Hunters were angry about the US Forest Service closing roads in the Roy Taylor National Forest. The Forest Service took action to prevent heavy trucks and ATV’s from going places they weren’t allowed. They dug trenches, felled trees, reseeded, created earthen mounds, and piled stones. That prevented the average law-abiding citizen from driving, and in some instances walking, to hunting spots, baptismal waters, and wagon train gathering spots. It also interferes with emergency vehicle access. The Forest Service countered that the hunters were using trails that weren’t intended to be roads. They also denied claims of environmental degradation due to the roadblocks. The Forest Service claims it has no money to maintain roads, but hunters noted they had enough to build an expensive bridge nearby to replace a ford. The hunters were told the bridge was being built with stimulus funds that couldn’t be shifted to another purpose. Meanwhile, people wanting illegal access have filled trenches, etc. to do their thing, anyway. A candidate is involved in this story, but no names will be mentioned here to honor McCain-Feingold.
by Leslee Kulba
Wild West blogger