Atv's in the Crown Land

[Milo]

Hey guys, the helmet pole got me thinking of this. I was just out quadding the other day and couldn't help notice that already there are guys out with their big mud tires tearing up the ground and making a mess. The weather has been warm lately around rocky mountain house and these individuals have been taking advantage of it. It disgusts me as a rancher and avid outdoorsman to see what people will do to a creek bed, skeg, or small spring. In minutes there is a hole big enough to make your quad disappear in. Now I know how hard it is to get across some skegs, but there is no need to rip and tear all over the west country crown land ruining once nice trails into scary deep and messy holes. This is the reason the F.L.U.Z. Zones were made, where no quads are allowed anymore. If these individuals don't smarten up soon none of us will be allowed to enjoy the west country on atv's.

[Mikey]

I agree .... Its about 5% of the usership being @$$holes thats ruining it for everyone .... The Bighorn Managment plan as well as the Ghost managment plan are prime examples of the Government saying enuf is enuf .... now no one can go into these areas on motorized transport for recreation, Hunting or otherwise ....

However that all said I have seen first hand what 100 head of cattle will do to Riparian lands as well .... a couple of quads aint got nothing on 100 cows

[Milo]

Yes a couple quads can't do what 100 cows can, but that sounds like classic over grazing. If yu only put the number of cattle on a property it can sustain there will be little damage. Where I go elk huntin in the fall during the rut, yu would swear 1000 cattle went through. When there is a concentrated amount of any livestock or wild animals it does alot of damage. Hoof prints are washed away and grown over alot easier than 2 foot deep quad ruts.

[Mikey]

Over grazing perhaps ...but its the norm in the Ghost region where the GOA has given grazing leases. fluz zones and access managment plans have been a sore spot with me for quite some time. Tell me what does more damage however ...4 1 foot square patches holding about 1000 pounds or 4 4 sqaure inch pads holding about 500 - 800 pounds??? .... How much does an average cow weigh anyway

[Milo]

I cow will definately punch a deeper hole in the ground than a quad if you drive nicely. But if you really want to make a mess i think a quad is worse, but it's arguable. I would say your average wieght is 1300-1400 pounds, but they easily get bigger.

[Mikey]

its argueable fer shure

[Milo]

Regardless of which is worse, it still ****es me off that there are people out there wrecking our recreation and hunting privileges for riding atv's on public lands.

[Mikey]

Regardless of which is worse, it still ****es me off that there are people out there wrecking our recreation and hunting privileges for riding atv's on public lands.
At least we agree upon something :cheers:

[acearchery]

A person only has to go to McLean creek to see OHV damage, or Waipourous, or Burnt Timber....

Rarely is it locals, It is usually a bunch of beer loaded goofs loading up the quads and then going out to the middle of nowhere to rip up a bunch of ground.

I use my quad for exploring country, and accessing areas that I would not otherwise be able to access.

I hike a lot in FLU zones and the damage from horses is very significant. some trails have cut 3' deep into soil and also many weed species have been introduced as well...

There are idiots in both crowds.... However it is much harder to get a horse to rip up a bog hole to see if he can get stuck!.....

That being said one day I plan on getting some mountain horses to access areas I used to access with a quad........

Honestly I believe we are all at fault.... not that most of us would rip up the ground.... but when you see it being done.... Do you report it?.... I know I have not!

[Milo]

Thats probly the biggest problem, the fact that we all talk and complain about it, but few people have the initiative to do something about it.