ATV/Motorcycle/Rhino Use during Deer and Elk Season

[Special T]

ya but they don't burn as much fuel and and more green!  I agree with the noise really sucks they are a lot better if you put the aftermarket silencers on them... I sse more deer because I'm not afraid to trek throught the wooks where the deer are likely to stay away from the road hunters... I like to think of them as my drivers and i get to be the blocker....

[haus]

The question is, What do you think about atv, motorcycle, rhino use in Wa during deer or elk seasons.  I know that it is a growing issue, and that the number of riders in our elk area was astounding last season.  

Elaborate in your post, and if there isn't an option for you then post what you think.  

Ill start:
I think they are fine as long as they are relatively quiet, and stay on the road/designated paths.  I hate it when I see them behind closed gates, or out in the open meadows illegally.  For sake of the environment, animals being spooked, and the other hunters.  

Is this specifically referring to hunters using offroad vehicles during hunting season or is it including offroad vehicle users in general? I don't have a problem with either so long as they are abiding by the law.

If your against atv/motorcycle enthusiasts riding in a legal manner in legal area's during your precious hunting season then I recommend you learn to be more tolerant, it's OUR land, suck it up!  

If you oppose them, then tell me what makes you any different than an anti-hunting hiker not wanting to see us out hunting bears during their August nature walks? not a damn thing, its the same exercise of selfishness and intolerance.

When there's an early snowfall we get a few snowmobilers in the 560 unit during MF elk. Does it annoy me? Yeah a little, but I'm not going to oppose their enjoyment. Heck I wouldn't mind hoping on one myself, those things are a blast to ride  

[jeepasaurusrex]

I use one because I have had 3 knee surgery's on my right knee and cannot walk more than a 1/2 mile. I do, however, us it responsibly and only on roads/trails designated for use. I know I cannot get miles in anymore, but it helps me get around.

[Recurve-Elk]

Haus,

I am referring mostly in general, but more so during hunting season.

I am indeed referring to a legal matter, if they are riding them off road "llegally" that is not cool.  Like I originally stated.   If they are riding them legally in an area where its okay, then thats cool too.    Its just when people ride them where and when they aren't supposed to that I get heated.

Before you start throwing words like selfish or intolerant out there I would appreciate it if you read a little more closely.  I clearly stated the word ILLEGALLY

And yes motor vehicles are a blast to ride and I don't have anything against them when used appropriately.  I have a YZ 250 F motocross bike.  Have been riding since I was about 5.  Never used it while hunting because it is wayyyyyy too loud for that kind of stuff.  I just keep it to the tracks, and ORV parks.  


And jeep,

Thats great!  Thats what I think they should really be used for, and I admire you for following the rules.  Don't you get a disability use permit so you can go off the trails?  That I think is totally cool too as long as you again are following the rules and don't abuse the matter.  

[gasman]

 
And jeep,

Thats great!  Thats what I think they should really be used for, and I admire you for following the rules.  Don't you get a disability use permit so you can go off the trails?  That I think is totally cool too as long as you again are following the rules and don't abuse the matter.  

Having a disability permit does not give a person the legal right to go off road.
If it is legal for one to ride off road, then itis legal for all to ride off road (unless specific stated).

[norsepeak]

For the folks who don't like them, keep in mind that they are LEGAL to be offroad an ALL federal land which is Forest Service land.  Just the opposite on state land: they are only legal on green dot roads.  That being said, I ride ATV's and dirtbikes a lot and really enjoy them, but the only time I use one during hunting season is for retrieval of game.  When I'm out scouting I see LOTS of elk, deer, goats and even a few bears from the seat of my quad. The argument that they scare animals is crazy, they are not louder than any diesel truck out there....I've heard some loud Ford diesels coming up roads for more than a mile away before.  Granted there are those who abuse the privelage, but that happens with anything....If you want to make sure your hunting experience is not going to be disturbed by motorized users, then go hunt in the wilderness, I do.

[gasman]

For the folks who don't like them, keep in mind that they are LEGAL to be offroad an ALL federal land which is Forest Service land.  Just the opposite on state land: they are only legal on green dot roads.  That being said, I ride ATV's and dirtbikes a lot and really enjoy them, but the only time I use one during hunting season is for retrieval of game.  When I'm out scouting I see LOTS of elk, deer, goats and even a few bears from the seat of my quad. The argument that they scare animals is crazy, they are not louder than any diesel truck out there....I've heard some loud Ford diesels coming up roads for more than a mile away before.  Granted there are those who abuse the privelage, but that happens with anything....If you want to make sure your hunting experience is not going to be disturbed by motorized users, then go hunt in the wilderness, I do.

Untill you get that old guy riding his moped off the trail in to the wilderness are where his tree stand and salt lick are.

You know where i am talking about 

It was funny when the guy crashed right in front of Doug and did not see him 

[jeepasaurusrex]

I have never applied for a disabled permit. Even if I had one and could drive down closed roads etc. I wouldn't. Knowing that someone put in lots of time and effort to hike in, I'm not going to spoil it for them.

