Hunting and Government!

[smartazz171]

  This rant is about our government and them trying to control every part of our lives including how we utilize our public lands! This past week, while elk hunting in the Collville national Forest. I was pulled over and almost given a ticket for driving my ATV down the road that wasn't designated for ATV travel. Street legal vehicles were only allowed on the road meaning trucks, SUVs and everything else was allowed but because my ATV can't legally drive on a paved road, it was not acceptable! Yet if I lived in Idaho, about 10 mile east of where I had been, I would've been legal because in Idaho ATVs can be licensed and driven on the street making them street legal in our national Forest! I wasn't going behind closed gates, not going off trail, I was simply driving down the road I could've driven with my truck yet didn't because of the cost of fuel!!! As if this isn't irritating enough when I return home I read an article letting me know that I also now need to purchase a discovery pass to use any public land! So let me get this straight, I not only have to have the parking pass to use any public boat launch or any parking lot on our public land but now I need to purchase something else that the government put in place so that I can even use our public land!? How many other taxes and  permits and fees do I need to pay to use the public land? I already pay for licensing and tabs for my ATV that don't go on any roads. Aren't the fees for licenses used to fix roads?  So what are those fees going towards? How many of us hunters have been complaining about roads being washed out in our hunting areas this year without any access because the roads aren't going to be fixed!!!
Now to throw in another fee in the name of the discovery pass?!? You know what, write me the ticket now, because I'm not paying for it! I'm tired of it!! They don't even have enough people to catch poachers and people doing things like going behind closed gates!  Things that really should be regulated and that really should be caught. Chances are they're not going to be able to ticket me for my stupid lack of a discovery pass!!! 
  I'm off my soap box ....

[bobcat]

Discover pass is not needed for all public land, just state land. It's not for National Forest. So were you wearing a helmet? If not did he give you crap for that too? Just curious. I don't think I will ever buy another ATV as long as I live in this state, for that reason. New law says if you're riding on public land you must wear a helmet.   

[BENCHLEG]

they will never ticket anyone behind a gate because they will not waite @ A GATE. 

[DOUBLELUNG]

Sympathetic but not that much.  Know the law, obey the law, or take your ticket like a man when you get caught violating.

[buck man]

Sympathetic but not that much.  Know the law, obey the law, or take your ticket like a man when you get caught violating.

Obey it even if the law sucks which it does.

[smartazz171]

Yes was wearing a helmet and had tabs. That's the reason I didn't get a ticket. Give me a break, after receiving the warning and given a orv map she even said it's hard to read.  Wouldn't common since say that if a truck is allowed, that an atv would be allowed? What am I hurting? I'm treading lightly!!! What I'm complaining about is that the government is putting so many hoops in everyone's way. Not that the forest service person stopped me and did their job. 

[Miles]

I am glad to see they are finally cracking down on people driving quads where they shouldn't be.  Maybe I can leave my bag full of nails home this year.

[ICEMAN]

I am glad to see they are finally cracking down on people driving quads where they shouldn't be.  Maybe I can leave my bag full of nails home this year.

Miles....Always gotta stir it up...
 
Smartazz17171717, IMHO, this will not change. Once the government starts a fee, it depends on it and will not let go. I swear it feels like this country is headed for big time civil unrest over this continued attack against the common working man to feed the common handout.
 
 
 

[rtspring]

I posted this same thing a while back,

I do not want quads tearing up the woods and or the trails. But on a ROAD? I guarantee  my truck does more damage to a forest road than any quad would be able to do. I also got pulled over and through  the whole ordeal I ended up selling my quad. I have seen the damage these machines cause when not rode properly in the woods. But why the hell cant you ride them on a frikkin road? It just dont make sense to me along with a lot of other rules. Guess we just gotta live with it.

RTSPRING

[bearhunter99]

I posted this same thing a while back,

I do not want quads tearing up the woods and or the trails. But on a ROAD? I guarantee  my truck does more damage to a forest road than any quad would be able to do. I also got pulled over and through  the whole ordeal I ended up selling my quad. I have seen the damage these machines cause when not rode properly in the woods. But why the hell cant you ride them on a frikkin road? It just dont make sense to me along with a lot of other rules. Guess we just gotta live with it.

