ORV trails on public land

[MichiganMike]

what your thoughts on ORV trails on public land? I'm about recreation and getting people in the outdoors and doing what they enjoy, but I'm seeing more of these trails veering off especaily where they are not designated. Mainly motorcycles creating their own trail and making their own way. Starting to me off as their getting into transitions on the fringes of swamps and marshes where I like to hunt. Could change deer movement and behavior. If it were up to me I would ban recreational ORV Throughout deer season so this doesn't happen. What's your thoughts?

[Trout]

I was very involved in keeping ORV's out of a few areas in Michigan about 5 years ago when they started changing the laws to give them more access. We successfully kept them out of a couple places, at least on paper. In fact, Im proud to say there was one area in particular that doesnt allow them due to a meeting of the minds that took place at my kitchen table.

They're still going wherever they want and the DNR does less and less to enforce the law. I'm very disappointed in our DNR for many reasons, but this is a big one.

Ironically, I don't hunt in those areas they're not allowed anymore, and my main hunting region is full of designated ORV trails. From what I've seen, the deer get used to them and are regularly moving around or near them where I hunt. My only issue with them is the volume of their exhaust. I'd have almost no issues with them if they'd put quieter mufflers on from the factory. ORV trails make awesome entrance and exit routes.

[MichiganMike]

I was very involved in keeping ORV's out of a few areas in Michigan about 5 years ago when they started changing the laws to give them more access. We successfully kept them out of a couple places, at least on paper. In fact, Im proud to say there was one area in particular that doesnt allow them due to a meeting of the minds that took place at my kitchen table.

They're still going wherever they want and the DNR does less and less to enforce the law. I'm very disappointed in our DNR for many reasons, but this is a big one.

Ironically, I don't hunt in those areas they're not allowed anymore, and my main hunting region is full of designated ORV trails. From what I've seen, the deer get used to them and are regularly moving around or near them where I hunt. My only issue with them is the volume of their exhaust. I'd have almost no issues with them if they'd put quieter mufflers on from the factory. ORV trails make awesome entrance and exit routes.

I agree with the fact they do make great entry routes. And I not opposed to riding on them per say as deer are pretty used to them. I just don't like the dirt bikes that veer off and tear up the landscape and get close to bedding areas. Im not exclusive to hunting areas off ORV trails, I just have a couple that I have in my rotation over the years that have produced. Just irritates me .

[Groundhunter@1]

I can assure you in Iron County. Our warden and sheriff deputies, do a great job policing the area. I also have no issue with them, on established trails, there is plenty of room. I do not own a UTV. Have a 4 wheeler, for trapping and some time deer recovery.

I am grateful of some of the areas, that USFS,allows me to access some remote areas, via their logging roads. They are gated. But marked for Public Use, but you need a small atv to get around the gate.

I see little abuse in my area, and have met some nice hunters, through the year. The UTV crowds, are all trail users. They bring in money for local business, and have had no issues.

Biggest abusers, are fat guys on UTV hunting grouse out of them. That is BS, to me, as I am a hard core grouse hunter. I have reported those guys.

[Jonny]

I can’t say I see much if any misuse. Actually can’t even take the off road motorcycles on them at any time which is nice.

They also close the trails end of October as well.

Such a huge boost to the local economy so I really have zero complaints. They pack the bars every weekend just as much as opening weekend of gun hunting does.

[szwampdonkey]

100% against them after seeing three ATVs tear right through tamarack bog up near Lakewood a few years ago. You have a trail designated for off-road use you’ll have 95 out of 100 stay on the trail. That disrespectful 5% who don’t do a lot of damage, a lot more than any hiker or hunter ever could. The only solution is to keep ‘em all out.

