Why Ban Off Road Vehicles From Public Lands
There has always been great debate between motor sport activists who want to enjoy using their machines offroad and other nature lovers who claim that off-road motor vehicles harm the environment and ruin the area for anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors in other ways. The argument can be made that four wheelers, dirt bike and ATV riders have as much right to use state lands as anyone else, but that most other outdoor activities don’t interfere with offroading the way mechanized vehicles interfere with horse riding, mountain bike riding, hiking, hunting, fishing, bird watching, or even with the balance of nature and effect on flood plains. Although there may always be a conflict, understanding what other nature seekers do and how your behavior affects them will help keep off-road activity possible in current areas, and possibly help it spread to even more areas.
The number one justification for banning four-wheel-drives, dirt bikes, ATV and even mountain bikes in certain areas is the impact they can have on the environment. Although internal combustion machines can smoke, can be noisy, and can redistribute the mud on a piece of property, these factors have little affect on the environment. However, all activity in the wild, if done improperly or carelessly can damage trails, vegetation, drainage paths and have very noticeable effects on the local environment.
The biggest and most likely risk is damage done to vegetation on the banks of waterways and nearby areas. Because those plants hold the riverbank together, if the plants are killed by traveling over them, the soil in that area can be easily washed away, changing the flow of the river or run-off and oftentimes causing erosion and flooding. This kind of flooding causes damage to bottomlands, which is usually very fertile and a hotspot for deer, turkey, wild mushrooms, birds, and many other things that many nature lovers seek out. In addition, increased erosion along rivers and streams cause fine sediment to fill the water, making it difficult for creatures like tadpoles and crawdads to grow and develop, which hurts the ecosystem, as well as the fish population and fishing opportunities. Most state laws do permit you to cross a river or stream in off road vehicles, but the most damage comes from riding up and down waterways because so much sediment is stirred up in the water.
Other than not damaging waterways and floodplains, there are several other things you can do to ensure that your trail riding doesn’t interfere with other activities that go on alongside the trail. For the most part, you should be fine as long as you keep your riding on the trail. It is when you stray from the trail that you will come across people who don’t appreciate motor sports as much as you.
If you tour in areas that permit hunting, you should take a minute or two to find out what animals are in season so you know what else is going on in the woods. Many hunters complain of off-roaders riders driving by their hunting spots to see if they’re having any luck. Although most hunters don’t mind chatting it up, keep in mind that many hunters look forward to bagging a deer, or elk, or turkey for months, and an ATV off the trail is often enough to disrupt an animal’s normal patterns and keep hunters from seeing anything. Beware also of traveling off the beaten path in hunting season and being mistaken for wildlife yourself.
It would be the same as if you were looking forward to travel an area, only to turn your back for a second and have a hunter ruin your trip by slashing your tires. Your day, as well as weeks or months of planning and anticipation, would be destroyed in a few short seconds. The same can be true of bird watchers, hikers, and people fishing in streams and ponds where you pass by. Although you may not realize it, a dirt bike, ATV, or four wheel drive is a noticeable presence in the woods, and not one that all creatures, including humans, appreciate.
Although there can be some conflict between motor sports lovers and other outdoor enthusiasts, a little respect can go a long way. Also keep in mind that many people who hunt, fish, hike, etc, also ride or have ridden off road vehicles and vice versa. Many hunters will use motor trails to cover ground quickly and get into areas that are usually undisturbed and catch their prey unsuspecting. Most hunters realize that deer and turkey do get used to the sight and sound of motorized vehicles on trails. However, when you leave the trail with your ATV or dirt bike, you are disturbing the wildlife and possibly flood plains, which give other users and lawmakers an excuse to restrict off roading to certain designated areas.
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