New hard-copy Motor Vehicle Use Maps for Payette, Sawtooth forests available at IDFG offices

Hi all,

Here's a news release that we went out to the Idaho news media today:

BOISE - (Oct. 14, 2011) – Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Payette National Forest and the Sawtooth National Forests are now available at Idaho Department of Fish and Game offices in McCall, Nampa, Boise and Jerome as big game hunting seasons kick into gear.

“The Forest Service and Idaho Fish and Game did a special reprint of the Motor Vehicle Use Maps because they have been in high demand,” said IDFG spokesman Mike Keckler. “The hard-copy maps are the best source of information available about what trails and roads are open to off-highway vehicles during hunting season.”

The maps are free. By referring to the Motor Vehicle Use Maps, combined with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game hunting regulations, hunters driving ATV's, 4-wheel-drive vehicles and motorbikes can research what roads and trails are open during hunting season.

“Making the maps available at the IDFG offices should be more convenient for hunters, said Andy Brunelle, a spokesman for the Forest Service. “Maps are at their highest value when in the hands of the people, not on the display rack.”

The maps also are available at national forest ranger district offices and they're available online on the Sawtooth and Payette National Forest web sites.

For specific locations of the IDFG offices, here is a link from the IDFG web site to the regional office addresses.

About the Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign: To help raise awareness about the importance of OHVs staying on trails, five state and federal agencies in Idaho work on a statewide campaign called the Idaho Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Public Outreach Campaign. The campaign encourages riders to ride safe, responsibly and reduce their impact on the land and other trail users. See www.stayontrails.com for more information.

Hunters on OHVs urged to stay on designated trails

The Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign has just issued this press release to outdoor writers/editors in Idaho ...

BOISE – Officials with the Idaho Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Public Outreach Campaign are urging people who use ATVs or motorbikes during hunting season to stay on designated trails and do their homework to ensure that the trails they plan to ride are open.

Officials with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Idaho Department of Fish and Game say that hunters riding off-trail on ATVs or motorbikes continues to be a problem on public lands during hunting season.

"We are most concerned with instances where a hunter drives off-trail to scout for game or retrieve game," said Andy Brunelle, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. "One set of tracks through the brush or in a meadow can invite others to do the same, and the impacts add up, damaging vegetation and causing soil erosion into streams."

According to several surveys, more than half of the approximately 240,000 people who hunt in Idaho (residents and non-residents) during the fall months are using motorbikes or ATVs to access their hunting areas.

Officials with the U.S. Forest Service encourage hunters to obtain copies of Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM's) from the national forest where they plan to hunt. Hard-copy maps are available from national forest ranger district offices, and in some cases, they are online. The Idaho OHV Public Outreach Project's web site, www.stayontrails.com, has a link to online Forest Service MVUM's on its where to ride page.

OHV riders also can do research trail/road access information on the http://trails.idaho.gov web site, which was recently created by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. Click on a trail or road, and details about that trail/road will appear in a pop-up window. If the trail or road is restricted, the closure dates are listed.

The Panhandle National Forests have published new MVUMs for the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District and the Kaniksu Zone. These are available from Panhandle National Forest offices, and they are online on the forest's web site. Forest officials are still working on the map for the St. Joe National Forest.

The Idaho OHV Public Outreach Project's web site, www.stayontrails.com, has a link to online Forest Service MVUM's on its where to ride page.

The Boise, Payette, Sawtooth, Caribou-Targhee and Salmon-Challis national forests have completed travel management plans and have published MVUM's to indicate what trails and roads are open or closed during the fall hunting seasons. The Nez Perce and Clearwater national forests are still working on travel management plans before they can publish final MVUM's..

BLM officials encourage hunters to check BLM districts or BLM Travel Management maps to see if the trails or roads they plan to use are open or closed. The BLM maps are available online on BLM district office web sites and hard-copies are available at district offices.

Under the Forest Service's National Travel Rule, "it's incumbent on the user to know if the trail is open or closed" regardless if the trail is signed appropriately, forest officials said. That's because people have been known to shoot signs full of bullet holes, remove signs or vandalize them.

Hunters also should check Idaho Fish and Game hunting regulations to check on trail or road restrictions in their hunting areas. The Idaho OHV Public Outreach Project produced a YouTube video that helps explain how to sort through MVUM maps and Fish and Game regulations to see if trails are open or closed.

Jon Heggen, enforcement chief for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, encouraged motorbike and ATV riders to be sensitive to the fact that some people may be hunting on foot in the same area where they are riding their trail machine. "We want to remind hunters to stay on trails and be courteous to other users," Heggen said.

Hunters also should be aware that a new state law requires youths who do not have a driver's license to take a free safety course before they ride OHVs on forest roads, and that youths under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet when riding on an OHV or driving one.

