OHV Abuse in 32

[BPKHunter]

I took a ride on Monday to scout, as I have the late season tag in that unit. I did not take a rifle, just bino and spotter to check out some areas I had not seen.

Every person was breaking the law. I only saw one camp back in and everyone was simply riding along hoping a deer would stand next to the trail. I saw two small forkies tied onto racks, and neither was even tagged. Another guy was excited because his granddaughter just shot a doe 800 yards off the trail and he was trying to figure out how we would get his quad there because apparently between, he, his son(her father), and the girl they couldn't pack a doe 1/2 mile DOWNHILL! Way to set an example. Mind you none of the roads in that area are meant for FULL SIZED vehicles and therefore are illegal to use a quad at all, except to move in a camp.

The day before, I rode my horse into an area further north in the unit with no quad roads and still ran into two guys hunting cow elk on there quads, going off trail for almost 6 miles across both public and private ground. When I told them they were breaking the law, they said, well I drove a jeep in here in the 70's. They headed out toward an obviously marked piece of private property to try and get out.

Bottom line is the lack of knowledge of this law or blatent disregard is unbelievable. I got harrased in unit 73 last year when I took in a camp ten miles and hunted from there on foot. Fish and game there told me if I had come out the same day, no matter the reason, I would have been cited.

I personally would support reasonable use to get in, then hunt after you park, which is what I have done where OHV rule does not apply, but so many people look at their quads as mini tanks and they never get off. Their boots must last forever!!

 

[SwitchbackMuley]

Bullshit, isn't it? I think the COs need to start seizing ATVs from all those douche bags and file criminal charges against them. All they do is destroy land and stress out game. If you can't walk or ride a horse than don't hunt. I don't think you should be able to use one for any reason (even packing in camp), it just creates loopholes for the rednecks to get away with breaking the law. I'm glad other people feel the same way about the circus that's going on up in that country.

 

[idhunters]

It really sucks to have the roads all closed then have idiots break the law. Either enfore the rules or don't have them. Seems really inconsistent in that the F&G watch some areas like hawks and other areas they completely ignore.

 

[Yoyak]

<<Their boots must last forever!!>> LMAO, I thought they were just lazy, turns out they are just pioneers in boot longevity technology.

It all makes sense now, I used to burned through a pair of Danner pronghorns every year while others told me they'll last 5 years. They must've had a real comfortable seat on the ATV.

Something definitely needs to be done.

 

[powderfinger]

Oh Man! I was out there on Monday too, not to hunt but to do some final last minute shooting before my late ram hunt. We thought we might run into a check station on the way out there, and not be able to continue on since we didnt have an ATV in the truck. I think the record was 12 rigs at one gate, all with ATV trailers with their ramps down. I was also worried about getting cited for chumming, with all that target shooting we were doing.

And is it just coincidence that the deer populations in southern Idaho started plummeting about the time the ATVs starting getting out of control in the early to mid 90's? Sure, lots of other factors too, but its got to be one. The sad part is, forget about IDFG doing anything about it. They would love to, and they've tried, but the writing is on the wall. Our good ol' boy legislators will soon see to it that IDFG does not have the authority to regulate travel management. Mark my words.

Powder

ps, next time I'll bring the bolt to my rifle. Oh well, today was a great day.

 

[beavis14]

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-11 AT 08:23AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-11 AT 08:21?AM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-11 AT 08:17?AM (MST)

not all atv use is illegal. there is a lot of missinformation out there. just because you are feeling high and mighty and peer down your nose at the thought of someone riding an atv doesn't mean it's " against the law ". if there is a closed gate that states no motorized travel period then no travel to anyone. there is possibly a 50 " maximum on the trail in some cases.

is there atv abuse?? ABSOLUTLY !! but not everyone is bad. horses are just as bad if not worse. they can bring in non native noxious weeds to an area.yes i ride an atv.this year mine was running like crap so i hunted on foot for the most part. i ride 90 % of the times on logging roads ment for full size pick ups to save gas and enjoyment of riding, not cross country riding. as well unless you are " gunning the trottle " the wide tires will not ruin the ground. dirt bike riders do that....

getting tired of the pompous attitude of some hunters who think everyone should park on the pavement and hike in 8 miles to hunt. these same guys probably use gps, two way radios, .338 lapua magnums with turrets on there scope good out to 1000 yards, and pack out 10 pounds of meat and leave the rest to rot. maybe everyone would be happy if the f & g forced everyone to use 2 wheel drive pick-ups with bald tires.

i have no problem with banning atv's if thats the way it is fine, but EVERONE WALKS no horses, motor bikes, bicycles, hand gliders NOTHING !! also if you are hunting around a bunch of atver's and you are hunting on foot good luck with that......

 

[MuleyCrazed]

I hear you loud and clear BPKHunter!! I have hunted that unit since I was a kid and the number of people hunting that unit has sky-rocketed! With the number of people increasing in that unit it stands to reason that there will be more ATV's and red-neck retards out there.

