Pharma millionaire pursues hunters despite criminal acquittal
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Ranch owner claims corner crossing damages of more than $7 million
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Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Fred Eshelman, University of North Carolina ([link removed])
The owner of a Wyoming ranch claims hunters caused damages that could add up to more than $7 million ([link removed]) when they crossed from public land to public land at the corner of his ranch, without ever setting foot on private property.
An anonymous source showed WyoFile reporter Angus Thuermer Jr. the damage claim, which was signed on August 29th. It alleges the corner crossing caused damages between $3.1 million and $7.75 million. Land Tawney, president and CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, called those numbers “the most egregious thing I've seen,” and said it was consistent with the ranch's pattern of bullying hunters ([link removed]) on public land.
The ranch is owned by Fred Eshelman, a North Carolina phamaceutical executive with an estimated net worth of hundreds of millions of dollars. The hunters crossed from one parcel of public land to another at a corner of the checkerboard land pattern common across much of the West, using a ladder to ensure they never touched Eshelman's ranch.
A jury found the hunters not guilty of criminal trespass ([link removed]) in April, but Eshelman continued his civil lawsuit, which has been moved to federal court ([link removed]) . The case could have implications for access to more than 8 million acres of public land across the West that are “corner locked.”
The Wyoming Stock Growers Association filed an amicus brief in the case, saying the issue affects the right to control “reasonable airspace” over ranch land. Executive Vice President Jim Magagna told WyoFile ([link removed]) that allowing public access at corner crossings could devalue ranches by establishing the fact that public land is “no longer closed property.”
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Quote of the day
” Mr. Griffin aided the insurrection even though he did not personally engage in violence. By joining the mob and trespassing on restricted Capitol grounds, Mr. Griffin contributed to delaying Congress’s election-certification proceedings.”
—New Mexico State District Court Judge Francis Mathew ([link removed]) , in a ruling banning Otero County Commissioner and ‘Cowboys for Trump’ co-founder Couy Griffin from holding or seeking public office
Picture this
** @KatmaiNPS ([link removed])
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Need a log pillow? Bears are entering hyperphagia. Simply put, hyperphagia is stage where the chemical that signals "I'm full" is disabled. Bears will continue to eat dozens of salmon, leaving the river only to rest, or in the case of 747, not even then.
Photo courtesy L. Law
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