Idaho OHV campaign officials recommend that hunters check out 10 hunting tips on stayontrails.com to make sure they have a safe and legal hunting season. Idaho Fish and Game also has a brochure that reviews motor vehicle and ATV regulations pertinent to hunting.

About the Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign: To help raise awareness about the importance of OHVs staying on trails, five state and federal agencies in Idaho work on a statewide campaign called the Idaho Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Public Outreach Campaign. The campaign encourages riders to ride safe, responsibly and reduce their impact on the land and other trail users. See www.stayontrails.com for more information.

New OHV safety classes are filling up fast

IDPR safety class in Boise

Hi all,

In case you haven't heard, the 2011 Idaho Legislature passed new education requirements for youths who ride off-highway vehicles on forest roads in Idaho. We wrote about the pending legislation proposed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Recreation Council during the legislative session, and now the education requirements have become law.

So, the upshot of the new law is that all unlicensed riders who wish to operate an OHV on national forest roads are required to take a free OHV safety course provided by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. These courses are filling up fast, and hunting season is coming up soon, so if your kids need to get signed up, it's best to do so ASAP!

Here are the links for signing up for the IDPR OHV safety courses in all regions of Idaho. The IDPR has set up courses from early August through October. Contact the IDPR's education specialists as follows to express interest and sign up for a class:

North Idaho: Scott Hildesheim
scott.hildesheim@idpr.idaho.gov

Southwest Idaho: Jonathan Okerlund
jonathan.okerlund@idpr.idaho.gov

Eastern Idaho: Patrick Carlson
patrick.carlson@idpr.idaho.gov

You also can sign up online on this web page.

IDPR officials say that public demand for the OHV safety courses is high. Based on the number of registered OHV's in Idaho, IDPR officials expect 3,500 to 4,000 youths in Idaho will need to take the courses.

IDPR policy allows for 10 students per course. The courses involve classroom and practical instruction on the dirt. The parent or legal guardian is required to attend the class with their child or children.

Topics covered by the education classes:

• Safe riding
• Proper machine sizing for size of rider
• Weight distribution
• Responsible and ethical riding
• Proper handling and shifting
• Riding within your ability

What to bring to class:

• Properly registered OHV or off-highway motorcycle
• Approved helmet, goggles or face shield, gloves, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and boots
• Snacks and water (optional)

The concept behind the classes is to make youth OHV riders aware of the dangers of riding OHVs on forest roads.

It's an extra step that may save a life.

Always wear a helmet when operating an OHV

Hi all,

The Idaho Off-Highway Vehicle Public Outreach Project has produced two helmet-safety videos in hopes of boosting the rate of helmet use among OHV riders.

Children under the age of 18 are required by Idaho law to wear a helmet if they are operating or riding on an off-highway vehicle on trails or roads in the state of Idaho.

"Wearing a helmet when you're riding an OHV is not only common sense and a good idea, it's the law for kids under the age of 18," says Troy Elmore, OHV Program Manager for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, wearing a helmet when operating or riding on an OHV can reduce the risk of death in an accident by 42 percent.

Here are two videos that address helmet safety ... one from a young teen-age rider and one from a helmet safety expert. Please feel free to share the videos with your riding partners and friends.

Ride safe!

For more information, go to www.stayontrails.com.

OHV riders urged to head for low- to mid-elevation trails for the 4th of July weekend

Deep snow is keeping many high-elevation roads and trails inaccessible.

June 30, 2011

NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Stuebner, Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign, 208-484-0295
sstuebner@cableone.net

Before heading out to go trail-riding and camping for the 4th of July weekend, national forest officials recommend that Idahoans call first to check on the status of their favorite trails, particularly if they are located in high-mountain elevations.

"Know before you go," forest officials said. Check for the latest trail and road conditions on national forest web sites, and call ranger districts for site-specific information. The Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign's web site has contact information for all of the national forest, BLM, and state park offices statewide.

As a general rule, lower-elevation and mid-elevation trails will be the best bet for OHV recreation over the 4th of July weekend until warm temperatures melt the remaining snow in the high country throughout Idaho, forest officials said. OHV users are encouraged to refrain from using wet, muddy and snowy trails to prevent long-term damage.

Although work crews continue to make progress clearing trails and roads, shady areas and high elevations still may have several feet of snow, making vehicle travel on some roadways tricky, national forest officials said. Vehicles can break through snow’s crust and leave travelers "stuck." Cell phone coverage may not be available to contact emergency responders, so it’s best to avoid the temptation to plow on through in snowy areas. It could get worse the farther you go.

As of June 28, snow levels ranged from 5,500-foot elevation in the Nez Perce, Clearwater and Panhandle national forest areas, to 6,500-foot and 7,000-foot elevation in much of Central and Southern Idaho. South slopes are open up to 8,500 feet, such as at 8,701-foot Galena Summit, north of Ketchum. North-facing slopes and shady areas will have dramatically more snow than south slopes.

