Off-road, off-limits

Written by The Brainerd Dispatch

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Renee Richardson

Before the deer firearms season starts, hunters and recreational off-road vehicle riders should be aware of changes for forest trails passing through Crow Wing County.

The Crow Wing County Board supports the state decision limiting use of off-road vehicles during this season's firearms season for deer hunters. The state proposed limiting recreation use as a way to alleviate potential conflict between trail use. The goal is to avoid putting recreational riders in harm's way and prevent their vehicles from disrupting the deer hunter.

"Due to the inter-mixture of ownership between the state and the county this would serve to complement what the state is trying to do," said Tom Cowell, Crow Wing County land commissioner. "The emphasis on this - both on the state level and the county level - is more on an educational emphasis this year. We have communicated with all the local (off-highway vehicle) clubs and motorcycle clubs in the county just to let them know so they can try to avoid recreational riding during the rifle season."

Those with a valid deer hunter's license are able to use their all-terrain vehicles as they go about the business of deer hunting but they have to follow the state regulations on operating times, Cowell said.

"I believe the local clubs are very supportive of this," Cowell said.

There are several hundred miles of forest roads and trails in Crow Wing County. The county reports the action complements the state's efforts on adjacent state-administered public lands, which provides a consistent management policy and lessens confusion as jurisdictional lines are crossed between the state and county-administered areas.

The county reports the restriction to off-road recreational use on the forest trails runs from Nov. 8-23 in Zone 100, which is north of County Highway 1 and east of State Highway 6 and from Nov. 8-16 in Zone 200, which covers the rest of Crow Wing County.

Source: http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/110408/new_20081104007.shtml

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“Once they chased our cow into a deep arroyo where it fell and broke its neck. I don't understand how anyone could think chasing livestock is fun.” As a result of the growing conflicts with off-roaders, the Gonzales family stopped their cattle ranching. It doesn't matter whether it is a plate or decal, what is important is that the identification is visible. The police could have tracked down the illegal riders if we had been able to photograph the IDs on their vehicles. I think that would have made them think twice before breaking the law.”

- Eleanor Gonzales, private property owner in Santé Fe County, NM