Lackdog, What type f ridding do you like? I mean do you like running the dirt roads, or more the snowmobile type trails, Where you get a little of everything? Maybe we could get together while your up for a ride or two.


2002 Grizz
27" ITP 589's
2500 Warn

 

To all UP Riders,

It seems very easy to ride in the UP, but it is not legal everywhere as you guys think. Don't get me wrong. The chances of getting a ticket are very slim because even the police and DNR don't know the rules.

Not many people have researched it as much as I have because I sponsor the Hulbert, MI poker run and have tried to do everything legal.

It is true that it is open unless posted closed unlike the LP which is closed unless designated open. However, in the last 3 years of running our poker run, we have learned a lot.

1. I am more familiar with the eastern UP, but I still get the Marquette paper and a county wide ORV ordinance is not in effect in Marquette County. It was shot down handily by the sheriffs dept. This legally stops you from riding on any county maintained roads.

2. Local townships have adopted both resolutions and ordinances which legalize ATV riding on county roads within their township. I believe this was fought in court with Forsyth Twp. and the township won. Last year, the DNR issued about 10 tickets on our poker run because they said unless the county has adopted it, there is no ordinance. It was very hard to fight in court as the officer is writing a ticket. At that time, Chippewa County did not have a county ordinance, but 2 townships had resolutions and 1 township had an ordinance. All tickets stood but mainly because they all deserved them. Chippewa County now has an ordinance.

3. This year, being the nice guy that I am, I called the local DNR head of law enforcement and notified him a few days ahead of the poker run. Seems a new law requires a land use permit to have a poker run. To obtain a land use permit, you must apply 90 days in advance, file a liabilty insurance certificate with the State naming them additionaly insured, file a bond with the state and have a search and rescue plan in effect with all local authorities that you will be dealing with (townships, cities, villages). Now mind you that this is only for an organized event with 20 or more people or any event that money exchanges hands. This includes guided trips. Not just ATV riding, but all hunting and fishing outfitters also, which is a large part of our business.

4. Snowmobile trails are granted easements for about a 5 month period. If they are not on state land, they are actually closed, but most landowners don't care as long as you respect the land.

I hope I don't have anybody read this and stop coming to the UP. It is going to be one of the largest ATV user areas in the Midwest in a few years. It will be bigger than snowmobiling (only because the season is 2-3 times longer and the kids are out of school to enjoy as a family). There is a few things that will wreck it.

A. Being an idiot in a town. It will only take 1 or 2 complaints from a retired person living in a small town such as Big Bay and it will be closed. Ride at a nice slow pace in town and around residential areas. There is thousands of miles to ride in the woods if you want to hot dog.

B. Hurting habitat will shut down large areas in a hurry. Don't think that people won't find out if you are causing excess erosion on a hill (like it looks in some of those awesome pictures you took), or if habitat is disturbed for certain plants or animals. Whitefish Bay area has been closed because of disturbance of Piping Plover habitat. It sounds stupid, but it is very serious to some people. I don't want to sound like a treehugger because I am far from it. But those people have a lot of influence with local authorities normally.

C. When people start getting killed at an alarming rate, like snowmobilers have, then it will be closely watched and your permit fees will triple to pay for more law enforcement and areas will be closed. Know the state laws and the local ordinances. In Chippewa County, you must be 16 to ride on county maintained roads. This is more stringent than the state law. Make sure all children have ATV certificates. The largest ticket, according to the DNR officer at the February Michigan ATV Assoc. meeting is no registration. Every ATV must be registered.

As an ending, we, as business owners across the UP, need tourists to visit us and return business is the best. We need sledders, we need ATV riders, we need sightseers, we need fishermen and hunters. We need fun, respectful people that enjoy all these sports. The best thing is that you can do all from an ATV (except sled of course). Hope to see everybody come up an join us.

If anybody would like specific info on anything, feel free to email me off our website at tqoutfitters.com

Happy Riding

Rich
Tahquamenon Hotel
Tahquamenon Outfitters
tqoutfitters.com
Hulbert, MI

 

Rich,
All I can say is wow! I am extremely impressed at how well written and informative your post is, to anyone who is thinking about riding in U.P. However it must be emphasized again and again, that riding in the U.P. is a priviledge that must not be taken for granted. We must repect the land on which we ride or say goodbye to the priviledge of riding there.

 

Rich,
So did you have the Poker Run? Or was it small groups of organized riders, under 20 per bunch, on a somwwhat organized ride?
I agree with everything that you said. I have lived in the UP for over ten years. I am not however nor will I ever be a Yupper. Thats just the way it is here. But, If you respect other peoles property, and stay to the areas that are available, you will not have many problems. Except for those of You who like to race thru Populated areas, not just the towns ad cities, but around peoples homes. Even while on the County roads, Other people use these areas too. I f we don't give them something like speed and alcohol incidents increasing. We should be pretty well off.