I'll prolly regret making my first post in this thread but....
On Topic: I think many, most, if not all ATV/OHV users do break the law, knowingly or not, deliberately or not. The reason for this is simple EVERYONE no matter how saintly they are breaks at least one law a day, it is just a way of life anymore, speeding, spiting on the sidewalk, masticating with you mouth open, there is too many laws to always keep track of. So they may be unknowingly breaking the law.
A better question would be "how many impact or affect others in a negative way thru destruction of land, quiet, and or safety!"
As this thread has shown it is easier to say "I'm right you aren't" than to say "oops, you are right!" Were I live in Arizona I see hundreds of ATV (specifically ATV) riders on EVERY major holiday weekend trespassing, destroying private property, vandalizing private property, and doing hundreds of other minor crimes (both legal and to their sport) All of them when told they are trespasser take a huffy attitude and act like you are some kind of ECO-nut for telling them to get off your or your neighbors property (cause she wasn't home.) And this is just at my area, when I hunt I see others driving on CLOSED forest roads, off trails, and even hunting from a moving vehicle which is actually illegal according to AZ G&F. Do I see the numbers I see at home? No, but I do see enough each season just in the unit I'm hunting to know it happens. Personally if current laws were enforced with STIFF penalties I think the problem would solve itself, but many times officers I've talked with don't bother to even try since they are unable to catch them or the case often gets thrown out since it is just a petty offense.
Now About this Thread's posts....
CJ hate to say it but you were wrong... Partially, then again so was Buzz, Elkgunner, and Ithica, to a degree... you were all arguing about what wasn't said, Neither of you stated clearly that it was or was not legal EVERYWHERE in AZ, there are AREA'S and TIMES when off road use for retrieval of downed game isn't allowed.
Basically to clear up a point stated repeatedly in the thread.
The whole issue is rather confusing. If AZGF can write citations on non-state land for off road violations, than why can't they tell a rider that they are within the law? It seems that if they can do one, they should be able to do the other.
This one is AMazingly simple, at least I thought so. Basically think of Law as a 12 step program, with a more steps, the US Constitution is the top step, followed by federal law, then state law, then county law, lastly local city/town/village law. A police officer from podunk whereever can arrest you for breaking a federal law such as ownership of an unregister Class three weapon, but must then turn you over to the proper "agencies" for prosecution. A good example of this would be the federal law prohibiting possession of firearms by convicted felons, it is an instant 5 year sentence. Just because many local police agencies fail to press the charges when felons are caught with weapons, does not mean it isn't still illegal, they just have decided not to waste the effort. Generally one agency won't trample on the specific laws of another (i.e. ATF and EPA) while investigating a crime, but MAY give evidence over to the agency that has jurisdiction over those area's.
In Arizona for example, AZ Game and Fish wardens are sworn officers of the law, that means they can cite or arrest you for any law broken. Do they always do that, no, they are human and as such sometimes "give" leeway to you, or are just outright lazy. If you kill you animal and discover it's 1/4 mile to the nearest road, and at the road stands both a AZ G&F warden and a FS/BLM/state trust warden one may say it is ok to drive there while the other may cite you if you do. Who would be right? The land owner/manager would be since their laws are given precedence over G&F.
Well Folks that was my $.02
BTW Nice Forum, I look forward to seeing pics from your successful hunts over the next 3-4 months. I'll be back next year rearin and ready to go hopefully for a late spring hunt.
), I and my ATV will be traveling to southern Idaho for the deer season opener on OCT 5 (actually I will be there on the 2nd for some preseason scouting festivities).
to be [fair and balanced] I was also "right" as was.......Buzz/Ithaca/Gunner and others. 
