Illegal ATV off road use. We need your help!

[Recurve-Elk]

Hey guys, I have been running a poll on the issue of illegal ATV/off road use.  Currently we have 52 votes, and 14 comments on the matter.  I feel if we can get over 100 votes, regarding the issue of people illegally using the off road vehicles, then I would contact the fish and wildlife department on the matter.

Anyways, I urge you to vote.  Here is a link to the poll
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,52993.0.html

[gasman]

So what is you motivation?

What do you hope to accomplish?

What will 100 votes do, out of the 10's of thousands of hunters out there?

[JackOfAllTrades]

I ride street legal dual purpose bike to and from hunt area on open roads.  I don't like it when there are others that abuse the lands with ATV's at all.  But you need a poll to convince you that you should call fish & game?  If it concerns you, then call, but you might start with who the managing authority for that land unit is. If it's National Forest.. Start with them. But don't call them now about things that are happening during hunting seasons. If this is happening now.. that's one thing. If it's happening a lot 'just before season' then set something up with them. But don't just call to complain about what you saw last year.

-Steve

[Recurve-Elk]

check out the link and you will see what I am talking about, there is a debate going on in it.  Its the issue of people abusing their rights with atv/motorcycles.  Going places that they are prohibited essentially.

[mkcj]

Where in your poll does it say anything about  "Illegal ATV off road use" If it's legal then I have no problem with people using them if it's not then call the ranger's or WDFW and report it when you see it happening in "our" elk hunting area.

[Recurve-Elk]

Where in your poll does it say anything about  "Illegal ATV off road use" If it's legal then I have no problem with people using them if it's not then call the ranger's or WDFW and report it when you see it happening in "our" elk hunting area.

This is the exact poll description.

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. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

The question is, What do you think about atv, motorcycle, rhino use in Wa during deer or elk seasons.

I have no problem with it if they are on the legal pathway and operate the motorized vehicle in a safe manner.

I don't know anywhere where they're actually allowed to go off road or off designated trail in a hunting area.

-Steve

[norsepeak]

You have to find out what is legal...on federal land, which is Forest service, ATV's are LEGAL anywhere offroad they want to go...so if you are in your hunting spot and you are on national forest, and an ATV comes by you, the ATV is LEGAL....don't believe it, call the forest service.  Been over this issue a million times for the last few years.

[Recurve-Elk]

I am talking about places where its not legal.  Like in green dot areas.

This is what I found on it.

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!

[Gutpile]

I'd rather see WDFW worry about poachers. Not people who annoy you.

[Lowedog]

You have to find out what is legal...on federal land, which is Forest service, ATV's are LEGAL anywhere offroad they want to go...so if you are in your hunting spot and you are on national forest, and an ATV comes by you, the ATV is LEGAL....don't believe it, call the forest service.  Been over this issue a million times for the last few years.

That is about to change.  Pretty soon it will be that OHV's are only allowed where it is clearly a designated OHV trail or road.  What can be done now if someone is caught "offroad" is they can be cited for resource damage. 

Recurve, if you are witnessing illegal activity then report it to the proper authority.  Nothing can or will be done about it unless they are caught in the act. 

[bearhunter99]

I have been under the impression that all Forest Service roads are off limits to ATV's unless they are street legal.  I have been told repeatedly that if you are caught on a Forest Service road with a vehicle that has no street legal license plate you can be cited.

[gasman]

Norse is correct. I had the same arguement with him last year, so i called Sam Bissel at teh Nachese ranger station, he is incharge of the OHV program. He stated to that on NF, it is legal to ride off road as long as there is no resource damge. If your riding or driving off road causes resource damge, you can be fined for it. If you are on state land (Green dot area, etc..) you may ride or drive the roads open but you are not allowed to go off road.
Now with thatbeing said, there used to be WDFW areas in the north central part of the state that a disabled hunter could ride a OHV behind closed gates and road, and drive said vehicle off road to retreive game taken. Weather the area is still there or not   I found it in the Disabled hunter guide lines, some time ago.


Now if you are seeing OHV users in areas you are sure they are not supose to be, then take a pic of the activity, and document what you see, then report it to the proper athority. With out pic they do very little any more, and taking actions in to your own hands can lead you in to more trouble then them.

Bearhunter99, you are correct, forest service roads. Off Road= Legal  On road=Illegal

I am an advid OHVer and i follow the rules, but i also know the rules as well.

[bigtex]

Well some of you are right and some aren't.

Each forest is operated under it's own rules. So something that is allowed in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie may not be allowed in Okanogan-Wenatchee. ATVs/ORVs are NOT allowed in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie except for the ATV areas such as Evans Creek. However they are allowed on most roads in Ok-Wen. You can actually be cited in Mt. Baker- Snoq. for just having an ATV on your trailer. This is why it is important to call the individual ranger station and ask them. Because what could be legal in one ranger district could be illegal in the neighboring one.

[bigtex]

I'd rather see WDFW worry about poachers. Not people who annoy you.

Well WDFW is not the only agency that is suppose to enforce ATV rules. The county sheriff is actually the primary agency that is mandated to enforce ATV rules.