http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-d...ocs/021770.htm

Chris Niskanen is at it again!!!!! Will this man ever stop? He must have been the # proponent of the Clinton Administration "Wilderness Objective"

I have read every one of his editorials in the paper and this guy subtly maligns ATVs whenever the opportunity presents itself.

 

Thor

I went out and read his column. It is not hard to see he is not capable of writing an objective article. He is clearly trying to persuade the reader to agree with his point of view because he is in the "majority" (he even points this out at the end). Have you tried sending the paper a letter to editor? This can often be an effective way to counter his campaign by dispelling some of his information. He mentions the lodges and shops that cater to people seeking solitute, but fails to mention the lodges and restaurants that cater to the atv enthusiast. You might also remind him how many people Polaris alone employs in the state of Minnesota. He seems to quickly forget about that stat. You might also consider canceling your subscription and letting them know why. Newspapers need all of the revenue they can get and if they lose even 5% of their subscriptions because of one writer, he will be looking for a new job.

PS. Please keep him up there though. Our local outdoor writer kinda stinks also, but at least he leaves the atvs alone.

 

Ok, I read it. I did not think it was too bad. He tried to give both sides of the story. Ok maybe it
turned on 60 to 40 percent negative towards atv's.

Your right. There are allot of businesses up north
that are making allot of money due to snowmobile and atv trail systems. People are going up there camping, just for the snowmobile and atv riding. He could have mentioned more about that. There does need to be some balance but The Mrr group is trying to eliminate atv riding on public lands, so we need to do are part. I have sent e-mails to the commisioner of the dnr and to our governor and others, speaking out on behalf of atv riding.

rangerchet

 

RangerChet, how are you doing you 'ol grouse hunter.

I specifically remember that you bought your 425 Expidition primarly for grouse hunting.

If you remember, Chris Niskanen is the guy that every fall writes articles about how ATVs interrupt his grouse hunting with dogs.

He dislikes atvs, snowmobiles and boats with motors, in fact I think that he hates the internal combustion engine. Did you notice that the 95% of the back page of the Sports Section contained an article which pertained to only 57 people statewide. (Dog Skijoring)

He is also the guy that writes about all of his hunting adventures on private property as the guest of preserve owners, and guide services.

This writer subtly shows his disdain for the "ATV community" every chance he gets.

Make no mistake, he does have literary skills which can wryly manipulate the uninformed about our sport.

I am sorry but I believe that you have been duped by his purported "objectivity"

I know you said it was 60/40 anti vs pro but if you consider his past track record; this article is just another straw on the proverbial camel's back.

Oh... BTW when was the last time you saw a backpacker on the trails when you have used your machine?

In my 4 years in Minnesota I have run across one dog sled, one cross country skier, three people walking their hunting dogs and thousands of ATVs and Tens of thousands of snowmobiles.

Don't let Chris Niskanen fool you, he is not objective or even partially objective regarding atvs.

 

I'll bet he doesn't complain about that toastly warm little car he drives to work every morning. People like that should open their eyes and minds before they start on their little crusades. Yes , we have those kind of people up here too, but for the most part they are greatly outnumbered.

 

Is Minnesota not the home base for Artic Cat and Polaris?If some guy in Quebec did a crusade against snowmobiles in the heart of Bombardier country he would be tarred and feathered at the least.

 

Well, the article isn't out and out atv bashing but it definitely speaks from an anti-atv point of view. That may be more effective at coaxing people to believe his anti-atv viewpoint than if he came right out and said he hates atvs. I hunt on public land and I also backpack in a national wilderness area and I can see the need to not just allow atvs open access to anywhere on public lands. Still as an atv rider and a taxpayer I think there needs to be public land set aside for off road use. How do they justify the 18,000 miles of snowmobile trails? Aren't those just as noisy as atvs? There has to be a happy medium so that all taxpayers can access public land, hunters, campers, and atvers.

 

Hey guys~
This Chris Niskanen reminds me of a vegetarian wearing a leather coat! Against all combustion engines but love his toasty warm car! Doesn't he realize that all of the bars and resorts along the trail systems rely on the Snowmobilers and ATVers for their winter income! I have heard of a resort in Northern WI that sells 500 gallons of gas during a good winter weekend! When you include something to eat and drink, that's usually more than $10 per person! And I have yet to run into a cross country skier or dogsledder since 1989! The people he's trying to protect are a minority compared to all the ATV and snowmobile riders! We are the majority of the people that use the public lands. We just seem to be getting the shaft because our toys can disturb the environment. That is more of a persuasive editorial than anything else! I plan to write to the newspaper with an editorial from the other side. The public deserves to know the counter effect of our sport. Chris makes an ATV sound like a toy from hell. I want the public to see the flip side of the coin. I'm off to write a letter now.

 

WIscrambler, you have the right idea. In the past 25 years VOCAL minorities have changed the face of our whole society. They can no longer be dismissed as an insignificant bunch of kooks. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Knowing this, ***s, enviro-freaks and other faction minorities have become a well-lubed machine that has the potential to crush those who would take our “rights” for granted. It seems absurd that as a majority, heterosexuals, sportsmen, etc would have to gather together and vocally defend our positions, but it’s come down to that.

I’m not a homophobe, racist or any other extreme reactionary. I think there’s room here for everyone to do pretty much their own thing. Unfortunately our “things” are being threatened by those who feel otherwise.

 

http://www.cpinternet.com/~mrr/ohvs.htm

Take a look at this website out of Duluth, Minnesota if you really want to get your dander up.

Floodrunner is right on target. We now have vocal minority factions dictating political correctness to the vast majority of the population.