Pitstop area in Greenland - stay on the trail

[sjb]

We stopped by the Pitstop in Greenland for some grub this past Saturday. There was a kid (age 15 or so) who went in the back of the restaurant and was off the trail. I don’t think he knew exactly where he was (when talking with him, he seemed geniune and not some punk kid) and this has been a problem area for the landowners. The kid apologized and was getting on his sled to get back to the restaurant, when the owner of the land took a big pipe and knocked the kid off his sled. Then she grabbed the key to his sled and threw it. The brother saw this happening and went back to the restaurant and grabbed his Dad. He came over there to see what was going on and when he confronted the situation, the Dad was hit over the head with the pipe – he did have a pretty good gash on this head. Then the other owner came out of the house with a shotgun. By the time the whole ordeal was done, forest service, game warden and 2 ambulances were in the lot. One crazy landowner and a kid who was not on the trail, could have led to a homicide. The family was with 3 kids and a dad, all seemed like pretty decent people (from the Appleton area). The only ticket give was to the kid for trespassing.

FWIW - I only talked to the sledders, not the landowner, so only one side of the story.

Just sharing this to hopefully prevent any more issues with the landowner. We need to police ourselves as much as possible, and avoid dealing with the crazies out there.

 

[ss440]

"land owner hit the kid with a pipe" ***. I hope your making this up.

 

[yamadooed]

Sounds like jr was braaapn a little off trail while pops was inside the pit stop...

 

[firefighter1]

I really hope the pipe issue in made up also. With conceal and carry people this whole situation could have ended with a few people dead. I agree snowmmobilers need to say on the trail and think before they act but it sounds like land owners need to think also. Had one of those two individuals been killed by being hit by the pipe, she could have ended up in prison over a trespass violation. Doesn't seem worth it. There has to be part of the story we are missing.

 

[utinans]

nothing here

 

[hoamskilet]

yeah, somebody would be getting wrecked if they did that to my kid

 

[slimcake]

Would sure like to get the whole/real story. Maybe Kip can chime in if he knows anything?

 

[800etec]

The family was sitting next to us in the pitstop after the incident,i didnt talk to them about it but clearly the pipe story is BS

 

[kip]

I don't even know the fully story guys and gals. I know the kid went on land that had trespassing signs up. I believe the kid was totally innocent and just didn't see them. The family was in our shop and we performed service on the dad's sled, he was a very nice gentleman and very big! LOL! I wish I could elaborate and say more but the fact is I don't know the whole story just yet. I would not draw conclusions at this point until the whole story comes out. I know the landowner has been calling cops steady trying to rectify the matter and yes, he's capable of losing his cool. The rumors are flying high even in our shop. I agree, the situation could've been handled differently for sure as things got out of control and could've been worse. When I know more details I'll share with you all

 

[sjb]

Hey guys/gals - just reporting what I saw and heard. The kid was not hit with the pipe - the dad was. And he was a big fella. The kid was knocked off his sled. Sound more like the pipe was used to push him off, but not hit off it that makes sense. Talking with the dad, he does have a CCP but never carried while in the UP. I guess that will be changing.

That Dad was probably the most upset out of the 4, he said he went in there to protect his kid and then was clocked with the pipe. I questioned the same thing - how was there not a charge of assault somewhere in this incident? In MI, can you protect your property, by all means necessary? I am pretty sure in WI, if they are in your home, all means are okay, but outside of your house, different rules. Something to do with the Castle Doctrine, but I am not well versed in this subject.

 

[nhra1000]

These events big or small are going to get worse...i'm sure at some point guns will be involved. We don't spend much time up north of the bridge but have been up there a couple times this year and we couldn't believe how much off trail there was going on....literally 5 feet beyond the "stay on trail" sign you couldn't see 1 square foot of untouched snow..and it wasn't just one area...its was everywhere.

 

[kip]

The dad seemed like a very nice gentleman.

 

[xcr440]

I have no truck in the situation, but you have to start teaching them the minute they are in class learning to get their permit.

If its not your land, and you don't have permission, stay off it! Pretty simple really.

 

[slednek]

I have no truck in the situation, but you have to start teaching them the minute they are in class learning to get their permit.

If its not your land, and you don't have permission, stay off it! Pretty simple really.

I agree 100% for the young ones. But as we all know there are plenty of "adults" that tear things up, ride where they want that have never been through a safety course.

Dave

 

[xcr440]

I agree 100% for the young ones. But as we all know there are plenty of "adults" that tear things up, ride where they want that have never been through a safety course.

Dave

How long has the "need a riding permit" been in place in MI? Going on 30+ years here in MN, so again, as Yenann reiterated, its trespassing, plain and simple, ESPECIALLY if there is a sign there.

What, are we going to start saying snowmobilers can't read??? I see it every where as well, I wish they would remake those signs that say "Stay on Trail" to "Hey MORON, Stay on Trail" - Maybe that would get their attention.

 

[wisco-mb]

We were leaving Pit Stop a week ago on Monday after we got some lunch. A sheriff pulled up and asked if we had just pulled through the yard to the east. They had been getting some complaints about that she said. I responded we were in there for awhile, and had followed the trail. Sounds like it's getting worse....

 

[srt20]

Wasn't there a video floating around of some landowner confronting a trespasser and getting violent with him?

Maybe its the same fella?

 

[lenny]

All I can say is wow, mainly to the comments. How irresponsible to say what some of you are saying. A level of respect, decency and common sense is void from this thread. Every aspect of society is in decline and it shows. Message boards, tv, radio, snowmobile trails etc,,,,,nothing is exempt anymore. I used to post on this site frequently and very little anymore because of the lack of RESPECT. I don't need it, don't want it and now despise it. I feel sorry for JD in all that he puts up with day in and day out. Lenny's final Words on JDSC: “The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”**Matthew‬ *12:37‬ *

 

[towtruck]

All I can say is wow, mainly to the comments. How irresponsible to say what some of you are saying. A level of respect, decency and common sense is void from this thread. Every aspect of society is in decline and it shows. Message boards, tv, radio, snowmobile trails etc,,,,,nothing is exempt anymore. I used to post on this site frequently and very little anymore because of the lack of RESPECT. I don't need it, don't want it and now despise it. I feel sorry for JD in all that he puts up with day in and day out. Lenny's final Words on JDSC: “The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”**Matthew‬ *12:37‬ *

X 2 lenny

 

[parker]

X3 Lenny