Wow, the story just got more interesting!
I can't imagine why the landowner leasing out 1600 acres would not inform you about this ahead of time. It seems like you should have been told this up front, and something decided between the landowners long before you got involved.
I had a relative get in similar situation and never knew about the issue until hunting season and his lock was cut. And both parties were leasing from the same company, and the company would not take a position either way. He wound up letting someone else take the lease and the headaches with it. Good luck to all!