[Bonecrusher101]

100% against them after seeing three ATVs tear right through tamarack bog up near Lakewood a few years ago. You have a trail designated for off-road use you’ll have 95 out of 100 stay on the trail. That disrespectful 5% who don’t do a lot of damage, a lot more than any hiker or hunter ever could. The only solution is to keep ‘em all out.

this is what i’ve seen on a wma that used to hold a lot of deer. There already wasn’t a spot on the place where gravel trails couldn’t get you with a 1/4 mile. UTVs pretty much took it over and now there aren’t much for deer and i’ve found much better success on other wmas with impassable swamps.

[Dewey]

I used to bow hunt Black River State Forest many years ago. Every single time I thought I was in deep I either ran into one of the 4wheeler trails or had them zooming by 50 yards away from me. Really messed with deer movement. Part of the game if you choose to hunt in those areas.

[Groundhunter@1]

Well when you mention Oconto County and Jackson County I understand. Lakewood is ATV UTV capitol. I remember the 70s and 80s in Oconto County, all sand roads, deer paradise. I can understand your feelings. That place is a zoo

[Yoder]

I figure you can't ban everything because people break the law. If you did, none of us would be hunting. I don't have a problem with designated trails. I get pissed when people blaze a trail illegally. They are annoying but I truly believe in public land. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean other people shouldn't have the opportunity. I don't really think it bothers deer anyway once they get used to it. Some of the places I hunt are within 50 yards of a recreation trail and a highway.

[Wolfshead]

This is tough
As someone said public land is public land.
I would say in my opinion, in my area, there are more than 5% not following the rules unfortunately.
I would prefer that there be designated areas where they are not allowed to be in.

[szwampdonkey]

Yea, public land is public land and should be available for all to use.

However, those that use public land should leave it as they found it, if not better by picking up that soda can on your way out.

ORV drivers don’t do that, period. Keep ‘em out.

[Danny boy]

I hunt a property that has designated trails for riding. The deer are used to these. Scouting a suspected bedding area this year, a property owner that backs onto the public has cut an atv trail 6’ wide through the bedding area, along side where they would travel right into his backyard. I talked with the area rep for the property and it’s apparently happening just about on all the properties and they are having a hard time keeping up to it. Worst is there is a species at risk sign and a gate up at the entrance. I’m all for public land use for what it’s designated for, but neighbours who act like it’s an extension of their property really grinds my gears. No respect eh. One time they seen me accessing on the edge of their property and then someone scattered manure bags along the road. I still shot a nice 171” 10pt though. Can’t wait too meet these people and brag about it.

[Danny boy]

I hunt a property that has designated trails for riding. The deer are used to these. Scouting a suspected bedding area this year, a property owner that backs onto the public has cut an atv trail 6’ wide through the bedding area, along side where they would travel right into his backyard. I talked with the area rep for the property and it’s apparently happening just about on all the properties and they are having a hard time keeping up to it. Worst is there is a species at risk sign and a gate up at the entrance. I’m all for public land use for what it’s designated for, but neighbours who act like it’s an extension of their property really grinds my gears. No respect eh. One time they seen me accessing on the edge of their property and then someone scattered manure bags along the road. I still shot a nice 171” 10pt though. Can’t wait too meet these people and brag about it.

I tried to upload a video. It was a public land nightmare right out of the pages. I had an atv down the road watch me gear up and head into the woods. I get in my stand . And for 2hours until dusk they were riding all around, on their property and on public/no motorized vehicles. I heard giggles and chatter. 2 teenage girls come walking over rise into the public 50yards from me. I whistle, and finally one says hello”I’m hunting”. I never seen anyone so scared. They didn’t know where I was. At last light I seen a doe peek her head out smell my trail and turn around. And a nice eater doe that walked behind on their property . She did cross over briefly but I figured she’d run onto the neighbours and I just didn’t want to deal with that. Getting setup to leave I heard big stick crack and it sound big running off. Not down wind. Not even 5min past legal light. I think he is killable, even with ruckus.Overall I tougher it out remained patient and have another piece of the puzzle.