ATV/Motorcycle/Rhino Use during Deer and Elk Season

[Recurve-Elk]

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.

I agree, if someone is disabled, they should have all the right in the world to use a vehicle to hunt places that people non disabled cant.  A vehicle to them is like their legs. 

[gasman]

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.

I agree, if someone is disabled, they should have all the right in the world to use a vehicle to hunt places that people non disabled cant.  A vehicle to them is like their legs. 

You are correct but there are many on this site that disagree with you. This is not a new discussion and some can get ugly. 

[Recurve-Elk]

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.

I agree, if someone is disabled, they should have all the right in the world to use a vehicle to hunt places that people non disabled cant.  A vehicle to them is like their legs.  

You are correct but there are many on this site that disagree with you. This is not a new discussion and some can get ugly.  

Ya I think I am just about done with this thread, I should have known better.     haha some things are better left alone.  Especially over the internet where things can be confusing or misleading.

[gasman]

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.

I agree, if someone is disabled, they should have all the right in the world to use a vehicle to hunt places that people non disabled cant.  A vehicle to them is like their legs.  

You are correct but there are many on this site that disagree with you. This is not a new discussion and some can get ugly.  

Ya I think I am just about done with this thread, I should have known better.     haha some things are better left alone.  Especially over the internet where things can be confusing or misleading.

Don't be discouraged, it creates good discusions and points of view 

[alecvg]

I have no problem with them if they stay on OPEN roads.  Not going behind gates, and no offroading unless in a desinated offroading area.  I personally do love offroading, and I am always tempted to do it on public land, even in my truck, but I am not an idiot.  It pisses me off the most when they go behind a gate though, seriouslly, the gate is there for a fricken reason!!!      

[ML_Hunter]

They do annoy me!  But don't mind them when on roads or trails for ATV's as long as they are quiet.  They are quite handy to pull out an elk or moose!

[DOUBLELUNG]

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.

I sympathize.  Back before my ticker started betraying me, I used to do VERY well just mapping out the areas ATVs couldn't access, and hunting those 3-4 days after the opener (WY, not WA).

I've had a friend use one to pack my elk from the closest accessible point to my truck.  I only had to pack 1/2 mile downhill, and appreciated it.

I do think, though, that as we become mobility limited, we need to appreciate what we had when we had all our health and mobility, and not fight to degrade everything to a highly accessible state.  There are places I will never see again, but that doesn't mean i should be able to ride an ATV in there either.

[high country]

I have bikes, quad and mule......no Machias, a kawasaki mule. there are places near me that only allow atv/foot traffic, in those places I love mine as it is a uphill mile to huntable land. now with that said, when I do into the colville NF and see a sign that says road closed that has quad traffic on it, I get pissed. I called the law last year after hiking a few miles into a closed road area and was met by a quad. the warden told me he was within his rights because it was private land and open to quads......go figure. the land I hunt my serious seasons on is all widerness or closed to all wheeled traffic.....that is why I go there.

[GoldTip]

I have quads and use them when and where they are legal.  Have never "hunted" off a quad, but use them instead for trips to and from camp to my hunting area's or for retrieval of game when I can.  Everyone just needs to learn to play well with others in my opinion.  Used legally the quads or bikes or side by sides can be a helpful tool, when used illegally, well then it's just a "tool" thats sitting on top of it.

[DOUBLELUNG]

The last day I ever hunted the Medicine Bow-Routt NF in WY, I left at noon after having had 2 separate quad operators putt up on a closed road to see if I'd seen any elk.  I figured if it happened a third time, blood would spill.  Never been back (that was 1992).

[Elkaholic daWg]

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.

I agree, if someone is disabled, they should have all the right in the world to use a vehicle to hunt places that people non disabled cant.  A vehicle to them is like their legs. 

You are correct but there are many on this site that disagree with you. This is not a new discussion and some can get ugly. 

 The sierra club, wilderness society, and DOW really like it when we pick on each other to further their agenda. We are all user groups that all of them want to REGULATE as much as possible. DON'T even own one, yet hunt with a disabled partner. Shall we fall into their trap?

[colockumelk]

I think that when a privelage is abused enough it should be taken away. ATV use during hunting season has been SEVERELY ABUSED!! During elk season there is not a single closed road in the Colockum that hasn't been torn up by ATV tracks. Same goes for the Manastash and Taneum units as well. Theres no excuse for it. Hell the Manastash and the Taneum units is basically a huge ORV park. And the Colockum has so many roads why would you need to drive on a closed one? The answer is easy, LAZINESS!!!

  IMHO the state should put out notice that if in a GMU there is noticable illegal ORV use during the big game season unless you have a disabled permit ORV use will be ILLEGAL for hunters in that GMU during big game seasons!  Except in places like the Manastash and Taneum where its got trails all over it specifically for ORV use.  Abuse the simple and easy to follow laws as a user group and you lose your user group prrivelages.

And here's the problem.  Most ATV guys I've talked to (that's right MOST) think that they have the right to ride anywhere and closed roads infringe upon that right.  I Remember.her last year catching a ton of flack for wanting to fund gates in the Colockum for roads already closed. 

I have an easy and fair solution to that problem. If you are caught behind a closed road you will not be fined. Instead you will be sent the bill for a construction crew to put in a gate on the road that you were on. If there's already a gate you will no longer have an ATV. A big part of the problem is currently there is no deterrance from breaking the law. You have to GIVE people a reason not to break the law. Currently there is none.

[haus]

10 special permit points for reporting illegal atv use 

[colockumelk]

I think people should get ten points as well but the state is too cheap for that.  I forgot to mention I'd rather see an increase in punishment than see the state take everyones privelages away.  The state complains that they don't have the money to put up enough gates.  My idea solves that problem.  Punish the criminals (yes people who illegally drive down a road is a CRIMINAL) that illegally use their ATV's to pay to put up the gate over the road that they drove down.  If you get caught behind a gate you lose your ATV and you get to pay a $1,000 fine.  Is anyone against this? 

If this still doesn't work then I say severely restrict the privelages.  I believe in the military style of thinking.  If the platoon can't police their own up and follow simple instructions, then that means the Platoon Sergeant has to come in and MAKE them follow simple instructions.  And for those of us that have been in the military we know that that is a BAD DAY. 

So people please don't make the State or Law Enforcement step in.  Police your own an then they wont have to.  All it takes is to stop the person and say something.  Its not hard.  I do it every year.  I have yet to have a problem.  They know they're wrong so they comply.  If they give you crap just say "sorry" as they drive away snap a picture or get down their permit number or a vehicle description and call the authorities.   

[Alan K]

Legal or not I hate 'em. . .