Marilyn Burgess was right on with her remarks concerning the closing of her property to hunters, fishermen, and, I would include ATVs and snow machines (June 24).

We all know that Maine has precious little public land and a large volume of local and out-of-state sportsmen who want to use private land. We also know that a large amount of money comes to the state through licenses, lodging, gasoline and food sales, etc.

Unfortunately, none of this money goes to the landowner. It goes to the state and to local businesses, including Maine guides.

I have never heard a quote on the total amount of money that these activities bring to Maine every year, but in total it must be substantial. I am guessing hundreds of millions of dollars. Again, the landowner gets no money.

The final insult to the landowner in Maine is that if you post your land, some sportsmen will tear down your signs. If you call the Warden Service, they will show up an hour after the miscreants leave, and if you talk to the miscreants they will threaten you.

If this isn’t enough, the great sportsmen in Maine want to keep a woman from donating her private land to public use because it would not include ATVs.

A couple of years ago, then Gov. John Baldacci held meetings to protect property from ATVs and snow machines. Let’s have another and protect them from hunters, too.

We have a clear constitutional right to our property.

Robert D. Hamm, Mexico