Trial focuses on public land access in northern New Mexico

TAOS, N.M. (AP) — A trial over public access to prime hunting territory in northeast New Mexico is underway in Taos. White Peak has been the source of legal and administrative fights for decades, and at issue in state district court is whether roads used to access the area are considered historic roads open to the public or private ranching roads. The trial is expected to last about two weeks. Prosecutors with the New Mexico Attorney General's Office on Monday described the area as a checkerboard that includes state trust land and property owned by rancher David Stanley. Stanley has argued that hunters and other members of the public have trespassed on private property for years to reach trust lands. Prosecutors say federal statute more than 150 years old allows for rights of way.