Frustrated with ATVs and other off-road infractions? Please read this.

biederboat · 10-20-2006, 04:57 PM

There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth about ATVs and other off/closed road infractions. I have been thinking about something for a while since my own frustrating event posted earlier this month and decided after my long walk this afternoon (in preparation for elk hunting next week!) that it's time to start doing something about it. I have been contemplating starting some kind of non-profit or private organization whose primary mission is educate/train/monitor/report anything related to what I'll collectively label as motorized vehicle infractions related to illegal travel and illegal use of pursuing game on public and open-to-public (but privately owned) hunting grounds.

There may be other areas here that are pertinent but I think that covers about 80% of it. So while that may include a lot of things let me also say it would NOT include a mission to all out ban ATVs. Yes, that would be a dream come true but the lobbying behind this industry is HUGE and it's totally outside any area of reasonable influence. Besides, they do have their place and I can conceive that someday I might even own one for the right circumstances (God forbid that be because I'm too lazy or think that it will somehow save me money).

Let me say that this may also not likely involve partnering with organizations like OHA or RMEF. I am a member of these fine organizations but let's just say that I would like to see "this group's" mission statement be a little stronger than what the other organizations publish because, let's face it, they get $$$ from sponsors that have a vested interest in selling ATVs. I understand the politics here. However, if I'm mistaken here that's a good thing and it would be great to partner or fold efforts into an existing organization.

Now, while most of you have no idea of who the heck I am, let me say that I do have some experience in forming and operating non-profits and have volunteered/serviced office in some of those. I also work for a non-profit but not in anything related to hunting. If you want to learn more about me, look at all of my posts.

I have a basic vision of the following. If there is sufficient interest, hold a series of meetings over the winter and spring to brain storm and formulate a mission. Get input from public agencies (OSP, FS, ODFW) and private companies (Weyerhaeuser, Stimson, etc.) Spend a few months developing materials and generating funds (I have experience in both of these areas as well). The ultimate goal would be to have ready whatever "modus operandi" we use by the start of next years hunting seasons.

So, here's what I want from you if you're interested. Please send me a PM saying "I'm in" or something like that. Preferably, send me an email address so I can group communicate. But by saying that, I want you to MEAN it. Don't send me something if you just want to know what's going on. Hopefully there will be something public from our efforts for that. We will need some amount of volunteer effort or $$$ or ??? to get this going. As I mentioned before, I'm experienced in volunteer organizations and don't intend to work anyone to the bone.

As noted, I will be hunting next week so it would be great if someone could give this posting an occasional bump (so bump away flamers, keep this thread alive!). I would anticpate being able to respond back to all those who contacted me sometime in early-mid November. Ideally that would include a proposed meeting location and time.

Thanks,
Biederboat

Gus Orviston · 10-20-2006, 05:25 PM

BB... contact Clyde Zellar out of the ODF office in Tillamook, Kelly something in the Forest Grove office. We work with them as recreational and offroad coordinators for the Oregon Department of Foresty lands. They can give you a great jump start on training that is available today, enforcement rules/regs, sticker programs and networking into BLM lands management. Don't recall off hand who they are these days.

BTW: there are funds...yes dollars available for such management effort/improvements that can be applied for. That is to say if you have a trail head area that is an issue, you can apply for funds that are generated by offroad stickers to make improvements.

I would suggest that even Beaverton Honda and others might want to be included as well.. since it is an advertising opportunity.

gus

jvp · 10-21-2006, 10:28 AM

this is how SPAV was started in K county. Seems that the SOLV people dissolved it thinking litter and vandalism more important than poaching and vandalism. I supported the guy who started it, can't think of his name and he was my landlord for a while, wished then it had taken root. helped while it was around.