I'm curious as to whether any other photographers have had similar encounters in Wyoming or the surrounding states. If this is the wrong forum, please let me know.
Recently we visited some amazing public land. It's not WPA or WSA, just straight up BLM and State land. A few days ago as my wife and I were exploring more of the area we came across a rancher herding his cattle with an ATV. I was overly polite to him, as beef is pretty good food sometimes, and all I received in return was animosity for being on HIS pasture. It was not his pasture, this entire area we were in is 100 percent public land. But since the state allows him to graze his land destroying cattle all over it, it's suddenly HIS land. Could not believe it. This only solidified my opinion of ranchers and private land owners who try to block public access to BLM and state lands. It's actually quite an epidemic throughout the entire state. Huge sections of beautiful public lands are blocked off by these types of land owners, with no way for anyone else to access them without risking fines or jail time. Yet when they get offered serious cash for the resources 'underneath' their land, they suddenly turn a blind eye to what happens. All I wish is to explore and photograph Wyoming's public lands, and yet this is the kind of person I run into. Maybe I need to stick to parks and wilderness areas....
Hey, it's not the Bureau of Livestock and Mining for nothin'! Apparently the guy's never heard of multiple use. Sheesh, he's no doubt paying well below fair market value for grazing rights, he needs to expect that his grazing rights don't automatically transfer title and ownership of public lands to him.
I've had many such encounters in the past. Wyoming and Nevada are especially bad in this regard.
After a few generations of leasing these lands (at below market prices!), these folks have grown used to having some BLM public lands as 'their (range)land'. It's only fairly recently that more and more 'outsiders' (read 'general public') have ventured out to enjoy their public lands, and many ranchers resent the so-called intrusions. Leaving closed gates open, tearing up the range with ATVs and the profusion of slob hunters certainly hasn't helped matters any.
In a nutshell, many ranchers try and buffalo the general public, as you found out.
Having BLM land maps and knowing where you are almost always remedies the situation. It's no big deal to me.
I've also had this happen to me. Not in Wyoming, though - right here around Moab. I tried to be nice but the old bastard had an attitude and tried to tell me I was trespassing. After a few minutes of diplomacy I lost my temper and told him he could "f*ck off". That set him off big time, at which point he started hootin' and hollerin' about how he was going to kick my ass and turn me in to the Sheriff. He had to have been 65 years old and was about as frail looking as a scarecrow. I laughed at him, which pissed him off even more. I then told him he needed to move along and surprisingly, he did.
I stayed and continued exploring the public land I have every right to explore. Never saw the jackass again.
I've experienced this several times, but not just with ranchers. I've had some run-ins with folks who live near little used trailheads or who have forest service cabin leases. John hit the nail on the head with his assessment and advice.
It's amusing to hear that we are not alone in this issue. I'll continue to explore such areas, but I ended up leaving on this one as he was pissed off enough to probably go get his rifle and start taking pot shots at my vehicle. I got the photos I was looking for any ways. I was even kind enough to put his fence back up after leaving, although I did considering letting a cow or two out...
I guess these people will have to find new places for their animals, or they are just going to have to get used to people exploring. ;]
By the way, I did contact the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) regarding this issue on Friday. We'll see if I get a response...
I think it's important that we take a step back and refrain from painting all ranchers and all government agencies with the same brush. There are many conservationist private land owners that are very willing to work with photographers and I've had great experiences with each of the agencies working in the West. We have big issues to tackle in order to keep some of the West wild and it will take all of us to preserve Western heritage and wild lands. You did the right thing by going to the BLM. Be respectful, stand your ground, close gates, and get your images.
I agree with Dave that not all ranchers are evil. 87,000-acre Chico Basin Ranch (at the south end of Peyton Hwy) is leased from the Colorado Land Board and, while this is a working cattle ranch, they encourage folks to enjoy biking, hiking, picnicking and camping for nominal day use and camping fees. The fees go towards their ongoing educational programs for K-12 school kids. I had a chance to produce a promotional video highlighting "Chico Days", their big public "open house", and as a first-time visitor, was impressed with the staff's openness and hospitality. I was also impressed with the amount of wildlife - especially birds. There is a large riparian zone that runs diagonally through a portion of the property that is just teaming with bird life! In fact, the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory has a field station based there. I hope to have the video finalized within the next several days and get it posted to their Web. Feel free to check it out. Chico Basin Ranch.
Exactly right Dave. In all walks of life there are all kinds of people.
Still hacks us off though when we see it. I've never gotten confrontational on this issue with anyone pesonally but I've heard many stories such as this.
I'm certainly not against private land (good stewardship would be nice). But if I were emperor for a day "land-locked" public land and bogus "private rights" would be abolished.
