Montana Landowners Face Trespassing Issues

The rise in digital hiking apps has inadvertently directed hikers onto private land, creating conflict with landowners. Some landowners have faced property damage and theft due to increased trespassing. Montana law requires landowners to post "no trespassing" signs or use orange paint to mark their property boundaries. However, even without explicit markings, permission is required to hunt on private land. The issue is further complicated by Montana's checkerboard land ownership pattern, a legacy of 19th-century railroad grants. This creates a mix of public and private parcels, making it difficult to determine property boundaries and access rights. Some Montana landowners are advocating for stricter penalties for trespassing and property damage, including suspension of hunting and fishing privileges. They also want accountability for landowners who illegally block public access or mislabel public lands.