Cowiche any bull...

[GameHunter1959]

I believe the road has an easement clause which allows free passage.
Additionally, passage should be grandfathered from years of use and access.

I have no dog in this hunt.  But, shouldn't a GPS show easements through private property to public land?

I bought a Garmin Montana 650T last year with a map chip.  We used it to discover two easements through private property to public land in the
Methow Valley.  These easements had illegally been posted as "Private.......No Trespassing" for years.  Until I utilized the GPS
we had no way of proving our case because even the Forest Service maps didn't show the easements.

Just wondering.................

If the county that owns the public land chooses to "abandon" interest in the easements (road (s)) then the adjacent private land owner can get away with posting it private-no trespassing. I worked with the DNR last year, regarding this same issue. I was trying to access public land thru and easement, which Deadman Creek Outfitters had put up a gate and posted a sign on the gate listing it "private-no tresspassing". My GPS with maping program said different. I didn't want to get in trouble, so I contacted the DNR and worked through them. The DNR pulled it up in his computer as an "abandon" road, which they were no longer maintaining. This was my understanding..

[Igor]

I believe the road has an easement clause which allows free passage.
Additionally, passage should be grandfathered from years of use and access.

I have no dog in this hunt.  But, shouldn't a GPS show easements through private property to public land?

I bought a Garmin Montana 650T last year with a map chip.  We used it to discover two easements through private property to public land in the
Methow Valley.  These easements had illegally been posted as "Private.......No Trespassing" for years.  Until I utilized the GPS
we had no way of proving our case because even the Forest Service maps didn't show the easements.

Just wondering.................

If the county that owns the public land chooses to "abandon" interest in the easements (road (s)) then the adjacent private land owner can get away with posting it private-no trespassing. I worked with the DNR last year, regarding this same issue. I was trying to access public land thru and easement, which Deadman Creek Outfitters had put up a gate and posted a sign on the gate listing it "private-no tresspassing". My GPS with maping program said different. I didn't want to get in trouble, so I contacted the DNR and worked through them. The DNR pulled it up in his computer as an "abandon" road, which they were no longer maintaining. This was my understanding..

However, the fact that it is an "abandoned road" does not mean it is no longer a public easement.....correct ??

[stevemiller]

  at what point does the county lose its right to the easement?

[jackelope]

You all have done a fine job of completely and utterly derailing  this guy's elk hunt thread. Solid work.

Maybe an effort could be made to start a new thread for the debate part of this and let the OP enjoy his hunt without all the name calling and other banter.

[trophyhunt]

You all have done a fine job of completely and utterly derailing  this guy's elk hunt thread. Solid work.

Maybe an effort could be made to start a new thread for the debate part of this and let the OP enjoy his hunt without all the name calling and other banter.

This hunt would be great to follow, I hope it get back on track. 

[stevemiller]

It wont lol the op. abandoned it.Now he has lost his rights to it.  just kidding,The op hasnt posted in this thread since the property owner that wants to be a guide tried to advertise on the forum without permission (you know like a trespass lol.

[jackelope]

It wont lol the op. abandoned it.Now he has lost his rights to it.  just kidding,The op hasnt posted in this thread since the property owner that wants to be a guide tried to advertise on the forum without permission (you know like a trespass lol.

I don't blame him. Id abandon it too if a bunch of guys jacked my thread ad trashed it too.

[stevemiller]

who is the bunch you are talking about?I see two members in a pissing match?In my op the member asked a question and these thread jackers as you put it are answering that question in the manner of which they feel is most important.Stay away from a certain area.and certain people in that area.

[stevemiller]

I want to get to the brass on this matter,Did anyone get any steel head trips out of the info given pm or other wise? 

[Thehowler]

 

[Jonathan_S]

You all have done a fine job of completely and utterly derailing  this guy's elk hunt thread. Solid work.

Maybe an effort could be made to start a new thread for the debate part of this and let the OP enjoy his hunt without all the name calling and other banter.

I agree with a new thread.  To be fair, the OP posted once and the thread wasn't derailed until over a week later 

[big t]

This is to "prohunter 270".....I truly hope you are careful pulling iron on people......assault with a deadly weapon has severe penalties for those who may push the facts.

[GameHunter1959]

I believe the road has an easement clause which allows free passage.
Additionally, passage should be grandfathered from years of use and access.

I have no dog in this hunt.  But, shouldn't a GPS show easements through private property to public land?

I bought a Garmin Montana 650T last year with a map chip.  We used it to discover two easements through private property to public land in the
Methow Valley.  These easements had illegally been posted as "Private.......No Trespassing" for years.  Until I utilized the GPS
we had no way of proving our case because even the Forest Service maps didn't show the easements.

Just wondering.................

If the county that owns the public land chooses to "abandon" interest in the easements (road (s)) then the adjacent private land owner can get away with posting it private-no trespassing. I worked with the DNR last year, regarding this same issue. I was trying to access public land thru and easement, which Deadman Creek Outfitters had put up a gate and posted a sign on the gate listing it "private-no tresspassing". My GPS with maping program said different. I didn't want to get in trouble, so I contacted the DNR and worked through them. The DNR pulled it up in his computer as an "abandon" road, which they were no longer maintaining. This was my understanding..

However, the fact that it is an "abandoned road" does not mean it is no longer a public easement.....correct ??

My understanding from the DNR Manager...

The public easement is maintained by the DNR. If the DNR chooses to "abandon interest" in the easement, then the DNR "assumes" the adjacent property owner (in my case Deadman Creek Outfitters) will maintain the easement themselves, assuming the adjacent property owner has a interest in using the easement to access their land etc. Thus no public access will ever be granted.

Second issue...

If there is NO easement in place between the DNR and adjacent property owner (s). The DNR can negotiate with the adjacent property owner (s) to create at easement of mutual understanding and agreement. A map of the easement showing access routes etc. has to be filed with the court and paid for by the DNR, adjacent land owner (s), or BOTH.

Third issue...

As a member of the public, you can contact the DNR and have them negotiate the easement (access route) to the public land you are attempting to access; however YOU have to file it with the court and pay for it out of your OWN pocket. You can try to get the adjacent land owner (s) to help pay for it, but not likely. Why would they, as they likely don't want to provide access in the first place. The DNR has to represent you.

Fourth issue...

If an easement is in place between the DNR and the land owner. The public has a right to access it, using the "specific access route" negotiated between the DNR and the adjacent land owner (s). You have to contact the DNR to make sure a public access route exists. Notify them of the date and time you choose to use the easement, so the DNR can notify the adjacent land owner (s) of you presence.

I spent weeks working with the DNR Manager in South Eastern WA last Summer. I asked a ton of questions, reviewed polices, maps, etc. trying to gain access to specific areas, which were land locked. The biggest issue I ran into was "abandon interest" in easements, which prevented me from accessing public land. To be honest; I felt like everyone was in on keeping the public out, as they had all their bases covered and made it impossible to find a work around.

This was my understanding from the DNR Manager. Perhaps I did not uncover everything, but I spent 1 day a week for 4 months at their office working with them.

[GameHunter1959]

You can contact the adjacent property owner (s) to walk across their land to access public land. If they say NO your out. If they say YES you are in but be mindful of the property lines, as this is sensitive to them. I got lucky after 4 months of research and pounding on doors. I was able to hunt the private land and use it to access the public land.

Start your research now...

[bobcat]

This may not necessarily be an issue of whether the DNR easement is a public easement or not. It could also be that the road that has been in use for decades by the public is a county road.

The problem is, landowners end up gating these and nobody does anything about it. It may require someone to take the landowner to court to establish the public's right to use that road.