Montana

Karl Puckett

Sides are lining up in court over a ban on motorized recreational vehicles in 130,000 acres of the Lewis and Clark National Forest, with separation of church and state sharing stage with disagreements over access and environmental impacts.

On Friday, the Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association, Capital Trail Vehicle Riders Association and Montanans for Multiple Use, as well as several individuals, filed an injunction against the forest in U.S. District Court.

Montanans don't have to look far to understand just how popular all-terrain vehicles have become.

Sit alongside just about any highway into Great Falls on a Sunday evening and you'll see pickup after pickup returning to town, either with an ATV in the bed or pulling a trailer with multiple ATVs aboard.

OHV riders who obey the laws and regulations during a hunt may not realize that their conscientious behavior is protecting wildlife, wildlife habitats and the traditional hunting experience their fellow hunters treasure.

"Unfortunately, as the number of riders grows, the potential for land damage by those who don’t follow the rules also increases," said Walt Timmerman, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recreation bureau chief.   

Amy Beth Hanson

Matt Gouras

HELENA, Mont. -- U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, preparing for public meetings on his proposal to expand wilderness and logging, is releasing new maps to ease fears among off-road enthusiasts that the plan would close prized trails.

Tester said Friday his "Forest Jobs and Recreation Act" closes hardly any summer trails. His staff was putting up new maps showing the impact on trails at motorcycle, ATV and snowmobile shops in Butte.

Bob Simpson

ALONG RYE CREEK, Mont. - Wilderness and wildlife have many things in common. Both we can live without, but once they're gone, they're gone forever. So far, there's nothing man has created that can replace them. We value wild and open places as opposed to the slum and slime of cities. Yet, there are growing problems with the use of motorized vehicles (all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and beach buggies) within these otherwise wild or natural areas, where the wildlife has no choice.

The problem is with those who insist their recreation and their supporting industries are more important than piping plovers or elk.

More hunters are using OHVs while hunting in Montana.

"An estimated 30,000 hunters used OHVs during Montana’s 2008 hunting season," said Walt Timmerman, Fish, Wildlife & Parks recreation bureau chief.

West Yellowstone News

With the holiday weekend approaching the Forest Service reminds ATV users of specific requirements pertaining to recreating on the Gallatin National Forest. The Forest also reminds visitors that food storage requirements are in place for the Gallatin.