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ATV ride in memory of Ed Walberg

There will be an ATV ride in memory of Edward John Walberg Jr., whose life was tragically taken this past week in Chisholm, on March, 13th at 12 p.m.  For anyone who would like to attend, we will meet at Tom & Jerry’s, 201 W Lake St., Chisholm, MN.

WATER SKIPS on Lake Vermilion!

The weather is finally turning towards ATV weather!  Besides a few short, cold rides here and there and/or plowing the driveway.  There isn’t a whole lot going on in the ATV world during the winter but that is rapidly changing!

The kick off to the ATV riding season for me is always Water Skips on Vermilion!  Last year we had 29 machines that left Fortune Bay Resort and Casino and this year I think we can beat it!  I’ve talked to a lot of different people this year that hadn’t really heard about it it now and they’re all in.  We start lining up and meet at the Marina (docks) at Fortune Bay about 10am and start heading across the lake at 11am.  Contact me for more information!

ATV riding in January?

What a weekend!  There was a bunch of snowmobiles that enjoyed the weekend and there was just about as many ATV’s as the high temp for Saturday hit 40+ degrees.  The snow was wet and heavy giving ATV’s lots of traction and awesome rooster tails!!!
Its hard to get that nice of a day in January for ATVing so when you get it you have to enjoy it!

Hope more of you can join us next time.

Larry

Volunteers Needed

I’m putting it out there maybe someone is available and willing to help?  I would urge anyone in that area with a machine or anyone just willing to help to contact Greg Hasse.  I’d put money on it that Greg would be overjoyed to here from you!!!

ATVAM
December 7, 2009

Dear ATVAM Membership,

I am part of a Minnesota based Search and Rescue Resource group (www.srrrmn.org) that has been working to find the body of Brandon Swanson out of Marshall, MN. Brandon went missing in May 2008 and we’ve been searching over 100 square miles of farmland trying to locate his body.

It’s been found that detail searching these large fields on foot is exhausting work, especially now that much of the land has been tilled.  Accordingly, we would like to try a slightly different approach to searching these fields.  They are in the process of trying to hunt down several side-by-side ATVs (Polaris Ranger, Kawasaki Teryx or Mule, John Deere Gator, Artic Cat Prowler, Yamaha Rhino, etc.).  Put a human remains detection dog and handler in the back and you can make a lot of miles without becoming exhausted.  If the dog shows interest, you jump out and work out the scent cone and/or detail the area. If a particular dog doesn’t take to the idea, we simply revert back to foot and paw work and use the machine to shuttle the team around.

We am trying to locate several businesses or individuals that would be willing to lend us one or more side-by-side ORVs, or anyone would be willing to bring out their ORV and assist with the search for this coming weekend of December 12-13.  Regular ATV’s are not needed - we need the side-by-side versions so we have the driver and handler safely seated, plus the box in the back for the dog.  This will be our last search of 2009, and we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.  This is the last chance in 2009 for the family to put closure to this tragic situation.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Anyone interested in helping can contact myself at the contact information below, or contact the search manager (also my brother) at 612-708-2996 (cell) or jhasse@comcast.net.
Thank you for your assistance.

Greg Hasse
greg@hassefamily.com
1-507-387-1793 / 1-888-628-3603 (work)
1-507-420-5795 (cell)
1-507-869-3837 (home)

Northern Traxx Monthly Meeting

If anyone is interested in joining or just want to come see whats going on in the local ATV world?  The club is always looking for new people and new ideas!!!

The Northern Traxx monthly meeting is Monday, November 30, at Tom & Jerry’s in Chisholm at 6:30pm.

There is a lot going on with our new trail that we hope to start building this coming spring!

We also have a cash 50/50 Raffle going on right now, tickets are $5 with 600 total tickets being sold.  Prizes are 1 - $500, 2 - $250’s, and 5 - $100’s.

Contact me anytime for more info at lfolstad50@hotmail.com or by phone 218-969-6789

Thanks,
Larry Folstad

DNR seeks comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for expansion of the Iron Range OHVRA

Courtesy of ATVAM and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ATVAM DNR Updates - November 2009
News Releases

DNR seeks comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Virginia expansion of the Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area

(Released November 16, 2009)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is seeking public comments through Dec. 16 on a proposal to develop a 2,704-acre expansion to the existing Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area (OHVRA), in Gilbert, Minn. The proposed expansion site is located one mile north of the existing Iron Range OHVRA, partially within the city of Virginia, Minn.

