as getting into, but also seems to have more closures to firearms and like because of trails and such, then of course national parks are a no no, but they should be.

[kentrek]

We need the land 1st...and then we can argue over how its managed...if we don't make it to phase two...that's not exactly pro hunting

So what is more pro hunting ?? What is the most antihunting ?


Just food for thought...like I said its a mute  point..majority of sportsman will vote for Trump and support his every move...if sportsman start being honest with Trump I do believe he will be of some benefit...but until we are honest we will end up with less opportunities

[bigtex]

Well, the Jason Chaffetzes, the William Perry Pendleys, the Jennifer Fielders, and the Rob Bishops will not stop trying, despite the reality that there is little way we could practically dispose of all of the western public domain into productive private hands.  As an American who regularly works on, recreates in, and enjoys public lands of both state and federal ownership, I maintain that we need constant political vigilance to protect our heritage, not to mention our access to these lands for hunting and fishing!

You can add guys like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz to that list as well.

[idahohuntr]

Weird thread.  I don't see why this is a referendum on patagonia.  I get they sponsored the film, but the message and information is what it is... I guess its just the polarizing times...reminds me of the quote: 'small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, great minds discuss ideas'...while I do not agree with several Patagonia endorsed policies, it really has no bearing for me on the idea of transferring public lands.  I guess I don't feel threatened by having the ability to rationally agree or disagree with anyone or any organization on a case by case basis...Patagonia or the Cattlemens Association, Democrats or Republicans...I'm far more interested in the policy and the ideas being pushed than I am the labels so many like to put on people.   

[bigtex]

National Forest are a lot more accessible as far as getting into, but also seems to have more closures to firearms and like because of trails and such

There are actually only two firearm discharge closures in WA on national forest lands, and they simply prohibit target shooting, not the discharge of firearms for hunting purposes. The only other closures would be things like discharging a firearm in a campground or at a trailhead, which common sense should say you shouldn't do anyways.

[NumaJohn]

To me, Patagonia deserves some credit for investing in this film project that is about something that affects all Americans--not just the ones who happen to buy Patagonia projects. (I know, the company does it for p.r., in part, too.)

Same thing for Robert Redford, who, along with Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, is an Executive Producer for https://www.patagonia.com/films/public-trust/. I am sure there are things about which Redford and I would disagree, but he is putting his time and money into a cause he believes in--public land for all Americans.

Neither of those guys would ever have any difficulty paying for access to hunt or fish or hike on private land, so in a way they are following in the ways of people like T. Roosevelt who are trying to look out for the rest of us without the means. I appreciate the effort and will forego the trend for insisting on a purity test.

Again, I would encourage people to follow Kyle's suggestion to watch this film--whether it's disjointed or improperly sponsored or whatever--and become acquainted (or reacquainted) with what some of these corporations and their CEOs and their lackeys have been doing and continue to do. We have to fight for our land.

John

[Bushcraft]

Tagging as a reminder to watch later.

[gobblezilla]

Just remember that documentaries are filmed to make money. These people make careers out of making documentaries. Additionally, some of the orgs that hunters support to preserve public land are almost wholly funded by organizations that do not have hunting and fishing interests and are absolutely diametrically opposed to those activities, and actively lobby against them.


While I support 1000% the preservation of our public lands, I have yet to find an organization that's worthy of supporting in regards to this cause. Some of the hunting NGOs have done excellent work in preserving some public lands and opening new public lands, but it's not the focus of their work. What we do need is a public lands conservation org that is not funded by environmental lobbies and has the best interests of sportsmen at it's core.

[kyle dillehay]

Patagonia didn't make this documentary in hopes that you would buy their gear, the purpose of this video is to make you aware of legislation that is being made to sell our land to the extraction industry.  Our freedom to recreate on public land is under threat here, take the time to learn more about it, if not from this documentary then get your information from someplace else.  Hal, the journalist in the movie, is a straight shooter, doesn't give a rat's ass if you buy anything from Patagonia, his main purpose here is to present the facts of the legislation to sell land and Patagonia is here to make it passionate and visually stunning.   We scream about threats to our gun rights, but if no one protests this type of legislation, we will still have all the guns we want but few places to go use them.

[wags]

FAKE NEWS.
The people who are behind these scare tactic stories are against everything we as hunters and public land users stand for.
Don't buy their B.S..

[Platensek-po]

FAKE NEWS.
The people who are behind these scare tactic stories are against everything we as hunters and public land users stand for.
Don't buy their B.S..

Please explain how it is fake news? Are you saying that politicians in DC are not trying to sell off public land? I can post the link to Ted Cruz saying that 3% public land in Texas is 3%too much of you would like. Weird how these politicians get big
Money from the petroleum industry and then want to open public lands to fracking and drilling or sell it off to mining. However if you have information stating the contrary please enlighten us with what is fake.

[ctwiggs1]

I'm generally skeptical of anything coming from Patagonia regarding hunting.  Yeah they're "pro hunting" but their money goes toward causes that actually reduce the quality of hunting in the United States. 

All that said.... I do appreciate that their fair trade and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices. 

Not a terrible company, just generally not super willing to support them.

As for public lands, this is a century-old battle and it'll be raging longer than we are alive.  We will win some and lose some, but we do need to continue to carry the torch.