Bureau of Land Management lands are typically free of snow below 7,000-foot elevation, officials said. BLM officials did not report any restrictions for the 4th of July.

Most of the OHV trails around Bayhorse in the Land of the Yankee Fork near Challis are open, including the Lombard Trail from Challis to Bayhorse. The Bayhorse Lakes are inaccessible now due to the road washing out, the Custer Motorway is still blocked by snow, and high passes are still snowed in.

"It's tough when you are above 8,500 feet and in the shade," said Dan Smith, manager of the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park in Challis. "We’re telling folks to come ride, but be ready to back-track if you hit a big snowdrift."

Statewide, some popular national forest roads that are still closed because of snow include:

• Forest Road #486, the Magruder Road Corridor between Elk City and Darby, Mont.
• Forest Road #222 from Dixie Guard Station to Mackay Bar on the Salmon River.
• Forest Road #500, the Lolo Motorway along the Lewis & Clark Trail on the north side of the Lochsa River.
• The road over Hoodoo Pass into Montana.
• Elk Summit Road near Powell Junction.
• Lick Creek Road near McCall.
• Scott Mountain Road to Deadwood Reservoir.
• The 4th of July Road in the White Cloud Mountains is partially open to 3.5 miles past Champion Creek.

Popular roads and trails that are open include:

• South Fork Salmon River Road. Note: Chinook salmon season is now open.
• Warren Wagon Road to Burgdorf Hot Springs and Warren.
• Mud Flat Road, the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway, in Owyhee County.
• Forest Road #446 to the top of Snowbank Mountain near Cascade is open.
• The Railroad Right of Way ATV trail from Warm River to West Yellowstone is open.
• The Kirkham Ridge Trail near Lowman is open, but users should expect to encounter snow on north-facing slopes above 6,000 feet.
• Trails in the Minidoka district of the Sawtooth National Forest (South Hills, south of Twin Falls).
• China Peak near Pocatello.
• Palisades Ranger District trails near Kelly Canyon Ski Area.
• Forest Road #156 from Featherville to Rocky Bar, Phifer Creek to Atlanta.

Check out the http://www.stayontrails.comweb site and click on where to ride for other ideas on where to ride over the 4th of July weekend.

Here are links to the latest press releases and road information from Idaho's national forests:

• Payette National Forest
• Boise National Forest
• Sawtooth National Forest
• Panhandle National Forest
• Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests

(end)

Reminder for OHV riders: Helmets are required for kids under 18 when operating or riding on an OHV

DOT-approved full-face helmets are recommended ...

New helmet safety poster will be distributed to 250 OHV dealers statewide. (Click on image to enlarge)

Hi all,

One of the educational initiatives for the Idaho Off-Highway Vehicle Outreach Campaign this year is to remind parents and OHV dealers that Idaho state law requires kids under the age of 18 to wear a helmet when riding or operating an OHV. The law has been on the books for six years; compliance appears to be low.

"Wearing a helmet when you're riding an OHV is not only common sense and a good idea, it's the law for kids under the age of 18," says Troy Elmore, OHV Program Manager for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, wearing a helmet when operating or riding on an OHV can reduce the risk of death in an accident by 42 percent.

Statewide, since 2001, there have been about 20 accidents involving kids on OHVs each year on Idaho's public roads, according to records from the Idaho Department of Transportation. In 2003 and 2004, there were 34 accidents in each of those years.

As part of an effort to increase public awareness of the helmet requirements for Idaho kids, the Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign and IDPR are handing out posters that include the message: "Use Your Brain - Always Wear a Helmet." The posters will be distributed to 250 OHV dealers in Idaho in early June.

Even though Idaho state law was changed six years ago to include the helmet requirements in hopes of saving lives and reducing injuries, public lands officials in the state have noticed that the law receives low compliance. They are hoping that with some increased publicity and outreach, compliance will improve.

"We want everyone to have a safe riding season in 2011," Elmore said. "You can't ever anticipate when an accident is going to occur, so the safest approach is to wear a helmet."

IDPR officials recommend that OHV riders wear DOT-approved full-face helmets for the best effectiveness, and to be sure that helmets fit properly.

"Helmets are normally comprised of four elements -- a rigid outer shell, a crushable liner, chin straps or a retaining system and fit or comfort padding," notes Richard Gummersall, OHV education coordinator. "The rigid outer shell, when present, adds a load-spreading capability, and prevents objects from penetrating the helmet. It's kind of like an additional skull.

"The liner, usually made of EPS (expanded polystyrene) or similar types of materials, absorbs the energy of an impact by crushing. The chin strap when properly buckled and adjusted along with the fit padding helps the helmet remain in position during a crash."