I have experienced the same thing out there. A couple of years ago we parked at a locked gate to hunt an Access Yes piece of property knowing that ATV's were prohibited. We walked in a mile and a half to get where we wanted to start hunting. Well, wouldn't you know it two ATV's with three people came riding right by us! I was pissed!! We found out that people like them had cut fence or cut the lock on another access gate into the area. The land owners have just about had enough and have thought about shutting it down all together.

It's times like those that if I can find the ATV unoccupied I'd seriously think about letting some air out of the tires! Those are the people that ruin the hunting for every other law abiding sportsman! I want to string people like that up!

Don't get me wrong, ATV's can be useful for getting camp in and packing out game if you use them for just that. It drives me nuts seeing people just driving around hoping to find a animal to shoot while sitting on their ATV. F&G or other law enforcement agencies need to step it up. If they want more revenue in their pockets, which they always complain about not having, they need to cite every law breaker out there. This would probably mean more F&G officers out in the field, but they need to do something! That would be easy money for them if they would have a few officers completly focused on off-road violations.

They used to patrol really heavy when they first closed 32 down to off-road use. Now I rarely see F&G out there. Who knows if they'll ever address the problem head on...

MuleyCrazed
Idaho

 

[SwitchbackMuley]

+1 powder. The rednecks in our state legislature are not friendly toward fish and game, and they have in fact tried to pass legislation to write-off the current law and expand ATV use in hunting. It is sick.

Butthead14-- Try not to speak, you sound stupid. You need to read the LAW. State regulations forbid hunting from an ATV in this area and many others, unless you're on a road maintained for full-size vehicles. You can't pursue game from an ATV in unit 32. Period. You can drive the county-maintained roads all day, but once you are on a two-track it's not legit.

 

[IDshooter695]

I agree totally!!! The only thing I don't agree is with switchback's comment. I would include horses. If you allow horses wheres the line start and stop. Hiking or nothing at all. Horseman's boots must last forever too.

 

[beavis14]

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-11 AT 10:16AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-11 AT 10:15?AM (MST)

i wasn't refering to unit 32 in general i should have been more specific. also what about the horse hunters, full size truck road hunters ? do you have tunnel vision and just look over the hood and the back of the horses head ? you are looking for ride/ drive bye opertunities too. i am older than most here and can tell you off road use isn't new. i think most people here are talking about dobsons pass in 32. twenty years ago instead of four wheelers, people locked in there hubs and drove there trucks in the same places. if backpack hunters are looking to get away from the crowds, and have some majestic wilderness experiance it ain't going to happen in 32 !

i guess out of all the guys with atv's i am the only one who will speak out and try and defend LEGAL off road use.

 

[Rizzy]

Its always disappointing when you follow the law and it seems like your the only one doing it. Allowing a hunter to pack a camp in and meat out on an ATV exclusively, is a double standard, and hard to enforce. It has been proved season after season that some tag holders can't be trusted with the ATVs and they ruin it for the responsible hunters that can. Maybe its time to regulate ATV use through licensing and education, like an ATV drivers license or ATV hunting license. At least then there will be no excuse for ignorance....

 

[OLDHORNHUNTER]

What the hell I cant ride my wheeler anywhere I want..hell I the required liscense plate & the stickers..got me some new all terrain tires got my 300 mag mounted on the left side of my wheeler rack & my 223 on the right for yotes & them big Gray & Black mtn dogs that are eating all the game !! got my cooler mounted on the back rack loaded with some extra cold Silver bullets just in case I gets parched or a mud ball lodged while tearing across the sage & timber....Hell im sure I can roll my wheeler up on a good buck & smoke one..than I can have me a couple of cold ones throw him on the back rack & drink all the way back to camp....now thats Hunting.....& there are a BUNCH of Ratards that are NOT going to get their lazy worthless asses off & hike anywhere unless its to the cooler for more beer & a sammich !!! we can harp & piss & moan all we want most of them are not going to stop... UNLESS they are convinced..here is what I like to do to help these off road wheeler hunters if I come upon a wheeler where it aint susposed to be I will bust the spark plug off in the head & than they can push it back to the road !!!

 

[BPKHunter]

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-11 AT 12:36PM (MST)[p]Let me clarify, I am upset by the amount of law breaking. The rule has been around long enough that people should not be clueless to it. The law is a little grey so to clarify for anyone who isn't clear, for units where the OHV rule applies:

You may not use a quad as a hunting tool. You may not use a quad to access places you would not otherwise use a full sized vehicle to access. You may not use a quad to access country via the quad trails, to park and walk in further, like I routinely do in unit 39. You may only use a quad on quad trails to haul in a camp or to haul out game. You may not in any way, hunt while in the process of taking camp or meat in or out. This means if you are hauling camp in and a 35", 210 b&c buck is standing next to the trail you have to keep walking, though someone else on foot could shoot him. This is why on Monday, though I had a tag I could use in that unit, I did not bring a gun, because I wanted to access the are and scout.

I'm not a quad or a horse hater, as I have an use both as the law and my conscience allows. We are not all young marathoners, so I sympathize with others my age or older who can't compete, but I don't appreciate simply lazy road hunters who think because they drive an $8000 tank, they can take it anywhere it can go. The law is the equalizing factor and we should respect it, if we don't agree with it then lobby to make a change.

