Publications

Interesting Facts

• In the last decade, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in Idaho have increased three-fold.
• Studies have shown that the harvest of bull elk increases with increased hunter access. Eventually this can lead to reduced hunter opportunity.
• Elk use declines in areas adjacent to roads open to motorized vehicles.
• Slow-moving vehicles on primitive roads and trails are more disturbing to elk than fast-moving vehicles on highways.
• As motorized vehicle access increases, the quality and amount of elk habitat are degraded. An open road density of three linear miles of road per square mile of land seriously reduces the value of that area for elk. An open road density of six linear miles per square mile can reduce elk use to near zero.
• Hunter check station information has shown that hunters using ATVs are often less successful than other hunters.

Issues With ATVs

ATVs provide many advantages to hunters, and as a result the use of ATVs during hunting season has increased dramatically in the last 10 years. While ATVs have made access to some backcountry areas and big game retrieval easier for many hunters, their increased use has created some problems:

• Hunter Conflict: Conflict is occurring where ATVs have increased access into areas that were lightly used in the past.
• Noise
  The sound of an ATV may chase deer and elk away from other hunters. This creates hard feelings among hunters who used stealth and stalking skills to get into a prime spot only to have their efforts spoiled by an ATV.
• Closed Areas
  Operation of an ATV in areas where they are not allowed irritates other hunters who have specifically selected their hunting area to avoid motorized vehicles.
• Off Trail Use
  Cross country travel on ATVs can create a network of new travelways that cause soil erosion and damage to fish and wildlife habitats.
• Fair Chase
  Increasing numbers of hunters are actually hunting with their ATVs rather than on foot. This behavior raises concerns of "fair chase" and can reflect poorly on hunting and hunters.

What Can You Do to Reduce the Impact of ATVs During Hunting Season?

Here are a few tips:

• Know the vehicle use regulations for the area you are hunting. Contact the local BLM Field Office, Forest Service Ranger District or Idaho Department of Lands Area office for travel management information before you go. Respect road area closures.
• Stay on existing roads or trails. Do not contribute to resource damage and habitat destruction by creating new travelways for others to follow.
• User created travelways are often poorly located within riparian zones or on steep slopes creating vegetation and soil impacts. Don't make the problem worse by continuing to use these routes.
• To increase your chances of success and cause less disturbance to hunters around you, access your hunting area before shooting hours and then hunt on foot.
• Retrieve harvested big game during the middle of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to reduce conflicts with other hunters. Travel off trail only if travel regulations permit.
• Have respect for other users. Slow down or stop your ATV when you approach others on the trail. When meeting equestrians, approach slowly, pull over and stop, turn off your engine, remove your helmet and ask how best to proceed.
• Avoid the use of ATVs in wet areas or during wet conditions. Even though the lighter weight and low-pressure tires reduce impacts, ATVs can still do serious damage to wet areas.
• Keep your ATV properly tuned and muffled to reduce noise and emissions.
• Don't widen single-track trails by forcing your ATV down the trail.
• When overtaking others, pass in a safe and courteous manner.
• Limit ATV use in and around campgrounds. Be respectful of other campers' desires for quiet and minimal disruption.

These are simple things, but they can go a long way toward reducing the impact of ATV use. They will protect the habitat and improve the Idaho hunting experience. Following these guidelines will reduce the need for more regulations and help retain the ATV opportunities that currently exist.

Responsibility or Regulation? The Choice is Yours!

It's simple. If ATV users are irresponsible with the use of their machines, then there will be increasing pressure on land and wildlife management agencies to severely restrict or prohibit ATV use during hunting season. Nobody likes regulations; but if irresponsible ATV use continues to cause unacceptable impacts, then regulations will become necessary to ensure protection of public lands. ATV users are not unique in this respect - as more and more people use public lands for recreation, the potential impacts of these activities are growing fast. All recreation users, motorized and non-motorized - are being asked to reduce the impact of their activities, so that public lands can be enjoyed by this and future generations. Recognize the impacts of ATV activity and voluntarily take steps to reduce those impacts.

• It is unlawful to molest, stir up, rally or drive, in any manner, any game animals or game birds with a motorized vehicle.
• It is unlawful to shoot from or across the traveled portion, shoulders or embankments of any road maintained by a government entity.
• It is illegal to operate an ATV or trail bike off trail or on any trail closed to that specific type of vehicle as designated by the land management agency or land owner.
• Operating an ATV or trail bike off roads or trails in a manner that damages or unreasonably disturbs the land, wildlife or vegetative resources is prohibited.
• ATVs and trail bikes must be equipped with approved and operating spark arresting mufflers and comply with sound regulations.
• No person may enter private land that is cultivated or posted, to hunt, fish or trap, without permission.

Remember...tread lightly! Leave a good impression.