On Nov 19th I have a meeting with the Forset Service. Being disabled, I have found that there is limited access for the disabled. Here in Montana, areas have been set aside for disabled hunters. The problem is that these areas are impossible for a disable person to retrieve any game. And there is only one area per ranger district.

So, I have talked my way into the next meeting. I will use this chance so that I can create more areas for the disable to hunt and ride. I have already stated a plan as to what I want to say. But if I can get your input as to any issues that may help me to make them understand. It would be great. The disabled are limited as is, but there is no reason for us to be kepted out of the mountains because of our disability. Please help with any great ideas.

Lets see, you posted on the 27th so maybe you can read this before your meeting with the FS, so I can give you a heads up that when the FS dude tells you it ain't the FS duty to make areas ADA compatable, you can get POed ahead of time and organize a approperate response!! like maybe--HEY DIPWAD--these are the public lands, I'm part of the public, and I pay taxes too, and I demand more access. You jerks have already aligned with anti-loggers, treehuggers, birdlovers, and toadlikkers, why not for once TRY to do the right thing!!

or something like that!

quote:

Originally posted by XS:
Lets see, you posted on the 27th so maybe you can read this before your meeting with the FS, so I can give you a heads up that when the FS dude tells you it ain't the FS duty to make areas ADA compatable, you can get POed ahead of time and organize a approperate response!! like maybe--HEY DIPWAD--these are the public lands, I'm part of the public, and I pay taxes too, and I demand more access. You jerks have already aligned with anti-loggers, treehuggers, birdlovers, and toadlikkers, why not for once TRY to do the right thing!!

or something like that!

Good Luck T. Wolf. I will be real interested in what the outcome is. Please keep us posted.

T Wolf maybe contact the local DVA for input, they maybe can put together a letter to accompany your input or maybe accompany you to this meeting, to present there letter. There presence make those greenies nervous. ...Bob

T wolf, one of the things you will find is they are leaving some of the spur roads open to OHV travel but the main road is closed. I was told it was because of car traffic and OHV's not being safe on the same road. They can also say that they left 100 miles of roads for us to ride on. But we have to trailer between each road so they are of no use. A good arguement would be you need to be able to ride from your camp out each spur in order to hunt or what have you. They have no documentation as to cars getting into accidents with OHV's in fact the number of these occurances is very low.
They are also required to have a sustainable forest.That means accomodate all forest user groups.In order to have a sustainable OHV area you need 50-75 miles of trail to make for a good ride. This also keeps riders from making there own trails because they are bored. This is why they say they left 100 miles of roads open for OHV use, but it is really unusable.Sustainable is the key here.
Go in with a map of all the area roads and trails that you want available. Every road number needs to be documented, you can't just circle a area and ask for it to be open. It wont fly.
Be prepared, keep a level head and let us know how things go..BTW I've been to a bunch of these meetings you will come out feeling like you did no good, but, you really did. They have to look at everything you presented.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Quad daddy,

i have a neighbor who is a fed. forest serv. officer, and when we discuss atv/utv riding in federal forests, he states they can only do what washington tells them to do, and wash. is along ways away from the federal forests they presume to protect. i hope your meeting goes well. there also appears to be no fixed program for riding fed. forest trails. in mi. the riding rules are so different between the upper and lower penn., it kind makes you wonder who really owns the land and who pays all thier salarys........stroker

QD, one nice thing here in Montana is that we can ride our ATV/UTV on any road. Even state highways. I ride mine around town often and I am see more and more riding around Missoula. They just need to have a license plate, mirror, horn and a light on the plate. Off highway requires a sticker.

I am really pushing for behind closed gates. We have so many areas that have gates that can be opened and trails that can be connected to make for some long rides and great hunting. I don't feel that every gate should be removed or narrowed. Just some that will allow for the enjoyment to ride. There are also roads that have kelly humps blocking them. But if you can get over the hump, then it is alright to ride on. Just have to be careful going over the hump. Some can be very bad.

I plan on starting off trying to get access for disabled hunters and then more access for all.

Thanks for all of your input.