I've hit a couple coyotes and a fox in the UP but when they dart out in front of you because of fear of the noise thats coming their way what can you do? I'm not going to swerve and possibly but highly unlikely crash a multi thousand dollar machine for a scraggly haggard looking yote. I've never done it intentionally but it's just like hitting a deer or any other animal in your vehicle. It happens and we get a bad rep for it. Honestly I think a lot of the reason snowmobilers get the reputation they do is because of the persona of the younger generation (including me) that grew up riding BMX and skateboards and generally living off of adrenaline. There's a certain vibe that screams moron or jerk or @**hole because of the way this younger generation swings. And not only that but marketing and advertising for our sport can honestly be quite ridiculous. I like to ride hard and boondock and occasionally jump something here and there but that shouldnt label me. I follow the rules, I'm certified by my state to operate a snowmobile and I DO CARE ABOUT THE WILD LIFE AND LAND SURROUNDING ME!!!! Now, I'm not saying that everyone is a responsible rider and that this type of thing doesnt happen on purpose because I do know, and have ridden with people that are irresponsible and almost seem to avoid the laws and common sense. Being born and for the most part raised in Ontonagon, I grew up snowmobiling there and have learned the etiquette of snowmobiling there. Once we moved to Wisconsin I met the aforementioned boneheads that are out riding like, well, boneheads! Again I'm not trying to label people or anyone for that matter, but I'm trying to put you in my perspective.... There are many different people in this world and everyone fits in their own "click". No one is ever going to agree with everyone on everything and the views of one group on another are generally always going to be negative. Maybe that poor dog was intentionally killed by a snowmobiler and the rider could have been any age. This is what we need to fight as fellow riders. We need to fight the people with a general disregard and keep proving that we arent out to destroy mother nature but to actually enjoy it just the same as anyone else. Except on a motorized vehicle that travels over snow at a rapid pace. END RANT. Sorry, I know it's long winded, but I'm hung over and that article struck a nerve.
