Motor Bikes during LE Archery

[littlebighorn]

So I have a bone to pick and want some feedback.
My son has a Wasatch LE Archery elk tag and so far he has not seen a bull on any water hole he has sat on. He has sat different water holes for a full week and it seems that just about the time elk should be coming in, someone rides a motor bike into the same canyon he is set up in (which is legal)and then nothing moves after that. A good portion of these guys seem to be spike/cow hunters. We have hiked our butts in a couple miles away from any roads and trying to get the wind right, and then so far, someone seems to blow it for us every time. It's pretty frustrating to have a chance at a big bull, but everything, including other hunters and noisy motor bikes seem to work against you. Just venting I guess.

 

[Sniper1]

Thats the tuff thing about the snatch. I also have a tag up there but we have found a few places out of the way of any motor bike trail and what not. We need it to cool down a bit and get them bulls fired up. Headin up on thursday and will be there the remainder of the hunt.

 

[Elkhunter96]

It is tough, but the best thing is to hunt in the middle of the weeks and as far as away from the trails as possible to get away from the weekend rec guys...

 

[Zeke]

Well, I know about where you're hunting and it's a problem for sure.

I still can't figure out why the darn motor bikes are allowed on the wilderness mountain trails but I guess if I rode one I'd be happy for a place to ride.

On the other hand, I was out to the "berry" this weekend and we hiked into 3 different wated holes and there were people on all of them! I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY HUNTERS!

We did manage to see a coyote and a bear but not even 1 elk and zero bucks.

With the heat, feed, cover, water, theives, bikers and hunters it's been a tough week for elk sightings for us. (my quad was ransacked and wife's binos were stolen while we hiked)

Good luck to us all,
Zeke

 

[Bocephus]

I hear ya Zeke, I had a ground blind ransacked and a trail camera stolen opening weekend. That will leave a bitter taste in your mouth, it's sad we have to worry about lowlifes and can't just go out and enjoy the hunt.

 

[SLIVER]

I ride single track trails a ton on my dirt bike, and you would be hard pressed to find more beautiful trails than those on the wasatch unit. I ride the waters as often as I can and they are fantastic trails. With that being said, I am also an archery hunter and realize that the hunt is on, and I would not want a motorbiker screwing up my hunt, so I stay out. Many of the people who ride single track aren't hunters, and probably have no idea that they are ruining an archers evening. Hope it doesn't happen to you again.

There is a sweet trail in the waters that goes right by a pond that a tree stand and trail cam is always on. I don't think that many archers realize that these trails are open to motorbikes.

}}-SLIVER-->

 

[Deerlove]

Thats to bad Rick theres also some single track at the top of AF canyon that I wished were closed, and I ride a d bike.

 

[2lumpy]

Unfortunately, it not a new problem. Back in 1971 we were hunting the Porcupine Hills west of Claresholm, Alberta. We were up on a nippy morning in November, well before dawn, hiking into a little hole with mule deer in it. We knew there was a Jeep trail in there but wanted to walk so as to keep the noise down and the surprise element in place, atleast that was the plan. It was about a 2 mile hike in and we were 50 yards from the top of the ridge, the sun was nearly up, shooting light had arrived. You guessed it, right on time, a Jeep comes bouncing it's way up the trail, passes us, tops the hill and there we were with our thumbs up our............

There's been numerous other times since then but that one was the most memorable.

ATVs an dirt bikes are just the current ride, the folks have been with us for a long time.

Ain't life great!

DC

 

[2asteriskjarhead]

I had the same tag last year. Had plenty of opportunities torched by dirtbikes. Had a 350 bull at 50 yards last week of the hunt, broadside, full draw, dirtbike road right up my keester. Sucks, but they have just as much right to be there as we do. Had plenty of spike hunters torch good stalks and bulls coming to calls. It's part of hunting I suppose. I ate tag soup but was one of the funnest hunts I've had to date. Took the whole hunt off and spent every day on the mountain. At least enjoy it.

 

[Trail]

I see it both ways. As a bike rider and hunter. We need to respect each other. I think it's great that there are so many trails open to bikes. Keep in mind once something is closed it's rarely reopened. I'm in favor of keeping things open for everyone to enjoy. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[AWHOLELOTTABULL]

I didn't even have to open this thread to know you were talking about the Wasatch. There is a push right now to get those trails closed during hunting season. I'm all for multi use trails but some of these guys have no common courtesy. And they ride them down those trails right at prime time. I don't understand that at all. Unless they are from out of state, they know it's hunting season.


