Ohv use

[Pasteve]

I'm planning my first elk hunt this year to colorado unit 12 or 24 and I have this fear atvs or ohvs will be everywhere. My question is can I find maps to see where they are allowed and where they aren't? Or am I making it more of an issue than it really is?

[Backyard]

To the best of my knowledge ATV's and or wheeled vehicles aren't allowed in Wilderness areas, so if you can stick to a wilderness area you should be good.

[saddlesore]

All National Forest mops now have designations on them on what mode of travel is permitted. I think it is called travel management designations. In Unit 12, FS road 48 that goes east from Yellow Jacket pass, state road 13, is the dividing line. South of that ATV's are permitted on trails north of that they are not. I don't know about Unit 24.

The problem being is that there are a lot of those users that disregard what the regulation say and there are not enough LEO's to cover all the grounds. Even if permitted ,ATV's etc are not permitted off designated trails, Most think it is permissable to go off and retrive game.Not so. Where ever,you will still find ATVs running up and down almost all forest service, BLM roads

[Swede]

The National Forest policies and maps are different in different Regions and even from Forest to Forest. It would be best to call the Forest or even District office to find out what you will be dealing with.

[saddlesore]

As of a few years ago the laws concerning signage for each road/trail was changed. Unless they are not finished yet, each National Forest, in Colorado at least, may be indeed different, however, most are up to date at present. Each map has A,B, C, D designations on them and each of these designations spelled out in the Map Legend as to what means of travel is permitted in each.Obviously,there may discrete areas where there are road and trail closures due to weather,mud,construction, breeding/ calving grounds, etc. However,those are usually only temporary.

When they updated those maps,they started to charge $10 each for them. Years ago, they were free

[Stick]

Saddlesore said
The problem being is that there are a lot of those users that disregard what the regulation say and there are not enough LEO's to cover all the grounds. Even if permitted ,ATV's etc are not permitted off designated trails, Most think it is permissable to go off and retrive game.Not so. Where ever,you will still find ATVs running up and down almost all forest service, BLM roads

A way to combat this is if you see someone breaking the law do your best to get the number of their atv sticker that should be on their right fender. A pic is best and pretty hard to argue with. Turn em in!

[saddlesore]

Problem with that is by the time any LEO gets there,the riders are long gone.They may take the information,but won' t do anything unless they catch them in the act. BTDT

[Dr. Rx]

The National Forest policies and maps are different in different Regions and even from Forest to Forest. It would be best to call the Forest or even District office to find out what you will be dealing with.

x2...ran across this in Wyoming last year.. lots of quads going up and down the main NF roads.

Kris

[saddlesore]

The National Forest policies and maps are different in different Regions and even from Forest to Forest. It would be best to call the Forest or even District office to find out what you will be dealing with.

x2...ran across this in Wyoming last year.. lots of quads going up and down the main NF roads.

Kris

Generally if roads are open to vehicles,they are open to ATV"s. Legally though they are supposed to be licensed if used on a public road.In Colorado any ATV must be register with the state if used on public land.

[Backyard]

From looking at the Colorado GMU maps, much of GMU 24 is The Flattops Wilderness area, a designated Wilderness Area managed by the USFS and the BLM. So wouldn't you have to follow the laws set by them?
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/blm_sp ... s_FAQ.html

[saddlesore]

From looking at the Colorado GMU maps, much of GMU 24 is The Flattops Wilderness area, a designated Wilderness Area managed by the USFS and the BLM. So wouldn't you have to follow the laws set by them?
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/blm_sp ... s_FAQ.html

Yes, Wilderness areas , no motors or any kind like chain saws generators, no wheeled vehicles of any type, carts, bicycles, ATV's etc. ( exceptions exits for disabled )There are also restrictions of group sizes. Generally 25c beating hearts,that is people, horses, mules, llamas, dogs, everything combined to make that 25.

BLM usually have different regs than NF in areas other than Wilderness.

[oldnovice]

Go here: http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/inde ... ntingAtlas
then scroll down to the bottom of the legend until you see USFS MVUM Legend. This will show you where the trails are that do and don't allow motorized vehicles. Play around with this map as it has a LOT of information. I mainly use it on the TOPOGRAPHIC or SATELLITE base maps.

[husky390]

If you plan to hunt the Forest Land of 12 and 23, expect to see a lot of atv/utv traffic and trucks and jeeps etc. If you're going to hunt off of Yellowjacket Pass, expect a sea of orange and chance are you will run into other hunters and vice versa when in the woods. Realistically, you'll be hard pressed not to see or run into another hunter up there unless you go way into the backcountry. Then, chances are, you'll run into the horse camps. I'm not trying to discourage you, just trying to paint a realistic picture for you. I've hunted there the past three years for first season and it seems there are more and more people heading up there. I assume it's due to easy access and that's why we go there because my Uncle is 69 and can't handle the steep stuff.

Also, bring at least one set of tire chains for your front axle. First season can see snowfall measured in feet. Last year was a fluke and it sucked as it was warm, dry and dusty. Walking through the woods was like walking through a field of corn flakes.

[Pasteve]

Thanks for all the info guys!