If you’ve spent any time hiking, hunting, trapping, fishing, or just breathing the fresh air on Montana’s state trust lands, you know they aren’t your average park. These are “working lands,” pulling double duty by providing us with recreation while simultaneously funding our public schools through timber, grazing, and mineral leases.
Right now, the DNRC is asking for our input to see if the current rules still fit the 2026 version of Montana. It’s a five-minute, anonymous survey that helps determine the future of motorized use, camping limits, and how we share the dirt with the folks who lease it. It’s a rare chance to have a direct line to the Board of Land Commissioners before any formal rule-making begins, so it’s worth the click!
However, there’s a bit of a “copy-paste” epidemic going around. Some organized anti-hunting and anti-trapping groups are circulating scripts, telling people exactly what to think and which boxes to check. The DNRC isn’t looking for a chorus of parrots; they want your authentic experience.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident who’s seen the trails get a little too crowded or a newcomer wondering why you can’t light a campfire on leased land, your individual perspective is what actually moves the needle.
We all have brains—and likely some very specific opinions on where we stand—so let’s use them. Take five minutes to be yourself, not a talking point, and let the state know what you actually want for our trust lands.
CLICK HERE for survey, and note that the deadline to complete it is MARCH 31, 2026, so take a few minutes and complete it today!