Dave, I too am only referring to the ranchers and private land owners who cause these issues. I've personally met plenty of ranchers and land owners who are extremely friendly and well mannered. Unfortunately not many of them live around areas that I'm terribly interested in photographing. It's those little known areas that I am interested in. Those areas where the ranchers DO feel that they are the only ones there, and when someone shows up they see it as a trespassing, when indeed, it is not.
John, I have not heard anything back from BLM yet. They are pretty slow about responding via email.
As for the HHA photography, thank you. Unfortunately, after further study and after contacting the county, I have discovered that the main portion of Hell's Half Acre is now officially CLOSED to the public. They are considering opening up the top next year, but we'll see what happens. I had to contact them to get a response as there are no signs posted anywhere in the area. Yet, people are constantly stopping by on their way down 20-26, so I'm not sure it's exactly enforced. And all the buildings are gone. I offered my photography services to the county for free in hopes of getting a chance to further explore the bottom, as they could use some decent advertisement photos of some of these areas, and I would like to expand my portfolio, but the county park administrator has yet to respond to my queries. And I have a feeling he probably won't. He was pretty short with me.
However, I have done further research, and a portion of the land is accessible through the back as it is BLM, and not county owned. So hopefully, some stuff coming from that area again soon. I have also discovered several other areas that are similar (if not better!) to HHA, but much further off of the beaten path. I was at one of them yesterday, but ended up breaking my 16-35 M2 lens pretty much in half, and spending the entire night driving back home from there. It has not exactly been my month. My 1ds also started showing err 01 messages while at Red Wall...so it's being sent off to Canon as well. ;]
Discussion
10 repliesRecently we visited some amazing public land. It's not WPA or WSA, just straight up BLM and State land. A few days ago as my wife and I were exploring more of the area we came across a rancher herding his cattle with an ATV. I was overly polite to him, as beef is pretty good food sometimes, and all I received in return was animosity for being on HIS pasture. It was not his pasture, this entire area we were in is 100 percent public land. But since the state allows him to graze his land destroying cattle all over it, it's suddenly HIS land. Could not believe it. This only solidified my opinion of ranchers and private land owners who try to block public access to BLM and state lands. It's actually quite an epidemic throughout the entire state. Huge sections of beautiful public lands are blocked off by these types of land owners, with no way for anyone else to access them without risking fines or jail time. Yet when they get offered serious cash for the resources 'underneath' their land, they suddenly turn a blind eye to what happens. All I wish is to explore and photograph Wyoming's public lands, and yet this is the kind of person I run into. Maybe I need to stick to parks and wilderness areas....
Probably wasn't breast-fed as a child.
After a few generations of leasing these lands (at below market prices!), these folks have grown used to having some BLM public lands as 'their (range)land'. It's only fairly recently that more and more 'outsiders' (read 'general public') have ventured out to enjoy their public lands, and many ranchers resent the so-called intrusions. Leaving closed gates open, tearing up the range with ATVs and the profusion of slob hunters certainly hasn't helped matters any.
In a nutshell, many ranchers try and buffalo the general public, as you found out.
Having BLM land maps and knowing where you are almost always remedies the situation. It's no big deal to me.
What was your outcome? Did you stay or leave?
I stayed and continued exploring the public land I have every right to explore. Never saw the jackass again.
I guess these people will have to find new places for their animals, or they are just going to have to get used to people exploring. ;]
By the way, I did contact the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) regarding this issue on Friday. We'll see if I get a response...
Ken
Still hacks us off though when we see it. I've never gotten confrontational on this issue with anyone pesonally but I've heard many stories such as this.
I'm certainly not against private land (good stewardship would be nice). But if I were emperor for a day "land-locked" public land and bogus "private rights" would be abolished.
BTW, your work in Hell's Half Acre may be the best photography I've ever seen from that area!
John, I have not heard anything back from BLM yet. They are pretty slow about responding via email.
As for the HHA photography, thank you. Unfortunately, after further study and after contacting the county, I have discovered that the main portion of Hell's Half Acre is now officially CLOSED to the public. They are considering opening up the top next year, but we'll see what happens. I had to contact them to get a response as there are no signs posted anywhere in the area. Yet, people are constantly stopping by on their way down 20-26, so I'm not sure it's exactly enforced. And all the buildings are gone. I offered my photography services to the county for free in hopes of getting a chance to further explore the bottom, as they could use some decent advertisement photos of some of these areas, and I would like to expand my portfolio, but the county park administrator has yet to respond to my queries. And I have a feeling he probably won't. He was pretty short with me.
However, I have done further research, and a portion of the land is accessible through the back as it is BLM, and not county owned. So hopefully, some stuff coming from that area again soon. I have also discovered several other areas that are similar (if not better!) to HHA, but much further off of the beaten path. I was at one of them yesterday, but ended up breaking my 16-35 M2 lens pretty much in half, and spending the entire night driving back home from there. It has not exactly been my month. My 1ds also started showing err 01 messages while at Red Wall...so it's being sent off to Canon as well. ;]