ATV Anger

The explosion of numbers of ATV’s, ORV’s and UTV’s is nothing short of a disaster for wildlife and wild country. The illegal, unscrupulous and self-centered use of these rattling, clattering, smoking and unnecessary machines in the woods and on the prairies makes me almost weep. Managers of The Forest Service, State Forest and Bureau of Land Management have had to institute regulations to control land and wildlife damage caused by ATV’s. My contacts with the OREGON State Police Wildlife Officers tell me they spend an inordinate and wasteful amount of time chasing operators of these devices when they should be doing constructive wildlife conservation.

The use of ATV’s for shed antlers has created further problems for calving cow elk. Most ATV operators pay absolutely no attention to regulations that limit ATV traffic to marked roads. Running those machines hell-bent through the prairie and woods is causing cows to abort their young or abandon calves already aground. These are precious wildlife treasures lost forever by uncaring ATV operators that belong to all Oregon residents.

The present regulations and controls are absolutely worthless. To fine ATV or ORV operators $125.00 for a violation when they are sitting astraddle of a machine that costs upward of $8000.00 means nothing. Some of the UTV’s cost nearly $20,000. Anyone that can afford a play toy like that because they won’t hike to hunt or fish or enjoy the outdoors is not going to be stopped by some pitifully small fine.

Confiscation of the vehicle for blatant violations is the only answer.

Welcome to Open Season blog

Welcome to my blog. I will be posting articles soon on hunting, fishing, wildlife concerns and some political commentary that pertains to those particular interests.