Also, had two run ins with ranchers/F&G over access to state lands. Fortunately I brought my Geo7x with me.
First was a large block of state land with about 75' of frontage on a county road. I adjusted off the nearest bench mark then staked both ends of the frontage before walking in to check out the area. I made it a couple hundred yards in when a rancher came screaming up in a RZR, stopped me and said I was trespassing on his land and he would call F&G if I didn't leave immediately. I was pretty confident in my work so I offered my phone and when he declined I called and said I would wait for the officer to arrive. When the officer arrived I showed her my work and while she agreed there was probably a legal means of access she was not in agreement about where it was, citing 'I've dealt with hunters GPS before, they can be off miles...' I said lets go find the bench mark right along the road about a half mile up from here. I plugged the data in and off we went. I was off by a foot and half.
We drove back to the rancher and she told him to lay off, this guys knows his stuff. When she went to leave I asked about filing a complaint of hunter harassment. She said it probably wouldn't hold up because I was not 'actively attempting to take game' but said to call F&G if I have problems this fall. At this point the rancher left, as he was leaving the officer signaled me to hold up.
After he was gone she filled me in on his background. He owns land all over the Unit and works actively to prevent hunters form using public resources that ajoin his lands whilst turning around and selling hunting leases to outfitters. He drives the public away to increase the odds of successfully paying outfitters/hunters. She gave me her card and reiterated that if I have problems again during hunting season she really wanted me to call her to file a formal complaint.
Today I was scouting in a similar situation again; different location, different rancher, different LEO. I called F&G, after giving the situation and confirming the rancher was standing next to me the officer asked to be put on speaker phone. He told the rancher "we had contact with this guy previously, his equipment is more accurate than anything we have, he has done his home work, leave him the hell alone...."
So anyway, yeah access is kinda complicated here. But its not as bad as I was thinking on Friday. Do your home work. You don't have to have an $8k GPS. Most of the +20 sites I've scouted so far were blatantly marked as STATE TRUST LAND. I'm looking for lower pressure land and I hate bullies. Nothin better than popping one in the nose, even if its only with the threat of a misdemeanor ticket....
