What it means for hunters that a judge is ruling in favor of corner crossing.
Why Is This Important
According to OnX maps, there are 8.3 million acres of corner-locked public property in the United States. This is an incredible amount of land that is completely inaccessible to anyone except the adjacent landowners. To put it into context, that is about 3.8 times the area of Yellowstone National Park. Corner crossing has been a highly debated topic in the outdoor world for half a century. There have been many cases and lawsuits filed on hunters trespassing, but a recent ruling may be changing the landscape of this volatile issue.
Decision
In a highly anticipated decision that has been eagerly awaited by hunters across the Western United States, a federal judge has ruled in favor of the Missouri hunters who were charged with corner-crossing in Wyoming. Chief U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl has determined that the four hunters did not trespass “through the airspace above Fred Eshelman’s Elk Mountain Ranch,” despite Eshelman’s lawsuit claiming damages of over $7 million. This ruling comes as a significant relief to the hunters and sets a precedent for future cases involving public access to “corner-locked” public lands.
The Incident
The incident in question took place in 2020 and 2021 when the hunters were moving between different parcels of public land in an area that is nearly landlocked due to Eshelman’s expansive 22,045-acre ranch. Initially, the charges against the hunters were dismissed in May, but Eshelman persisted and filed a lawsuit against them in September 2022, reigniting the contentious issue within the hunting community.
Victory for Public Land
Judge Skavdahl’s ruling is a resounding victory for public land access advocates, as it upholds the rights of hunters to navigate between public lands that are cornered by private properties. The decision has far-reaching implications for the 8.3 million acres of public land that are currently “corner locked” across the country.
Ryan Semerad, the attorney representing the hunters, expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating, “This is a long overdue and singularly great outcome for the entire American public and anybody who enjoys public lands.” The judge acknowledged the damages claimed by Eshelman but limited them to “nominal damages” instead of the substantial amount he had sought.
Throughout the trial, the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), a prominent organization advocating for public land access, provided staunch support to the hunters. The BHA argued that the corner-crossing issue was inconsequential and should not be considered trespassing. Land Tawney, the president, and CEO of BHA, released a statement following the recent ruling, expressing his satisfaction with the outcome. He stated, “Today was a win for the people, both in Wyoming and across the country. The court’s ruling confirms that it was legal for the Missouri Four to step from public land to public land over a shared public/private corner.”
Continued Support for Corner Crossing Laws
Tawney also highlighted the recent legislation passed by the Wyoming Legislature, which further supports the balance between access to public land and respect for private property rights. The BHA looks forward to continuing its efforts to find collaborative solutions that promote increased access to public lands.
While an appeal is expected, Ryan Semerad conveyed his clients’ immediate satisfaction. He then stated, “For now, all my clients are very, very happy.” The ruling provides a significant victory for hunters and public land enthusiasts. This will reaffirm their rights to navigate between public lands. This will also promote a harmonious balance between public access and private property rights.
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