How You Can Reduce ATV Impacts During Hunting Season

Here are a few tips:

• Know the vehicle use regulations for the area you are hunting. Contact the local BLM Field Office, Forest Service Ranger District or Idaho Department of Lands Area office for travel management information before you go. Respect road and area closures.
• Stay on existing roads or trails. Do not contribute to resource damage and habitat destruction by creating new travelways for others to follow.
• User created travelways are often poorly located within riparian zones or on steep slopes creating vegetation and soil impacts. Don't make the problem worse by continuing to use these routes.
• To increase your chances of success and cause less disturbance to hunters around you, access your hunting area before shooting hours and then hunt on foot.
• Retrieve harvested big game during the middle of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to reduce conflicts with other hunters. Travel off trail only if travel regulations permit.
• Have respect for other users. Slow down or stop your ATV when you approach others on the trail. When meeting equestrians, approach slowly, pull over and stop, turn off your engine, remove your helmet and ask how best to proceed.
• Avoid the use of ATVs in wet areas or during wet conditions. Even though the lighter weight and low-pressure tires reduce impacts, ATVs can still do serious damage to wet areas.
• Keep your ATV properly tuned and muffled to reduce exhaust sounds and emissions.
• Don't widen single-track trails by forcing your ATV down the trail.
• When overtaking others, pass in a safe and courteous manner.
• Limit ATV use in and around campgrounds. Be respectful of other campers' desires for quiet and minimal disruption.

These are simple things, but they can go a long way toward reducing the impact of ATV use. They will protect the habitat and improve the Idaho hunting experience. Following these guidelines will reduce the need for more regulations and help retain the ATV opportunities that currently exist.