Snowmobilers drinking while sledding - what do you do

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Grant Hoar

New member
Sunday night after the Super Bowl, two of us were returning from St Germain to Sayner.

We come across six guys stopped on the trail who were totally lost and looking for directions (10 at night, no map, and they were sixty miles from their destination). While we were giving them directions, two guys pay attention, but two of the others pull out the flask and start drinking, and they seemed a couple sheets to the wind already.

They go in the opposite direction we are going, so we are fine, but what about someone else they encounter on the trail?

If it was six of us and two of them, their keys might have ended up in the snowbank and directions given on how to hike to town

However, there are two of us and six of them, so a confrontation is out of the question.

Any suggestions on what to safely do in this situation?
 
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upbarleyboy

New member
That's a tough situation. With no proof they were drunk (other than what you observed), not much of a leg to stand on. It's kind of like reporting a guy leaving a bar and hopping on his sled right after you saw him down a shot of Jack-maybe that's the only drink he had all day. I certainly see your point. A person would feel awful if you heard later on they wrapped around a tree or worse took some innocent oncoming sled out.

I guess if I was in your situation I would have really tried to make a good assessment on the condition of the group as a whole. If I felt they were a hazard on the trail, I would have tried to talk to them rationally and let them know they really need to take it easy the rest of the way as there are a lot of sleds out and it only takes one time to ruin your life or somebody elses. If there were receptive, and seemed to comprehend what I was trying to get across, hope and pray that nothing bad happens. Pretty tough to walk up to somebody you don't know and say "your drunk, give me your keys, your not riding another mile", especially when your outnumbered 6 to 2. Now if they had been cocky smartasses, I would have taken sled descriptions, called law enforcement and had them "randomly" stopped down the trail. Again, it's hard to say what's the right thing to do. Being 60 miles from their destination allows for alot of time for something real bad to go wrong. Just don't see the joy or sense in getting liquored up and playing russian roulette with your life trying to get home safely.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Grant Hoar said:
Sunday night after the Super Bowl, two of us were returning from St Germain to Sayner.

We come across six guys stopped on the trail who were totally lost and looking for directions (10 at night, no map, and they were sixty miles from their destination). While we were giving them directions, two guys pay attention, but two of the others pull out the flask and start drinking, and they seemed a couple sheets to the wind already.

They go in the opposite direction we are going, so we are fine, but what about someone else they encounter on the trail?

If it was six of us and two of them, their keys might have ended up in the snowbank and directions given on how to hike to town

However, there are two of us and six of them, so a confrontation is out of the question.

Any suggestions on what to safely do in this situation?
Click to expand...
First off, "Who made you the trail cop?" Dial 911 tell the sheriff which way they went giving crossroads and be done with it. Some of us are armed out on the trails. Not worth risking yourself in a confrontation.
 
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nytro_rtx

Active member
WOW armed on the trail???? And would pull it out on someone also???? Seems a bit extreme to me.

polarisrider1 said:
First off, "Who made you the trail cop?" Dial 911 tell the sheriff which way they went giving crossroads and be done with it. Some of us are armed out on the trails. Not worth risking yourself in a confrontation.
Click to expand...
 
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slimcake

Well-known member
Did they cause you any harm to your person or property?? Then stay out of their business. Thats my opinion. We are all adults here folks.
 
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slimcake

Well-known member
Oh and I have carried my ccw a time or two on the sled. Never know what you will come across....
 
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chevytaHOE5674

New member
I carry my pistol whenever I'm awake, be it sitting on the couch, snowmobiling, grocery shopping, or using the bathroom. Never know when your life may be put into danger.

If they were visible intoxicated and looked like they posed a danger, I would call the police and give them the description, direction, and a registration number if possible.
 
Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
chevytaHOE5674 said:
I carry my pistol whenever I'm awake, be it sitting on the couch, snowmobiling, grocery shopping, or using the bathroom. Never know when your life may be put into danger.
Click to expand...

Yep, with ya there! I even bring my 9 millie to church, the bank, when I pick up Grace at the sitters take the pups to the vet.... When possible, I keep my 30-06 slung over my shoulder for extra insurance. Can't be too safe these days!

-John
 
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blkhwkbob

Active member
Wow. Things must be tough up in the UP. I've lived in the Chicago area for all of my 48 years, and can't think of ONE time I needed a gun.
 
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chevytaHOE5674

New member
I figure its better to have and not need then need and not have. I spend hours everyday out in the woods, never know when you might run into a wolf, bear, moose, crazed person, etc. Trust me there have been times when I've had my hand on it just in case.

Once upon a time before I had my CPL I ran into a large intoxicated/drugged up individual about 10 miles back in the bush; he rushed at a coworker and I and jumped on my back knocking me to the ground. My coworker grabbed a shovel from the truck and knocked the guy on the back. Was very scary and since I work alone now I don't want to be in that situation ever again.
 
xsledder

xsledder

Active member
polarisrider1 said:
First off, "Who made you the trail cop?" Dial 911 tell the sheriff which way they went giving crossroads and be done with it. Some of us are armed out on the trails. Not worth risking yourself in a confrontation.
Click to expand...

Lighten up, Francis. He wasn't acting as a trail cop. He only talked to the guys. They were very nice but probably should not have been on the trails. Besides, they where heading towards the Frontier Bar for some skank shows. Also, the cell phone coverage is very weak in the area.
 
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jr37

Well-known member
I think a 911 call and directions would be the best bet. Not worth risking a confrontation.
 
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Dave_B

Active member
Why does everything always have to go back to the Fireball?

You are Stoic
You are an enigma

The Fireball is a whole other story.

If the GD Ski Doo would have just started, Think how different our lives would be!

So sayeth the Sheppard, ............
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Dave_B said:
Why does everything always have to go back to the Fireball?

You are Stoic
You are an enigma

The Fireball is a whole other story.

If the GD Ski Doo would have just started, Think how different our lives would be!

So sayeth the Sheppard, ............
Click to expand...
I think things would of happened just the same except there would be memory of it! lol We all pulled the rope at least 100 times total.
 
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