Read it and weep

[ozark trout fisher]

19 minutes ago, MOPanfisher said:

https://wilderness.org/blog/update-public-rejects-bill-would-have-sold-3-million-acres-public-lands

That right there is an awesome example of how vocal people who don't hesitate to write congressman can stop some of things before they start.

I'm as cynical about politicians as anyone...but those in rural states especially  get nervous when they've clearly pissed off large numbers hunters and fishermen. It's worth doing, people. I regularly let mine know how I feel about conservation and public land and that I will vote largely based on their record in those areas. It's not like it's all that much effort, even.

 

[Chief Grey Bear]

On January 31, 2017 at 10:53 PM, fishinwrench said:

What is the size of public easement on a railroad, or is there any ? Is that state or federal?

There is no public easement on railroads. It's all private property. 

The width of the Right of Way will vary from 100' or more to as little as 25'. Measured from the center of the center point of the rails. 

 

[fishinwrench]

Yeah I wasn't sure about that, but we have rabbit and quail hunted along railroad tracks all of my life.  Never once had a problem.  Darn good hunting too. 

[Flysmallie]

And those new railroad ties aren't free for the taking either. Heavy too. 

[jdmidwest]

The land the railways run on are from Federal Land Grants for access.  Rail Companies own the tracks.  They are essentially easements that can't be blocked or impeded.

[Old plug]

well a awful  lot of folks voted to Clean the swamp. I suppose tqking the lands and turning it over to private indiciduals ispart of the cleaning.

[Chief Grey Bear]

18 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Yeah I wasn't sure about that, but we have rabbit and quail hunted along railroad tracks all of my life.  Never once had a problem.  Darn good hunting too. 

Oh yeah great small game hunting. 

Since 9-11 the RR's aren't as friendly. And with everybody trespassing on their property and getting hurt or killed and then suing them, has made it even tougher to hunt the ROW.

 

[Chief Grey Bear]

18 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

The land the railways run on are from Federal Land Grants for access.  Rail Companies own the tracks.  They are essentially easements that can't be blocked or impeded.

Not all of them. Very few were actually federal land grants. 

[grizwilson]

13 minutes ago, Chief Grey Bear said:

Not all of them. Very few were actually federal land grants. 

 

18 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

The land the railways run on are from Federal Land Grants for access.  Rail Companies own the tracks.  They are essentially easements that can't be blocked or impeded.

Chief is correct, having been in the business 39 years some things are surprising.  Read the book Railroaded by Richard White, then you will know why we use the phrase "I have been Railroaded"  Ever wondered why the rail line from Willow Springs to Cape did not go through Van Buren?  but did Mountain View and Ellisnore? It was a scam for a few folks to profit. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Rail Road companies are the largest land owners in the US I believe.

I use them quite a bit.