Based on my recent experiences with Maricopa County Sheriff's Officers (MCSO) and Table Mesa Rd in the North Valley, I'm including some critical information here for Mudders who may find themselves on- or crossing- State Trust Lands in Arizona along with links to mail in a Permit request. When you see this sign - BE AWARE, you may need a permit to enter!
Some history of State Trust Lands: "The Arizona State Land Department manages approximately 9.2 million acres of State Trust lands within Arizona. These lands were granted to the State under the provisions of the federal Enabling Act that provided for Arizona’s statehood in 1912. These lands are held in trust and managed for the sole purpose of generating revenues for the 13 State Trust land beneficiaries, the largest of which is Arizona’s K-12 education. In FY 2013 Trust land revenues exceeded $318,000,000."
Why a Permit may be important to you: A lot of contention and misinformation is out there by Bureau of Land Management (BLM), AZ State Land Department, AZ Game & Fish Dept and law enforcement agencies regarding what constitutes trespassing on State Trust Land. Some argue that crossing State Trust Land doesn't require a permit - but that wasn't my experience (see link below). Others claim that a valid AZ Hunting License is proof of your 'written permission' to use State Trust Lands, but only for actual hunting purposes, not including target shooting. Members of our club have met personally with State Trust Land employees to discuss the specifics and come away with more questions than answers...
The case for getting a $15 individual or $20 family permit: Having an Annual AZ State Trust Land Permit in your vehicle (8.5"x11" printed permit with signature & valid date stamp, along with pink rear-view mirror Hang Tag) alleviates any concerns that you are on State Trust Land illegally. I think it's cheap insurance to pay the $15 individual or $20 for family (2 adults and any minors less than 18y/o in a single vehicle) in order to avoid the aggravation and frustration - not to mention legal ramifications - of a Criminal Trespassing charge on State Trust Land. This is considered a 'Criminal' Misdemeanor, as the State wants to be sure you show up in court to address the ticket. Mailing in the Permit Request along with your check gets a valid permit returned in 3-4 days. Good for a year, the Permit gives you an affirmative defense against a Trespassing charge assuming no other illegal behaviors were witnessed by the officers that stop you.
Get the State Trust Land Permit at the Arizona State Land Department homepage (linked, in case they change their pages or the permits): http://www.azland.gov/
Link to my ordeal of getting ticketed for NOT having a State Trust Land Permit: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ma...1302-b-trespass-w-o-trust-land-permit.806967/
I've become a proponent for the State Trust Land Permit process for the club - if only that I want to avoid any of you having to go through what I did. Please consider your options and make a decision that matches your risk preferences, but make that from an informed decision after weighing the factors and risks involved. I hope this information is helpful, and hope to see you all on the trail!
Some history of State Trust Lands: "The Arizona State Land Department manages approximately 9.2 million acres of State Trust lands within Arizona. These lands were granted to the State under the provisions of the federal Enabling Act that provided for Arizona’s statehood in 1912. These lands are held in trust and managed for the sole purpose of generating revenues for the 13 State Trust land beneficiaries, the largest of which is Arizona’s K-12 education. In FY 2013 Trust land revenues exceeded $318,000,000."
Why a Permit may be important to you: A lot of contention and misinformation is out there by Bureau of Land Management (BLM), AZ State Land Department, AZ Game & Fish Dept and law enforcement agencies regarding what constitutes trespassing on State Trust Land. Some argue that crossing State Trust Land doesn't require a permit - but that wasn't my experience (see link below). Others claim that a valid AZ Hunting License is proof of your 'written permission' to use State Trust Lands, but only for actual hunting purposes, not including target shooting. Members of our club have met personally with State Trust Land employees to discuss the specifics and come away with more questions than answers...
The case for getting a $15 individual or $20 family permit: Having an Annual AZ State Trust Land Permit in your vehicle (8.5"x11" printed permit with signature & valid date stamp, along with pink rear-view mirror Hang Tag) alleviates any concerns that you are on State Trust Land illegally. I think it's cheap insurance to pay the $15 individual or $20 for family (2 adults and any minors less than 18y/o in a single vehicle) in order to avoid the aggravation and frustration - not to mention legal ramifications - of a Criminal Trespassing charge on State Trust Land. This is considered a 'Criminal' Misdemeanor, as the State wants to be sure you show up in court to address the ticket. Mailing in the Permit Request along with your check gets a valid permit returned in 3-4 days. Good for a year, the Permit gives you an affirmative defense against a Trespassing charge assuming no other illegal behaviors were witnessed by the officers that stop you.
Get the State Trust Land Permit at the Arizona State Land Department homepage (linked, in case they change their pages or the permits): http://www.azland.gov/
Link to my ordeal of getting ticketed for NOT having a State Trust Land Permit: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ma...1302-b-trespass-w-o-trust-land-permit.806967/
I've become a proponent for the State Trust Land Permit process for the club - if only that I want to avoid any of you having to go through what I did. Please consider your options and make a decision that matches your risk preferences, but make that from an informed decision after weighing the factors and risks involved. I hope this information is helpful, and hope to see you all on the trail!