18a Checkerboard Land Ownership

[AZ4life]

My wife pulled an 18a/15s early bull tag. I'm looking over the land ownership maps, and it blows my mind the checkerboard of private & state trust land in 18a. Its basically the entire unit. I need a refresher on private property laws. I haven't hunted around private property in a long time. For instance, if I'm in the middle of the checkboard and the gates just say "Please Close Gate" and there are no signs of "No Trespassing" or "No Hunting" and I'm 1/4 or more from buildings, we should be ok right? Or would we want to get permission for all private?

What if three of the four square surrounding a State Trust checker are private keep out, but one of the private squares is open to hunting, we should be ok to continue on the adjacent State Trust square as long as we stay within the state trust square?

I know there are big ranches you can't enter(X bar one, Fort Rock) but wanting to do my due diligence here for the rest of the unit.

 

[couesmagnet]

Good question , I can't wait to see the answer. I've wanted to know the facts on this one for along time. I hope someone comes on with legitimate info only.

 

[yumatracker]

I would recommend that you contact the local AZGFD Wildlife Manager. I'm sure that you can get a lot of help there

 

[sremim]

If it says no trespassing or no hunting it is off limits. If private land is not posted it is fair game. As far as the state land, I believe you need a hunting license and must be actively hunting to legally be on it. I wouldnt worry too much about whats on the map. Just pay attention to the signs in the field.

 

[muleybull]

I've hunted this unit for a long time, and it took awhile to learn how to get around. It's not just the ranches, there's a lot of folks peppered all throughout the unit that own land. Some are friendly, a lot are weird and not so friendly.

If they don't want you there, it will either be posted or they will have orange paint along the property line.

If its not properly posted, you may be legal but some of the weirdos plan on taking the law into their own hands.

Make sure you keep your map and GPS handy. I have had personal experience on state land that has been posted illegally. If you run into this, call AZ G&F. They are starting to come down on the repeat offenders!

I have the archery hunt in there this year, and all in all things are looking pretty good. This unit has been hammered by monsoons this year. Grass is green and tall and waters are finally full!

Post us up some pics if you guys do good.

Good luck, might end up being a great year in there!

www.muleybulloutfitters.com

 

[muleybull]

P.S. I have never been able to find a good map for 18a that shows all the roads, waters, and ownership all at once. If you stumble across one, let me know where you found it, I'd like to take a look.

www.muleybulloutfitters.com

 

[DanBnAZ]

Might be a good idea to get on Mohave and Yavapai counties websites and pull up as many of the subdivision plats as you can. Muleybull is right, many of those "nesters" out there are unfriendly. If she has the archery tag I would carry a handgun that is legal to carry during that hunt. Many of the roads in those subdivisions are not right of way dedicated to the public, they are only ingress-egress easements for the property owners. They can and will give you a hard time. Many of them don't understand Arizona's laws about posting of private property. Have lots of back up plans as the elk can move great distances during the hunt. Good luck!