Looking for your opinion on etiquette

[Wanderer]

There you go startin a fire, Dtro!

Hoffer,

If you can get a little run at it, just pull off the path parallel a little when you're up to speed but stop short of your tires spinning much or jumping. Then back up over your tracks and go back and forth a little to pack down your run so you can get moving again when you want to go.

Take little bits at a time instead of getting buried.

Right or wrong for what you did? Doesn't really matter that much. Dude man in the truck was just being crabby.

[Hoffer]

DTRO-

I think the plowed road deal is more open to intepretation. Obviously someone has gone out of their way to open and keep a plowed road going. If i went out on a plowed road and it was a NARROW one with no room to get by...I really would have certainly thought twice about parking. However, as luck would have it most plowed roads are wider than your average "2 tire track path". I have in past years parked along plowed roads and drug my stuff out to a location from there. The difference being - there was usually more than ample room to pull off a little and let others by.

The deal with this situation - is that the 2 tire track path - at least to me didnt seem like it was being maintained or "owned" by anyone....it seemed like a few brave souls went before me and opened a path. Yes, they did the work for me - and i could have gone out without that path - but at the same time it didnt seem to me like it was for all others to use and the only option people had.

Again...my main point is why the stink...when the dude in the 4x4 easily went around. If it were me...why get your blood pressure up?

[DTro]

Hoffer, don't confuse my opinion with thinking you did anything wrong, because I don't think you did.

Heck I might even feel differently if I would've seen how much snow was out there. I think that is a big key in this discussion.

However, just like you said, a few brave souls broke a trail, and I would imagine over a short period of time became the main thouroughfare for everyone coming through that area.

I sure wouldn't lose any sleep over that angry dude, and had you stayed there long enoung the path would eventually had shifted over anyways from everyone going around you

[FasterThanYou23]

Im not understanding this "guy in the truck"...When I drive my big ol' dodge out on the lake I love to make my own path!lol

[tip_upclyma]

Sounds like the guy that gave you a hard time is just an A Clown. You 100% did NOTHING wrong.

[Duffman]

As for the guy in the truck with the problem, well that's just it, it's his problem. I would've just blown him a kiss, that really gets those types of guys stewin!! Hopefully his stewage would last all the way to the access and knock a couple more minutes off of his bitter and ornery lifespan.

[magic_minnow]

Did you get any flags????

[Agronomist_at_IA]

So, I know I am setting myself up for some potential bashing but I just have to ask

So, this afternoon I decide to head out to do some tipup fishing.

I went to a spot on Tonka that was pretty isolated. I was in my dodge caravan and drove out from the ramp on a little trail that was just a 2 tire track path. The snow wasnt really too deep but I tried going off the main path a little and my tires were spinning and I just felt it safer to stay on the path that was there and then set up my flags a ways off the path. So, anyway a few people had drove by the path and when they got to me they just drove around and kept going. A while later I was tending one of my flags and a big Ford 4x4 truck came up the path and stopped in front of my vehicle. he rolled his window down and was yelling at me that I was parked on the "road". I said very nicely "can you get around? others have driven around with no problem". His answer was " so we all have to go around for you!!". I said again very nicely "well, I have a small van and you have a big truck with 4 wheel drive and like 2 feet of clearance". He then said a few other choice works and proceeded to go go around me in a very simple and easy manuever. Mind you, there were at least 3 or 4 other paths going out in this direction from the access - but i guess I was on the "main path". It wasnt plowed or anything...just a path that looked like it had been traveled on a few more times than the other paths.

So, was I out of line for parking on this path or was this guy having a "moment"??

While it was only a two tire track path you called it a main path yourself, another called it a road, and you could tell it was traveled on more then other paths. Sounds to me like it was a commonly used community path, and I wouldn't block something like that. I'd chauk it up to a lesson being learned and try to keep paths like this clear. Usually, you can find where someone else pulled off previously or turned around and it would make a good parking spot for you.

[chad austin]

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Quote:

If it was the same circumstance I would say set 'er down. What is a guy to do, a plowed road is going to generally be wider and the snow piles on the sides are going to be that much harder to get through with a two wheel drive vehicle, with that being said - I would only do this if it was wide enough for another vehicle to pass.

You'd be more brave then me. It wouldn't suprise me if it had fire start when you were gone. That and if you caused the road to flood you might not even want to go back to that lake again.

[deadeye]

I don't think you did anything wrong. Sounds like the guy had a stick up his rear and was happy to find something to complain about. People like that will get what they got coming to them in the end.

I got no problem with people stopping on the tracks if they don't got a 4wd. I know what its like to not have a 4x4 so I definitely have no issues going around someone that has to stop in the tracks. If he didn't have any problem going around then he has no real reason to whine.

[Tully]

The only thing I think I would have done differently? After a couple vehicles had gone around me I would have pulled my van onto the tracks they made. I had a van up until this year, so I know your pain. Now I have a 4x4 but I don't have the time to get out.

Tully

[trapperdirk]

It's just not good etiquette to block any trail regardless whether it's legal to do so . There is an unwritten rule by outdoorsman period that you don't interfere with a path .

Sure the guy had a 4x4 and could go around but only because of this particular situation . If that was slush all around and that is the only path then what ? . Better yet what if he had pulled in behind you and fished and made you go around Hoffer . You would be ticked yourself .

Why anybody would tackle a venture like this without a shovel is beyond me too . After 30 years you must realize this .