I did text my fish and game friend that day. I also know how thinly they are staffed. I wish some folks could be deputized for enforcement of simple regulations like OHV, tags, etc. Clearly no less than 80% of the hunters/rigs would have been cited.

While I understand the anger, I do NOT condone vandalizing anyone's rig.

PS While I think most of us agree this rule is valuable for big game, but do you think it should apply equally for bird and predator hunters as well?

 

[broncos21]

It's called "new age hunting " lol was thinking same thing opening day more and more people are using atvs to hunt maybe they should have there own hunting season just an idea

 

[huntfish714]

I agree with both sides. I DO NOT AGREE with off trail use except to retrieve game and don't agree with using in a clearly marked area that states that that particular vehicle is illegal. On the other hand everyone has there own needs and desires to hunt. If you hike all week miles and miles in and only shoot a two pointer and other guys you see hunting from road with quads and they are shooting four pointers and that's what you want to shoot then maby you should invest in a quad. I don't know bout the rest of you but I see plenty of nice animals from the road while others hiking don't see much. Road hunting is illegal in Idaho unless you have handicap permission and then you can even shoot from the truck, but I personally hike the mornings and road hunt the middle part of the day to save my energy for hiking the evening hunt and that's how I enjoy hunting. Being a former guide I have used horses and mules extensively and can vouge that the certified weed free hay that we have to use does not mean its 100% weed free only means there not more than a certain percentage of weeds per acre therefore making it possible to spread these noxious weeds as mentioned previously. I can also say after setting camps up 10 plus miles in from anybody we always saw more animals and bigger animals right on the crowded river while jetting into town. So if we were to ##### that would be our own fault for not taking clients around all the people where all the game was. I do find it Idaho interesting in the sense that road hunting is illegal but boat hunting is ok lol. For the die hard hunter(may i remind you i am a strictly bowhunter only) say you've been scouting an area 4 miles packed in and see a great 4point and have been watching him for weeks and he's the biggest in the area and your pumped to get a shot at him, your time rolls around and as your driving in(during shooting hours for what ever reason) to the spot you start hiking st a double drop tine monster non typical trots across the road infront of you and stops broadside, it is not a maintained road so all you'd have to do is step out and shoot, WOULD YOU???? its still considered road hunting aka illegal and you didn't hike miles to find a big buck, seriously whatd you do? Same exact thing, so before talking strict legalities i think we need to draw the line s little darker. This is general not just 32, keep your rigs where they are supposed to be for errosion/animal control and i shoot back if someone messes with my stuff where it has the right to be

 

[SwitchbackMuley]

Why does everyone make the "fairness" argument, that we need to compromise and put everyone on an even playing field?? It's not about people giving up modes of offroad transportation to create equal access to game, it's about ATVs being hard on animals and hard on the environment in general. If ATVs didin't destroy vegetation, increase erosion, stress game, and everything else I wouldn't have a problem with people using them. I don't care what others do so long as it doesn't affect me, but people chasing animals from motorized vehicles and beating up public lands happens affects me and every other person that goes outdoors. I rarely even hunt from my horses because I don't like dealing with those jugheads, but I'd give it up in a heartbeat to see quads go away; because it would be for the greater good of our game herds. Bottom line is-- ATVs are destructive and negatively affect game any way you look at it.

And horses spreading noxious weeds is a dumb argument when you look at all the livestock grazing that goes on around our state. A few horses in the woods doesn't make a bit of difference.

 

[brymoore]

>Why does everyone make the "fairness"
>argument, that we need to
>compromise and put everyone on
>an even playing field?? It's
>not about people giving up
>modes of offroad transportation to
>create equal access to game,
>it's about ATVs being hard
>on animals and hard on
>the environment in general. If
>ATVs didin't destroy vegetation, increase
>erosion, stress game, and everything
>else I wouldn't have a
>problem with people using them.
>I don't care what others
>do so long as it
>doesn't affect me, but people
>chasing animals from motorized vehicles
>and beating up public lands
>happens affects me and every
>other person that goes outdoors.
>I rarely even hunt from
>my horses because I don't
>like dealing with those jugheads,
>but I'd give it up
>in a heartbeat to see
>quads go away; because it
>would be for the greater
>good of our game herds.
>Bottom line is-- ATVs are
>destructive and negatively affect game
>any way you look at
>it.
>
>And horses spreading noxious weeds is
>a dumb argument when you
>look at all the livestock
>grazing that goes on around
>our state. A few horses
>in the woods doesn't make
>a bit of difference.


Good Post.

 

[BPKHunter]

I heard last night that Brad Little may be posting off the ground he previously allowed access in up in 32, due to the abuse. Again, in the real world the bad ruin it for everyone.

 

[arrowtosser]

Dont get me wrong i do use horses and have a atv.I use them both and follow the rules for the area i hunt.The question i have is do you turn people in for breaking the law or telling landowners when these things are taking place? Are hunting group has and weve had to make authorities come out to enforce the law.Dont hate us all,i still buy new boots every year and love being a redneck.