What percentage of public lands need to be wilderness?
We get out in our camper about 25 times a year, often in National Forest and BLM areas. After about eight years we have barely scratched the surface of places to explore. I doubt that I could ever possibly go everywhere that is open to access. I don't have an answer to your question. Currently about 2.7% of the contiguous 48 states are designated wilderness. IMO, the amount of land protected as wilderness is not a concern.
[/quote]
Ted, keep in mind thats for US as a whole (if its correct, seems low to me) but you have many eastern states with little or no public lands and out west you have states like Nevada where over 90% of the land is public lands (and yes I'm including military lands).
[/quote]
Guys
True we in the west are lucky, we have lot's of land to play in and we will never see it all, and I feel ever so lucky I don't live in the east where you have to look to find places to play
, but an open field or a kops (that's spelled wrong-bunch) of trees anywhere can be an adventure. As I get older, and can not backpack, let alone walk 30 miles a day anymore, I'm so glad I can still drive my truck to some spot , pop a beer and see only " lope" playing and no people! I worked/played in NE Ca/NW Nevada for over 30 years and every time out, now that I've retired I see and hear new things-some good and some bad! And I too have thought about this thread and have pages of thought I want to add to the discussion about the who's, wheres, whats and politics of land use and this is a good site to do it, and in return I get hear other views, thoughts and feelings, that's what we are supposed to do-live and learn and maybe that's why I follow and enjoy this site-where I get to bs about my vast experience and impress you all with my wisdom and in turn, I get to listen to you guys spew you bs. Enough of this, whens the next rally-I'm ready to play in the woods and get dirty
! and to make sure my any means, that we have some where to go and play!
Smoke