This land is not "public land" per se', it is owned by Peabody and they require a trespass fee. It is likely the ARA person was trespassing.

BTW, on the subject of private land, it's becoming nearly impossible to keep the "slobs" off private land too! I've taken my son to private land several times in gun season where we were the only ones with written permission and it was LOADED with trespassing slob hunters.

I have non-hunting friends that are land owners and ranchers who hate hunters because they can not keep them off their land. They trespass, break down fences, throw trash all around, leave gates open and there's virtually nothing you can do. The police come when they want. The DNR comes when they want. There are so many calls during hunting season that police and DNR tend to ignore you unless there are major violations (i.e. multiple pochings, assult, etc.)