RTSPRING

   The funny thing is that they will allow street legal motorcycles on the roads and they do a lot more damage than a quad.  I also tend to see alot more motorcycles taking "shortcuts" than atv's as well.  I see a lot more damage caused by motorcycles yet they are legal while atv's are not 

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Come on man we all know thats against the law!! No sympathy for stupidity 

[KDume]

Bear Hunter, this is about quad's not motorcycles. Start your own thread if you want to complain about motorcycles.

[Elkaholic daWg]

  As I stated somewhere else.

"And I also have a big problem with a government, or agency passing rules (not laws, which also suck-but are legal) that throughout my time on this earth have turned GOOD, LAW ABIDING, citizens into criminals simply because some desk dwellers think it would be a great idea to restrict, Restrict, RESTRICT!!"


Trucks use more fuel and the state and feds get more fuel tax, and the Quads can bring in even more through fines.

[bearhunter99]

I was not trying to start a rant against motorcycles just stating that they will allow motorcycles and not atv's when it is pretty much the same thing.  I have ATV's and motorcycles.  If its strictly about revenue from the sale of license plates they should charge a fee to get a license plate for an ATV.  I would pay $30 to be able to ride my ATV on Forest Service rds before I would ever pay $30 for a Discover Pass.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

He was riding a quad where he shouldn't have been. So if I hop on my quad and drive the streets of Centralia & get pulled over should u feel bad for me? Know the laws it's your responsibility! If I forget to renew my tabs it's my fault not the governments get the picture yet?

[smartazz171]

Bearhunter I totally understand what you're saying. Not to get on the motorcycle track but being a peaches ridge archery tag holder last year, I don't know how many motorcycles I watched go by me in the dark as I was in a mile and a half up a closed road doing my best to obey the rules. As Cle Elum bowhunter would confirm, you have the same people every year do it.  The local department of fish and wildlife officer knows about it and will sometimes sit there and catch people but that was a first-hand example of things that should be regulated versus silly rules that 

   

" turned GOOD, LAW ABIDING, citizens into criminals simply because some desk dwellers think it would be a great idea to restrict, Restrict, RESTRICT!!"


Trucks use more fuel and the state and feds get more fuel tax, and the Quads can bring in even more through fines.

[WAcoyotehunter]

it's a pretty dumb rule and one that should be changed to allow quads on the same roads as the log trucks and passenger vehicles.  Hopefully that happens soon.

[MuleySniper]

I am glad to see they are finally cracking down on people driving quads where they shouldn't be.  Maybe I can leave my bag full of nails home this year.

 
Smartazz17171717, IMHO, this will not change. Once the government starts a fee, it depends on it and will not let go. I swear it feels like this country is headed for big time civil unrest over this continued attack against the common working man to feed the common handout.

 

[smartazz171]

He was riding a quad where he shouldn't have been. So if I hop on my quad and drive the streets of Centralia & get pulled over should u feel bad for me? Know the laws it's your responsibility! If I forget to renew my tabs it's my fault not the governments get the picture yet?

Much different, but like I already stated I'm not complaining that I should have had someone hold my hand tell me what's right and wrong. Just that the governments rules don't make Sense!   So you think that does make seance then?? Oh by the way per the forest service person, the law is written that even if you had the Orv trailered and hooked up to your truck, you could get a ticket! Its written "using/possession of an Orv on non authorized road". Gee I hope I don't get a ticket for having it on I90?!?

[MuleySniper]

I posted this same thing a while back,

I do not want quads tearing up the woods and or the trails. But on a ROAD? I guarantee  my truck does more damage to a forest road than any quad would be able to do. I also got pulled over and through  the whole ordeal I ended up selling my quad. I have seen the damage these machines cause when not rode properly in the woods. But why the hell cant you ride them on a frikkin road? It just dont make sense to me along with a lot of other rules. Guess we just gotta live with it.

RTSPRING

   The funny thing is that they will allow street legal motorcycles on the roads and they do a lot more damage than a quad.  I also tend to see alot more motorcycles taking "shortcuts" than atv's as well.  I see a lot more damage caused by motorcycles yet they are legal while atv's are not 

Somewhat of a valid point but.... Does your quad have a horn? My bike does. Does your quad have turn signals? My bike does. Does your quad have a working brake light, mirrors, DOT approved tires? My bike does. Get the point? Quads were originally designed for recreation, and farm work, therefore the lack of all the DOT approved equipment I have on my bike.
 
