Iron Range ATV Trails

Planning to do some riding during hunting seasons?

With the early “special weekend” deer and bow hunting season going on right now, lots of people have questions about ATVing.  I’ve posted an update from the Minnesota DNR (found below) that explains the regulations during hunting seasons.  In summary, the rule is that there is limited time during the day that you can ride during the “regular” deer hunting season.  There are no riding restrictions during the day for early deer or bow hunting season.

That being said I do encourage riders to respect the hunters and try to keep from scaring possible game away!!! 

We’ve been out riding recently and came up on bird hunters, we stopped and talked to the hunters and determined that they were headed in the same direction as us. After talking with the hunters we were able to take a different route to our destination.  The hunters were more than happy and appreciated the fact that we cared enough to just ask how there day was going and let them know we’d take a different route so we didn’t jump any birds that might be on the trial ahead.

A SAFETY TIP for everyone in the woods this time of year - Wear a blaze orange vest, hat or anything that will enhance your visibility in the woods!

DNR update
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Mark  Holsten announced new restrictions for off-highway vehicles (OHV) to be in effect during part of the 2008 deer hunting season.

The Commissioner’s order effects recreational riding on DNR forest trails but does not impact OHV use for big game hunting. Vehicles
affected by the restrictions include all terrain vehicles, off road motorcycles, and off road vehicles such as jeeps and four-wheel-drive
trucks that are not being used in conjunction with deer hunting by a licensed deer hunter.

The purpose of the restriction is to protect recreational OHV riders from potentially unsafe riding conditions and, to minimize conflicts
between deer hunters seeking a quiet deer hunting experience and recreational riders who may inadvertently interrupt the hunt.

In the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 23. In the
Minnesota 200 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 16. See the 2008 deer season map
at www.dnr.state..mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html

There are no recreational OHV trails in southeastern Minnesota that remain open during the deer season so no additional restrictions are
necessary in the southern part of the state.

This new restriction is in addition to the restricted hours of use that have been in effect in previous years. Deer hunters possessing a valid
deer hunting license can operate an OHV 1) before legal shooting time (one-half hour before sunrise), 2) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 3) after
legal shooting hours (one-half hour after sunset).

While many recreational OHV riders have voluntarily opted not to ride forest trails during deer hunting and small game seasons, OHV riding has
become a year-around sport for many. That’s why Commissioner Holsten, reminds everyone who visits state forests in the fall to always consider safety first.