Too many people have expectations that somebody will drill them a hole or help them out when stuck . Reality is not that . He didn't expect anybody to block a trail and you did not expect to be cussed out . Oh well .

TD

[Acemac]

I would never expect anyone to obey a rule about not parking in some tracks in the snow. that is just silly. Next time it happens just tell the guy your the one that broke the trail in your other truck and he is actually on your road.

[deadeye]

Hah!

[Acemac]

most of the guys that are saying you shoudl not park on their roads are not metro fishermen either. there is a whole other set of rules up in the boondocks.

[DTro]

I'll take the "boondocks rules" anyday

[chillincarp870]

its a public lake, access, and there for trail. don't sweat it next time maybe try to get off the beat trail but no reason for anyone to stop and say anything to you.

[fishersofmen]

The guy was a moron. I wouldn't feel guilty about it if I were you. I run across guys parked on "roads" all the time and simply go around. Some people are less fortunate and can't afford 4x4 trucks either. Some people just feel the need to bit$$ about everything.

[jentz]

So, I know I am setting myself up for some potential bashing but I just have to ask

So, this afternoon I decide to head out to do some tipup fishing.

I went to a spot on Tonka that was pretty isolated. I was in my dodge caravan and drove out from the ramp on a little trail that was just a 2 tire track path. The snow wasnt really too deep but I tried going off the main path a little and my tires were spinning and I just felt it safer to stay on the path that was there and then set up my flags a ways off the path. So, anyway a few people had drove by the path and when they got to me they just drove around and kept going. A while later I was tending one of my flags and a big Ford 4x4 truck came up the path and stopped in front of my vehicle. he rolled his window down and was yelling at me that I was parked on the "road". I said very nicely "can you get around? others have driven around with no problem". His answer was " so we all have to go around for you!!". I said again very nicely "well, I have a small van and you have a big truck with 4 wheel drive and like 2 feet of clearance". He then said a few other choice works and proceeded to go go around me in a very simple and easy manuever. Mind you, there were at least 3 or 4 other paths going out in this direction from the access - but i guess I was on the "main path". It wasnt plowed or anything...just a path that looked like it had been traveled on a few more times than the other paths.

So, was I out of line for parking on this path or was this guy having a "moment"??

OK So on this 2 rut trail you go out park,HOW DID YOU GET BACK?? Drive to its end which was another road.Or did you turn around.hence pulling off the trail.Where you should have parked.???????????

[trapperdirk]

Boondocks or not . I've fished and hunted many places but never been cussed out for interfering with the path of travel .Cussed a few out though for doing it . LOL Will again too . LOL . I likely would have let this slide because I could get around in 4x4 but if I would have got stuck on my way to my hut by doing so you would hear me all the way to Metro Minnesota and beyond . LOL

TD

[Sonicrunch]

Considering you are not the only one without 4WD, you should not block the path. That would be the nice thing to do.

[McGurk]

Devil's Advocate time:

"I picked my lake early this year that I've got my permy on, and have beaten down a decent path with my truck to keep it accessable for me between snows. Others use it too and it's kind of nice that they beat it down for me too. Some guy even plowed it once, so if I ever see him on the ice I'll thank him.

So I go out there today, and lo and behold; there's a van parked on my trail with a guy fishing 200' away from it. Luckily, the recent melt has made it pretty easy for me to get around other wise, but my trail has now become a parking spot. I drove around him and got back on, shaking my head. I don't envy the guy with 2 wheel drive that follows behind me. Some people."

Purely hypothetical, but it can go both ways. For me it's a safety thing; someone else drove it; it's safe ice. Off of the trails I usually do some checking to make sure it's safe ice to drive. Me? I don't park on (or drill holes on) obviously used trails. You guys can do what you want.

[chad austin]

It's just not good etiquette to block any trail regardless whether it's legal to do so . There is an unwritten rule by outdoorsman period that you don't interfere with a path .

Sure the guy had a 4x4 and could go around but only because of this particular situation . If that was slush all around and that is the only path then what ? . Better yet what if he had pulled in behind you and fished and made you go around Hoffer . You would be ticked yourself .

Why anybody would tackle a venture like this without a shovel is beyond me too . After 30 years you must realize this .

Too many people have expectations that somebody will drill them a hole or help them out when stuck . Reality is not that . He didn't expect anybody to block a trail and you did not expect to be cussed out . Oh well .

TD

It is also an unwritten rule by outdoorsmen that you'd help out a fellow outdoorsman when he may need it (I.E. drilling a hole or pulling someone from being stuck), and with your theory - what if he had a flat tire or his vehicle had broke down - he'd still be blocking the "path" because he shouldn't expect anyone to help him. That's fine, you keep driving and mumbling to yourself and I'll stop and give the guy a hand. The fact is Hoffer has just as much of a right to be on that lake with his van as someone with four wheel drive, cut the guy some slack.

Every time something comes up like this I remember what my Dad has always told me

"You can judge a mans character by what he will do for a man who can do absolutely nothing for him" and those are words to live by.

Chad Austin

[Big Dave2]

No way would I ever park on a well used trail, especially one that is described as the "main path". Certainly it is not illegal but we are talking about etiquette here.

If one can park wherever he or she wants to because no one owns the lake, what if the ford guy would have pulled up in between your tip-ups and parked? Not illegal either but what about etiquette?

I think 2 etiquette rules were broken here, first the OP parking in the middle of the main trail and the ford guy for complaining.