Elkhunter1 Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Today on my way home from working in Sierra Vista I decided to stop and look around one of my hunting spots, and to check a windmill. I found the gate locked with two locks, one with EPNG stamped on it and the other with KN on it. I believe they stand for El Paso Natural Gas and Kinder Morgan. My complaint is what law is on the books that allows any person or entity to lock access to state trust land? I called the number on the sign and left a message, hopefully I will hear back tomorrow. I talked to Matt Walton the other day and he has come up with a plan to take to State Land Dept. that we believe will have an answer for every contingency and possible excuse they might come up with. We should also have the backing from ADOT and DPS as fare as the dangers from keeping the gate locked. I will post our victory when it comes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronaldo Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Take your cordless grinder back and cut the friggin chain... NO ONE can lock you out of state trust land. I carry my cordless grinder everywhere with me just for this occasion... Sometimes ranchers pull this crap too..Just cut it off and go in and out. If theres a new lock, keep cutting the chain till they get the hint... Idiots.. Ron Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Take your cordless grinder back and cut the friggin chain... NO ONE can lock you out of state trust land. I carry my cordless grinder everywhere with me just for this occasion... Sometimes ranchers pull this crap too..Just cut it off and go in and out. If theres a new lock, keep cutting the chain till they get the hint... Idiots.. Ron I would really like it if the state actually did their job and went after these "Idiots" like they should! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longshooter Report post Posted March 6, 2012 They did the same thing on the north side of the white tanks a few years ago. I even saw a mcso officer put a lock on one of the gates that said " state trust land" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted March 6, 2012 I even saw a mcso officer put a lock on one of the gates that said " state trust land" I honestly don't care who you are, if you can't abide by the laws of this great state you belong in jail. I don't want to resort to cutting locks off of posted gates that WE law abiding hunters have paid to gain access to, but if that is what it takes to get into the area I want to hunt in than that's what I will do! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Call the state land dept and let them know about it. I would be curious as to what their response is. http://www.land.state.az.us/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Call the state land dept and let them know about it. I would be curious as to what their response is. http://www.land.state.az.us/ Amanda: I eagerly await their call tomorrow, I left a message on the number on the sign. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coues krazy Report post Posted March 6, 2012 all you need is a hunting license to be on state trust land. The govoners signature on the the license is your pass. Cut the locks and hunt as you wish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted March 6, 2012 "I honestly don't care who you are, if you can't abide by the laws of this great state you belong in jail. I don't want to resort to cutting locks off of posted gates that WE law abiding hunters have paid to gain access to, but if that is what it takes to get into the area I want to hunt in than that's what I will do! " I'm not a lawyer, and I hope I'm wrong, but I believe an Arizona law prevents ordinary citizens from destroying chains and locks that belong to someone else, even if those locks and chains illegally deny your access to State Land Department Land. As for which agency is responsible for access to state land, it used to be the Game and Fish Department after then-Attorney General Bruce Babbitt ruled AZGFD was the "lead" agency on such issues. It may have changed all these years since, but I don't think so. I do know that only the Game and Fish Commission has the authority to close state lands to licensed hunters and anglers. I suggest you go on record by sending registered letters to the directors of the State Land and Game and Fish departments, politely requesting that those locks be removed. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted March 6, 2012 all you need is a hunting license to be on state trust land. The govoners signature on the the license is your pass. Cut the locks and hunt as you wish. Yes I realize that is my pass, I just want to go about this with the law on my side. I can see El Paso Natural Gas and Kinder Morgan trying to push criminal damage charges for cutting the locks off. i don't need the hassle to interfere with the enjoyment of the outdoors and the thrill of the chase. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longshooter Report post Posted March 6, 2012 "I honestly don't care who you are, if you can't abide by the laws of this great state you belong in jail. I don't want to resort to cutting locks off of posted gates that WE law abiding hunters have paid to gain access to, but if that is what it takes to get into the area I want to hunt in than that's what I will do! " I'm not a lawyer, and I hope I'm wrong, but I believe an Arizona law prevents ordinary citizens from destroying chains and locks that belong to someone else, even if those locks and chains illegally deny your access to State Land Department Land. As for which agency is responsible for access to state land, it used to be the Game and Fish Department after then-Attorney General Bruce Babbitt ruled AZGFD was the "lead" agency on such issues. It may have changed all these years since, but I don't think so. I do know that only the Game and Fish Commission has the authority to close state lands to licensed hunters and anglers. I suggest you go on record by sending registered letters to the directors of the State Land and Game and Fish departments, politely requesting that those locks be removed. Bill Quimby Thats the same thing I heard from a game warden a few years back. He also stated that once a gate has been locked for 2 years ? it then can be locked up for good according to that law. If that makes sense Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biglakejake Report post Posted March 6, 2012 many moon ago i learned about taking a length of chain with a padlock or two on it and wrapping it around a gate. stops most all city folk but all you gotta do is unwrap it.(two different size chains here is the giveaway!) also inquiring minds want to know who pissed on the state trust land sign!? lee Insanity runs it the family-it practically gallups... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted March 6, 2012 many moon ago i learned about taking a length of chain with a padlock or two on it and wrapping it around a gate. stops most all city folk but all you gotta do is unwrap it.(two different size chains here is the giveaway!) also inquiring minds want to know who pissed on the state trust land sign!? lee Insanity runs it the family-it practically gallups... One of the locks is actually on the gate, Kinder Morgan is the one with the chain. I just had to go, i didn't get the sign. Should I put a parental advisory on the post? lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
200"mulie Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Well buddy that works on U of A farm in red rock said they got in trouble for locking a gate to state trust land...."Game and Fish came unglued" What my buddy said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Well buddy that works on U of A farm in red rock said they got in trouble for locking a gate to state trust land...."Game and Fish came unglued" What my buddy said. I guess I'll call them if the state land dept. doesn't call me by noon tomorrow, Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
