Just some opinions from me after scanning through the thread...
1) If you want land, then plan and save and do what you have to do to get some. Don't resent those who have done that already. This is very much like resenting people that are "wealthy" - many of which have sacrificed dearly to get that way. Yes, some inherit the wealth/land but at some point, somebody had to earn it... and their reward was their decendants having the wealth/property. This is also very much like those complaining about the laws of the state where they live but who refuse to move to a better situation... doesn't make sense to me.
2) If you want to hunt but have no hunting land of your own, there are all kinds of public lands available all over this country. I have lived all over this country and I know. Yes, it takes more effort and planning but you can hunt if you really want to! I got my first few whitetails on public land in the Poconos. As a kid, my dad got an inexpensive lease on a fishing lease which allowed us to dove hunt too... If you really want to hunt - find a way, make a way.
3) I totally agree that we are just stewards of our land - we never really own it any more than we own anything. I try and remember that.
4) Do get politically active. That is how our system is set-up to force change and reform. But you have to be active to make it work. If you choose to live in an area and the benefits outweigh the detractions, then work to change things for the better. Community action does work - my wife and I have been a part of these efforts several times with good results.
My wife and I are in the process of selling our house here in Texas so that we can get the equity freed up to apply towards building a home on our "new" property in Mississippi. If anyone has a spare prayer, I would appreciate a quick word up for us - we have a showing again tomorrow
We've had two contracts for sale but neither buyer(s) could qualify for the loan... these folks are victims of the Bastrop fire and lost their home. They have cash from the insurance settlement though and therefore, a loan is a non-issue. This is the second time to come see the house/property here, so maybe it will happen this time!
In Mississippi, if you own the land, then you do not have to buy a hunting license to hunt there. This makes a lot of sense to me as you are holding wildlife habitat that benefits everyone around you - like the many hunt clubs that exist there.
Just this past weekend, I bush hogged and planted three food plots of about 2 acres total area between the three. This will benefit not only me on my land but also all of those around us. And it is not free to do this, so I do understand the feeling of being taken advantage of with having to buy licenses on top of those costs. And that's where the political activism comes in - if you feel that's wrong, then get your fellow land owners organized and activated to change it.
