Habitat and pheasant habitat specifically is a "We the People" thing. Soil Bank and CRP - we the people. NEVER expect the private sector to contribute in a significantly meaningful way to the habitat that we know is needed. The private sector does a lot of good things but it CANNOT do this.
We the People have to purchase 60 million acres for $200 billion, put it permanently to grass, and be done with this problem.
Private sector control of land is WAY, WAY, WAY out of wack and balance.
Our ancestors fought and died for the land then we handed it over to the private sector. Well enough for the majority of land but 10-15% has to be put back for other purposes besides $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!
Our NATIONAL HUNTING HERITAGE is at tremendous risk without it. It's evaporating like a mirage in the desert. That's been happening for 50+ years and is blatantly obvious.
I could almost care less what the private sector does with its 85% but this NEVER should have been done with 99.99999999% of it. NO WAY. Just plain old bad planning.