Hunters vs. Horse owners on public land... which side are you on?
01-14-2004, 09:41 AM
#31
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Hoges Store, Va
Posts: 113
RE: Hunters vs. Horse owners on public land... which side are you on?
One thing that bothers me to no end here in Va is the way the National Forests are run.....Me, as a hunter, has to pay for a National Forest Stamp to hunt it legally....however, the hikers, birdwatchers, horseback riders do not have to pay.....In my opinion EVERYONE or that uses the National Forest should have to purchase a stamp....this in turn would be putting more money in our public land for upkeep and conservation.
01-14-2004, 10:07 AM
#32
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fredericksburg Virginia USA
Posts: 13,672
RE: Hunters vs. Horse owners on public land... which side are you on?
Well I am not sure what the whole set up is in your state, but I will give you my personal fellings on it in Va.
When it comes to state & federal parks parks where hunting is permitted in some I would have no heartburn with designating areas for hunting only during hunting season and other areas strictly for horse back riding. Everyone pays for these. It is only fair that the areas be shared safely.
Now we also have WMA's (Wildlife Management Areas), these are paid for by hunting and fishing license sales, but the general public is free to use them at no cost also. Here is where I feel that those who PAY should have the first right and those who don't should take a back seat. What I mean by that is that fisherman and hunters should have first rights to use of the properties during the season because they are the ones who paid for it! Now if the horse back riders want to start paying a fee or license to use these lands then I can see them getting designated hunter free areas.
When it comes to state & federal parks parks where hunting is permitted in some I would have no heartburn with designating areas for hunting only during hunting season and other areas strictly for horse back riding. Everyone pays for these. It is only fair that the areas be shared safely.
Now we also have WMA's (Wildlife Management Areas), these are paid for by hunting and fishing license sales, but the general public is free to use them at no cost also. Here is where I feel that those who PAY should have the first right and those who don't should take a back seat. What I mean by that is that fisherman and hunters should have first rights to use of the properties during the season because they are the ones who paid for it! Now if the horse back riders want to start paying a fee or license to use these lands then I can see them getting designated hunter free areas.
