Why It Matters
The legal status of corner-crossing remains unresolved in Montana, leaving hunters and recreationists uncertain whether accessing landlocked public lands could result in trespassing charges. Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras told state lawmakers this week that crossing at property corners violates landowner airspace rights, citing a recent Montana drone law as precedent.
The issue affects access to approximately 871,000 acres of corner-locked public land in Montana, where alternating sections of public and private property create checkerboard patterns that block traditional access routes.
What Happened
Juras appeared before the Environmental Quality Council on Wednesday to address the corner-crossing debate. The lieutenant governor, who previously taught property law at the University of Montana, argued that hunters who step across adjoining corners of public land are trespassing in the airspace above private property.
She pointed to Senate Bill 493, enacted by the Montana Legislature in 2025, which establishes criminal trespassing charges for drone pilots flying below 200 feet without landowner permission. Juras said the law recognizes a buffer zone of at least 200 feet as private property belonging to the surface owner.
The presentation also addressed questions about a Wyoming lawsuit that federal courts decided in favor of four elk hunters who corner-crossed to access public land. Juras noted that Montana falls under a different federal circuit court, meaning the Wyoming ruling does not apply here. She added that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to review the case does not constitute an endorsement of corner-crossing.
By The Numbers
– 8.3 million acres of corner-locked land exist across the United States
– 871,000 acres of landlocked public land are located in Montana
– 200 feet is the airspace buffer zone established by Montana’s drone trespassing law
– Nearly 60% of Montana voters support making corner-crossing explicitly legal, according to a 2025 poll
– The Unlawful Enclosures Act referenced in the debate was enacted 141 years ago
Zoom Out
Corner-crossing became a national issue after mapping company OnX published a 2022 report revealing millions of acres of inaccessible public land in Western states. The Wyoming litigation brought the matter into sharp focus, with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks subsequently stating that corner-crossing remains unlawful in Montana.
Sen. Pat Flowers, a Belgrade Democrat, urged the committee to consider alternative legal arguments to give legislators a fuller understanding of the issue. He acknowledged Juras has an informed opinion but said it is not the only legal perspective on corner-crossing.
The debate extends beyond traditional hunting scenarios. Lawmakers have discussed whether corner-crossing remains trespassing if hunters use ladders, horses, or helicopters to avoid touching private property while moving between public land sections.
What’s Next
The Environmental Quality Council will continue examining the legal questions surrounding corner-crossing as lawmakers consider whether to pursue legislation clarifying the practice’s legal status. Montana voters have expressed support for making corner-crossing explicitly legal, but state officials maintain the current legal framework treats it as trespassing.
The issue may eventually require Montana courts or the legislature to provide definitive guidance, particularly as digital mapping tools make corner-locked public lands more visible to recreationists seeking access to hunting and outdoor opportunities.
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