AUGUSTA (AP) — Outdoor recreationists in Maine are being asked to share their attitudes and opinions about public use of private land.
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife — in collaboration with the Maine Professional Guides Association, the Maine Snowmobile Association and the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine — is sending surveys to 1,000 people randomly selected from license and registration databases. The results will help address land-use issues across Maine.
Officials say many landowners in an earlier survey said they’re considering forbidding public access because of people not respecting their land.
Maine has a long history of people being allowed to fish, hunt, snowmobile and enjoy other outdoors activities on private property, but some landowners are denying access because of problems such as illegal dumping and road damage.
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