ATV use on Closed Roads

[pianoman9701]

Was walking down a tank-trapped road in the 560. I'd seen a lot of sign and getting a couple miles in behind two ponds was a really good prospect. I left a little late in the afternoon and had planned to stay until dark. As I approached my spot, I started to hear motors and then saw two ATVs coming toward me on the road, one, a large green Polaris. As soon as they saw me they turned around and took off in the other direction. Hunt ruined. I looked around and there were tracks and damage to the habitat everywhere because of all the rain we'd had. I knew where they were camped, went to the camp, and took pictures of the plates on their ATVs and trucks, which I gave to the FS.

I don't own toys; can't afford 'em. I don't care if people use them legally. But it chaps my a$$ when I hike in a couple of miles on a closed road and here comes a motorized vehicle. It's unethical, illegal, unsportsmanlike, and shows no concern for the environment or the reason that particular habitat is being protected. These guys don't understand the enjoyment of the woods or its value.

[7mmfan]

Had it happen to me more than once. It really is frustrating. Hopefully the LEO does something about it.

[Stein]

Yeah, I had that happen in 346, almost the same story.  Wasted a half day getting up a closed road only to have a jerk go ripping around in his quad all day.  He even waved as he drove by.  He was camped right by the gate with fresh tracks in the snow from the back of his truck around the gate and up the road.  Turned in the pics and nothing happened.  This was on private land open to hunting - until they see the damage to the gate and around it and I wouldn't be surprised to see them shut it down (to legal hunters anyway).

[pianoman9701]

Had it happen to me more than once. It really is frustrating. Hopefully the LEO does something about it.

I hope they do but without catching them in the act,...I doubt it.

[CP]

Actually some parts of some NF lands are open to cross county travel via ATV.  And it those areas closed roads to treated the same as non-roads and ATV traffic is legal on them.

[pianoman9701]

The FS previously told me those were closed roads around the two lakes and I reconfirmed this past week.

[CP]

Here's an old thread with some useful info.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,203033.msg2696780.html#msg2696780

[pianoman9701]

Thanks for that reference, CP. I also have one and for the series of roads I'm referring to, the regulation is " Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, with Seasonal Designation." The tank traps on both ends are extensive. There's no question these are closed and the local FS Mt. Adams Ranger station confirmed it. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd490922.pdf

[CP]

Yep, the laws are different all over.  That’s probably why many people ignore them and why few are enforced.

[pianoman9701]

Yep, the laws are different all over.  That’s probably why many people ignore them and why few are enforced.

They knew exactly what they were doing and weren't happy at all when I came to their camp taking pictures of their plates. I agree that the laws in this state can be hard to follow. This was not the case here.

[Mudman]

Was walking down a tank-trapped road in the 560. I'd seen a lot of sign and getting a couple miles in behind two ponds was a really good prospect. I left a little late in the afternoon and had planned to stay until dark. As I approached my spot, I started to hear motors and then saw two ATVs coming toward me on the road, one, a large green Polaris. As soon as they saw me they turned around and took off in the other direction. Hunt ruined. I looked around and there were tracks and damage to the habitat everywhere because of all the rain we'd had. I knew where they were camped, went to the camp, and took pictures of the plates on their ATVs and trucks, which I gave to the FS.

I don't own toys; can't afford 'em. I don't care if people use them legally. But it chaps my a$$ when I hike in a couple of miles on a closed road and here comes a motorized vehicle. It's unethical, illegal, unsportsmanlike, and shows no concern for the environment or the reason that particular habitat is being protected. These guys don't understand the enjoyment of the woods or its value.

Crybaby.  As far as Im concerned it should be "OPEN"!!!  I don't support restrictions to public use on public lands.  Flame me I don't care, Im tired of this crap.  IF we still had freedoms and the gate didn't exist what would ya whine about.  Habitat destruction going around the gate?  Really?  Give me a break now your worried about dandelions damaged?  Don't hide behing the :legal" claim either.  It should and was legal at one time in past before freedoms were taken.  I spent childhood running around mnts and no old guy whined I was illegal behnd closed gate damaging floura.  That is my point.  Buy a darn quad and ride behind gates, support freedoms or quit whining.

[pianoman9701]

Why do you even buy a hunting license or a license to drive a car, then? You pick a choose the rules you want to follow and screw the rest. You're the problem that screws it up for the rest of the ATVers.  It's people like you that have people like me not care when the government restricts your rights.

[Bango skank]

Was walking down a tank-trapped road in the 560. I'd seen a lot of sign and getting a couple miles in behind two ponds was a really good prospect. I left a little late in the afternoon and had planned to stay until dark. As I approached my spot, I started to hear motors and then saw two ATVs coming toward me on the road, one, a large green Polaris. As soon as they saw me they turned around and took off in the other direction. Hunt ruined. I looked around and there were tracks and damage to the habitat everywhere because of all the rain we'd had. I knew where they were camped, went to the camp, and took pictures of the plates on their ATVs and trucks, which I gave to the FS.

I don't own toys; can't afford 'em. I don't care if people use them legally. But it chaps my a$$ when I hike in a couple of miles on a closed road and here comes a motorized vehicle. It's unethical, illegal, unsportsmanlike, and shows no concern for the environment or the reason that particular habitat is being protected. These guys don't understand the enjoyment of the woods or its value.

Crybaby.  As far as Im concerned it should be "OPEN"!!!  I don't support restrictions to public use on public lands.  Flame me I don't care, Im tired of this crap.  IF we still had freedoms and the gate didn't exist what would ya whine about.  Habitat destruction going around the gate?  Really?  Give me a break now your worried about dandelions damaged?  Don't hide behing the :legal" claim either.  It should and was legal at one time in past before freedoms were taken.  I spent childhood running around mnts and no old guy whined I was illegal behnd closed gate damaging floura.  That is my point.  Buy a darn quad and ride behind gates, support freedoms or quit whining.

There are lots of areas open to atv use.  If you want to hunt up a closed road then get your fat lazy ass off of your atv and use your boots.

[trophyhunt]

I think we should be more like Idaho, they get to utilize their quads on most roads, with some walk in only roads. Unlike this state where most are gated with some quad roads.  The 113 unit has a ridiculous amount of gated roads, as I get older the more I’ll be limited to my hunting ability, the use of my quad opens up much more possibilities.  I’m not supporting illegal use of quads, I’m saying there should be more legal use roads!  Question for you guys, if they were using a quad behind the gate at night to get their animal out, ( because of their limited physical ability) would you turn them in?  I’d be pissed too if I walked in for miles and they drove by, but at night after hunting is over and they just need to utilize the quad to retrieve game, I’m all for it.

[Bango skank]

I think we should be more like Idaho, they get to utilize their quads on most roads, with some walk in only roads. Unlike this state where most are gated with some quad roads.  The 113 unit has a ridiculous amount of gated roads, as I get older the more I’ll be limited to my hunting ability, the use of my quad opens up much more possibilities.  I’m not supporting illegal use of quads, I’m saying there should be more legal use roads!  Question for you guys, if they were using a quad behind the gate at night to get their animal out, ( because of their limited physical ability) would you turn them in?  I’d be pissed too if I walked in for miles and they drove by, but at night after hunting is over and they just need to utilize the quad to retrieve game, I’m all for it.

If you cant retrieve your game without your atv then you shouldnt be hunting up a closed road in the first place.