The Virginia expansion site will be managed out of the existing facility, which will be linked to the expansion area by a connector road. This proposed expansion includes the development of the connector road, a core trail system, vehicle-specified trails, and perimeter fencing.
Public comments on the EAW will be accepted during the 30-day public review period from Nov. 16 to Dec. 16.

A copy of the EAW is available online. Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5157.

A copy of the EAW is available for public review at:
DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155
DNR Northeast Regional Headquarters (Region 2), 1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Minneapolis Public Library, Government Documents, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55401

Arrowhead Regional Library, Duluth Public Library, 520 W Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802
Virginia Public Library, 215 5th Ave S, Virginia, MN USA 55792

Gilbert Public Library, 17 N Broadway, P.O. Box 75, Gilbert, MN 55741-0758

The EAW was published in the Nov. 16, EQB Monitor.

Written comments on the EAW must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec.16 to the attention of Ronald Wieland, EAW Project Manager, Environmental Policy and Review Unit, Division of Ecological Resources, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155-4025.

Electronic or e-mail comments may be sent to environmental.review@dnr.state.mn.us with “Virginia OHVRA” in the subject line. If submitting comments electronically, include your name and mailing address. Written comments may also be sent by fax to 651-297-1500.

ATVAM Office
PO Box 296
Geneva, MN 56035
1-800-442-8826
www.atvam.org
atvamoffice@atvam.org

It’s Official!

For everyone that attended or followed the news stories about the World Record ATV Parade in Silver Bay this summer, the number is official!  1632 ATV’S!  It was a great weekend and one to brag about.

The down side? It sparked a lot of interest all across the United States with ATV enthusiasts…….  On September 16th in Richfield, Utah, they had a parade with they say the had 2014 ATV’s attend and are waiting for that number to be Official!  As of now Minnesota has the record, it’s already rumored that ATVAM is already talking about and strategizing about the next MINNESOTA RECORD.

UTAH link :  http://www.lynnsessions.com/category/2009-trip-reports/09162009-richfield-world-record-atv-parade/

And, finally, it looks like it might be time to put the plow mounts on… but don’t put it away, we ride all winter around here!

Larry

Temporary off-highway vehicle trail closures aim to protect riders and hunters

Courtesy of the Minnesota DNR:

DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2009

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forest trails and
access routes will be closed to off-highway vehicles (OHV) at times
during November to protect recreational riders from potentially unsafe
riding conditions and to minimize conflicts between deer hunters and
recreational riders during the 2009 firearms deer hunting season.

The trail closures apply to the use of all-terrain vehicles,
off-highway motorcycles, and off-road vehicles, such as jeeps and
four-wheel drive trucks, by recreational riders on state forest trails
or non-designated forest access routes.

Licensed deer hunters may still use these routes in conjunction with
their hunting activity:
• Before legal shooting time.
• From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• After legal shooting hours.

Effective dates of the recreational riding restrictions will be:
• Nov. 7 through Nov. 22 for the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series
deer season.
• Nov. 7 through Nov. 15 for the Minnesota 200 Series deer
season.

Because recreational OHV trails located in southeastern Minnesota close
Nov. 1 each year, no additional OHV riding restrictions are necessary in
that part of the state.

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

For more information, see the 2009 firearms deer season zone map posted
online at:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/hunting/deer/2009/zone_map.pdf
or call 651-296-6157
or 888-646-6367.

Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director,
651-259-5023; Patricia Arndt, Minnesota State Parks planning and public
affairs manager, 651-259-5578.

70-Mile Trail Project Update

Here’s an update for some of you who may be interested in the 70-mile Aitkin-Itasca trail:

The next oversight committee meeting is scheduled for:

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
6 pm
Long Lake Conservation Center

http://www.llcc.org/

If you have questions about the project or meeting location, call: 612-414-8041

More information is available at:
http://www.70miletrail.net

Notice: 70-Mile Project is Looking for Trail Names - Final Selections to be made SOON!
Submit your ideas via email to:
info@dovetailinc.org
or call 612-333-0430.

Great fall riding this weekend!

Fall colors have pretty much come to a peak here in northern Minnesota.  But this weekend’s weather forecast looks like it could be a great time to get out and ride the trails around the area and catch one last glimpse of the fall color on the Iron Range.

Here’s a quick link to some of the trails in the Iron Range region: http://ironrange.org/recreation/atv-ohv/ironrangetrails/.

Several of the Iron Range lodging properties are offering some terrific fall lodging specials, as well.

And don’t forget your camera! Take some photos of your ride and what’s left of the fall color here on the Iron Range and upload it here.