Closed Gate/Road Questions

[KFhunter]

most of the gates around here have ATV bypasses.   I've also been told (by 3rd or 4th party) USFS said the gates were only to stop trucks and firewood cutters etc but ATV's were fine?  <---I don't buy it 3rd hand before you blast me lol


I see gates with no motorized vehicle signs - so those are an obvious no
I see gates with closed for wildlife habit winter range - so again no motorized vehicles in the winter, but what about spring/summer/fall?
I see gates with road closed due to vehicle ruts and habitat damage -  ATV wouldn't leave ruts??
I see gates with no signs whatsoever - if other gates have signs and this one doesn't, what does that mean?
I see roads closed with no gates at all but just rocks in the road and kelly humps with ATV tracks over the top

tons of gates with tons of signs, or no signs at all, and ATV bypass routes, whats the clarification?


There's zero enforcement of closed roads with ATV's behind them so how can I condem a long standing practice of riding atvs around a gate when the FS/DNR don't give a crap? Dont enforce it?  don't replace road closed signs?  and have a tendency to gate everything so they don't have to maintain the roads? 

Moreover, I think there's a plan to let roads go into disrepair, gate it, then call it a roadless area and then nominate it for wilderness.   I'm 100% against that, there's some beautiful areas no longer being utilized due to these practices.  I used to drive my ATV all over the place before the rules went nuts and everything got gated off, now I hardly ever use my ATV it just sits collecting dust.  I drive my truck with my McSammaches and coffee to a gate then walk in, I try to park in the ATV bypass  (to not be in the way of a gate  )

[KFhunter]

I know of one deer camp in 101 that camps right at the gate then uses UTV's and ATV's to hunt taylor ridge behind locked gates, been doing it for years no one ever tells em no, so it must be OK 

[Stein]

I have had several hunts busted by people driving ATV's illegally around locked gates.  You can pick up a map on NF lands and be legal if you want.  It also happens on private property that allow walk-in hunters - ATV's rip up the hillside around gates which puts hunter access at risk as well as ruins it for those walking in.  Those that allow access almost always have easy to find rules about what they allow.

Just because there are too few enforcement people to give everyone a ticket doesn't make it right.  If you want to drive an ATV or motorcycle, my feeling is you should make the effort to know where you can drive it and where you can't.  Even when walking in, I make the effort to know where I am and not trespass even though 99% of the time there is no sign on the private/public boundary or a warden there to give tickets.

[KFhunter]

As do I Stein,  I try to be legal and respectful. 


A couple guys doing it right though isn't going to change anything though, people are going to drive around. 


If i got a big buck/bull down couple miles behind a gate and there's a well used ATV bypass around a gate..... I'm gonna be awfully tempted.



Years ago the road wasn't gated and I drove my motorcycles up through there many times 30 years ago, now its gated and I can't do that anymore, what's the difference between now and 30 years ago?  just a gate..

[buglebrush]

Don't assume there won't be motorized vehicles behind closed gates.  I've made that mistake a few times now.

Such a joy to hike several miles up from a locked gate in the dark, only to have some *censored* come driving by at 8am with a hot coffee and a bag of mcbreakfast sandwiches

No kidding!  Infuriates me. 
I know a guy who was passed by an ATV five miles behind a locked & closed gate.  He got the last laugh when he found their ATV a mile further on.  Removed a tire and hid it far away in the brush.  He then called forest service when he got out, and they went in and confiscated the ATV, fined the guys, etc...   

[KFhunter]

I hope he went back and got that ATV tire

[Bullmoose]

It sounds like Archery season where I hunt at Side by sides and ATV all over, 

[MADMAX]

I went and got my ATV street legal
Hell I cant even use it on a forest road in most areas
Took it one trip to Frost and Quartz mts area eastside
Id be glad to just be able to use it on a road that everyone else uses and save a little gas
Most established ATV areas are so overwhelmed with traffic it’s not even worth going in my opinion
I’ve been hunting for 50 years and am at the point in my life where it would be darn nice to use it.
Open the darn forest roads for them at least
Not talking about behind gates just nf  roads statewide open to motor vehicles
My 2 cents

[buglebrush]

I hope he went back and got that ATV tire

Forest service guy got it.  He gave him coordinates.