Rule 10

Public vs Private Land

Public land is not your personal free-for-all.

Public land means you're allowed on it.

Not that you own it. Yes, you can explore, hike, camp, fish, and ride. But that access comes with rules, and those rules change depending on who manages the land. Stay on designated roads and trails. Camp where camping is allowed. Follow posted closures and permit requirements. This isn't Minecraft. You don't get to make it up as you go.

Now let’s be clear about the other side of this.

Private land is private. If you see a "No Trespassing" sign, that's not a suggestion. Turn around. Landowners put those signs up for a reason, and access without permission is not recreation — it's trespassing.

Western Montana is a patchwork of land types.

Federal land, state land, tribal land, and private land can sit right next to each other, and they don't follow the same rules. If you don't know where you are, that's on you.

Do your homework.

Respect the signs. Know before you go. If you're unsure who manages the land you're on, take a minute to figure it out before you recreate.

Don't guess.

Figure out what kind of land you're on before you go.

Know where access is allowed — and stick to it.

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