Wednesday, AUGUST 20, 2025 |
State law makers narrowly voted to advance a bill decriminalizing corner crossing.
The State Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee met in Casper yesterday to discuss 26LSO-0118, a bill clarifying the state’s corner crossing regulations.
The measure is in response to the 2021 criminal trespass charges brought against four Missouri elk hunters who used a ladder to corner cross between public land parcels on Elk Mountain Ranch which is owned by Iron Bar Holdings. Corner crossing refers to the act of moving from one parcel of public land to another at the point where their corners meet.
The case was initially heard in Carbon County Circuit Court in April of 2022, where a jury acquitted all four hunters of criminal trespass. Attorneys for Iron Bar Holdings appealed the ruling to the 10th Circuit Court. The three-judge panel upheld the lower court’s decision, ruling that corner crossing on federally managed public land does not violate federal law, as long as the individual does not physically touch the privately owned property. Currently, the state’s 23 sheriff’s departments are operating under the 10th Court’s ruling.
Iron Bar Holdings attorney Robert Anderson has submitted a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the Justices to review the matter. The Supreme Court is not obligated to hear the case, but if it chooses to do so, a ruling is unlikely before mid-2026.
In the meantime, the Wyoming Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee began working on a bill to clarify corner crossing in the Cowboy State. During yesterday’s meeting, State Deputy Legal Administrator Brian Fuller presented draft bill 26LSO-0118. Fuller explained that the bill states a person is not in violation of criminal trespass laws if they cross at the corner of public land parcels and do not damage private property while doing so.
Senator Larry Hicks asked who is responsible for granting authorization to corner cross. Senator Hicks said the bill must clearly identify who has the authority to permit access to public land.
The draft bill states that a person is not in violation of criminal trespass law if they do not damage private land while corner crossing. Senator Brian Boner asked what constitutes damages. Deputy Legal Administrator Fuller responded that the matter requires further discussion, but in his view, the individual would need to have caused genuine harm to the property.
Senator Hicks said the U.S. Geological Survey marked the boundaries between private and public lands with a brass plaque or some other monument. The District 11 Representative said GPS applications are not accurate enough to pinpoint the exact location of a USGS marker and argued that people may be prosecuted for following their digital maps.
Sabrina King with the Wyoming chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers said her organization is concerned that the lack of USGS markers could be used to restrict access to public lands. King argued that hunters following their digital mapping tools should not be prosecuted if they unintentionally trespass onto private property.
Attorney Ryan Semerad, who is representing the four Missouri hunters in their continued legal battle against Iron Bar Holdings, argued in favor of the draft bill. Attorney Semerad acknowledged the bill isn’t perfect but said it moves unintended trespass from the criminal courts to civil proceedings, eliminating the need to arrest and prosecute every violator.
Not everyone at yesterday’s meeting supported the draft bill. Wyoming Farm Bureau Policy Advocacy Director Brett Moline said the measure does not take into account the damage repeated trespass violations can have on private property.
Additionally, Moline said the 10th Circuit of Appeals ruled that people cannot touch private property in any way. If the GPS maps aren’t accurate, it is not the landowner’s fault.
After the public comment period ended, Committee Co-Chairman Andrew Byron opened the floor to member remarks. District 49 Representative Robert Wharff said the State Legislature should wait until the Supreme Court weighs in on the matter of corner crossing before passing any laws.
Representative Wharff added that the state has historically prioritized private property rights over public land access.
District 45 Representative Karlee Provenza said she and Wyoming’s sheriffs support the bill, which is intended to prevent individuals from facing criminal prosecution for accessing federally guaranteed public lands.
Following the Committee’s discussion, Co-Chairman Byron called for a vote. The measure passed by a narrow margin of seven to six, with District 15 Representative Pam Thayer voting against the bill.
