Land - who would own it?

[eyepatrol]

On a lake that I waterfowl hunt, there is an island nearby the mainland that, back in the early '70s and before, was connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land and was platted as a privately owned peninsula. From the mid-70s to today, the forces of nature have eroded away the thin narrow strip of land and the used-to-be peninsula now sits 30 yards from shore as an island.

So my question is this....would this used-to-be peninsula, which is now an island, still be under private ownership of the original landowner, or is this now a public island???

[deepportage01]

yes, but I think you can still hunt it as long as you gain entry from public land and you are 500ft away from houses and you stay with in 10 ft of shore.I do know that you can fish in somones back yard as long as you came in on the water or puplic land and stay 10 ft from shore

[beretta]

I believe it would be still under control of the original owner. It wouldnt make sense for it to suddenly become state land or anything... I know people around here that own islands. So I dont know why this would be any different but you could check with the county land dept to be sure.

[Duffman]

I'd check a recent plat book. I would guess that piece of land is still owned by the person who owned it when it was a peninsula.

[TV BOY]

It would still be private property. You could hunt if you are away from buildings livestock etc.. but must be in the water. If you step foot on land you are trespassing and can be cited. I learned that from a conversation with a CO. If you intentionally trespass it is loss of license for a year and fine.

[eyepatrol]

Thanks for all the responses. I know this is somewhat of an attorney question, but am trying to save a few bucks.

The "island" isn't near any homes, so that's not a problem and my dad has known the original land owner for years, so permission isn't a problem either. We've actually considered trying to buy the thing, but really weren't sure if it would still be private or after a certain number of years being disconnected from land if it becomes public.

Again, thanks for the replies.