“checking their hole card”
What does that mean?
Edit: Oh, ok. I’m not a card player
It means they're looking for any aces up their sleeves.
Seriously, what I don't understand is that "government" land is public land. How can the government close off public land from the public?
Either open up the land or sell it to private enterprises who will manage the land.
As for liability, it should be "use at your own risk" as long as reasonable actions are taken to mark trails, mark dangerous areas, and post informational signs throughout that explain the dangers of the area.
-PJ