NORTHWOODS PASSAGE TRAIL...near Tomahawk... This trail is closed and has been rerouted. Signs and roping have been put up. Riders went around the barrels and tore down the roping. On Sunset Point Road someone also tore down the roping and opened a closed gate. This is totally irresponsible and uncalled for!! (could not post the pictures here, but this area is just west of Lake Mohawksin, north of Hwy 86).....WE are our own worst enemy.
More Trespassing Issues, Tomahawk Area
- Thread starter attakman
- Start date
AND ANOTHER ONE....
TRESPASSING REPORTED:
The trail along Spring Creek Rd & Mountain Rd runs along the side of the road. Do not go into the adjacent field as you are trespassing! A group of 7 sleds road across the field on Dec 31st.
If you observe snowmobilers trespassing, please get their registration numbers and report them to:
LINCOLN COUNTY - non-emergency number 715-536-6272
ONEIDA COUNTY - non-emergency number 715-361-5100
TRESPASSING REPORTED:
The trail along Spring Creek Rd & Mountain Rd runs along the side of the road. Do not go into the adjacent field as you are trespassing! A group of 7 sleds road across the field on Dec 31st.
If you observe snowmobilers trespassing, please get their registration numbers and report them to:
LINCOLN COUNTY - non-emergency number 715-536-6272
ONEIDA COUNTY - non-emergency number 715-361-5100
pclark
Well-known member
Unfortunate that these types ruin it for everyone, by all means report them if you can.
Go Fast or Go Home
Active member
I would agree with reporting---HOWEVER--Law Enforcement will tell you that unless they themselves have witnessed the violation they are not going to pursue any enforcement. I even had photos with the registrations in the pics and Law Enforcement still would not even check out. I have tried.
Don~
Don~
pclark
Well-known member
Yes, that sucks, not admissable in a court of law. Not sure why the LE couldn't do something if they really wanted to.
goofy600
Well-known member
They could but as you said if the wanted to! Most often they will say to busy but really to lazy to do the leg work unless it’s happening continually where it’s easy. Bigger problem is our court system will defend the trespasser if landowner does something.
Go Fast or Go Home
Active member
The areas I sled at Law Enforcement sit at busy intersections during peak times and write stop sign violations. Easy pickings and a good revenue source.
pclark and goofy600 pretty much said it all.
Don~
pclark and goofy600 pretty much said it all.
Don~
pclark
Well-known member
Yep, The world is backwards these days.
I could be wrong but only a property owner can make a valid complaint on trespassing. Anyone can report it but like was mentioned, if not caught in the act of committing the trespass, it could be a wild goose chase. The DNR would be the agency to investigate recreational trespassing, IMO.
indy_500
Well-known member
As much as it infuriates me as well, I think you guys are missing the fact that the police and DNR are not the “snowmobile association police”. They are not out there to fight to keep our trail system open and landowners happy and allowing trails to run across their property. As long as the trespassing isn’t being done with intent to damage property or steal something, to them, it is no different than an ATV cutting across someone’s hunting land to access a road, therefore not making it very high priority. We are our own worst enemy and Snowmobilers must police ourselves to keep the sport afloat.
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Perhaps then make it a civil case, and file your own charges with the States Attorney, or District Attorney for that county? They work for you! This will get Law Enforcement involved at whatever level necessary. Been there done that. The County Sheriff said the guy isn't worth going after, WRONG! Always remember a pic/photo is worth a thousand words!
Sadly
Sadly, so it is!
goofy600
Well-known member
Agree completely, but right now I have a neighbor that is having problem with a different neighbor of him crossing his property and there is nothing that can really be done unless he can convince the police to sit and wait for them to do something. This is where it is a law problem because they won’t take landowners proof, but states can use traffic cameras to issue tickets, so blame it on the laws and not even on the police. And then if a landowner were to take matters into their own hands then they will be in trouble.
This was added before reading a few other posts like Old Abe’s which is what my thoughts are very much a pain in the backside.
pclark
Well-known member
I have questioned guys about what they were doing riding off the marked trail and they get real offensive. Almost like who am I to even say anything. When I told them I was the trailmaster for our club and they were putting a trail in jepardy they backed off and listened. I told them that when other people see their tracks it's just an invitation to other trespassers to do the same. Told them there was a reason that we stake trails with two stakes and put up "Stay on the Trail" signs. Hopefully they learned but the real issue is these types just don't care and although your comment makes a lot of sense, local LE should also step up if they see this type of activity happening. In my opinion I do see less of this happening in the areas I snowmobile so who knows?
My experience is on trail discussions don’t go well especially when outnumbered 7 -8 to 1. Nobody wants to hear it it’s a you do you and I’ll do me attitude go away. I don’t enter into those discussions anymore just not worth it.
I hated even posting anything...because it gives our sport a black eye, and honestly the people who hate snowmobiling (and there are more and more of them moving up north every year),like to just use info like this against us..make no mistake, they troll facebook, and sites like this to look for dumb things snowmobiler's do..it's ammunition....unfortunately I've dealt with quite a few dumb arses in our sport. BTW...the loud pipe complains are rolling in as well..smh
Tim in Indiana
Active member
This is very true. Up until recently I was on a board up here that consisted of mostly silent sports people. It wasn't that way when I originally agreed to be on the board but it had changed quite a bit in the last ten years.
It got to a point where a major portion of every board meeting was spent complaining about or working against motorized sports. Anti-wakeboat, no ATV's, no sleds, even no motor lakes, etc. The other members came with internet based examples of bad behavior every meeting. Almost all were based in facts but they were very hyped up.
Most of these people would not accept any alternate opinions, they were absolutely certain they were correct. The final straw for me came on a subject I had first hand knowledge of and had witnessed the so called offenses. The others were all working off internet posts or third party accounts and had built the story up to a point where there was hardly any truth left. After fighting through this I had enough and resigned from the board.
This example is really nothing different from how everything else works today. But we do need to be aware that there are very organized and well funded groups that are working hard to eliminate ALL motorized sports in the the Northwoods of Wisconsin and the UP.