Access

[Bonecollector]

Was reviewing the G&F site and came up with a question.
What defines "poor access"? I see a lot of units in central and eastern WY that have an asterisk implying poor access or limited accessible land to hunt. However, when I look at a lot of the units, I see limited roads, but enough to access most of the larger chunks of public land. Once you set foot in there, there are hundreds, if not thousands of acres. I know this is not the case in all units, but it is in many. Just for example: WY Deer unit 37. It appears access can be had by way of highway 20 in the northwest corner of the unit which opens up a large portion of the unit by simply walking. Or is access defined by the limited number of access points?
Maybe I'm missing it all together. Perhaps "poor access" is deemed where the animals can actually be found...?

Also, I see a lot of hunts with *within 1/2 mile of irrigated property. How do you find irrigated property on the maps in order to find out if there is public land around it as I assume irrigated property is private land.

As always guys, thanks for the insight and good luck this fall!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

The "irrigated land" type hunts are usually in "Irrigation Districts" that cover mostly hay fields. The antelope & deer eat lots of this and there are special hunts that are "Within" the district and almost all on private land. I have hunted a unit near Farson that was that type hunt. We had to get permission to hunt and could not take any animals that were outside the irrigated land.

Difficult access is usually referring to private land. Units with large amounts of private land are noted in this manner. Sometimes lots of the roads that show up on maps are gated and posted. If you pick a unit that is so noted, I would call the local G & F office and ask some questions about access.

 

[Bonecollector]

Thanks CC.
The regs say within 1/2 mile or 1 mile of irrigated. Could this possibly be on public (the area right outside of the irrigated)?

Absolutely agree with calling the local G&F office on road access!
Thanks again!

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Also watch for state land that is in crops. I do not believe you are allowed to access those portions.

I know there is a rancher on the north side of Glendo that does this to reduce access to state land he uses for his paid hunters.

 

[Bonecollector]

Isn't that a load of bull.

 

[go_deep]

Also watch for state land that is in crops. I do not believe you are allowed to access those portions.

I know there is a rancher on the north side of Glendo that does this to reduce access to state land he uses for his paid hunters.

Funny story on that.
Technically its a rule at the state land board that you can't hunt on the state lands that are row cropped, but there is no statue for a game warden, or any officer of the law to write you a ticket on.

Call the Wyoming state land board and ask them if it's a rule or a statue. And if they tell you it's illegal, ask them under what statue you would be given a ticket? There isn't one, hunt away.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

The tags we hunted near Farson were special tags and they were limited to certain irrigated land only. We got a map with the tags.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

If anyone wants to give it a try there are literally hundreds of deer, antelope, and sometimes elk on the state land on the NE side of Glendo reservoir. There are 3 fingers that go fairly deep into private ground that is prime hunting. Easy to see on the interactive map. It's usually in alfalfa or wheat. They pretty much use that state land as private, with permanent blinds and all.

I've seen the hunters sit on the fence next to the state land that is in crops, but never anyone actually set foot on the parts that are in crops. Always assumed you would get a ticket if you crossed it. Glad to know that is not the case.

 

[WapitiBob]

Might hold off on hunting cultivated state land...



"The Secretary of State's Office is the repository for rules and regulations, and provides this centralized system to promote transparency and ease of access to rules by state agencies and the public. Individual agencies who have rule making authority are responsible for the promulgation and content of rules and regulations.

"[R]ules and regulations adopted pursuant to statutory authority have the force and effect of law." Doidge v. State Board of Charities and Reform, 789 P.2nd 880, 883 (Wyo. 1990)."


"Section 3. Public Hunting and Fishing Privileges. The Board hereby extends to the public the privilege of hunting and fishing on legally accessible state lands, unless otherwise closed by direction of the Board, on its own motion or upon request of the surface lessee. This privilege does not extend to lands classified and used as cultivated cropland. This privilege is to fish in any streams, lakes or ponds and to hunt, pursue and kill game animals, game birds and migratory birds on said lands under applicable state and federal hunting and fishing laws and regulations. This privilege shall only be allowed when it will not result in damage to the state land or the roads and improvements thereon."

 

[go_deep]

307-777-7331 Give them a call and ask them under what statue you would be given a fine for hunting cultivated state land, and what department, Game Warden, County Sheriff would be enforcing that statue.

