Another WMA access rant- access blocked to thousands of acres of Chestatee

I don't know who the landowner is, and I didn't look on the White Co tax assessor's page like I normally would because last time I checked the page, you couldn't search a property owner by way of selecting the parcel on a map, and I don't know the address to the property. In the majority of counties you can search by parcel map but I'm guessing maybe white counties gets too convoluted or something. I really don't know why. But I did some digging today, and some communication, and I did find out some information. When I get home tonight, I will post the E-mail correspondence I had earlier today. I did find out that the USFS is aware of the issue, and it is presently "under review" at the legal Dept of the forest supervisors office. I was not informed whether or not there was a legal or agreed upon easement, but was made aware that the land owner informed the USFS he will no longer be allowing access by means of his property. I was informed that he also had the backing of the local Representative, so I imagine that this will resolve in his favor. Be it so, it his right, despite public objection, but resulting dissent is also warranted I believe. If access is granted for a century and a half, and then ripped away, I can understand some sore feelings, bus his wishes must be respected. I was informed that the process of resolution has gone unattended in the wake of more immediate matters (the wildfires), and was encouraged to contact the forest supervisor Becky Jewitt (sp?) because the contact I spoke with is also a supporter of continued access to the trail and also is eager to hear the outcome.
I did see on the map where the USFS could fairly easily create an alternate approach trail that circumnavigates the property boundaries, and I can present the idea, but we all well know that would cause a reallocation of funds, and plainly stated, that won't happen. Maybe if the public could generate enough interest, we could at least show that it would be important to us.

Well, if things dont work out with the land owner might be some people that would volunteer time and labor to cut that new trail if the feds cant/wont pay for it.

I would like to go by and discuss this matter with the landowner but I dont really know how to go about it as I apparently would be trespassing as it stands right now if I went past the gate to his home. I'll be home for the next week or so caring for my son who just had a serious surgery Friday but when he gets better I'll ride up there and see if I can figure something out.

WEll i hope your son feels better soon, n hope for the best with the gate deal. Ya never know till ya try, good luck!

I talked to the guy that surveyed the property. I can get the owners name if needed but I don't think it will help. He was planning to close it when he bought the property, from my understanding. So, Im sure he researched the access trail before hand.

I don't hunt the mtns very often anymore, but I hate to see it closed for the ones that do, but you can't fault the owner. It is his land.

Several tracks on that road back up the gov't land if I'm not mistaken. Maybe an easement could be purchased from another track?? Or access gained anyway.

How in the world would you access it now? From RR highway? I went in there once from Boggs Creek, but that was many moons ago when the BC road went much deeper in and I didn't have a bum foot. Did the tornado damage that side as much as it did on the BC side?

Whatever happened to the good ole days? We would find this road blocked, be sore about it, stomp our foot. Then we would go to the landowner, stick a hand out and introduce ourselves with a firm handshake. Ask them is there anyway possible I can get access for myself. Is there any work around your place I could help you with to thank you for your generosity. Amazing sometimes if we man up, swallow our pride, show a little southern hospitality and kindness what it will get us. Possibly the landowner is seeing everyone as being bad folks and just needs to see that even though we wear camo, enjoy hunting we would still like to be buddies and good neighbors to help one another out.

May take me a ride out this weekend myself and talk to this landowner. Hunted Chestatee some but was not aware of this area. Thanks

You can access it from R.R. highway to a certain extent but good luck trying to get your game out that way. Its possible to reach the western side of the bowl by coming in from Boggs Creek but once you drop off onto the Town Creek side you're dealing with the same ferocious uphill slope to get any game out. Plus I'm thinking the two rds. that would bring you the (relatively) closest are permanently closed. Maybe someone else can give some info on this, I dont hunt over there, but I've been told theyre closed. You can reach the Eastern side from White Oak Gap rd. but thats on Chattahoochee WMA and the 2 areas are never open on the same dates. The problem is, most of the places I love to hunt most are half-way up the side of the mtns forming this valley. Anyone whos ever brought out game for far side-hilling around a big steep mtn knows its nearly impossible to do for miles. I know if I personally killed one in there I would have to bring it down to the trail then hump it up a very steep and long stretch to Tesnatee Gap, which is at roughly 3300' elevation. It was tough enough to get one out down to the F.S. parking lot. Anyone who'd like to get the "big picture" of this area should park at the top of Hogpen Gap, walk the A.T. to the top of Wildcat mtn (maybe 3-4 hundred yards) turn left following the Whitley Gap spur trail and look off the overlooks at one of several rock faces. You can see the whole valley. Its one of my favorite views in the mtns. This would be on your left coming up from Helen.

Haha! That is probably one of my two favorite views of the mtns. I go up to the big bald on wildcat mtn, the one you're talking about all the time. Especially in the summer. I like to watch the sun set there in the summer, especially on days with broken clouds. One of the most beautiful sunsets a man will ever lay eyes on. I took an old girlfriend up there years ago to watch the sun set and for a first kiss (success!). There are also wild blueberries growing all over the bald and I make trips there in the summer specifically to pick them. They even have those lowbush blueberry bushes that only grow up to maybe 2' tall and have blueberries hardly bigger than a BB. I took two friends up there this past summer to watch the sun set, and to try those little blueberries. They both were absolutely astounded at the flavor. They kept saying "Oh my God, oh my God...These are the most amazing blueberries I have ever eaten. That is a very special place to me. Spent many, many evenings there sitting on the rocks reading, and waiting for the sun to go down. Still one of my favorite things to do.

And I know what you're talking about regarding the climb out. Even packing out something small as a deer. It would take at rock bottom minimum two men to be able to pack the weight of even a deer out. It would be a grueling , agonizing afair.

For heaven's sake you boys better not go out west (Wyoming especially) and think you will be able to access much of "our" land - it's almost ALL land locked by private owners. Hunt where you can, when you can, and make the best of it, or buy your own place. Just sayin'

Please keep us updated on this issue...if USFS is looking at it, there are legitimate questions about legality of access. The fact that three different official agencies list this as a trail is interesting.

In a worst case scenario, the state or feds could simply BUY the trail or access rights from this guy and everyone goes away happy. A good and proper use of Eminent Domain.

I don't have a Dog in this fight but if a man doesn't want me on his property and I can't get his permission to be there then I don't have any business on that land..A landowner should have the right to keep others off his land and close a road to do so if he so wishes IMO...I have always looked at that as the American way...

ddd-shooter said:

I've got mixed emotions about this. But my gut feeling is to be on the side of public use.
It's MY land behind the other man's gate also. Let's not forget that.
The forest service cannot 'land lock' a private landowner, and I think what's good for the goose is good for the gander. For all intents and purposes, that man has landlocked the public from using our land.
Far too often, historical easements get shut down in the name of environmentalist mentalities that want to keep humans out and make everything wilderness.
Personally, I think we have too many roadless areas due to this mentality and I think the forest service should be more proactive in keeping and gaining easement to OUR land.

Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. Just because you want to and you used to be able to doesn't mean that you should be allowed to. That man spent his money to buy that land. He can do with it whatever he wants. Don't like it? Work harder and buy it from him. Then you can do what ever you want with it. 'Merica!

Kyle, those are huckleberries you are referring to. (At least that's what we mountain folk call them)
Delicious summer treat!