Rules for state trust land use

With hunting seasons opening up across the state, hunters are asked to review the rules governing the use of State Trust Lands.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department does not manage State Trust Lands, but often receives questions from hunters and anglers on the rules and restrictions affecting usage of these lands.

In general, hunters and anglers can use State Lands for hunting and fishing provided there is public access to these lands. This means the lands must be legally accessible via public road, right-of-way, easement, public waters, or adjacent state or federal land. Some State Lands have no means of public access and anyone wishing to cross private lands to reach State Lands must have permission from the landowner. The landowner is under no obligation to grant such permission. Other usage such as driving off established roads is also generally prohibited on State Lands. For those wishing to camp on State Lands the public can check details on the State Lands website. Also, cultivated croplands on state trust lands are not open to public use.

Information on rules for using State Lands can be obtained by contacting the Office of State Lands and Investments in Cheyenne at http://slf-web.state.wy.us. Hunters have several tools to determine which lands are state, federal, or private. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has developed a series of maps that are color coded showing state, BLM, national forest, and private lands. These maps also include roads, topographic contour, elevations, rivers, and lakes. They are available at any BLM office, on the website http://plicmapcenter.org/WY/, or by calling (307) 775-6256. In addition, Game and Fish (307) 777-4600 sells a micro SD chip for GPS units that shows land status and hunter location.