Everything with ATV's is a Mess in MN

[swedishpimple]

ATV's sure are a lot of fun, but we have tons of work to do on the end of laws, law enforcement, trails and clubs.

This forum is a good example, though we typically agree on a few things we also don't agree on many others. It is hard to get organized when people within our own ranks can't get organized.

The laws are such a mess that one month you could be riding legally and the next month or week some county board could change the laws and not really let anybody know unless you see their local paper. The state is doing the same thing, reviewing all of the lands under their juristiction.

The Fed's have a real mess too, they seem to allow the State and Counties to do their own thing within Federal Lands (like the Chippewa National Forest)but then ban the use of OHV's on some of their forest roads which would connect trails on State and County lands within the Chippewa, affectively leaving you stranded or very lost and most likely in violation of a law that no Conservation Officer is informed enough to know if he is right or you are right.

I my area clubs are trying to form and the County is quite helpfull understanding the money maker outdoor recreation is for remote areas in our State.

Things are slowly improving, but am I wrong in saying things are a mess and it is very easy to break law without knowing it do to the complicated nature of the system and the lack of signage???

[Dave S]

SP,

you hit a lot of good points here. With the ever changing laws for ATV's, it get's really tough to know where we can and cannot ride. The easiest thing to do in this case is to contact the regional DNR office in the area you plan to ride and ask about trail closures or updates. Spring is almost upon us and many of the states trails will closed due to the wet conditions.

Another thing that everyone can do to help combat the issues is to get involved, either with a local club or with ATVAM. Some will hate to hear this, but police ourselves. Let your voice be heard, but obviously in a diplomatic fashion. There's strength in numbers and unfortunately, ATV riders are out-numbered.

Thanks for starting this thread. It brings many things to light.

[Northwoodsdon]

Excellent Post SP !

Each summer I come back to MN I find more areas

closed down

Getting Involved is the ONLY way to save our Sport