This right here is the problem...they cut off trail to find fresh snow when the trails turn to snirt..its too tempting...I keep hearing that oneida should have zones that can open at different times...I disagree...oneida county in general has the same amount of snow from east to west, and north to south (every year)...minocqua has no more snow than nokomis has...and really eagle river, st. Germain, Lake Tomahawk and arbor vitae have the same amount of snow as minocqua...however having zones in vilas county make sense, as there is definitely more snow to the north, and less to the south..those towns near the Michigan border get more snow...if Vilas had zones, we wouldn't have the current issue...its silly that arbor vitae is open, and across the street woodruff is closed..im sure that chaps those businesses rear ends...imo...only Conover, land o lakes, boulder jct, presque isle, and mercer area should be open...but arbor vitae, st Germain, and Eagle River should not...it caused such a poop storm up here...The issue should not be businesses vs the clubs..its mother nature...and there's nothing we can do about it...unfortunately those businesses that rely solely on one thing to keep them alive in the winter are probably going to disappear.
ONEIDA COUNTY 1-24-25
- Thread starter attakman
- Start date
Absolutely attakman! We don't no what the futures weather will be in the coming years. I'm not being doom, and gloom, but one thing I can say is that winter weather, snowfall, has caused the true, avid snowmobilers to chase the snow further, and further north for many years now. History provides the proof. I started way back in the later 60's, and been there done that ever since the mid 70's. Even Canada's snow is not what I experienced years ago either, it's just fact. Lets hope, and pray this progression does not continue. Or that this is the new norm. We are in the '89' year drought cycle also? Keep the faith.
You are correct abe...when I was a kid..we had the same amount of snow in central Wisconsin as we currently get in the northwoods...and the amount of snow at my grandmother's house in woodruff in December in the 1970s was unreal..
I thought maybe I was not remembering it correctly ...so we took out some old photos, and the pictures don't lie...huge snow banks, and knee to belly deep snow was common..we were snowmobiling, and ice skating on the lakes for xmas break...I can even remember my dad ice fishing with my uncles during deer season/Thanksgiving...those days are over...btw...i did a snow check on the trails yesterday...everything is panned/rolled beautifully..but stick a ruler in where trails were panned...its less than 2 inches of base when compacted. 4 to 6 inches will get us open.
I thought maybe I was not remembering it correctly ...so we took out some old photos, and the pictures don't lie...huge snow banks, and knee to belly deep snow was common..we were snowmobiling, and ice skating on the lakes for xmas break...I can even remember my dad ice fishing with my uncles during deer season/Thanksgiving...those days are over...btw...i did a snow check on the trails yesterday...everything is panned/rolled beautifully..but stick a ruler in where trails were panned...its less than 2 inches of base when compacted. 4 to 6 inches will get us open.
No...the high powered sleds with deeper lugs, and or studs will roto till frozen ground in a matter of two passes...we have several land owners that require us to come out in the spring, and rake /shovel out damage..including adding dirt, and replanting grass. I have seen trails where there are two foot ruts caused by snowmobiles.
pclark
Well-known member
Yep, you just want to catch them and ask them what the sign says? Can you not read? Are you stupid? Don’t you understand that this will cease to be a trail if you keep riding off trail? And the marked trail looks decent! Just pisses you off how some people are just so stupid!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, eh. And I have many pictures of those years back. The strip mine lakes we used to ice fish when I was a kid, 60 plus years back, don't even freeze over anymore.
I well remember there being 2' of snow on them, and having to constantly dip the deep holes to prevent them from freezing shut. Awesome Crappie, and Bluegill. 
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I was happy to see the Wisconsin Vilas County Conservation Wardens out and about Saturday in Presque Isle. I believe they were at or near a sno-bunnie club event on Lynx Lake. They stopped at Retreat Bar which was mobbed and sat for a while in parking lot. I think that they were there more for show than for go as they were in trucks with no sleds in tow. Scared a lot of people back into bar when they came out to get on their sleds. Play by the rules, have current registration and trail stickers, and don't drink excessively and you have nothing to worry about.
you just cant fix stupid plain and simple, it is so irritating and as we all know the few ramrods ruin it for the rest of us. these people have no idea about the behind the scenes of what it takes to obtain and maintain permissions or just don't care, and if that's the case, just please stay home. Incredible that this continues and even has to be a subject, boggles the mind.
Just let you guys know...not only did we not even get a dusting of snow over night.....we also are melting rapidly...it's sunny and 39 degrees right now...any snow in direct sun light in our parking lot is gone (the parking lot had snow on it this morning)...I'm kinda shocked how quick this melted off.....and more warm weather, and little to no snow is headed our way....ugh
it'll be gone after Thursday unfortunately. Can't believe I haven't been up north riding since Jan. 2023.
dfattack
Well-known member
Can’t you say that after December 23rd every year? I honestly don’t think it matters really until March. Maybe someone smarter than me can comment about that but I’ve always thought through February we are good assuming “normal” weather
I do hear that dfattack, and usually that would be the case. However as I see it, snow conditions wise, we are basically now starting with the next thing to nothing in many places? That is going to make it all the harder to build into what we are needing, and wanting? I not trying to be doom, and gloom, but I am a realist. Just my opinion as time is passing. We are needing a change in the storm tracks, and have them be more laden with moisture. Sadly, for what it's worth, the next ten days doesn't appear to good except for ice fishing.
dfattack
Well-known member
Well I completely agree with that. With so little base the increase sun exposure is more of an issue than if we have a deeper base. Makes sense. Just pisses me off we are even in this situation. So frustrating.