Texas Farm Ranch Roads-Legal to Pass?

[ericjkelly]

Hey friends,

So we were chasing a few days ago in Texas and Streets and Trips led me to a farm road. We approached it and noticed a gate that happened to be open. The sign mentioned all the ranches along that road. During that day, we noticed more of these, some gates open, some gates closed.

So....are these legal to drive through? I felt as if I was driving through someones farm (along with their animals that were on the road). The entire time I was thinking "I am going to get shot for this".

Anyone have experience with this? Anyone have a ruling on this?

Thanks!

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

General rule around TX, if you dont want to get shot. If it has a gate, open or closed, best to find another road. Are you likely to really get shot, no, but why risk it.

A few years ago I pulled down a road passed a cattleguard in my home county. Didnt go too far down the road, but a decent ways. I was filming for 15 minutes when the rancher showed up. He ended up knowing my dad and telling me I could go as far as I wanted down the road. He said he came to check who I was because the methheads like to go out there to cook their meth. He even had a very large pistol sitting in the unzipped case in the passenger seat. Cowboys and ranchers almost always have a gun in the truck.

 

[David Pauley]

Hey friends,

So we were chasing a few days ago in Texas and Streets and Trips led me to a farm road. We approached it and noticed a gate that happened to be open. The sign mentioned all the ranches along that road. During that day, we noticed more of these, some gates open, some gates closed.

So....are these legal to drive through? I felt as if I was driving through someones farm (along with their animals that were on the road). The entire time I was thinking "I am going to get shot for this".

Anyone have experience with this? Anyone have a ruling on this?

Thanks!

We have a road similar to this in Bastrop County, it's Old Sayer's Road and Main street eventually turns into it. I goes into the Old Steiner Ranch area here. There are many ranches out there now, and the feeling is the same. But it is perfectly fine and legal to drive down this road. Unless there is signage specifically stating that it is a private road and no trespassing, I would think you will be fine driving down those roads.

 

[James Wilson]

If it is not marked it is free game ... with that said I would be extra on alert in Texas. ;-)

 

[D. Hayes]

We have those types of roads here in Kansas as well. I was using google maps to plan a local adventure and found the google car actually went down them and showed them as open roads. Now if they have a no trespassing sign or purple post or gate (open or closed) I'll refrain from going down them. The few I did go down looked more like wagon trails and I ended up coming out by a farm house. I report those roads to google to indicate private drives rather than unmarked roads. When chasing though you don't want to use them at all simply because if it's wet you will get stuck.

 

[ericjkelly]

What does the purple identify? Private property?

 

[Ric Burney]

Texas law PC 30.05 explains private property / trespassing. http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.30.htm The purple markings carry the same weight as a 'no trespassing' sign.