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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BBQBluesMan" data-source="post: 183585" data-attributes="member: 1007">To clarify my original comment, I was speaking specifically about the LMNG here in North Dakota and the proposal to close trails that have been in existence for more than most of us have graced this fine earth. I have limited experience hunting in other states so I cannot speak on wilderness areas too much, although from what I hear, they are some issues when it comes down to management (i.e. timber harvesting/prescribed fire/noxious weeds) and access.  I am mainly torn on wilderness designations because it typically means there will be limited access to traditional use of public lands. Which there can be positives to that, but as others mentioned need to be careful what is wished for. No management is bad management for public lands.As far as upkeep on grassland trails, there has been very little to no up keep on the trails in the LMNG from what I have seen (other areas that I don’t hunt may be different), so there are little costs associated with keeping them open. I also think that closing trails would congregate hunters as there would be fewer areas to access lands with non-motorized use. In 2010, the USFS proposed to close 700+miles of trails, but not reclaim them. There is no good reason to close pre-existing trails and not reclaim them, other than that it restricts access to public lands. The USFS is notorious for not enforcing rules they already have, there was no reason to add more. The plan was poorly written and was inconsistent. There are instances where limiting travel to grasslands can be good (i.e. off-trail or building new roads/trails), however, access to public land needs be maintained in the process so it can be reasonably enjoyed by all.I agree that not everyone should have the means to access the most remote areas of this country. My point is that everyone should have reasonable access lands to that have had pre-existing access points or trails for many moons.</blockquote>

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