Hunters' off-road warning: Obey law or get ticket

Written by Denver Post

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Charlie Meyers

Colorado hunters who use off-highway vehicles will have to pay more attention to the rules this season. When the legislature passed HB 1069 last year, it gave the Division of Wildlife authority to issue citations to hunters who took their vehicles into forbidden territory. This year, they'll be more inclined to use it.

In 2008, the watchword was warnings, giving hunters an opportunity to become accustomed to the new law. Now it'll be tickets all around.

The law is intended to curtail a growing dilemma with off-road travel, particularly during hunting season. Misuse of the vehicles not only churn up the countryside causing environmental damage, it also spooks deer and elk, chasing them farther into the back country where they are harder for hunters to find.

The bill had solid support from the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition. It also was favored by most in the outdoor community.

Another change this year emanates from a U.S. Forest Service dictum that OHVs could travel on trails where signs allow it. The best practice: Obey the rules or pay the ticket.

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13501806

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Community Voices

“We’ve had success bringing illegal riders to justice by snapping photos of their ID stickers. The problem in California is that they’re too darn small to see from far away or at high speeds. While I’m normally not in favor of the government getting involved in things, requiring all ORVs to have a visible ID with a minimum size and standard location would make them an even better tool for property owners to identify trespassing riders. We should also look to Wyoming’s lead and make trespassing penalties clear so riders think twice before they head off designated trails and onto my land.”

- Mesonika Piecuch, private property owner, Kern County, CA