Xplorer

Hi again guys, Terry, Thanks for the info about the "report a poacher" program, I did not know that it worked that way. Thats cool that offenders can be held accountable with another persons input. Rusty, I think about that everytime I cross a creek, but the atv/off road groups can only build bridges so fast, some creeks have to be crossed to get anywhere. I wish they all had bridges. TerryH... I sense a little anger towards me here. I am just trying to talk about a topic that is very sensitive and a large concern to us all. I am not sure if the do what they "want" or "have always done" comments were directly at me or not, but that is not what I want. I want a balance of all users and that includes off road vehicles. There are many off road groups fighting for more access not less, and the government is listening judging by the feedback we are getting. I am sorry guys, this post was not meant to be confrontational and if it was taken that way then I am sorry. I understand about people that have been "around a few years" have seen more change than I have, but they also need to change with the times and realize that it isn't back when they were kids(way more people now) and nobody was around in the forestry....we all have to share the resources we have, even if we don't agree with the way other people enjoy them. We are all in this togther. I just want whats best for all of us. Lance

Hey Guys, I am an Atv'er and a fisherman. I applaude the op for his effort on this concern. There are many Atv and Offroad groups that are trying for the same goal. With that goal being, limiting uncontrolled atv/off road use and the random camping craziness that occurs mostly on the long weekends. I watched the Global and CTV news tonight to see the stories on Mclean Creek, the news was better than last year but still far too many alcohol related tickets. One officer even mentioned a couple of times that the alcohol offences were the primary problem. I also saw in the video clips the many young people that were there just to party with no offroad vehicle in sight. This worries me that the Atv and offroad groups get unfairly blamed for all the damage. Now before anybody jumps all over that last statement, I know that many yahoos out there with trucks, quads, bikes or whatever do stupid stuff too and many of you have seen it. I just feel that the party attitude is part of the problem. There are Atv and Offroad groups out there that are building bridges, putting up fences, educating users, working with ASRD and more to improve the situation. I am starting to see improvement in user education but still so many people to reach. I will not support the closures of areas to Atv access or Random camping. I understand that you want to use the Crown land for your recreation in your way, but we all have different ideas how to use that land. I am for sustainable use of the land that includes Atv's, Horses, Mountain bikes, Hikers, Fishermen or whatever your your preferred method of recreation. I will not support abuse of the land either but what would be the point of banning an entire user group when only a percentage are abusers of the priveledge? I do not have any pictures that would help your cause and if I did I am not sure if I would give them up. There are places where pictures of atv tracks entering a creek and leaving the other side are completely legal, due to it being a designated trail and creek crossing. I am not supporting driving up and down the creek,washing in the creek or any of that other crap that goes on. Sometimes we have to cross a creek if there is no bridge to use and it is what it is. I avoid crossing a creek unless there is no other alternative. I don't know if picture taking of users violating the rules is of much use, how do you prove where it is, or if its a designated trail or not? I would like to see more officers in the field to enforce the rules and laws. Even the report a poacher program requires the officer to catch the offender in the act. This is how I thought that program worked but may be wrong on that. Sorry for the long post Cya Lance

Hey guys, haven't been around much lately and just found this thread. I see many good suggestions with ENFORCEMENT being the best one in my opinion. I have an atv that I use responsibly, I am also a fisherman and a camper. I have read through this entire thread and see a few discrepancies in these posts. Someone mentioned that atv's and bikes were banned from the Waiparous area, this is not true. A designated trail system(GAMP) was set up for all users, Trucks were hit the hardest with the least amount of trails, Atv's and bikes are still allowed on most of the trails. I never used to quad or fish much at waiparous before GAMP but do much more now, less parties, drunks and crazies running around makes for a better experience. A group called the Calgary Quad Squad along with other 4wd and user groups has been installing bridges in the area to keep vehicles out of the creeks. All of this is being done with SRD's help and approval. This may be something that could be done in the Livingstone area as well. Some one also said that there were 1 million atv's in alberta, that number seems a little high to me. The last stat I heard was around 300,000 registered atv's but I may be wrong and would be interested where that number came from because that number equals 1 atv for every 3.3 albertans. I understand peoples sensitivity to this topic, especially when you are talking about places people have grow up going to, but don't feel that the "banning" talk is really required. If the government banned things because people broke the law and that activity impacted another persons enjoyment, I can't really think of much we would be allowed to do. I am not saying that atv'ers, poachers, fisherman or whoever is breaking the law is ok, just that it is not a valid reason to ban an activity. I also understand peoples feeling about public land, but I feel that all user groups need to heard from, its never fair to listen to just one group. It is after all public land for everybody's enjoyment even if another persons enjoyment is not your idea of fun/relaxation etc. I agree with most ideas here except banning of anything. I really feel that more Enforcement would make the biggest difference with user groups helping out with trail maintenance, bridge building and trail clean ups. Just my 2 cents

