Idaho needs your help!

[6speed]

If you have hunted, will hunt or someday hope to hunt in Idaho this issue needs your attention. As oyo hunters make sure to let them know how you feel.

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=5750

 

[Oak]

I don't imagine Idaho legislators are going to put the wishes of non-resident hunters above the wishes of their constituents. Apparently there has been a lot of outcry from the FA ATV crowd in the state. (nobody needs to translate that for the newbies )

Too bad...I'd like to see more ATV regulation....

 

[choc dogs]

Thanks for sharing.IMHO there is a time and place for ohv's, and that is NOT riding across country, to retrieve game, or just to hunt. I've used them to avoid some of the pinstripes on my pickup on roads that are open for full size travel, but never someplace that I wouldn't drive my pickup if I didn't have the atv option.

 

[6speed]

If you have the time I don't think a phone call would hurt no mater where you are from. Most people understand the role out of state hunters play. You may not have a vote but the people you do business with while you are here do. I don't think its a numbers game as much as a few FA who complain loud and a lot.

 

[1_pointer]

6speed- What is your take on the issue as a resident?

 

[smarandr]

I'm sorry, I've got to ask, what's FA?

 

[6speed]

There was a reason F&G created the rules on ohv hunting. For the most part they seem to be pretty spot on. They need to enforce them a little better as I have had a hunt get trashed by an idiot on an atv who was in violation but the wardens can't be everywhere all the time. I have an atv and use it to hunt. I hunt restricted areas and obey the laws. I have no problem with people who use atvs as a cheaper more capable means of transportation. I have no problem with people with disabilities using atvs to hunt. I have a big problem with guys my age (32) who ride wherever they feel like because they are to lazy to walk. If they want to use an atv to ride existing roads to "hunt" and luck out and get an animal from the road fine. That's not the way I like to do it but its legal. Its not legal to go offroad while hunting with an atv in controlled units and I don't think it should be. There are units where there are no restrictions on atvs if they feel the need to be able to swing off the machine and take a shot then they should hunt those units. Sorry for the long winded reply.

 

[Dinkshooter]

I'm sorry, I've got to ask, what's FA?

Before someone tells you, do you own a ATV?

 

[smarandr]

There was a reason F&G created the rules on ohv hunting. For the most part they seem to be pretty spot on. They need to enforce them a little better as I have had a hunt get trashed by an idiot on an atv who was in violation but the wardens can't be everywhere all the time. I have an atv and use it to hunt. I hunt restricted areas and obey the laws. I have no problem with people who use atvs as a cheaper more capable means of transportation. I have no problem with people with disabilities using atvs to hunt. I have a big problem with guys my age (32) who ride wherever they feel like because they are to lazy to walk. If they want to use an atv to ride existing roads to "hunt" and luck out and get an animal from the road fine. That's not the way I like to do it but its legal. Its not legal to go offroad while hunting with an atv in controlled units and I don't think it should be. There are units where there are no restrictions on atvs if they feel the need to be able to swing off the machine and take a shot then they should hunt those units. Sorry for the long winded reply.

amen brother.

 

[BuzzH]

I'm not afraid to say it...FA...FAT-ASSED.

 

[the nikster]

I say that at some point, we have to draw a line in the sand and say, 'enough'!
Technology has eroded the game's ability to avoid us. To ensure continued opportunity we simply MUST reduce the drain on assets.
We continue to house on historic winter range, we improve ballistics/range with every firearm produced and we increase access yearly through technology. The easiest means of slowing down our advancement is to restrict access. I do not own/use an ATV/ORV. There are those who have a NEED and I do not begrudge them the use of their ATV/ORV.
Capable people need to find other means. I support a statewide reduction/restriction on all ORV use.

 

[1_pointer]

There was a reason F&G created the rules on ohv hunting. For the most part they seem to be pretty spot on. They need to enforce them a little better as I have had a hunt get trashed by an idiot on an atv who was in violation but the wardens can't be everywhere all the time. I have an atv and use it to hunt. I hunt restricted areas and obey the laws. I have no problem with people who use atvs as a cheaper more capable means of transportation. I have no problem with people with disabilities using atvs to hunt. I have a big problem with guys my age (32) who ride wherever they feel like because they are to lazy to walk. If they want to use an atv to ride existing roads to "hunt" and luck out and get an animal from the road fine. That's not the way I like to do it but its legal. Its not legal to go offroad while hunting with an atv in controlled units and I don't think it should be. There are units where there are no restrictions on atvs if they feel the need to be able to swing off the machine and take a shot then they should hunt those units. Sorry for the long winded reply.

You and I agree more than we disagree. I think ID F&G has taken the best approach possible to address the issue. I wish more states would. IMO, it's not the federal agencies place to control access during hunting seasons.

 

[angels2011]

I disagree, respectfully but emphatically, with anyone who supports shutting down access to public lands, even for hunting.
I think there are plenty of ATV regulations, just not enough enforcement.

I own an ATV and I use it sparingly, legally to access areas that would sometimes take me half the day (or more) to get to from major roads. I understand that this is what some elitist, trophy hunters who waste the meat want (wow, my turn to stereotype)...all areas to themselves. Let's call them hmmm.....AP THs :hump: .
A-arrogant
P-rhymes with brick
T-trophy
H-hunters

Just a little tongue in cheek there, we'll see who's in a bad mood now.

