locked gates

[vanslate@aol.com]

Hello to everyone, I'm a new member and was thrilled to find this site. I have a question for anyone that would care to respond. After hunting whitetails for the last 20 years in stevens county, late buck hunt, when we arrived this year to set up our stands we found a steel locked gate across a USFS forest road that we normally use to access DNR and Inland Paper land, with signs that said no motor vehicles of any kind. As soon as I got home I got on the computer and was able to find out that the locked gate is actually on Hancock Timber land, they have a 160 acre parcel where the locked gate was placed that blocks access to two USFS roads, now my question is, can a private land owner legally build a locked gate on a state maintained USFS road and keep everyone from accessing DNR land and Inland Paper land. I always have my discover pass and my Inland Paper permits before going out to hunt. We made due by walking in and were somewhat sucsessfull, but had to drag a deer for 2 1/2 miles thanks to the locked gate which is no small chore for two 70 year old hunters.

[Hunterman]

If it's their property then the answer is yes, Hancock can gate it.

Hunterman(Tony)

[billythekidrock]

 

[280ackley]

All depends on how the easement through there land is worded.

[Boss .300 winmag]

If enough people raise enough stink about it with the local government (county commissioners) putting pressure on USFS you might get it opened again, that happened on a road out by me.

[floatinghat]

To me locked gates aren't always a bad thing.  It creates a hardship for some, and perceived hardship for other,  I my opinion it create an area where if you go back a few miles the pressure is reduced.  That doesn't mean success but you will generally find more friendly and more considerate hunters.  At least that is my experience. 

[splitshot]

   I will be 74 in January and I absolutely luv locked gates.  better hunting,  fewer hunters and no vehicles.  congrats on getting your deer.   mike w

[elkaddict652]

What Hancock piece?

[Skyvalhunter]

All depends on how the easement through there land is worded.

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This is the best answer so far in this thead. Call the engineer at the local usfs office and ask them politely and call hancock to ask about it politely.  It sounds like usfs doesnt own an easement through there and works with hancock to allow them access, but not the public driving access.

Down here in the little naches, plum creek usually opens their gates for hunting season.

Just a word of note Weyerhauser recently purchased a bunch of Plum Creek timberland. You know what direction they go and its gate it and charge access.