MS
Oh, and I'm not saying I don't agree with your point, I was just putting that out there because I think that it is one of the main reasons quads are illegal on most roads.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Some people obviously can't read. He said several times that he was upset at the government for making stupid rules but not the forest service for enforcing those rules.

Unfortunately many of our fellow hunters probably supported taking away these rights and will probably support taking away many others. I don't think they realize that is what they are doing at the time..or they find some reason to justify because of what their personal interest are.... either way this is the kinds of stupidity we see when we give our freedoms away.

[Hunter Dug]

I am glad to see they are finally cracking down on people driving quads where they shouldn't be.  Maybe I can leave my bag full of nails home this year.

X20   Bag of nails though 

[belkaholic]

give it a couple years guys. in january all 4 stroke bikes can be made street legal and next january all quads and side by sides are proposed to be street legal on rural roads 35mph and under. they are already legal and have been, on DNR lands, Elbe hills, Mowich ect. and they are saposed to have a Dis. Pass on there truck and quad. not many are inforceing it though.

[GoldTip]

I ride those roads, if it's legal for me to drive my truck on it, then I will drive my four wheeler on it, when I get caught I will take the ticket.  I know the law, and the law is wrong, just that simple, the law is wrong.   I don't go behind gates that I'm not supposed to be behind, but if my car, truck, RV or a logging truck can drive that forest road, then you may see me on my quad on it.  No GOOD reason that they are not street legal just like they are in Montana and Idaho.

[raekmike]

I ride those roads, if it's legal for me to drive my truck on it, then I will drive my four wheeler on it, when I get caught I will take the ticket.  I know the law, and the law is wrong, just that simple, the law is wrong.   I don't go behind gates that I'm not supposed to be behind, but if my car, truck, RV or a logging truck can drive that forest road, then you may see me on my quad on it.  No GOOD reason that they are not street legal just like they are in Montana and Idaho.

 

[rtspring]

I posted this same thing a while back,

I do not want quads tearing up the woods and or the trails. But on a ROAD? I guarantee  my truck does more damage to a forest road than any quad would be able to do. I also got pulled over and through  the whole ordeal I ended up selling my quad. I have seen the damage these machines cause when not rode properly in the woods. But why the hell cant you ride them on a frikkin road? It just dont make sense to me along with a lot of other rules. Guess we just gotta live with it.

RTSPRING

   The funny thing is that they will allow street legal motorcycles on the roads and they do a lot more damage than a quad.  I also tend to see alot more motorcycles taking "shortcuts" than atv's as well.  I see a lot more damage caused by motorcycles yet they are legal while atv's are not 

Somewhat of a valid point but.... Does your quad have a horn? My bike does. Does your quad have turn signals? My bike does. Does your quad have a working brake light, mirrors, DOT approved tires? My bike does. Get the point? Quads were originally designed for recreation, and farm work, therefore the lack of all the DOT approved equipment I have on my bike.
 
MS
Oh, and I'm not saying I don't agree with your point, I was just putting that out there because I think that it is one of the main reasons quads are illegal on most roads.

When was the last time you used a turn signal or a horn on a mountain gravel road?  Your splitting hairs with this one. The main reason you cant ride a quad on a road is the the fear of damage to the road. Been there done that, they can say all the BS they want but come on man a HORN in the middle of the forest, what the hell are you doing with the friggin horn?  Oh wait on coming traffic better signal my merge.... ha ha ha .....

[Klyne3]

give it a couple years guys. in january all 4 stroke bikes can be made street legal and next january all quads and side by sides are proposed to be street legal on rural roads 35mph and under. they are already legal and have been, on DNR lands, Elbe hills, Mowich ect. and they are saposed to have a Dis. Pass on there truck and quad. not many are inforceing it though.

Actually quads must have ORV tags - and they do not require Discovery pass. Fortunately they do not require the trailer to have a separate Discovery Pass yet so just need one for the truck. And yes they are checking for them in Elbe