With possible exceptions for the disabled I like to see the ATV' s stay the same place as the trucks -- on the road (or at least designated ATV trails). In my area here in Colorado, even the ATV trails are closed to ATV' s starting Oct. 1st -- Why? -- You guessed it.... more than enough people have demonstrated that they just can' t follow the rules and stay where they are supposed to -- just don' t like that " w" (work) word, hence the forest service has shut it down to them all during elk season. One of few good calls on their part far as I' m concerned.

I hear hunters arguing that once they have shot an elk that suddenly the ATV rules should be suspended and that it is okay for them to take their ATV " off road" and blaze (cut) a trail to their fallen elk. I disagree. just becuase someone is lucky enough to get their elk by late afternoon on the first day, dress it doesn' t mean I should have to endure them while I' m laying low and being patient or stalking along the edge of some black timber on the second day' s morning -- when here comes the put-put ATV, heard ' em 40 minutes before I ever saw them, chattering away having a party, clearing a trail and cutting ocassional (or not so ocassional) logs out of their way with their chainsaw. That' s great for them -- not having to sweat carrying out their meat -- but what about anyone still hunting within 3/4 mile of their " noise circus" .

Hunting, solitude, and silence are stable mates. IMHO, if you can' t carry it on your back or if you can' t/won' t use/hire horses or mules or llamas or what ever to pack out your meat so it can be done silently, discretely, and reasonably without a trace, then don' t shoot in the first place -- either you need an outfitter to take care of it for you or you are arguably pursuing the wrong sport -- consider one where the " w" word isn' t required -- like golf, with a motorized cart of course.

Now if you hunt on private land -- fine, go for it because the rights are yours to use/abuse as you choose; on public land you have to look to their greatest good for the greatest number. In the case of public land, if you give hunters (at large) an inch on this one, then there are PLENTY who will literally take a mile -- and spoil it for everyone -- best to just not go there.

Just a flight of fantasy:
Any possiblity of the CDOW issuing " carcass tags" for illegal ATVs on public land to allow for a little hunter " self-enforcement" ? [Just kidding of course!] Would make kind of a neat trophy though, let' s see -- full mount (4x4), 3/4 mount (seat forward), head mount (engine only), antler mount (handlebars only) -- the possibilites are nearly endless.

Never Go Undergunned,
EKM