I just learned that the state of Maine is going to make non resident landowners pay non resident registration fees ($68) and has ended reciprocity with other states meaning you have to pay a non resident registration eventhough it is already registered in another state. And then they wonder why people are posting and gating their property.

 

What I Think you are Seeing is Basically a Reflection of the Changes that are Taking Place in the Snowmobile Area.

As the ATV Section of the Maine Government is Still in its Childhood Stages they are Actually Just Copying the Snowmobile Changes that are Taking Place. A Few Years Ago the N.H. Area saw a Great Change in the Amount of Sled Rider's. And yet the Registrations were Down. Mainers were Crossing the Border as the Riding was Better. Maine was Changing the Trail Policy. As N.H. was not Liking the Amount of "Unpaid" Traffic they Change the Registration Law. Require Mainer to be Out of State Registered.

So Now they Have Generated the Registration "Stand-Off" Between the 2 States.

Also do not Forget.... The Trails you are Riding are Paid for in Part by the Registration Fee's you and Others are Paying.

 

Bobchrisa, In the area where I live we have had an influx of people move in from away, such as Massachusetts, R.I., COnn, etc and the first thing these folks did was post their land. Land that the local people used but didn't abuse was now off limits. Sorry, but I'm glad Maine did require this change.

 

We are Seeing the Same Land Posting here in Our Area.

Suggestion for a Solution is to Make Sure your Area has a Organized Club. This Allows the "New" Landowners to see the Responsible Rider Difference.

After your Club Shows there Stuff, Speak to the "New" Land owners.

We Found Nearly all of the "New" Landowners will Allow a "Maintained" Trail to Pass their Lands. Heck Some of them Even Joined the Club to Insure that the "Maintained" Trail System they Allowed will be Here Next Year!

Basically its all Based on Numbers. The More that Approve and Respect the Landowner Property the More Trails we will be Allowed to Build, Maintain and Ride. Maintain is the Key. A Line on an Approved Clubs Map is not Enough. Un-Maintained Approved Trails are Closed on a Regular Bases by the State and/or Landowners!

 

They may charge you that. but they are finally going to put it to good use. I would pay a 100 a year if it would make there plan go faster. I live and maine and think if thy will make us have as almost as many miles as the snowmobilers have it would be worth a 100 or more. Take a look at this read it all It is a very nice proposal for Maine ATVER's Maine ATV task force final report.

 

You are right . The people that make people post there land are the ones that ride there and have no regaurd for the damage they do To SOMEONE ELSE"S PROPERTY> The only way to have what sled riders have is to organize and be firm about controlling land damage.