Rant (Public road closed on private land)

[3gunyotehtr]

Just got back from hunting mule deer, a road that I have driven on for years was closed for the mile that it passed through private. Had to drive a good 20 extra miles to get around to the other side. It just befuddles me how a rancher can do that. This isn't some old 2 track, it is a very well maintained named and numbered road. It is a pet peeve that it is such a common problem across the west.

 

[Pilsner]

Call your game warden and meet him there. Likely the lock will get cut.

 

[wytx]

Harder for them to get away with locking up a public road these days, check with the county and see if it is in fact public. If so call the Sheriff or GW.

 

[fisherman983]

Was it posted as closed or gated and locked? If its just posted then drice thru

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[wapitibob]

There are "county" roads that have never had proper public easements, we've had a cpl up here in the last few years get gated off.

 

[hoooogan]

My understanding has always been if it's not locked, leave the gate the way you found it and be respectful. Don't go hauling ass through there making dust or making yourself at home. Get through and get out.

 

[Customweld]

There are "county" roads that have never had proper public easements, we've had a cpl up here in the last few years get gated off.

Yes sir, happens a lot. Most rural counties in the west don't have the budget or expertise to fight it. FS generally has zero interest in fighting it.

 

[nodakian]

Sounds like a situation which just came up in western ND. I always thought it was a county road, as did everyone else i know as well as the USFS which posted directional signs. It was actually an ancient oil field road, and the county had not acquired a formal easement. New out of state owner, apparently friendly with at least one county commissioner, put a gate across it.

This seems like a case for a prescriptive easement. Public hates it, county road guys hate it, oil field guys hate it, but the county commission will not push the issue.

 

[Weldor]

Some states counties etc. have public purvayance. At least down this way if the public has been using it for X amount of time (years) without incident it is public, hence dirt roads easements and such.

 

[Phaseolus]

Call your game warden and meet him there. Likely the lock will get cut.

Likely not, 'we' fought a 15 year battle to open public land blocked by High Lonesome Ranch.

 

[Bhanks55]

What state? Lots have different rules. I've seen some people saying they had similar problems and the landowner legally was able to gate it. Like some have said may also "depend" on how the original easement was obtained.. "or not"