 

[the nikster]

Why I outta....... smack!....to the moon Alice!
I agree there is likely enough rules and not enough enforcement. Problem is, you sometimes have to sacrifice a limb simply because a finger has a GG infection in order to save a life. Truth is that a few bad apples are giving all ORV's a black eye.

 

[Dinkshooter]

I think there are plenty of ATV regulations, just not enough enforcement.

Great idea. Every ATV used on public lands should be charged a yearly $500 license/registration fee. This fee will then be used to hire more fish cops/agents to patrol and police the FA ATVers

 

[BuzzH]

It isnt a few bad apples...not by a long damn shot.

Dinkshooter...think 1k a year to help repair the damage these "few bad apples" have caused.

 

[Big Fin]

Whatever Idaho citizens decide, I guess is up to them. If I am so lucky as to draw an Idaho tag some day, I will make due with what they decide.

It is interesting to note how much motorized access ends up changing hunter opportunity in the long run.

It is not the ATV that kills the elk or deer or moose or...

It is the easy access provided to hunters who kill the elk or deer or moose or.... And kill them in such numbers and across such age classes that the resource cannot withstand the impact of hunting pressure combined with unlimited motorized access.

We had a big bloody knock down drag out battle over this stuff in Montana in the early 1990's (Damn, I am sounding like an old fart). I was somewhat on the fence at that time, worried that restricting motorized access could keep people from participating. My worry turned out to be misplaced.

Now, with almost 20 years to reflect on the quality of the hunting we have, on public lands, and the extreme level of opportunity provided, I attribute much of that to Montana making one important decision - we would accept more travel restrictions if that meant we kept our six week general archery season and our five week general rifle season.

It was an ugly fight, and it pitted hunters against hunters. It was not trophy hunters against meat hunters as has been suggested in this thread. It was guys who wanted more opportunity against guys who just wanted an easier hunt and higher likelihood of success.

A classic clash of values, neither being right or wrong, just different. I am now so thankful that I get to hunt as much as I do, even if it requires packing one out when I shoot it.

The majority of the state still has open roads on the forests, so there is still tons of ground for motorized access. There is no "Off-trail" travel allowed in any of the public lands, that I am aware of. The quality of the hunt and the quality of animals taken in these motorized areas is not nearly what it is in the travel restricted areas.

That was a decision that reflected the values of the Montanans who chose to participate in the process. And, it was a compromise from the extremes that were voiced on both sides.

Some are still bitter about it. Their value system was that the forests are open for the use of all people, by all means. Some on the other side are bitter because they view the forests as a spiritual experience and should all be off limits to motorized access, regardless whether it creates impacts or not.

Many of the younger guys or new arrivals don't remember the fights, but enjoy the benefits today. I think it worked out pretty damn good.

I was not as convinced then, as I am today, of the wisdom of that outcome. I was a little luke warm about it.

Yet, as my health wanes and my body ages, I have less ability to pack out elk and climb into their deepest haunts, though my mind and soul cherish such places more and more each season.

 

[shoots-straight]

I disagree, respectfully but emphatically, with anyone who supports shutting down access to public lands, even for hunting.
I think there are plenty of ATV regulations, just not enough enforcement.

I own an ATV and I use it sparingly, legally to access areas that would sometimes take me half the day (or more) to get to from major roads. I understand that this is what some elitist, trophy hunters who waste the meat want (wow, my turn to stereotype)...all areas to themselves. Let's call them hmmm.....AP THs :hump: .
A-arrogant
P-rhymes with brick
T-trophy
H-hunters

Just a little tongue in cheek there, we'll see who's in a bad mood now.

That's some of the same rhetoric we hear in Montana. The "LANDS ARE SHUT DOWN" , or "LOCKED UP" just because they are motorized restricted. You can't have people with easy access in every little draw or canyon without having too much harvest. You can't have it all. The resource won't take it. If you want to use your ATV to go where ever you want too, then be prepared for lousy hunting, or shorter seasons, or both. What I'm saying is the machines are great, maybe too great for hunting success. That area that you go into, that's half a day away, would it be better if there was no motorized travel to it? Would more game stay in that area, to give you a better hunt? Just because you don't have motorized vehicles to remove game doesn't mean your meat is going to rot. You have to work a lot harder, and "EARN" your game. If your not willing to do that, then it doesn't mean too much.

Today, we have rifles that are accurate out to 1000 yards, range finders, Google Earth, and all the other gadgets that make it easy to harvest game. More animals are dieing each year from the new technology than ever before. Add a winter kill in the mix, and see what goes in the freezer next year. ATV's are just too much, and are the easiest to restrict with good results for everyone.

The way I look at it. If the last thing you want to regulate, is your ATV, for sake of access, Then you are a FA ATV activist.

 

[6speed]

Just to clarify with some of you the laws are currently in effect and allow for atv use on roads open to the public by the feds and that can be accessed by a motor vehicle. All the logging and mining and old fire roads that you can drive a jeep on are open. The trails that can't be accessed by a jeep are closed but only in some areas. This is how it has been for several years the laws they are trying to pass would remove those restrictions. There are federal land trails in some restricted areas that are open to atvs. You just can't hunt while riding an atv on one of them. I used to think a few bad apples caused the problem then I realized it was a few good apples that didn't. The amount of home made atv trails has become ridiculous. I don't think we need more laws about land use but I do think we need the ones we have.

 

[6speed]

Angels no one is restricting the access they are just restricting how you can get in. Did you ever wonder if atv access were restricted to the area it would take half a day to get into the game might move closer to where you could access them easier?