No trespassing sign on BLM road?

Bigjay73

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Is there any legitimate reason a gate on BLM land would have a private land, no trespassing sign on it? Waypoint pic attached Screenshot_20250930-193241.png
 
Call the Casper Field Office and ask about it, or go by in person with pics.

 
^^^ that might get you a hefty fine, make sure of public access before you go cutting locks willy nilly.
Lands get swapped and sold.

Shutdown probably made that phone call impossible though.
 
That sure is a pretty suspiciously tactical gate location given the nature of access right there.

Plenty walkable to the good stuff behind though if you're determined enough. I wouldn't go cutting anything.

Begs the question though, you didn't say it's locked, is it locked? If not, go ahead. Might just be a scare tactic/reminder that this road leads to private/HMA that is not huntable without permission/slips.
 
I have seen no trespassing signs on gates crossing numerous country roads in Wyoming. Many times it is ment to indicate the property “on the sides of the roads”. It was really daunting when I first moved there.

What I did…I checked land ownership every year and then went in my way. If I had stopped at every private property sign in Wyoming I would never have found some of my best spots. Some of the county roads literally went through the middle of a ranch and drive between the ranch house and their barns/equipment sheds. I felt like I was actually driving through somebody’s yard and the private property signs made it seem really bad. I got use to it.

From you map. It could be where the road goes through private. You could also check with the county to see county road map.

Good luck.
 
That is why bolt cutters should be a part of every emergency vehicle hunting rig kit.
Prefer a battery powered angle grinder with a diamond cutting wheel. Few years back a landowner put a massive lock on a well known forest road because he was doing road work on his property, didnt want to bother with traffic, and doesnt like people using the easement in general. His easement section is less than a mile and he locked out 20+ miles of road... my bolt cutters didn't do the job.
 
I do think I'd be a little more open to the gate being there for a legitimate/legal reason when the surrounding private parcels are enrolled in an HMA. I think with the knowledge from that map screenshot, I'd respect it until proven otherwise. If the surrounding private was not enrolled, I'd be much more likely to ignore it.
 
As Utah400 pointed out, there are often No Trespassing signs on USFS or BLM roads which pass through private properties. It's pretty typical.
Unless the gate is locked it's just a matter of respecting private property adjacent to your route, know where you are and what is public, and go on your merry way.
'Nothing to get upset about.
 
It's illegal in Wyoming to put up a false keep out/no trespass sign
Go ahead and go through, cut lock if locked
File a complaint with the BLM office and notify WG&F
 
I believe the following statute would be relevant.

2024 Wyoming Statutes
Title 36 - State Lands
Chapter 1 - General Provisions
Article 1 - In General
Section 36-1-119 - Posting Notice of Restrictions to Public Lands; Restrictions; Penalties.

I would also careful with an angle grinder. You won't make friends by starting a fire.
 

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