[halflife65]

As long as they are following the rules then I don't care.  If it's ok that they ride a motorcycle/ATV in an area and I don't like it, I'll go to a different area.  However, I expect the same courtesy from the ATV riders.  If it's not legal in an area, show some respect to the other guys out there and go to where it is legal.  Or get off of it and hike.

[vandeman17]

Last year during early archery elk season I had hiked in a ways and set up on this little meadow that we had seen some beds and sign in the previous few days. I was there at first light and set up next to a tree. Right about first light a Rhino or something similar came rolling through the field and drove in front of me not 20 yards away. I stayed totally still and they didn't even see me but needless to say I wasn't happy and moved on as the spot was ruined. As stated before, if they are on designated roads and such I have no problem with them but when people break the laws I get really mad.    They should start something similar to the getting points as a reward for turning in poachers for these people. If we turn in people on breaking the riding laws and get something for it then maybe more people would be inclined to turn them in instead of just getting pissed off and going about their way.  

[Recurve-Elk]

 
And jeep,

Thats great!  Thats what I think they should really be used for, and I admire you for following the rules.  Don't you get a disability use permit so you can go off the trails?  That I think is totally cool too as long as you again are following the rules and don't abuse the matter.  

Having a disability permit does not give a person the legal right to go off road.
If it is legal for one to ride off road, then itis legal for all to ride off road (unless specific stated).

Oh I guess the specific deal is where I lost it, I was reading this article.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/outreach/access/accessibility/roadaccess.htm



And for everyone else.  This topic is really a discussion about people abusing their motor vehicles.  For example people riding off of posted roads in areas that are a green dot system.  

I have no problem with atvs,dirt bikes, rhinos.  Just if they are abused is when I get upset over the matter    I have already stated that I own a dirt bike and ride all the time, is following the rules really that hard?  

Here is a little excerpt I keep finding when researching the issue.


Except for roads open by green dot designation, all roads and trails are closed to all wheeled motor vehicles including ATVs. Violators will be subject to prosecution pursuant to W.A.C. 232.12.187. Closing sensitive areas helps protect fish from sediment running off of roads, migratory routes of big game, wildlife habitat, and timber and road resources while allowing for safe and fun recreation opportunities. The green dot roads are meant to remain at a net amount of miles, so when one section is removed from the management agreement, another may be added of equal length. Roads designated as green dot can change as harvest or sites are identified which may need protection or rehabilitation. We appreciate help from users in maintaining and educating about our green dot system!

The reason I am upset about it is this.  Last elk hunting season (I hunt in a green dot controlled area by the way), I would hike off the open roads, often using closed blocked off old logging roads as a trail.  I swear that on every blocked unmarked old skid road there was at least one set of atv tracks, or motorcycle tracks.

[haus]

Haus,

I am referring mostly in general, but more so during hunting season.

I am indeed referring to a legal matter, if they are riding them off road "llegally" that is not cool.  Like I originally stated.   If they are riding them legally in an area where its okay, then thats cool too.     Its just when people ride them where and when they aren't supposed to that I get heated.

Before you start throwing words like selfish or intolerant out there I would appreciate it if you read a little more closely.  I clearly stated the word ILLEGALLY

I quoted because of the questions I had, everything after that is aimed at specifically who I say its aimed at, it wasn't aimed at you. You said in your first post that you were okay with their legal use. I got that. Sorry if it came across as if my words after the first paragraph were aimed at you.

Not sure if your polls going to clearly represent what your looking for though, maybe I'm just not sure what your trying to get out of this, because legal vs. illegal use isn't separated in the poll or defined. Seems that its sorta mixed in with the 4 choices. 

[Recurve-Elk]

I quoted because of the questions I had, everything after that is aimed at specifically who I say its aimed at, it wasn't aimed at you. You said in your first post that you were okay with their legal use. I got that. Sorry if it came across as if my words after the first paragraph were aimed at you.

Not sure if your polls going to clearly represent what your looking for though, maybe I'm just not sure what your trying to get out of this, because legal vs. illegal use isn't separated in the poll or defined. Seems that its sorta mixed in with the 4 choices.  

Thanks for the clarification on that!  

Ya i think your right.  This appears to have taken several different directions.  It is interesting to see what everyone thinks however.  I just wish everyone would follow the rules, I guess thats about it.

[haus]

I've spent many days inside gated area's that are approved for disabled hunter access, no problem sharing the area with any disabled hunters. We usually have a conversation when we see each other, often disabled hunters will offer me food or drink, trade stories about what we've seen, etc.

  I've also rode with disabled hunters in gated access area's as the designated meat packer/game dispatcher. I got no problem with it. Though I've only been with people who are para or quadraplegic. A few years back, in a disabled hunter access area south of eburg(dont recall name of it) I was riding along with my buddy and his dad thats parapalegic, we came up on this truck and both hunters were standing outside of it bs'ing. We pulled up and started the usual conversation hunters have, I ventured to ask one of the guys about his injuries, he said he had a bum knee.   not sure how I feel bout that ya know, but this is a subject where its difficult to draw the line.

[haus]

I've seen disabled hunters use atv's in a manner that allows them to hunt in area's and for some game species that would otherwise never be accessible to them, I think this is very cool to see A little loss of peace and quite is worth giving up once in awhile for someone who has it much more difficult in life than I.