PUBLIC LANDS -- More than 2,000 people braved a chilly drizzle and rallied at the Idaho Capitol on Saturday to demand that public lands be kept in the hands of the federal government.

Boise hunter Kevin Braley told the Idaho Statesman he doesn’t think politicians fully understand the groundswell of opposition to transferring management of public lands to states.

Some legislators in Idaho, Montana and especially in Utah have supported legislation to look into transferring federal lands to the states or to private interest. President Donald Trump’s new Interior Secretary, former Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke, has said he’s against public land transfers.

The Statesman reports that polls show a majority of Idahoans liked the idea of state takeover of federal land until they learn that doing so could cost billions of dollars annually.

Gov. Butch Otter had a similar journey of thought, pointing out last year that the firefighting costs for federal lands alone would drain the state's budget.

A similar rally for public lands and public access rocked the Montana Capitol in January.