Legal to hunt railroad tracks?

[RifleRidge]

Is it legal to hunt walking down railroad tracks?... How many feet off the tracks does the railroad own?...

[mdbuck5x5]

No it is not...depending on what railroad owns the tracks they have their own police force and you could be charged with trespassing and pay a fine. In general they own from 50 feet or more on either sides of the tracks. It just not smart to hunt on them, trains can be a lot more quite then people realize and its not worth your life!

[shoot-em-dead]

All railroads are private property, really it is best to just stay off.

[RifleRidge]

Yeah, very good point. Thank you !

I am thinking about tracks that are not used by UP or AmTrack...
Railroad tracks that are pretty much not in use... in rural areas...

[Angus]

Yeah, very good point. Thank you !

I am thinking about tracks that are not used by UP or AmTrack...
Railroad tracks that are pretty much not in use... in rural areas...

Are you talking about the tracks in Yacolt? I saw a 2 point walking along those tracks Thursday, unfortunately I was in my work truck and could only watch.
Wish I could bring my gun or bow to work, would of been done a long time ago.

[RifleRidge]

Are you talking about the tracks in Yacolt? I saw a 2 point walking along those tracks Thursday, unfortunately I was in my work truck and could only watch.
Wish I could bring my gun or bow to work, would of been done a long time ago.

In town I am guessing 

[Kc_Kracker]

no been there done that, its considered a "maintained road" only for trains, same as shooting from or something IN the street. walking the tracks hunting around smight be a different story but no track shooting 

[RifleRidge]

  Some safety tips to remember: 

    Rails and recreation do not mix.

    If there are rails on the railroad ties, assume that the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks “rusty.”

    Do not hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad trestles. There is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass. Trestles are not meant to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges.

    Trains overhang the tracks by at least three feet in both directions and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. You can be hit by a train if you are in the right-of-way next to the tracks.

    Be aware trains do not follow set schedules. Any time is train time.

[adamR]

Is it legal to cross the tracks, to get to state land for instance?

[shoot-em-dead]

Is it legal to cross the tracks, to get to state land for instance?

As far as I understand- you can only legally cross at posted crossings. But I wouldn't hesitate if i knew of some good hunting.

[hornhunter1987]

80% of my hunting is done on rail road tracks. when trains come i step off to the side and the conducters always give me a wave or a head nod. rail road tracks are a great way to catch a bt moving from feed to bed or just cruising. i dont know how the rr systems are away from mason county but everyone around here has been very supportive. i say hunt them if you can make a safe ethical shot. i always take into account where my bullet will go past my target. hunting has to have a lot of common sense or it wouldnt work

[Skyvalhunter]

Your trespassing on private property and will be prosecuted if caught. The railroad has special investigators who patrol this.

[HntnFsh]

Your trespassing on private property and will be prosecuted if caught. The railroad has special investigators who patrol this.

You are right.  Especially since Homeland security came about.

[coachcw]

Rember guys all common sense has been taken away from us . I wish we lived more by the Darwin theroy with less rules and safe gaurds Really we are gonna get hit by a train ? Just Use the brain you where given for pete sake. Same mentallity as kids just stepping of a curb without looking because they have a green light !

[jackmaster]

i have used the same piece of tracks for years and even been checked by game wardens when i gotr to my truck, killdahl and dillman if any of you guys remember them, they were the good wardens, they actually gave a crap about hunters, they had are backs and they hated garbage dumpers, but anyways these tracks are never used but they are maintained, they never said anything about it being illegal about huntn the tracks only to be careful and use my head, i took my nephew down these tracks the last day of extended after my son and i tagged out on hancok and BANG, connor got his first deer, it was a dinkus 2pt but a great 2pt blackie none the less, sorry getn off thread..