Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: Goshawk on October 31, 2025, 04:39:34 PM

Title: BNSF Land Access
Post by: Goshawk on October 31, 2025, 04:39:34 PM: Generally speaking, are the BNSF lands along the Columbia River open for public access, not including the railways of course? I can find nothing on line from BNSF regarding recreational use.
Title: Re: BNSF Land Access
Post by: hdshot on November 04, 2025, 05:11:28 PM: Quote from: Goshawk on October 31, 2025, 04:39:34 PM
Generally speaking, are the BNSF lands along the Columbia River open for public access, not including the railways of course? I can find nothing on line from BNSF regarding recreational use.

Lots of duck hunters have been killed on RR tracks. I would only cross tracks at public crossings. With liability in today’s world you probably wouldn’t get permission from a corporation. The main rule is if you can’t get permission then don’t hunt the land.
Title: Re: BNSF Land Access
Post by: HntnFsh on November 04, 2025, 06:06:00 PM: Unless they have a public access point I would say no. When I worked for the railroad after 911 happened they closed all access down just like the ports and trespassing was a federal offense. You might be best to search BNSF phone number and see if you can talk to somebody. It may be possible that they have a way to access land a certain distance from the tracks etc.
Title: Re: BNSF Land Access
Post by: bigtex on November 04, 2025, 06:11:38 PM: All railroad land is private property and public use is not allowed.

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Title: Re: BNSF Land Access
Post by: ducksdogsdownriggers on November 04, 2025, 07:07:38 PM: "It is illegal to access private railroad property anywhere other than a designated pedestrian or roadway crossing. Trespassers are most often pedestrians who walk across or along railroad tracks as a shortcut to another destination."

https://railroads.dot.gov/railroad-safety/divisions/crossing-safety-and-trespass-prevention/trespass-prevention?utm
Title: Re: BNSF Land Access
Post by: Henrydog on November 05, 2025, 04:48:36 AM: I have several friends that work for BN, they all say the same thing. You never want a run in with a RR Cop. They are basically US Marshalls and everything is handled in Federal Court.
Title: Re: BNSF Land Access
Post by: HntnFsh on November 05, 2025, 06:45:39 AM: Quote from: Henrydog on Today at 04:48:36 AM
I have several friends that work for BN, they all say the same thing. You never want a run in with a RR Cop. They are basically US Marshalls and everything is handled in Federal Court.

Thats what I recall when I worked for the railroad. Seems like all their rigs had U.S. Government plates.
Title: Re: BNSF Land Access
Post by: Sandberm on November 05, 2025, 06:58:18 AM: What year was it that they kicked all the Steelheaders out of the Wallula area because the tracks run next to the river? That sucked.