I just dont understand

[thebluff]

I do not understand what compels folks to do what they do. This week I have had at least 20 snowmobiles drive thru my yard as if it were part of some trail system.

I live in Ontonagon, in town. The river is in my backyard, the main street is my front. A fenced in property and the Lake boarder be to the west. There is no confusion that this is not part of any trail. It leads to no place.

My total lot is about 3.5 acres. The building is an office complex on the ground and a home on the 2nd floor. A parking lot goes around the entire building. Turning around could and should happen in the street however even a loop thru the lot would be understandable.

I do not understand what would make anyone think it was ok to travel thru the yard of even a business. It may look like a small park (more reason to not sled there) but with personal vehicles scattered about, a trailer, a visible fire pit, garden, kids sleds, etc....I just dont get it.

I have a child that LOVES to dig in the snow banks I leave from plowing. I intentionally make them so he can dig and such...you would think in my setting I would not have to worry about someone running him over.

I defense of the riders, they were going slow (like that would really matter if I slowly drove my pickup thru their yard at home). I stopped 2 of the groups....one guy told he "he was not the leader" and the other when told he was riding in my back yard said, "ok".

This happening to me was good because I will not complain outside this forum. If these folks ran around the yards of other homes and businesses in town...surely it will make a Village meeting and we risk losing privilages. Had my child been out there...even w/o a close call...I would have called the police.

Snow is not a licence to ride. You rode in on bare streets, entered my bare parking lot and should have left on the bare. My lawn or anyone elses is off limits...

I like the guy in the other post that suggested allowing me to come in and rearrange your furniture..heck it wont hurt anyone.

RESPECT OTHERS PROPERTY...the next guy will not be as mellow as me...and we will all lose.

 

[Cat600]

People are stupid. Can't fix that.

You can sign and fence all you want, the only way for things to change is to close trails so all those that do follow the rules complain and the stupid ones that don't follow the rules find somewhere else to mess up.

 

[Chicago Boy]

Better way

No closing trails just hurts the people that need snowmobilers .yes I think that what some guys do to people's yards sucks
And your kid could get hurt from some _ss hole but the fence don't work so what I would do is put large 3 foot boulders around your yard
Have you ever seen what a rock that size dose to a sled lol

 

[craigrev]

People are stupid. Can't fix that.

You can sign and fence all you want, the only way for things to change is to close trails so all those that do follow the rules complain and the stupid ones that don't follow the rules find somewhere else to mess up.

I don't understand why so many people's answer to trespass is to "close the trail". The answer is law enforcement. If word gets out that a group got fined it would spread like wildfire. Don't hesitate. Call the law. If DNR is trailside doing checks, all you hear at the next pitstop is "watch out", "don't drink too much", "you guys put your trail passes on"etc. Squeaky wheel gets the grease!! Less trails means more traffic on other trails which means more boneheads screwing up those trails. Eventually there is no more trails. We should fight to keep all trails open always and try to develop new ones if possible. Those that disrespect have no consequence for there actions and therefore will continue to disrespect.JMO

 

[Cat600]

Oh I agree to fight to keep trails open, don't get me wrong.

But law enforcement won't do diddily. If you get a speeding ticket going down the highway, how long would it take before you speed again? The idea or even threat of law enforcement won't stop people from doing dumb things. I just heard the other day that some dude in Wisconsin got his 11th DUI. Doubt he will learn his lesson and do it again. People just don't learn until you take away from them and screw everyone else in the process.

Best way to stop their illegal doings is to make it to much work for them to be able to do them. Like Chicago Boy said, nice 3 ft boulders.

 

[jakester]

I've found that there are two kinds in this crazy world of ours. They are givers and takers .Unfortunately I think the takers are starting to ruin the sport of snowmobiling for the ones that give back. "Like the ride in". I gave up my sleds last year and had some major withdrawls after being involved for over 30yrs.You should not have to put up any boulders. I was very involved with our club and the county where I live. One thing I don't miss is going to the land owners and apoligizing and begging to keep the trail open because some selfish goof screwed up!! I do believe that if everyone belonged to a club and would see all the work to mark and behind the scenes it would make a big difference. Just my thoughts. Jake

 

[hegewisch]

No one should ride off trail where it is posted not to. Some people are jerks. Some land owners are jerks. In Ironwood off Trail 160 is a small local tavern. The owner is a snowmobiler and a groomer. This time of year he needs snowmobilers. To get to his place you follow the signs off trail about a mile on the side of the county road to the tavern. This morning one of the landowners put a couple crudely made signs on sawhorses saying: "This is not a trail keep off." in front of his house. However, the snowmobilers ride on the side of the road to get to the tavern not his yard. He does not control the county road. This to me is plain rude and unacceptable. He has no legal right to put these signs on sawhorses on the side of the road. Nice of him to hurt a local business and piss off sledders. (this is not the typical tresspass issue). This guy is a jerk and, I hope his signs get destroyed or, taken by the county.​