Off Roading on Public Lands

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

Administrator
Staff member
I've thought for many years that should hunting cease to exist the next group of folks to line up to use public land will be off-roaders. Judging by this news story many in their ranks care little for wildlife, habitat, and the environment and are mostly after a good time. Please let this be an example of how we as hunters need to be good citizens and stewards of the land and hunters are in fact better for the planet than other user groups.

 
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While I agree with your sentiments, Eric, let's not pretend "all" hunters are better for the planet...

I've taken too many drink bottles and twinkie wrappers and other trash out of the duck woods to know better. I've witnessed top-fuel lawn mower engines blow up the timber and rattle acorns off the limbs due to sheer obesity and/or laziness (and likely a "compensation issue"). News flash... The ducks hear that and associate it with being shot at soon after. Short story long; many, many humans are completely worthless, unapologetic slobs. Their particular flavor of a hobby isn't going to keep them from keeping on with their stupid.
 
Eric,

Sportsmen of all types have been dealing with the stereotypes for years. The camera loves to reinforce all the negative stereotypes to generate views. Organizations like Tread Lightly and others work to improve the image.

Years ago my state rights group instructed members not to show up at political protests dressed in camouflage. That is the first person the camera crew goes to.

How much coverage is done for all the work sportsmen do to clean up and help?

Rick Lathrop
 
As a buddy of mine used to say, this planet has a bad case of humans.
We saw this all the time when I worked at ADCNR on WMA lands. And public streams.
They would get into the streams and ride for miles, you can only imagine the erosion, siltation and damage it causes.
 
We came to Lake City, CO to meet some friends to drive the Alpine Loop and do a little fly fishing. I've heard about this area for years. It's mountain trails through the San Juan Mountains. Mostly rock crawling and moderate drives although there were some tricky switch backs but we also encountered some adrenaline junkies. We rented side by sides and they were governed to a point that was safe for the most part. I'd say 70 percent of drivers we encountered were respectful and followed local edicate posted everywhere. At one point we were in a narrow pass when some youngsters decided we weren't going fast enough for them and decided to pass with in coming traffic. They nearly hit us and we're inches from the edge of the trail. They were being looked after because all fours were not on the trail. If they would have contacted my rear drive tire it may have been over for all of us. The next flat surface had to be 2 maybe 3 thousand feet below us. Then the mountain bike kids were just as bad passing in areas that were not safe and at speeds that were concerning. We made it to Silverton and back to Lake City without incident but my wife had had enough so we're back to fishing until we leave Friday morning.
 

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The Black Hills in SD allow ATV and UTV offroad after May 15. This is done, I suspect, to prevent excessive damage to roads when frost is coming out each spring. Since starting turkey hunting in the Black Hills, the last three years we have had the park virtually to ourselves. This year we returned after May 15th to try and fill Heather's tag as well. Had a great time and actually filled her tag but we both had a bit of a laugh. About ten o'clock each morning it was like you stepped onto a Mad Max film set as there would be 30-40 UTV's racing up and down the trails. So yes I think Eric is correct about the changing ways people are using the wilderness. Thankfully, the motorized crowd generally pick up after themselves and the occasional Red Bull cans we pick up are few. Still, it made me wonder how much do they really see? RM

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by and it has made all the difference.” Robert Frost
 
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Ed L. said:
Then the mountain bike kids were just as bad passing in areas that were not safe and at speeds that were concerning
Click to expand...
My youngest brother's father-in-law was seriously injured near his home in a hit and run involving a mountain biker while walking his dog. RM
 
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