Illegal ATV off road use. We need your help!

[bobcat]

Cle Elum Ranger District, which is part of the Wenatchee National Forest, does not allow non-street legal vehicles on any roads.

[bigtex]

Cle Elum Ranger District, which is part of the Wenatchee National Forest, does not allow non-street legal vehicles on any roads.

 

There are numerous signs saying this, but yet it amazes me how many people still violate the law.

[Lowedog]

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.

Incorrect.  The USFS has some roads that are designated open for ATV/ORV use.  It doesn't matter which district it is.  The roads that are open for OHV use are clearly marked on on USFS maps.  There are only two roads on USFS land in Chelan county that are open for OHV use.  You must have a street legal vehicle to be on any USFS road that is not designated open for OHV use.  There are very few roads in the state that are open to OHV that can also be driven on by a truck or car. 

The USFS is implementing their new rules regarding OHV use.   In the next year or so we will see some changes and I know some sections of roads will be open for OHV that connect trails and roads that are currently open for OHV use. 

http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer?pagename=arra_ohv_designation_center

The U.S. Forest Service is in the process of implementing its Travel Management Rule.  The rule requires all forests to designate and map OHV routes and when completed, no OHV use will be allowed except on these designated routes.  Now that individual Forests are in the process of implementing the rule, it is extremely important that OHV riders participate in this process.

[hunterofelk]

So this topic got me to research the Okanogan National Forest where I spend the fall deer hunting.  I found this on the web site:  If your OHV is not licensed, it may be used ONLY on roads that are blocked with rocks, trees or earthen barriers and not open for passenger cars or trucks. Be sure that the blocked road is not show on the Okanogan National Forest Travel Plan Map as closed to all motorized vehicle use or closed on the ground with a written order.
So this got me to remember all the times I found a road that was blocked by tank traps or rocks and a sign saying "no motorized vehicles" and there were ATV tracks going around the obstacle.  I thought this was a violation of the law.  Now I don't.  I don't know what to think.  I thought an ATV was a motorized vehicle.  Driving around the barrier seemed the wrong thing to do.

[predatorpro]

thats just to confuse you so next time you go past the sign or barrier they can write you up a ticket

[BLKBEARKLR]

So bringing this back up again, what if the land is state land? Is it legal to ride them there? Not national forest, but actual state land??

Thanks
Joe

[bobcat]

Yes, state land is about the only place you can legally ride ATV's anymore. But it's getting ridiculous now with all the rules. You can now get ticket for not wearing a helmet. So to me it's not even worth owning one anymore. That's why I sold my 4 wheeler last year.

[Hunter Dug]

This is simple if it says no MOTORIZED vehicle that is what i means. If it says ROAD CLOSED thats what it means. Does your rig have a motor, electric,  gas, diesel, propane what ever. IT IS MOTORIZED.  All Washington State National Forest land is closed to Non Street legal vehicles, quads, motorcycles, scooters if you cant ride it down the freeway you cant ride it in the national forest.  Unless it is a designated area or road for Non street legal vehicles and they are clearly marked in the national forest. Unless some dip*censored* riding his quad tore down that sign and you know who you are.   Every year we turn some one in for riding there quads on the national forest land, and every year the warden, or the sherriff show up at our camp, and make them trailer the quads with a warning, a lot of the times we will explain the law to the violators and they had no idea an think just because they have a offroad vehicle they can ride it where ever. 

[sako223]

Much of the state land is Green Dot road travel only during hunting season.
One exception to no motorized vehicles is disabled motorized.

[bigtex]

Yes, state land is about the only place you can legally ride ATV's anymore. But it's getting ridiculous now with all the rules. You can now get ticket for not wearing a helmet. So to me it's not even worth owning one anymore. That's why I sold my 4 wheeler last year.

Actually a lot of DNR land is now closed to motor vehicles and ATV's. The USFS does have the ORV/ATV park near Carbonado and it is very popular.

[Special T]

Funny how this state has it all backwards... Charge more for less quality and opportunity...  Oh ya and make it very complicated to do it legally... Hunting, fishing, Off roading... the list goes on... My father replace half of the boards on his dock this summer... I asked him why we don't just re deck the hole dam thing... He said it requires a permitt from the dept of ecology... His neighbor just got his dock rebuilt... he wanted to put in 2 more pilings and strip down all the wood and rebuild it... Took him 12 months to get the permit... The days of dabbling in many recreational pursuits is going bye bye... Most of us want to stay legal, and to afford all the permits to do it all cost more now than ever... Toss in a fine because ignorance is no defence, and many people give up  a pursuit... I know i have. 

[BLKBEARKLR]

This is simple if it says no MOTORIZED vehicle that is what i means. If it says ROAD CLOSED thats what it means. Does your rig have a motor, electric,  gas, diesel, propane what ever. IT IS MOTORIZED.  All Washington State National Forest land is closed to Non Street legal vehicles, quads, motorcycles, scooters if you cant ride it down the freeway you cant ride it in the national forest.  Unless it is a designated area or road for Non street legal vehicles and they are clearly marked in the national forest. Unless some dip*censored* riding his quad tore down that sign and you know who you are.   Every year we turn some one in for riding there quads on the national forest land, and every year the warden, or the sherriff show up at our camp, and make them trailer the quads with a warning, a lot of the times we will explain the law to the violators and they had no idea an think just because they have a offroad vehicle they can ride it where ever. 

Well that is good then I am riding my fricken quad, your A$$ tried to kill me on the motorcycles. Fatboys like me ride QUADS!!!!!  Now get in there and get our camping spot secured.

Joe

[Hunter Dug]

This is simple if it says no MOTORIZED vehicle that is what i means. If it says ROAD CLOSED thats what it means. Does your rig have a motor, electric,  gas, diesel, propane what ever. IT IS MOTORIZED.  All Washington State National Forest land is closed to Non Street legal vehicles, quads, motorcycles, scooters if you cant ride it down the freeway you cant ride it in the national forest.  Unless it is a designated area or road for Non street legal vehicles and they are clearly marked in the national forest. Unless some dip*censored* riding his quad tore down that sign and you know who you are.   Every year we turn some one in for riding there quads on the national forest land, and every year the warden, or the sherriff show up at our camp, and make them trailer the quads with a warning, a lot of the times we will explain the law to the violators and they had no idea an think just because they have a offroad vehicle they can ride it where ever.  

Well that is good then I am riding my fricken quad, your A$$ tried to kill me on the motorcycles. Fatboys like me ride QUADS!!!!!  Now get in there and get our camping spot secured.

Joe

This subject frustrates me more than any.  Ill get it done.

[DRDANTDC]

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. 

You need to hike farther in. Nooo atv's where we hunt!

[pjmcbride]

i like the tread lightly method.no need to spin the tires on my quad.and they are lighter than a car or truck=more animals. so as far as green dot goes stay on the roads it is simple.and split your tracks then its not really an issuse now is it i was in 342 and saw roads tore up becuse someone just had to get up it in a truck=1 to 3 tons quad= 600 pounds so and i didnt spin one wheel.so we all are on the same page now.ill keep useing my quad.