Wyoming Corner Crossing, LEGAL!

[go_deep]

Save this article for later reference, if needed.

Appeals court backs corner crossers in Wyoming public lands case - WyoFile

Federal three-judge panel supports decision that corner crossing in Wyoming’s checkerboard area is not trespassing as long as private land is not touched.

wyofile.com

 

[dtrkyman]

Now sue the Rancher for harassment!

Might be a shit show in Wyoming this fall...lol

 

[Djacker]

Thanks for the update, great news!

 

[resident vs nonresident]

This is great news for all the states in that district. Bid win for public land hunters.
But it doesn’t mean we can just go around hopping imaginary corners. One needs to find actual boundary marker which is not easy.
Here’s where companies/organizations like OnX, BHA, RMEF etc have an opportunity to come together and have surveys done (that’s how I imagine these things to work) and have those markers properly marked. Heck if it cost extra few bucks as OnX layer I’d pay for it.

 

[Gynaroo]

I think this will hold for whatever states fall under the district courts flag. I expect it to get appealed (if possible).

 

[stonewall]

Hasn’t Colorado said corner crossing is not legal in the past? I’m assuming this negates that?

 

[Gynaroo]

Hasn’t Colorado said corner crossing is not legal in the past? I’m assuming this negates that?

I would ensure that the district the court falls under also includes Colorado. I believe Angus with Wyofile included it in his article.

 

[rodney482]

this includes all the states under the 10th circuits jurisdiction…. And I don’t see SCOTUS taking this case.

 

[Rotnguns]

This is great news for all the states in that district. Bid win for public land hunters.
But it doesn’t mean we can just go around hopping imaginary corners. One needs to find actual boundary marker which is not easy.
Here’s where companies/organizations like OnX, BHA, RMEF etc have an opportunity to come together and have surveys done (that’s how I imagine these things to work) and have those markers properly marked. Heck if it cost extra few bucks as OnX layer I’d pay for it.

I didn't get this part from the posted information. It's my understanding that in the Wyoming case, the boundaries were not physically marked.

 

[Boarmaster]

Maybe a stupid question but who is liable if you fall off the fence and get injured onto a private side? I don't hunt out west but this question just popped into my head. Are property owners held harmless on corners? Again just a question.

 

[RyanT26]

This is great news for all the states in that district. Bid win for public land hunters.
But it doesn’t mean we can just go around hopping imaginary corners. One needs to find actual boundary marker which is not easy.
Here’s where companies/organizations like OnX, BHA, RMEF etc have an opportunity to come together and have surveys done (that’s how I imagine these things to work) and have those markers properly marked. Heck if it cost extra few bucks as OnX layer I’d pay for it.

Do you have any idea what that would cost and time it would take to re survey every public-private corner under the 10th’s jurisdiction. I would wager most farmers/ranchers, landowners don’t know where the surveyed corner is. I know I don’t.
This will be a nightmare to enforce.

 

[resident vs nonresident]

I didn't get this part from the posted information. It's my understanding that in the Wyoming case, the boundaries were not physically marked.

I don’t remember which podcast (MeatEater?) had these hunters on. And they specifically called it out that markers were there and one of the guys had experience in locating markers. So that’s how they were able to be 100% sure if the corner.
If you look at all the articles and well publicized pictures of that famous corner you can see the marker sticking out of the ground with “no trespass” signs next to it on both sides

 

[Mish-pop]

Awesome to hear!! There are going to be some issues but this will open a lot of land and provide a lot more opportunity. Just be smart about it!

 

[resident vs nonresident]

Do you have any idea what that would cost and time it would take to re survey every public-private corner under the 10th’s jurisdiction?

No idea but I’m going to guess it’s doable. And they can start with corners that open up big chunks first. Just wishful thinking on my part

 

[Rotnguns]

I don’t remember which podcast (MeatEater?) had these hunters on. And they specifically called it out that markers were there and one of the guys had experience in locating markers. So that’s how they were able to be 100% sure if the corner.
If you look at all the articles and well publicized pictures of that famous corner you can see the marker sticking out of the ground with “no trespass” signs next to it on both sides

Thanks, I did a brief search and saw OnX mentioned but no images of the actual corner. Will check again.

Edit to add: Ok, found it - indeed, it was marked. The hunters used a special ladder to get over it without touching.

Federal appeals court sides with corner-crossing hunters in Wyoming dispute

A three-judge panel upheld a lower court’s ruling.

montanafreepress.org

 

[fatlander]

.
I would wager most farmers/ranchers, landowners don’t know where the surveyed corner is. I know I don’t.

This will be a nightmare to enforce.

Landowners not knowing where there corners are is why we’re in this predicament. No one with any common sense is saying that landowners don’t have the right to private property. With that said, no one with common sense is saying that the public doesn’t have a right to access public land.

Landowners wanting their cake and eating it too is the issue. If you own private ground adjacent to public corners, and you don’t want people on it, mark it.

The enforcement nightmare is what’s going to drive landowners to clearly mark their property boundaries. A clearly marked corner will be easy for the public to navigate, thus easier for everyone involved. It’ll help good people do the right thing. Bad people are going to do bad people stuff either way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cnelk]

 

[cal30_sniper]

Just in case anyone else was wondering:

“The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit is based in the Byron White U.S. Courthouse in Denver, Colorado. This court provides appellate review of cases tried in the United States District Courts within the geographic area of its jurisdiction, which includes Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming.”

Research Guides: U.S. Federal Appellate Courts: Records and Briefs: Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

A Law Library of Congress research guide regarding how to find the records and briefs—written statements filed by parties in a case and the written report of proceedings in a case—for all U.S. federal circuit courts of appeals.

guides.loc.gov

This could be a game-changer in Colorado.

 

[go_deep]

Going forward if you see corners posted, or no trespassing signs a long ways off where they shouldn't be, take pictures, get the GPS pin, and turn them in.
Article for reference.

Has Wyoming’s attempt to stop bogus ‘no trespassing’ signs made a difference? - WyoFile

A year after House Bill 147 took effect, its impact on expanding access to public land is unclear.

wyofile.com

 

[wytx]

For those wondering it will be the hunters responsibility to know where they are and where the corner is to cross, yes most LOs do know where their corners are.
Many are marked but hard to find, I know one that the corner marker is a piece of wire stickling out of the ground.

When you read the ruling it is based on the fact they did not touch the private land, be careful crossing and don't touch the private.
The UIA addresses the fences at the corners restricting access.