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My family and friends started hunting in the Scotchman area in 1969. Over the years, we brought out many elk and deer from Blue Creek, Regal Creek, Morris Creek, East Fork and Savage Creek. To do this, we cut out the trail every year with chainsaws, something that is no longer permitted. As I get older, using a game cart would be helpful, but I cannot use those either. My sons and friends have taken snowbikes to the top of Scotchman Peak and snowmobiles into upper East Fork; both of these activities are now illegal also.

The 2015 fire in Blue Creek destroyed a lot of the country where we hunted and, if the lack of forest management continues, we will lose more every year. The wilderness areas of north-central and central Idaho have become areas not worth hunting, due to the large fires every year, lack of management and the increase of large predators. I know hunters who have spent a week in those areas in recent years and have not even seen elk.

Idaho does not need more wilderness. Bonner County residents who value access and multiple use of national forest and healthy forests that support game should vote no on May 15 regarding the Scotchman Wilderness.

PAT GUNTER

Sagle