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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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What about enhanced opportunities for wildlife watchers as well?
I just sent this to Jeep club in AZ, I am hoping they will want to send a few letters off regarding this. Alot are hunters, but I bet they are not too keen on this idea either. I bet Chaney had his hands in this one too!!!
April,
I think this petition is great. And for once, Bush may have given us a loop-hole to restrict the destructive use of off-road vehicles. Frankly, if you can’t reach it is a normal vehicle, on a designated road…walk in.
I don’t really want off-roading Jeeps in public lands. They are destructive and have huge negative implications…pollution and soil damage, gas guzzling to name a few.
This may be a push toward responsible four-wheeling, though I am sure that is not what Bush’s people intended.
Something positive for a change!
It’s been my experience that most USFS personnel and FG department staff can’t stand the 4-wheeler invasion we’ve witnessed in the last 20 years. It’s great to see the retired guys (free from reprisal) put this forward.
ATV’s are the worst thing that ever happened to being in the woods. Period. Keep ’em on the ranch where they belong.
On the one hand, I think it’s funny that Bush may have hoist himself on his own petard. On the other hand, Nixon wrote a Executive Order that prohibited snowmobiles in national parks, including Yellowstone–a lot of good that did.
Now I agree that ATV’s can go places they should not, and they do the most “off trail” damage around. But as far as Jeeps go, if you are in a club or know anything about our rules we do not go off road, meaning we stay on the trails that are already there. I was thinking that is what this article is about. I am a avid four wheeler, I do not go off the trails, I pack out any trash, I do not rock crawl or stack. And I have as much right to take my Jeep where I want to as the Hunters also do. All hunters are not bad, nor are all off roaders. If I did not have the ability to “escape” the city and head off in no mans land I would soon go crazy!!!!
This is good, I hope it goes through.. I hate quads out when I am out hiking, hunting, or just exploring. I do enjoy them in designated areas.
Jon,
This will do great things for wildlife watchers. Read the Starkey expiremental forest study on OHV’s effects on all wildlife.
A bit off topic, but a good laugh nonetheless: http://sfist.com/2008/03/31/presidential_me_1.php
Presidential Memorial Commission of San Francisco Formed to Honor George W. Bush
Executive order? i always have to laugh at the term and a president’s attempt to use it. Technically there is no such thing at one…hmmmm
I can see both ways on ATV’s. There are alot out there on the trails but at the same time there are people like me who have health problems that prevent me from getting into the deep woods without some form of transportation
Devin I am sure you already know this but there are handicapped hunter areas set aside in the National Forest which are open to vehiclular use by handicapped persons only. There are also more and more wheelchair accessible trails with wheelchair friendly camping sites both here in and in Canada.
Linda, I’m not handicapped, just have arthritis in my feet that prohibit lots of walking
Devin, I too have had problems with my feet that prevent me from really getting into the back country. I’ve often wished one of the manufactures would produce an electric snowmobile; quiet, slow-moving, and non-polluting, that would be an incredible way to see the back country!