This is an interesting new law, but as far as I can see it really does nothing. What we need is ENFORCEMENT! Without the manpower or will to enforce this law or the ones that already exist we are just spinning our wheels(no pun intended). I am an responsible atver who has been waiting for years for the government to enforce the existing laws with no luck. The yahoos who rip and tear are a small minority of offroad users that give us all a bad name. I wish the government would catch them and land on them with both feet, but it doesn't seem to be happening or at least I have not seen it yet in my 20 years fishing and atving. I think we need more enforcement and education for new users, without that all the laws in world will do nothing. Just my 2cents

I went to champion lakes today, fishing and playing around with my pontoon boat again. I was trying to move between the two lakes with my pontoon boat when I lost my balance on a small hill, tripped over a root and my boat smacked me in the head. I thought all was ok until I removed my hat and the left side was covered in blood. I had ripped my hat and tore open my head. The worst part of the story...I was fishing and I had to leave to go get stitches...damn it!!!! I went back across the first lake and was packing up my boat when some people came along to try their luck. The lady said she was just learning to fly fish and how did I do. I turned to talk to them with the left side of my head, hat and face covered in blood to say things were good and how much I enjoyed flyfishing, what a sight I must have been..haha Packed all my stuff back to my truck, came back to town and got the wife to take me to the emergency room. Doc gave me 5 stitches, said I may have a mild concussion but that all is ok. I even had a few other doctors come by while he was stitching me up to hear the story. Oh well live and learn, don't be in such a hurry when fishing and relaxing. I will post some pics of the lakes tommorrow. cya

Thanks for the tips guys, I think I am going to stay away from moving water for a bit yet...haha tallieho, little bit of algae, but water was still quite clear. cya

Hey guys, I finally got to take my new pontoon boat out and see how it works. I went to Winchell lake to avoid crowds while I rowed around in circles. It went pretty well, the wind was a bit of a problem but managed to work around it. I didn't drop anything overboard and even manage to catch a small rainbow while I was getting pushed around by the wind. I think I need flippers and maybe an anchor. Here's a couple of pics.

Here's mine, in a designated off road area of course...

Hey guys, I was just at the Governments website for boating regulations and am a little confused as to where a pontoon boat falls regarding required safety equipment. Does anybody know what is required besides a PFD, signaling device and maybe an anchor????? I have this week off and finally get to take my new boat out and see how it works. Thanks

Hey guys, I have been thinking about getting a pontoon boat for awhile now. I have an 11ft aluminum boat that I have not used since the Pleasure craft operator card came out. Plus all the hassle with the trailer/motor/battery or gas and loading/unloading by myself sucks. So I have not fished in many lakes in years as a result. Now that the streams are so high and I would like to try the lakes again, I think I am missing out. I am looking at the Water Skeeter Backwater 9. I am 6'2" weighing in at 220lbs, so would this be a good boat for me? I would like to fish lakes like upper and lower kananaskis all the way down to small beaver ponds. I may even try taking it on short hikes into mountain lakes. I have never used a pontoon boat or a belly boat, so how is the stablity in rougher water? Does a person get very wet in the seat? I looked at this boat because it seemed middle of the road price wise, should I be looking at higher priced units? I will probably only use it 10 times a year max. Thanks for the help Lance

Thanks for the replys guys I too wish for responsible ATV use, but see more reckless people everytime I go out. I avoid long weekends like the plague, I cannot stand the partying, drinking and reckless atving/offroading etc, plus the creeks usually run chocolate brown the whole weekend anyway. I fear for my safety on those weekends so I chose to avoid them. There is a group called the calgary quad squad that is particapating in bridge installs over creeks mostly in the waiparous area. They are using old bridges from the fish creek park washout. The bridges are no good to the fish creek area but are perfect for the smaller creeks and were donated by the province or city(not sure which).Many different user groups particapated in the bridge install. So there is hope that the few responsible users can make up for the abusers. As I type this my quad and fishing gear are loaded up ready for opening day on the Elbow river and Quirk creek. Thanks again for the responses and keep them coming. Lance

Hey guys, I am curious as to the fishing community's opinion on ATV's and there usage. I am a fisherman and an ATV'er. I use my ATV responsibly and only where allowed. Due to recent events I am almost embarrassed to tell people I have an ATV. I am looking for opinions, experiences(good or bad) and suggestions as to what you guys think should be done in the future regarding atv usage. Thanks for your time Lance