jiminbogart
TCU Go Frawgs !
Good read. What's the difference legally between an ATV and a legal endure bike I wonder.
Every argument made against ATVs could be made against a legal dirt bike.
If atvs aren't allowed to be used to hunt on wmas, why are they specifically prohibited only on some in the regs. Sure do see a lot of four wheelers at Tuckahoe's hunts. Those wardens and managers must not understand the rules like some of you folks. National forest is a totally different issue. I also ride a street legal dirt bike up there. Has to be street legal or you will get a ticket.
It got out of hand in the 90's. The wma was turning into a ATV park. The requirement to be actively hunting to ride appears to have fixed that issue.Tuckahoe hunts allowed ATVs 20+ years ago. We always took ours. Rode out of camp at the check station on the hardtop. I'm surprised they still allow them.
It's fully allowed as long as the atv is registered a as long as not restricted by the particular wma
WMA ACTIVITIES
OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLES AND ATVS
All motor vehicles are restricted to improved roads open for vehicular access. ATVs may only be operated on open improved roads within WMAs during the period between 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours after sunset one day prior to and during big game, small game, and hog only hunts by hunters actively participating in the hunt (except where otherwise specified). However, on National Forest Lands, including WMAs on the National Forest, ATVs are restricted to designated trails unless posted otherwise.
“Improved Roads” are roads that receive maintenance for the purpose of public access, and “Open Roads” are roads not closed with a gate, sign, earthen berm or similar device intended to prevent vehicular access. Motor vehicles (including ATVs, dirt bikes, utility vehicles, golf carts, and other off-road vehicles) must meet applicable safety, licensing, insurance and registration requirements for use on public roads. Vehicle and ATV operators must be at least 16 years old. Roads may be closed at the discretion of DNR. Vehicles may not be parked in such a way as to block an open or closed roadway.
I've had several hunts busted on Paulding forest because of atv riders. I don't think they knew I was there. They weren't hunters, just joy riders. Didn't call game wardens, I usually don't have good phone service out there. It's clearly marked no atvs too.
If atvs aren't allowed to be used to hunt on wmas, why are they specifically prohibited only on some in the regs. Sure do see a lot of four wheelers at Tuckahoe's hunts. Those wardens and managers must not understand the rules like some of you folks. National forest is a totally different issue. I also ride a street legal dirt bike up there. Has to be street legal or you will get a ticket.
See 35 Whelens post below. If you ride an ATV at Cohutta WMA on the "unpaved and regularly maintained roadway" then the odds of getting a ticket and or going to jail increases to about 100%. It is a USFS kept area. Most mountain WMA's re USFS lands, so automatically riding on on "improved roads" increases to all roadways. ATV trails are very limited on these WMA's.
I would love to be able to ride my Honda Pioneer leisurely around on Cohutta WMA's many miles of unpaved roads. And I would never be tempted to get anywhere near of the near creeks or streams; the experience would be awesome! But for every person who thinks like I do, there is at least three other people who would feel the need to make their own trails. I have seen it happen first hand. The results are horribly devastating, and the damage done can take years to recover.
Cohutta and the other mountain WMA's are very, very different than the middle Georgia WMA's and require a far different approach to care and management ( something that for the last 40 years has seemingly escaped the braintrust at the DNR) The erosion that would be and is caused by illegal ATV use is almost irreparable. Because of the abuses that would occur, I am against ATV's on WMA's. At least the mountain WMA's.
I love riding my SXS as much as anyone loves their machine, but I won't even go through my pasture now because it is a mud pit. Some may say "with proper regulation and strict rules" but the problem is it is difficult enough to enforce the regulations that are in place. It would be a slippery slope that would spiral out of control. Things got out of hand in the 80's and 90's when the first regs put a stop to ATV's and to think it wouldn't get out of hand again is the academy of foolishness.
The Motorsport community using those areas would have to police itself greatly.
Amen to thatFunny how picky the feds are out here with atvs. Go out west and they’re everywhere. They haven’t killed the Rockies. I know the trash who can’t stay on roads. Drives me crazy. But!
Do some enforcement. So tired of the government removing my privileges because they do a poor job of enforcing existing rules.
Funny how picky the feds are out here with atvs. Go out west and they’re everywhere. They haven’t killed the Rockies. I know the trash who can’t stay on roads. Drives me crazy. But!
Do some enforcement. So tired of the government removing my privileges because they do a poor job of enforcing existing rules.
I edited my original post to address the WMA's on NF.how you figure, Kemosabie?
I edited my original post to address the WMA's on NF.