A good friend of mine is the Chief Forester in Brasher State Forest in St. Lawrence county,NY. It is a beautiful place to ride and 1 of VERY FEW where one can ride LEGALLY here in NY. He was telling us at our deer camp that they are having alot of trouble with the dirt bikers and ATVs in general and if things don!t get better they are talking about shutting the trails down.Problems are speeding, reckless drivers and litterbums! If you know of any trouble makers who ride up there let them know that it can be closed off just like most of the other trails in NY are to us riders. Snowmobilers have about 8000 NYS trails to use, ATVs have just about none! Wonder why? Think about it or just keep looking at your ATV sitting on the trailer with no place to ride.

 

Pete,

I expect that speeding, littering, and reckless driving are problems found in all ORV areas, as well as Snowmobile trails. So, how do you explain there being so many more miles for snowmobilers? Is there a double standard? If so, then why?

 

I would say that there is a double standard, how many miles of dedicated ATV trails are in NY state? Atv have to be registered and insured but we still do not have any lands to legally ride on. Snowmobiles can not be operated unless there is sufficent snow cover, unlike the atvs and bikes can be run anytime. Snowmobiles do not cause the damage that the atvs do so that is probably why they have some much lands and trails to ride on. Also there are many, many snowmobile clubs who take the time to talk to the landowners and mark trails where the owners want them to ride.In our area the snowmobile clubs have tried to let the atvs run on the trails but all they get is a big NO!I do!t know what the answer is, I do know that we cannot afford to have any more lands taken away. Just look at the Jet-skis. they too are being banned from many lakes,and other waters. I just read that in Maine, 242 lakes are closed to Jet-skis.I have contacted state officals on this and it falls on deaf ears.Ask yourself a question, where is all the $$ going from Atv registrations? Sure not into a trail fund as does the snowmobilers registration $$ goes. Yes I would say there is a double standard!!

 

I like the idea of marking trails with an owner's permission. That might help with ATV trails on private property. Most of the miles of trails we have in NC are "jolly roger" trails. They aren't legal, but their use has not been forbidden. We have one trail locally which is marked no trespassing by the State, but everyone and their uncle rides there. I think the posting is just for liability reasons. But, that doesn't help you.

We have NO trails by the State, not a single trail in a State Park - Nada. We do have ORV areas in NC National Forests. Maybe your National Park Service could help. I believe that each of our National Forest ATV areas has some deal with a local ATV club, where it will clean and maintain the trails.

You might get more ideas from Tree Farmer. he has been active with that same issue in Virginia. Give him an e-mail.

[This message has been edited by kclayd (edited 11-19-1999).]

 

I guess all the states are the same, take your $ and give nothing in return! Thanks for teeling me about Tree Farmer. I read his post last nite on the VA trails, same bunch of crap as in NY! I will follow up on this later as I am just leaving to go to our deer camp, where we can ride legally all nite long and you don!t have to be registered & insured. Deer season starts Monday so I will be back on the board next week. Good Luck to all the other hunters.

 

I guess all the states are the same, take your $ and give nothing in return! Thanks for telling me about Tree Farmer. I read his post last nite on the VA trails, same bunch of crap as in NY! I will follow up on this later as I am just leaving to go to our deer camp, where we can ride legally all nite long and you don!t have to be registered & insured. Deer season starts Monday so I will be back on the board next week. Good Luck to all the other hunters.

 

That is SO SAD, Pete!