Closing roads that are public

[ndrivrrat]

Was out in the badlands this weekend and came off of I94 at the West River Road exit west of Medora. Went up 3 miles and there was a new set of 6x6 posts set with two metal gates across the road. Being it was a county road, I got out to remove the chain to open the gate but it was locked with a padlock. Wondering how someone can lock access on a main public road. I know they kind of live by different rules out there but thats kind of crazy.
Maybe someone that is from out there can shed some light on this. The road was built with tax dollars, how can they just gate it off?

 

[1lessdog]

We're you going North on the West River road.

If your still in town go to the court house and ask what's going on.

 

[Allen]

Was out in the badlands this weekend and came off of I94 at the West River Road exit west of Medora. Went up 3 miles and there was a new set of 6x6 posts set with two metal gates across the road. Being it was a county road, I got out to remove the chain to open the gate but it was locked with a padlock. Wondering how someone can lock access on a main public road. I know they kind of live by different rules out there but thats kind of crazy.
Maybe someone that is from out there can shed some light on this. The road was built with tax dollars, how can they just gate it off?

At just about three miles up West River Road takes about a 90 degree turn to the west. If you go straight you are on a private driveway, at least...I've always thought of it as one.

From Google Earth:

 

[NDSportsman]

West River Road deadends at a private ranch. Probably sick of traffic coming into their yard to turn around.

 

[.204]

We noticed this too. Knutson Creek Rd (at above blue dot) was the one with the no trespassing sign (It wasn't gated for us) and it wasn't that way last year. Now you have to travel all the way west to Sentinel Butte exit just to get north of Medora to Wannagan campground and Petrified Forest hiking area. It sure seemed like any other road that's probably kept up by the county. It will probably keep us from making the trip again next summer.

 

[NDSportsman]

Someone's blocking Knutson Creek Road?

 

[.204]

Someone's blocking Knutson Creek Road?

It wasn't blocked when we were there. The north side has signage as well right where Little Missouri Natl Grasslands starts. About 2 miles north. Right in between the two oil sites. I don't remember the wording on the signs but it was very clear they did not want you on the road.

 

[deleted user]

I ran into that last year so kinda dug into it. A friend of mine from the area said the current rancher whose land the road traverses didn’t have an issue for decades. He’s getting up there and let’s just say a family member from another state who watches too much Yellowstone is taking control. Their position is that Knutson Creek road was built in 1985 by an oil company with no federal or state money and is therefore private. The states attorney disagrees and it’s in legal limbo. Neighbors aren’t thrilled.

 

[Lycanthrope]

I ran into that last year so kinda dug into it. A friend of mine from the area said the current rancher whose land the road traverses didn’t have an issue for decades. He’s getting up there and let’s just say a family member from another state who watches too much Yellowstone is taking control. Their position is that Knutson Creek road was built in 1985 by an oil company with no federal or state money and is therefore private. The states attorney disagrees and it’s in legal limbo. Neighbors aren’t thrilled.

does it matter who paid for it? Is there an easement for travel? Id think it would be easy to sort out if things were done properly...

 

[1lessdog]

does it matter who paid for it? Is there an easement for travel? Id think it would be easy to sort out if things were done properly...

I would go to the county shop and talk to the county supervisor. He would know for sure.

 

[Allen]

I ran into something similar down in Slope County last year chasing deer. Guy bought a quarter section in the middle of a bunch of USFS parcels and now won't let people use the dirt trails that have been on US Forest Service maps for many, many years. Guess even the USFS guys have to call him ahead of time to go in and work on projects that are for his benefit. We're quickly headed down hill in this regard to access to public lands. He even told me "I don't care if people hunt the public stuff, you just can't get there through my place". That makes it near impossible to hunt lands I've hunted for some 20+ years.

 

[Lycanthrope]

I ran into something similar down in Slope County last year chasing deer. Guy bought a quarter section in the middle of a bunch of USFS parcels and now won't let people use the dirt trails that have been on US Forest Service maps for many, many years. Guess even the USFS guys have to call him ahead of time to go in and work on projects that are for his benefit. We're quickly headed down hill in this regard to access to public lands. He even told me "I don't care if people hunt the public stuff, you just can't get there through my place". That makes it near impossible to hunt lands I've hunted for some 20+ years.

we need personal drones to air lift people into hunting spots!

 

[Zogman]

"We have meet the enemy and he is us." I was fortunate to hunt the ND Badlands for Mulie Buck in 1971 and 1972. Two of us in 1971. 6 in 1972. One of the bunch of 6 was a slob. Short story I picked up couple of candy bar wrappers and told him not to throw his garbage out here. He got pissed. The next year came and he was wondering about deer hunting. Just told him last year was enough. Find someone else to hunt with.
Bottom line is no one knows what triggers these incidents. One small incident can screw things up for years to come.
We all need to do a better job of policing each other.

 

[measure-it]

And to think these greedy som-o-beaches are getting Gov'n subsities from are tax dollars!

 

[Fester]

"We have meet the enemy and he is us." I was fortunate to hunt the ND Badlands for Mulie Buck in 1971 and 1972. Two of us in 1971. 6 in 1972. One of the bunch of 6 was a slob. Short story I picked up couple of candy bar wrappers and told him not to throw his garbage out here. He got pissed. The next year came and he was wondering about deer hunting. Just told him last year was enough. Find someone else to hunt with.
Bottom line is no one knows what triggers these incidents. One small incident can screw things up for years to come.
We all need to do a better job of policing each other.

People are slobs. Went on the river the other day and spent a good hour on a sand bar cleaning up other peoples garbage.

 

[Wally World]

I ran into something similar down in Slope County last year chasing deer. Guy bought a quarter section in the middle of a bunch of USFS parcels and now won't let people use the dirt trails that have been on US Forest Service maps for many, many years. Guess even the USFS guys have to call him ahead of time to go in and work on projects that are for his benefit. We're quickly headed down hill in this regard to access to public lands. He even told me "I don't care if people hunt the public stuff, you just can't get there through my place". That makes it near impossible to hunt lands I've hunted for some 20+ years.

Ever hear of a section line for access?

 

[Allen]

Ever hear of a section line for access?

Ever hear they are called the "Bad Lands" for a reason?

 

[Shockwave]

We have a farmer in our unit that blocks off a section line with metal panels, probably 8 feet or so between the two to allow his cattle to cross between the pastures he owns on both sides. I kindly open the gates, drive through, and close them behind me. It's kind of a pain in the butt, but I'm also not going to throw a fit about it.

 

[Kurtr]

Ever hear they are called the "Bad Lands" for a reason?

You can tell who has never been west of Fargo

 

[ndrivrrat]

It wasn't blocked when we were there. The north side has signage as well right where Little Missouri Natl Grasslands starts. About 2 miles north. Right in between the two oil sites. I don't remember the wording on the signs but it was very clear they did not want you on the road.

Two brand new 6x6 green treated posts buried into the ground with metal gates on each side. Gates are chained and a padlock on the chain. Also a post behind where you stop with a game camera with an antenna which i assume it has cellular. Takes a pic of your vehicle when you pull up to the gates. Gates are about 30' inside of the property line. This was on Saturday morning. Had to go all the way to Camels Hump exit just to go north.