State officials are debating if they should allow groups to lease public land in a way that could prevent public access. A half-dozen times over the years, the Idaho Department of Lands has received applications for permission to lease state endowment land for an exclusive private hunting operation. Every time, the department has said no. Now another application is on its way, from a group wanting to set up an exclusive pheasant hunting operation in eastern Idaho. State officials aren’t inclined to go along, but the continuing proposals have prompted review of just how Idaho handles recreation on state lands that Idahoans cherish; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.

DFO: For some reason, Gov. Butch Otter's old saying comes to mind: "Not only no, but hell no."

Question: Should the state lease public land to private parties?