If you have a no trespassing sign on your property, that still doesn’t prevent your private land from not being searched with a warrant.
Today, two Clearfield County Hunting Clubs spoke in front of the Pa Supreme Court to fight for the protection of all private property.
Three years ago, leaders with the Punxsutawney and Pitch Pine Hunting Clubs sued the Game Commission for trespassing and putting up cameras on their property without a warrant.
Now, the case has made it to the Supreme Court, with attorneys saying they want to throw out an old case that upholds the Open Fields Doctrine.
The Open Field Doctrine means that if you own land that isn’t immediately surrounding your home or building, it’s subjected to the Doctrine, and authorities can search it without a warrant.
However if the court rules in favor of the hunting clubs, all private land will be eligible for protection under the State Constitution.
“We feel like we’re invaded. We see Game Wardens on bicycles in their trucks on our private property, which is completely gated and has no trespassing signs around the property. We feel like we’ve been harassed.”
Attorneys say they’re cautiously optimistic about the future decision, which they say will take a few months.