It's always an adventure!!!

 

[bearman]

They sure do have the right to be their. Shutting it down during hunting I don't fell is right to them. Frustrating but it is all our land to use. I don't sit on water but have still had people mess up stalks that happened to be to close to a road. I would suggest leaving the blind and go calling them. Good luck.

 

[littlebighorn]

We saw recreational bikers before the hunt, but all the ones we have seen so far on the trails have been dressed in camo with bows on their bikes. Lots of hunting camps with bikes in camps suggests they are using them to access country they don't want to hike into.
We knew going into this hunt it would be tough. I guess I just didn't expect this much competition from motorized "hunters"...especially since big bulls are not deaf! Maybe some feel that cows and spikes can't hear so well. huh? LOL
.
We will keep after it for sure. I can hardly wait until labor day weekend for everyone to be in the hills!

 

[AWHOLELOTTABULL]

I agree bearman. They do have the right to be there. There is also nothing wrong with closing some of these trails during hunting season either. That gives them 4 full months to ride those trails when nobody else is out there using them.


It's always an adventure!!!

 

[2lumpy]

I'd like to think these people don't realize that they are doing to the hunters but many do and they simple have their own interests and if it gets in someone else business, well, that's just how life is.

For example: For the last 15 years or so, The Monroe, Pahvant, Fish Lake and the Beaver have been the heart and soul of Trophy Elk hunting. Managed and planned that way by sportsmen and the DWR. Our communities and local businesses have gotten good support from these LE elk hunters, they spend a lot of money in Richfield and neighboring communities.

In-spite of that fact, Richfield and Sevier County will draw 600 ATV riders, from all over the nation and from international countries as well, on these mountains right i the middle of their LE elk hunt. It is a huge event. We provide trail guides, meals and entertainment for these folks. They bring a lot of money into the community too. When are they here?

The 2011 Jamboree will be held September 19th through the 23rd just when the fall foilage is at its best.

http://www.atvjam.com/jamboree/

One of there goals was to make the GUINNESS book of records. How'd they do :

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HELPED WITH THE WORLD RECORD ATV PARADE ATTEMPT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009. IN NOVEMBER, 2010, GUINNESS OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED THE NEW RECORD - 1,870 MACHINES.

These folks are here for a very different reason than the elk hunters and just as determined to have a good time on the nationally advertised Piute Trail.

Our Rifle LE hunters will have 600/700 ATV flying around the mountain, interrupting a hunt many have waited 15 years or longer to do.

Personally, I hate it, even though I go out every morning and help feed them breakfast.

Everybody loves the outdoors, all for different reasons. Hunters have lots of competition for the public lands. Our big game species have got to be stressed beyond any science we can ever measure. We just love all wild things to death with everything we do.

As SWbuck is always reminding us, (and so kindly too) get away from the roads, ATV trails and heavy traffic areas, or expect to shoot between human interruptions. I can't believe it will every get better, most likely worse, here in Utah anyway. I'm sure as hell no advocate of more wilderness areas but in-spite of my dislike for them, they may eventually be the only areas left where big game can survive.

We're in a mess, for sure.

DC

 

[Zeke]

I've enjoyed the excellent, thoughtful posts. I can see both points of view because I enjoy a good "motor" ride on occasion.

The thing I find hard to swallow is when I see a dirt road open to all forms of motor travel EXCEPT quad travel. I don't get it at all. Sorry Rick, it's a little off the topic.

I feel your pain bro! I'll be right there experiencing the same thing in a couple weeks! Help us all.

Zeke

 

[SneakAttack]

Bikers- (myself included) be very careful in the waters. A few years ago, some meat head "I own this mountain" kinda guy was placing logs on the trail in hard to see locations. He admitted to me that he was hoping to get riders to wreck. I turned it over to the sherrifs. He's the dork that had the stand hanging right by the trail. I whacked my first archery elk about 3 days later...hmmm, go figure.

BTW- You guys all seem to be level headed folks, thanks for that. Good luck and have fun.