Chip. Nat'l Forest North of Hill City

[thore]

Can someone smarter than myself explain to me why the Fed's would let the Blandin Paper Co. put up a fence across the road so it makes it impossible for people to go back into the woods grouse hunting.

[skeeter185]

Because they dont care?

[metrojoe]

My guess would be theft and vandalism.

Isn't the land actually owned by the paper company.

[DinnerPail]

The paper company owns alot of land around there, it's there land so I guess they have the right to do that. They seem to be closing roads to areas the have already logged and won't be workong in for some time. I like it, cuts down on the raod hunters. If they keep it this way alot of deer hunters will get guite a suprise when they show up to set up camp the day before and find out they can't park in there favorite spot. They have closed the road to my deer hunting area and will have to make a 4 mile ride in on the atv and then about a mile walk to the stand this year. I'm ok with that, but know alot of people that don't care to travel that far from there truck. I hope they do more of it. You find out who the real hunters are.

[Rosalita]

The paper companies gate or block roads for the same reasons as any other county, state, or federal agency. All of the previously mentioned spend thousands on their roads through cat work, gravel, culverts, wages, and so on. In fact, many times loggers themselves spend thousands on creating roads useable for large trucks and machinery. I know this for a fact because my father owns a logging company and spends a great deal of his own time and money on creating new roads and making old ones useable. Paper companies and agencies gate and block roads to protect the roads’ integrity. Most of the time, these closings are due to problems in the past with abuse or even the environmental conditions. Sometimes, roads are opened during dry or frost periods; other times, roads are closed year round.

The paper companies own literally hundreds of thousands (probably at least a million) of acres in Minnesota. They realize the importance of public relations; that is why they allow recreational use of their lands and for some even shack leases. Many hunters and recreational riders would be saddened and/or shocked if the paper companies closed their lands to recreational usage.

If you have more questions contact either Blandin or the forest service and ask.

[Riverratpete]

It didn't turn into Potlach lease land by chance did it? I belive if it turned into a lease it affectively turns into private land for the term of the lease and I suppose the leaseas could gate it to keep people out...just a thought.