It's Out There!

The ‘Corner Crossing’ Case in Wyoming: Access to Public Lands

We have one guest this week because the issue is so important and seemingly ongoing.   Land Tawney is joining us to talk about the ‘Corner Crossing’ case in Wyoming which deals with fair access to landlocked public lands.  The Corner Crossing case continues to gain national reaction with articles citing BHA (Backcountry Hunters & Anglers) from the New York Times, MeatEater, Outdoor Life, and others.

 Land Tawney is President & CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA).   He has a BS in wildlife biology from University of Montana.  He has also worked for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP).  He then joined the staff at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in Missoula Montana.

THE HISTORY OF THE CORNER CROSSING CASE (From the BHA Website)   

In the fall of 2021 four non-resident hunters are issued citations by a Carbon County Wyoming sheriff’s deputy for criminal trespass.  The four hunters never touched private lands, they used a ladder to cross between adjoining corners of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.  They plead not guilty.   

In April 2022 the criminal case jury verdict is in:  all four hunters found not guilty of all charges.

In August 2022 lawyers representing the private landowner file a civil suit against the four hunters alleging over $7 million in damages.  The suite is elevated to federal court.

December 2022 lawyers representing BHA file amicus brief in support of Corner Crossing.
May 2023 Agreeing with BHA’s amicus brie & the four hunters, The District Court of Wyoming finds it legal to cross private airspace when stepping from public land to public land over a shared public/private corner.