Last night 1-23-19 my son and about 6 of his friends went out for a ride in northern McHenry Co. All of them are fine young adults (upper teens/low twenties), they were stopped on the bike trail and Hart rd. All have valid registration,insurance and drivers license and new model sleds. They were held up from enjoying there night out for 45 minutes while 2-3 conservation officers ran all their info and cross checking vin numbers to their registration. Is this common practice or were the officers taking it to far? They claimed that there are a bunch of stolen sleds in the area, but I would think they would be smart enough to know what brand and model sleds they are looking for.
Illinois DNR
- Thread starter jmd
- Start date
If you had a stolen sled you would be glad they are stopping people. Sometimes they can be stopping to check for D.U.I. O.U.I. That RR grade runs down to the Rusty Nail. I have been stopped 3 times in one night by the same officers each time. You have to remember also we haven't had open trails in this area for awhile. There was a guy killed the other night in Harvard area. Not on trails. I do know a few of the officers, and they are pretty good guys. has long as your legal everything is good.. Ride safe.
I’m not upset that they were stopped and i’m not discounting the good guy card for the officers, i’m glad we have them patrolling in the area. My point is if you have valid registration on the sled you are riding ,why would you be held up for such a long period of time? This should be a simple check for stickers and let them pass, no need to even shut sled off. I am very familiar with the area as I and the boys that were riding last night are all from Johnsburg and Ringwood.
7 Sleds in 45 minutes....a bit much but sounds about right to do the checks and verify everything but I'm sure it felt like eternity for those sitting there waiting.
The irony here is if you ever see a drunk stumble out of bar, get on a sled and blast across the parking lot? You'll be asking yourself, "where the heck are the wardens when you need them"?
The good news is that you've got snow to play in!
The irony here is if you ever see a drunk stumble out of bar, get on a sled and blast across the parking lot? You'll be asking yourself, "where the heck are the wardens when you need them"?
The good news is that you've got snow to play in!
SledTL
Active member
The rail road grade through Richmond is always a hot spot to stop people. Don't know if it is because its IL, or because it is close to the border and easy money can be made by someone not having the correct trail passes. Our family has a house up the road in twin lakes so I haven driven up 31 many times and seen the guys sitting by the highschool waiting.
harvest1121
Well-known member
I would trade my Illinois taxes for your Wisconsin fees anytime. Illinois wants a engine serial number for registration most dealers cannot find them. Its no where on your paperwork either
I cant argue your point, I don't know how we compare that way.
I did chuckle today though, the 800 is headed for South Elgin and the purchaser asks where is the title? I said we do a 2 year registration that's only $30 bucks and you get a registration card. I said there is no title or fee on a snowmobile trailer either. He was suprised.
Bear
I've never had a problem getting engine serial number on any of my Doo's, or Poo's? It's on paperwork that Doo provides, and the dealer's paperwork also. What mfr. sled are you referring to?
Register my sleds in Wisco, I want my tax dollars going to where i ride and not to Illinois...they get enough of my money as it is. State stated they wont give me a trail pass unless i register it in Illinois, so screw em...I will just drive north of the border and ride there for the day if needed... Besides, the I and M canal is right by me but they want a trail pass but do zero to groom and barely fix anything on it.
Any DNR dragnet is a pita. When I used to ride in Walworth County and see the line up for a dragnet I would circle out and simply ride in the opposite direction. Lol Never was chased or stopped but when out for a brief ride I just didn’t want to be hassled. I get how the boys felt inconvenienced.
harvest1121
Well-known member
I do paid Wisconsin tax the last few times never Illinois
C
Cirrus_Driver
Guest
DNR = Dam Near Russia
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C
Cirrus_Driver
Guest
Riding in WI and MI since 1994, I can only remember 4 times I've been checked....1 was in MI as a group of 20 or so rolled by, and the last one was coming off St. Germain Lk. during the radar run (sting) last year(?). They just want to kill the sport.
Thank you whitedust
mhbouch285
Member
6 sleds-45 minutes, about 7.5 minutes per sled to check license, registration, insurance, sobriety, etc Sounds reasonable and without undue delay to me. Glad those guys are out there trying to keep people safe.
snobuilder
Well-known member
There were 2 or 3 fishcops so yur math is wrong
mhbouch285
Member
Even with three DNR officers .....still reasonable and without undue delay. Looks like they still doing just their job and within the boundaries of the constitution so no 4th amendment violations. Guess people will just have to deal with it and keep complaining. Hope they are as thorough if they are ever trying to save your life or that of a family member.