DNR is not serving ATV public interest they are copping out like ATVs don't exist. The do exist & deserve trails thru public land.

Yep Dave, the DNR up there does suck when it comes to ATV trails

I don't think your going to see any help for the ATVer's in Vilas with all the "local interest groups" who seem to have a stranglehold on the local goverment. As well the DNR doesn't have the funding to create enough real trails for them to use as well as they would never be able to enforce any sort of laws once the public starts inundating them with calls and complaints. Lastly i dont think the private land owners will allow ATV trails on their land. Sleds barely are able to get through now, no way they want to have the woods dug up by atv traffic.

I understand the point of all the ATV people out there but in my opinion (and everyone has one) Until ATVer's get organized like the snowmobilers are as in they have state pull and political clout in Madison the option oif trails will continue to be limited.

just my 2 cents....Not bashing.....mps

yep, they are just so busy up there with all the greenies spending their money on green things. Like bird watching and stuffs. everyone is doing so well up there becasuse business is just booming I bet. And when we do want to go spend our money atving they don't need us because they are all so busy with everyone else's hobbies that spend their money in the area. NOT!! The place is a fricken morgue....no FIBS coming up this summer huh guys?? Time to cut the DNR budget there for sure.

Well,

there has been alot of changes in the northwoods in the past 20 years.

Why have all the resorts closed or went condo? becuase of increased home ownership.
When people visiting the northwoods didn't have any actual stake in the area, people were more open to motorized recreation. Now that they own parts of the area they tend to care a bit more what happens in and around their homes. They come to visit more often then that 1 or 2 week stay every summer.


it is "Not in My backyard" syndrome happening.

I used to be able to take my dirtbike about anywhere I wanted to go 20+ years ago. Now there is no place you can ride trails. We have trails in Iron county, and all the way up through the U.P.
I do not think the DNR or local politicians are ever going to allow open ATV travel around this area. Look at the town of little rice, less then 10 years ago there was lots of trails open for ATV use, Now they are all closed. Why?
People couldn;t follow the rules and totally abused the area and the landowners got pissed and shut down all the easements. With those memories still fresh in the minds of people around here it is not going to be an easy fight. All it takes is one person to disrespect fugg-up someone elses property and it is done! look at the snow trail closings every year, if people did not see it as a problem, they would not close access to the trails.

I have never had very good experience in WI with the DNR and land owners. Pretty up tight that's for sure

The landowners aren't that bad if you stay on the trails. Most are riders just like you and me and as long as you don't have loud pipes or leave beer cans on their land could care less. Its the DNR that have to wrench everylast dime out of the hobbiest in this state and then try and shut down or not create trails based on bullshit reasons.

Ya I suppose your right. We usually only ride logging trails and old railroad beds. The gandy dancer to be exact, but the area I leave from there are alot of Atv haters period. The kind that have never owned one or have any experience with them.

mps said it best, organization is the only way its gonna get done! Unfortunately it is totally political, an organization with a mouth piece that speaks their language. For example the AWSC, is there anything like this for atver's? Just think of all the money the DNR is taking in for registration, what are they doing with it?