 

[Prerylyon]

This is all good stuff to know and keep in mind; and its reasonable to make some phone calls to the right local authorities to ensure clear understanding of the laws.

Even with all that, there's a limit to how much a guy can figure out a time zone or more away.

At some point, scouting in the off season with some maps and technology in hand, while at the same time, paying some visits to the local warden or game and fish office; along with the local ranchers, is going to be priceless to sort some of this stuff out. I know that's not always possible. Next best would be a buddy that lived out there or a PM local friend on the forums [emoji38]

The irrigated land tags are intriguing. I know when I camped last summer in WY with my boys, we seen all kinds of antelope while driving around in the lower elevations hanging out right under the irrigation gear, pivots, and booms in the lush field greens-golf courses too around Laramie. I am pretty sure most of the lands were private, but in some cases accessible BLM was close, if not touching it. If those animals stayed tight to the feed on private land, might be a tough deal if you lacked access to close in to seal the deal.

IDK. Unless I had an inside track on an irrigated land tag, I'd probably pass. I'm sure some are great tags-just need to secure permission on private lands or be in the know as to which irrigated land tags are really feasible for a diy guy.

Regards,

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[BuzzH]

If anyone wants to give it a try there are literally hundreds of deer, antelope, and sometimes elk on the state land on the NE side of Glendo. There are 3 fingers that go fairly deep into private ground that is prime hunting. Easy to see on the interactive map. It's usually in alfalfa or wheat. They pretty much use that state land as private, with permanent blinds and all.

I've seen the hunters sit on the fence next to the state land that is in crops, but never anyone actually set foot on the parts that are in crops. Always assumed you would get a ticket if you crossed it. Glad to know that is not the case.

Technically they would also be in violation of the state RULE. Cultivated State Lands, under the current RULE, do not allow anyone, including the lessee to hunt it. IF there are blinds and the lessee is allowing others to hunt there...I would too, and in a heartbeat.

For the record, go_deep is correct, there is not an existing statute that an LEO can write you a ticket on regarding hunting cultivated State lands.

 

[WapitiBob]

Do they even need a statute? Hunting cultivated land would be a violation of the land commissioners administrative rules, and that authority comes from W. S. 36-2-107. And those rules can be enforced by any state/county/game dept law enforcement officer.

 

[BuzzH]

Do they even need a statute? Hunting cultivated land would be a violation of the land commissioners administrative rules, and that authority comes from W. S. 36-2-107. And those rules can be enforced by any state/county/game dept law enforcement officer.

Yes...ask any game warden.

 

[WapitiBob]

I just called, you would be cited under the statute that gives the Land Board the authority to create Administrative Rules; 36-2-107, then the Rule chapter and section would be listed. Chapter 13, section 3 in the case of hunting on cultivated land. He did state that the Game dept doesn't have authority to write for hunting on cultivated land. A Deputy would need to write the ticket.

The same procedure for some Game violations per the conversation. The ticket will reference the Statute giving the Game dept authority to create rules, then reference the specific chapter and section defining the rule.

 

[Bonecollector]

All good discussion points guys- thanks.
Does anyone have any insight on my first question as well?
Thanks again guys! I knew you would come through! That's why I love this forum- like family helping one another without all the rif-raf.

 

[WapitiBob]

I've hunted limited access areas and there were multiple rigs at each access point. Some people were obviously miffed that others would access from "their spot" but given the situation I didn't give them much thought. Miles of hiking was involved as well. Other than those two things I saw no real problems.

 

[Prerylyon]

I've hunted limited access areas and there were multiple rigs at each access point. Some people were obviously miffed that others would access from "their spot" but given the situation I didn't give them much thought. Miles of hiking was involved as well. Other than those two things I saw no real problems.

Most serious guys won't mind the hiking; but if the public land is just not legally accessible-unless you get air dropped in or out, for any variety of legit reasons, or the animals just not on the public, it could be a real bust. Learn as much as you can from trusted sources who've really been there. [emoji6]

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[Bonecollector]

Trying to learn where rigs are setting or where these "irrigated lands" are found is the challenge.
I'm going to call the warden, but trying to learn/understand as much as I can before placing that call so that I can ask better informed questions.
I called the G&F office. Gal was very nice, but was unable to help.

 

[Prerylyon]

Does anyone know if there's a GIS server out there for that country that shows the aforementioned 'irrigation districts' as a viewable map layer? Might be a start to zero in.

Regards,

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