Snowmobilers drinking while sledding - what do you do

catmandoo

New member
Ok I been riding the UP going on about 22 years now and every year I read things on drunk slidders’ crashing killing or dying in the 22 year I can not recall reading how a permit carrying sledder shooting anyone, about 8 years ago I meet up with a group from the site Bradzoo, Sqat, and the Muck as we where heading out into the bush I was thinking this could be a good spot for a ambush, glad I dint shoot them well maybe Squat could have been left out there, In today’s world you don’t know what to expect so I say prepare for the worst and hope for the best, what to do about a drunk sledder , what do you do about a drunk getting into a car or on a motorbike? If you can’t reason with them to see things your way then you need to be willing to take it to the next level whether it be a fight or the law called to prevent the drunk from doing what you don’t agree with
 

russholio

Well-known member
Ok I been riding the UP going on about 22 years now and every year I read things on drunk slidders’ crashing killing or dying in the 22 year I can not recall reading how a permit carrying sledder shooting anyone. In today’s world you don’t know what to expect so I say prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Bingo.

Xsledder, even though you don't give a rip about what they teach us in class, they do teach us that walking away (or running) is ALWAYS the best option -- IF it's an option. If it isn't, sorry, but I'll take my odds with a weapon rather than without it. Nope, doesn't mean it will work --again I say, nothing can be guaranteed 100%, except death -- but I'd rather go down with a fight than a whimper.

Yooperrev and Oly, you both have great responses to the original question!
 

john w

New member
Sunday night after the Super Bowl, two of us were returning from St Germain to Sayner.

We come across six guys stopped on the trail who were totally lost and looking for directions (10 at night, no map, and they were sixty miles from their destination). While we were giving them directions, two guys pay attention, but two of the others pull out the flask and start drinking, and they seemed a couple sheets to the wind already.

They go in the opposite direction we are going, so we are fine, but what about someone else they encounter on the trail?

If it was six of us and two of them, their keys might have ended up in the snowbank and directions given on how to hike to town

However, there are two of us and six of them, so a confrontation is out of the question.

Any suggestions on what to safely do in this situation?

Show them in the right direction and move on. If you ever tried to remove the key from my sled, you would have serious problems ahead. It's none of your business !!! Move on !!
 
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hegewisch

New member
The thread did evolve into more about guns then drinking and sledding. In my opinion those that do not drink and sled must be in the minority because on a good snowy night Silver Street is jammed with sleds and every bar along the trails has sleds. It is all about "moderation." and, my goodness how many carry some beer on their sleds for a stop along a trail ? And, how many sledders will stay in 1 place for long unless they are done for the night ?!? Cold, fresh air along the trail riding keeps many sledders sober.... As for carrying a gun; I don't. But, if you can carry a gun legally you can choose to do so.
 

7707

New member
Maybe they should put Breathalizers on all new vehicles ? Most come with so much eletronics already, whats one more ?
I know someone else could blow that is sober, but then if something happens they have to live with it..
 

tedsnotdead

New member
My opinion, point them in right direction and leave some miles between ya. If you want to be a trail cop then go to school and become a cop. its nobody's job to patrol trails if you don't wear a badge. As far as all you people carrying a weapon while snowmobiling, have at it, i myself have much more important things to worry about in life then what if my sled breaks down and somebody jumps me. Kinda scary to know there are so many pistols out on the trail, hope trail rage doesn't get the best of somebody soon. If you are that worried that you need to carry a weapon maybe you should sell the sled and stay in your house with at least two dead bolts on every door and dont forget about putting bars on your windows too.
 

Grant Hoar

New member
ted,

I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but you sir sure have a special way of delivering it

Here is a scenario: OK, go ahead guys and go down this trail. By the way, tedsnotdeads' group is out riding in this area, but he said to not do anything about the situation. Sure hope you don't meet them sideways in a tight corner

I knew once they left us we would never see them again, so no concern to us, but I asked the question due to concern about other groups who might be out on the trail.

Did I ever say I wanted to be a trail cop? No, I did not. I was asking opinions of others as to how or if they do something to deal with the situation. Does anybody really think the comment about leaving their keys in the snowbank was made seriously?

I am sure glad there are many of the snowmobilers out there who take issues like this seriously and offer someone a ride home, and less of the people out there who ride snowmobiles (yes, there is a big difference between the two groups) and don't seem to care about others
 

buddah2

Member
....... As far as all you people carrying a weapon while snowmobiling, have at it, i myself have much more important things to worry about in life then what if my sled breaks down and somebody jumps me. ......

In my case at least it's not the 2 legged miscreants I'm really worried about......what if your sled breaks down and you have to walk a considerable distance......say at night when most critters are out and about.......you going to holler "Boo" and hope they scatter?
 

Cat Woman

New member
Grant Hoar,
In response to your question I think all you can do is ask them if they are ok to make it back, give directions, and call the authorities, if possible (especially now that we know how many people carry guns on the trail, lol). I called in a suspected drunk on the road once, I don't know if anything was done about it or not but I felt I did my part. I can't imagine living with the disapointment of not doing anything and then later hearing someone got hurt or worse.

But... as we've learned on this thread, to each their own.
 

catmandoo

New member
It’s not the drunk one I’m solely concerned about but the folks up the trail that have no idea he’s coming so some of it would all depend on the mood I’m in also and just how strong a feeling I had he shouldn’t be on the trail we all know what it’s like to talk common sense into drunk people I would try and do everything without the law but would not rule it out if that’s what I felt was needed to keep someone up the trail from danger
 
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