We are not allowed

[CheapthrillB2]

me, you and any other average Joe isn't allowed to use his 4wd on state land. We might cause errosion or damage the enviroment. Where I live theirs a decent junk of state land, Barry State Game Area. Well they ahve started logging it the last 2-3 years.
this opening never exsisted 3 years ago, it was thick lush forrest.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0595.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0593.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0592.jpg
this sandy area, trail, and gate were never their 2 years ago.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0594.jpg
Same with this area, this was this past fall this was done, last summer it was awesome thick and full of life. And the trails to get to these areas never exsisted either.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0589.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0588.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0587.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0586.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0585.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0584.jpg
this gate and trail didn't exsist last summer
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0583.jpg

This area here, was just big enough to park 2-3 vehicles off the side of the trail, and the trail itself was just big enough for a full size rig.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0582.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0581.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Misc/IMG_0580.jpg
And what really chaps my ass is the fact that they have to run a dozer and other equipment through the trails to open them up for all the logging trucks to get through. But yet i can't even use 4wd.

**no gates were driven around and their was absolutely no use of 4wd or wheel spin on my part to get to any of these areas.

[CheapthrillB2]

i have no problem with logging.....i have problems with the said erriosion, trail creation, trail devastation. But if i park 2 feet off the trail on flat ground, a C.O. comes by and threatens a ticket. I have seen it first hand, but no ticket was issued. Or just being on a trail in general and have them give attitude just for being their even not doing anything even remotely illegal. All the problems i've encountered or seen encountered on this said land, was before i got heavy into wheeling and GLFWDA. Had i known what i know now, my interactions and conversation would've have been alot different. But since knowing what i know i have had no problems nor encounters with any C.O.'s in said area.
The worst part is that 15-20 years ago this area had probably a hundred miles of trails that were quite challenging. I remember when i was real young you could go out and spend a weekend and never hti the same trail twice. From what i have seen of the CLiffs in IL, this area was just like that 20 years ago. But it was abused by partyers and drinkers and by rednecks in trucks so it was gated off many moons ago.
I have parked at many of the gates, and hiked past them down the old trails. Many of the old gated trails are far more challenging terrian then the OSTC trails for example. With many deep cut ravines, hill climbs, mud, even alot of rock here and there.
Thats another problem, this area has everything to offer except to the ORV crowd. Theris miles of mountain biking, horse back riding, lakes with watersports (gunLake), fishing only lakes (no motorized boats allowed), hikeing etc etc. Probably atleast 3-4 campgrounds all within 10 minutes including a state run campground. The link below shows a map with some trails on it. That block of land has no uses other then hunting. No trails for any personal use on bikes, horses, hiking, nothing. Theirs only a handful of houses on the very outside edges of the block. Say they simply open this to use like "The Mounds" or the "St. Helen" area. Many, many $$ could be made. Close the area down to trucks during deer season to keep the hunters happy, let us play the other 10 months.
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=42.624234,-85.425911&spn=0.035998,0.063858&z=14
this area specifically is killer, alot of elevation changes. And MANY MANY yellowgates, guard rails, stumps, and buried railroad ties.
can't get the map i want, the area is literally just north west of the linked area. (the hart trail, firetower trail etc)

[oz97tj]

I've run into similar things with gates and mounds of dirt and such blocking trails in my home area as well. This is why I've come here. It looks as though your area has, or had, better trails though so that really sucks.

To make matters worse, the people who don't obey the laws keep hitting the good stuff, and then people like us have the contacts with COs. It doesn't seem fair.

Heck, I'm even a police officer and I'm good friends with the COs where I grew up, but I still have to argue with them on some of these issues. It seems that the mindset is to keep everybody off the land in order to conserve the land. Call me crazy, but why conserve it if nobody can use it. I'm not saying lets tear it up, but land that nobody can access is a waste. There are so many ways that everybody can use, and enjoy the land, while still taking care of it for the future.


Ugh, I'm all worked up now...:soap:

[lgottler]

We didn't run the PIW trail for ONE year up in Canada and it took us 3 years to find it again! Entrances completely erased. Now, how many years will it take for that scar to heal!!??

Why not compile before and after pictures of trails we run on, then a before and after of some clear cutting/logging. Have to tie down some bigwigs and make 'em see how LITTLE we actually impact the earth compared to LEGAL activities....

[upchuck]

Money talks and apparently loggers need to see near pristine areas before the cutting begins

[jeepnxj96]

we ran through Allegan on July 4th and were one marked seasonal roads where trees were cut down about 3-4 ft off the ground and allowed to drop over the road and then had wire wrapped around them to stop any one from cutting them out of the way. it was like that about every 10 feet or so for nearly 3/10 of a mile. it was the same on another marked seasonal rd right before an area that was clear cut two years before. it is getting rediculous.

[WhiteRhino]

we ran through Allegan on July 4th and were one marked seasonal roads where trees were cut down about 3-4 ft off the ground and allowed to drop over the road and then had wire wrapped around them to stop any one from cutting them out of the way. it was like that about every 10 feet or so for nearly 3/10 of a mile. it was the same on another marked seasonal rd right before an area that was clear cut two years before. it is getting rediculous.

Pics of this? We could pass them on to the DNR & ask about it.

[jeepnxj96]

mosquitoes were so bad it was no joke didn't get pics that day but i can definitly get pics to ya, we run those area's every now and then when we are bored.

[Miffy]

Aunt Jenny plans on selling off a bunch more. Money talks when it is going in the State's pocket.

[kb8ymf]

we ran through Allegan on July 4th and were one marked seasonal roads where trees were cut down about 3-4 ft off the ground and allowed to drop over the road and then had wire wrapped around them to stop any one from cutting them out of the way. it was like that about every 10 feet or so for nearly 3/10 of a mile. it was the same on another marked seasonal rd right before an area that was clear cut two years before. it is getting rediculous.

Need to know exactly where it's at. Seasonal roads are County jurisdiction not DNR. Need to know WHO to start questioning about this activity.
jim-kb8ymf