Yet another poll reveals how deeply Wyoming residents care for their public lands, with 91.5% of respondents saying someone in the family hunts and fishes and the "near-universal opposition to selling off public lands" included a staggering 91% of Republican voters who support current multiple-use management practices over sell-off, according to the survey of Wyoming voters.

Even if you shave off the polls 4.61 margin of error, it still adds up to a landslide of support in the survey by Cygnal, an international polling firm that regularly operates in the Cowboy State.

“Opposition to public lands sell-offs cuts heavily across political lines, bringing together outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, ranchers, local business leaders, and conservationists across Wyoming,” said Cygnal Senior Partner and Pollster Chris Lane. “In surveys across the West, we are increasingly seeing that voters across the spectrum are backing keeping public lands public, because they know once they are gone, they are gone for good.”

The federal government owns and manages roughly 48%-50% of the land in Wyoming, spanning approximately 30 million to 31 million acres of surface area. About 65% of the state's underlying mineral estate is also federally owned.

“When it comes to our public lands, the message from Wyoming is resounding: public lands belong in public hands,” said Lauren Heerschap, owner of Brunton in Riverton and a leader of the Keep It Public, Wyoming coalition. “These days, when it feels like so few things unite us, it’s not surprising to me that public lands do. So many Wyomingites turn to the outdoors for a wide variety of reasons — for hunting, fishing, backpacking, off-roading. Public lands are our Wyoming way of life.”

Keeping public lands in the public's hands has been a reoccurring theme in this election cycle. Groups like Protect Wyoming, a political action committee led by Wyoming hunters on behalf of all Wyoming residents who value our public lands, public wildlife, and scientific management, are popular as some residents feel some of our elected leaders are looking at public lands as a temporary cash cow rather than wildlife habitat and recreational lands.

"Over the past year, we have seen increasing attacks on our public lands and our wildlife," the organization claims. "Efforts to sell off our public lands, privatize our wildlife, and abandon scientific management threaten our livelihoods as sportsmen and women. We intend to help every eligible Wyoming voter understand which elected leaders, and which candidates, will stand up for those values, and to vote appropriately in the 2026 election cycle."

It may be one of the very few political viewpoints that stretch across the aisle in the many conversations held daily across the country's 11th largest land mass. Yet, Wyoming's two senators and at-large representative have avoided the topic, knowing their previous stances reveal cracks in the sidewalk between politicians and their constituents.

In the House, Rep. Harriet Hageman supported legislation that would have sold between 2.2 million and 3.3 million acres across 11 Western states, including Wyoming. Hageman said she “of course” doesn’t think the government should go out and sell millions of acres to the highest bidder, but also pushed back on the idea that all public lands need to remain in the government’s hands. 

“We never, ever, ever talk about ever disposing of any federal lands under any circumstance whatsoever,” Hageman said previously during a speech in Cody. “That absolutely makes no sense whatsoever in a growing country.” 

At the end of her speech, some rose to give Hageman a standing ovation when she wrapped up the event, while others booed; one man toward the back silently extended both middle fingers toward the lawmaker. 

In an email exchange with the candidate for U.S. Senate, Hageman defended her policy decisions, saying she has consistently advocated for the “multiple use and sustained yield” approach to land and water management, prioritizing access, responsible development, and effective conservation.

“I have consistently advocated for the “multiple use and sustained yield” approach to land and water management, prioritizing access, responsible development, and effective conservation," Hageman said. "My position has always been and remains committed to a no net-gain approach requiring the federal government to dispose of areas equal to those acquired in property transactions. I have supported several legislative measures to mandate the no-net gain policy by federal law. Local input and expertise is critical to land management decisions, and I will continue to work to ensure that our voices are heard. This philosophy has guided my tenure in the House, and will continue to guide my approach to public lands if I am honored to be elected to serve in the Senate.”

In her second term as a U.S. representative, Hageman's public lands efforts have centered around transferring federal resource management authority to states, blocking conservation-heavy Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans, and repealing the Clinton-era Roadless Rule.

Sen. John Barrasso has also supported bills that seek to sell public land. Last year Barrasso voted against a budget amendment aimed at blocking the use of federal public land sales to help balance the federal budget and fund tax packages. By voting against the amendment, Barrasso allowed the statutory mechanism for potential public land disposals to remain intact within the budget reconciliation framework.

Barrasso has also stated that he supports federal land sales when they specifically serve the direct interests of local communities, states, and the public, emphasizing local stewardship over federal management.

"Almost half of the land in Wyoming is owned by the federal government. It is important to note that federal law does not allow for the mass sell off of our federal lands," Barrasso said in an email. "I’ve always been supportive of federal land transfers when they serve the interests of states and local communities. Federal land transfers should not ever occur without meaningful input from state and local governments and the public. The people of Wyoming deserve to have their voices heard on such an important matter."

He also suggested the sale of public lands get the full D.C. treatment, to ensure every voice is heard.

"If a bill on this topic is to be considered in the future, it must be thoroughly debated through regular order with committee hearings and with input from all concerned.”

Cynthia Lummis, who is retiring and might be replaced by Hageman after the November midterm election, started her political career in the House championing the reauthorization of Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act, a measure designed to accelerate the sale of identified "surplus" federal lands to local entities. Last year Lummis voted against a Senate amendment intended to block the use of public land sales as a mechanism to help fund broader federal budget reconciliation bills.

Lummis defended her stance by saying, “The federal government doesn’t need to perpetually own every piece of land it currently holds, and we must have honest conversations about smart, strategic land management that serves our communities while protecting our natural treasures,” as reported by Wyofile in June of 2025.

Lummis did not respond to requests for comment prior to the Tribune's Thursday print deadline.

The new Cygnal survey results released Thursday follow the 2026 State of the Rockies poll, which found over 70% of Western voters prefer that elected officials prioritize protecting clean water, air quality, wildlife habitats, and outdoor recreation on public lands rather than maximizing fossil fuel extraction.

"I have been paying attention to anti-public lands legislation in the state of Wyoming for a while now and then, really honed in on some problematic legislation that we saw in the last session, a lot of which didn’t pass,” Zach Lentsch, founding member of Protect Wyoming, said in a recent public appearance. “But we still have deep concerns that Wyoming’s interests aren’t being represented well in the legislature with regard to public lands and public wildlife."

Lentsch vowed to continue to advocate for keeping federal public lands in Americans’ hands.

“Our goal is to educate and mobilize voters to ensure those who represent us in Cheyenne represent our values: Public lands, public wildlife and science-based management,” Lentsch said. “We intend to help every eligible Wyoming voter understand which elected leaders, and which candidates, will stand up for those values, and to vote appropriately in the 2026 election cycle.”