I'm gonna give a brief landowners perspective on this. Our family has a small place of mostly AG land, it's not a mecca but any means. We're very fortunate to have it. It also can produce some game which allows us a decent opportunity fill our freezers and create some memories with friends and family.
With this comes its challenges, EVERY year we catch one or two people poaching. It comes with lots of phone calls and friends you never knew you had, along with "the fence riders". Waiting for a brief opportunity to possibly capitalize on a situation. I've seen a lot of shit go down opening day.
All that being said, watching some of the "public hunters" hunting fence lines. It is absolutely outrageous what some people will do to try and get an elk. I've seen guys set up their kids for when they "cross", have had people shoot them before they jump the fence. Seen the elk come right back, some wounded mortally.
My point is I'm sure that landowner becomes frustrated with all the bullshit, all the stories, all the experiences. He's probably been burned more than once and with that he is bitter. Its his choice, i don't share his interest to let things rot and be wasted. We allow people to come in and get their elk of they can prove the situation actually occurred. Mr Iowa has his version and I'll bet his version is missing details too.
If your gonna hunt a fence it is what it is. YOU THE HUNTER, need to make the correct decision if the opportunity arises. If someone wants to start lobbing shots at elk and getting pissed when they cross the fence on to private. THE HUNTER is the one that created the issue in the first place.
Not saying I agree with the landowner but I'd be curious to hear his stories to.
Now if he's a douche like the Wilks then maybe I'll side with the hunter, even they let people retrieve downed game though.