Here is the full text from Idaho Code 49-666: Motorcycle, motorbike, UTV and ATV safety helmets -- Requirements and standards. No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall ride upon or be permitted to operate a motorcycle, motorbike, utility type vehicle or an all-terrain vehicle unless at all times when so operating or riding upon the vehicle he is wearing, as part of his motorcycle, motorbike, UTV or ATV equipment, a protective safety helmet of a type and quality equal to or better than the standards established for helmets by the director, except the provisions of this section shall not apply when such vehicles are operated or ridden on private property, or when used as an implement of husbandry.

Please spread the word!

Thanks and have a safe ride.

Many trails, campgrounds will not be accessible for Memorial Day Weekend in Idaho

Hi all,

As one might expect after the long winter and heavy snow in the mountains of Idaho, many roads, trails and camping areas are still snow-bound, and other areas are wet and muddy.

Probably the best bet for Memorial Day weekend is to head for lower-elevation recreation areas that are free of snow. Be sure to check with local Forest Service, BLM or Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation offices to check on conditions before you go.

Here are links to Memorial Day press releases from various national forests:

• Boise National Forest - "Visitors will find many areas, including roads, trails and campgrounds still heavily impacted with snow this Memorial Day weekend, and many areas above 6,000 feet may be inaccessible" ... (click national forest link for full story).
• Panhandle National Forests - "Snow-covered access roads, muddy campsites and saturated terrain are combining to delay the opening of several popular national forest campgrounds in the Coeur d’Alene area. Five of the nine campgrounds managed by the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests are impacted by the lingering winter weather and are expected to delay their opening for up to two weeks."
• Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest - "It’s been a cold, damp spring on the Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forests, but with Memorial Day Weekend – and the promise of better weather – just around the corner, Old Man Winter is finally starting to loosen his icy grip on the backcountry. There are plenty of great reasons to enjoy a getaway to Idaho’s “Big Wild”; what are you waiting for?"
• Sawtooth National Forest - "Recreationists planning on visiting the Sawtooth National Forest over the Memorial Day Weekend will find that there are a limited number of campgrounds available for the holiday. Due to the lingering snowpack, a number of campgrounds, roads and trails will be closed."
• Caribou-Targhee National Forest - "Memorial Day weekend signals the start of the camping and recreating season in this part of the world. Before traveling to the forest, Caribou-Targhee National Officials remind visitors to keep in mind the following information."
• Salmon-Challis National Forest - "According to the current Motor Vehicle Use Maps for districts on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, most of the seasonal motorized route open periods begin May 22. However, many Forest Service roads and trails at mid- and high- elevations remain impassable (closed) due to snow conditions.
• BLM Idaho Falls-Pocatello area - "Southeast Idaho may be flooding with cold and rainy weather, but hardy campers are still looking to enjoy the outdoors on the public lands. “Calls have been ‘pouring’ in with people wondering whether campgrounds are open,” said Chuck Patterson, outdoor recreation planner for the BLM Pocatello Field Office (PFO). “The answer is yes they are.” He cautioned that accessing campgrounds could be problematic because of poor road conditions or local road closures."
  
  

Statewide, the BLM announced Friday that Most Bureau of Land Management (BLM) campgrounds throughout Idaho are open and ready for Memorial Day weekend; however, rainy weather and wet conditions have prompted some campground closures. BLM recreation planners suggest that recreationists check local road and weather conditions, visit Idaho BLM’s website, www.id.blm.gov, or contact their local BLM office before heading out this weekend.

"Before leaving for the Memorial Day weekend, recreationists may benefit from contacting their local BLM office for the latest BLM recreation site status,” said BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Terry Heslin. “We plan to have many sites open and ready for campers, but there are a few throughout Idaho that may be closed due to high water conditions or unfit roads.”

The following BLM sites are closed until further notice:

Eastern Idaho - Pipeline and Snake River Vista campground boat ramps along the Snake River, below the American Falls Dam, are closed. River flows are too dangerous for boat launching, as the flow is moving more than five times beyond its normal speed. For more information, please contact Chuck Patterson at 208-478-6362.

Northern Idaho - Blackwell Island Public Boat Launch on Lake Coeur d’Alene will remain closed until high water subsides enough to allow the boat launch facility to be used. The launch facility is currently under two feet of water.

BLM’s Windy Bay site is also under about eighteen inches of water. If the water continues to rise as high as expected, foot access into Mica Bay Boater Park will be under water as well.

Heslin suggests using caution while traveling on muddy roads. “Even though some Idaho BLM campgrounds are well established, many roads leading to them are muddy and could pose safety hazards, which can make accessing campgrounds problematic,” he said. “Recreationists can also cause significant resource damage by traveling, hiking, biking or operating off-road vehicles on muddy roads.”

Have a great weekend!