Pinched on public land

[mudslinger]

Has anybody been caught riding somewhere they shouldn't have been, either intentionally or not, and been caught by the authorities? What were the consequences? Were you able to talk your way out of a ticket? Did they threaten or actually confiscate your AATV? Was the land actually posted or were you unaware you weren't allowed to ride there? Thanks.

[amphibious drew]

If I see someone I don't know on land I don't technically have permission to be on, I go the other way. After all, how the heck do they plan on following me!

Why do you ask? Did you get busted???

[Bud]

Since the Feds outlawed our rides from Deepwater Mo. a few years back, the thought has entered my mind...

[MaxRules]

Just about every fun activity has been outlawed. ATVs might not be directly illegal, but basically everything you can do with them is illegal. No public land is available and private land owners assume huge bogus liability if they open a park. Given those circumstances, we ride anywhere that looks fun. What else can you do?

[Nick O.]

One time when I was little my dad and I went somewhere (forgot) with people that had Attex racers and a Swamp Fox. We only had the Bigfoot back then. I think it was a racetrack near a fireworks store, a police car came and we had to leave. I was 5 or so, but I remember seeing those magically fast yellow things

[MAXII420]

You are in luck sir, I happen to be a PRO trespasser! I ONLY ride on other peoples land! Always have, always will. No matter what state I have lived in there are trails. My current bandit trails include, State mineral land, an abandoned quarry, commercial wooded property that is for sale ect. Hell when I lived in Clarence NY all my trails were connected by the jogging/bike path! (opps) I follow 3 basic rules; 1.try to ride on a big entities (not private individuals) land. Some real estate agent with a suit on will never know (or care) that the 1,000 acres they have for sale has a trail running through it, whereas some old mans land that he has hunted for the last 60 years is libel to give you a few new leaks in the hull should you disturb him while hunting. 2. I NEVER litter! I mean NOTHING, cig butts, drink cans/bottles, wads of tangled fishing line, should NEVER be left behind. 3. Never cut or open a fence or in any other way do damage (other then shredding the trail!) to the property. If you see fresh tracks that day, then ride somewhere else that day. If you do get caught by the owner, offer to sign a waiver of liability if they will allow you to ride, offer to help bust trails where it would be useful to them for whatever they use the land for if they will allow you to ride, offer to "patrol" for others if they will allow you to ride. Remind them of the whole "as we forgive those who trespass against us" part of the lords prayer. If however they catch you fair and square, and tell you not to ride there, then don't, move on to the next trail. PLACES I NEVER RIDE include; State Parks, unlike other state land, parks ARE heavily patrolled and IF they choose to jam you up with a charge, it is A FEDERAL one! Old landfills, as the trash decomposes over the years it creates pockets that can cause a sink-hole to open up as you ride over it! Hunting land during hunting season (being the only guy NOT pointing a gun is a bad feeling). Places where I have ever seen horse or kid track (bike tire tracks, small shoe prints) as we don't want to hurt anyone on accident. Other then that, just read the signs in the dirt. lay a small dry/brittle branch across the trail when you leave and the next time you ride there see if it is broken, you will get a feel for just how "abandoned" that area is. Or like drew said just book it to the other side of the nearest swamp when you see anybody. Half the time when you meet someone on the trail they are also trespassing and might even know where more trails are that you didn't even know about. I say go ride, the places these things go the only thing you will run in to will be frogs!

[jpswift1]

Lots of good posts in this thread guys, I couldn't agree with all of you more. Great tips and excellent information!

[thorn]

Wow,
I knew other areas of the country where limited in areas to ride, but I guess I take for granted all off the hundreds of miles and thousands of acres of public land we have out here in the rockies. There are a lot of trails that are restricted to 50" only quads and RZRs, but we have a ton of wide open and beautiful country here to explore. Maybe you are just referring to riding on private land just because it is close/convenient.

[rodp]

You guys don't know how lucky you are, over here it's private land only. There is NO riding on public land, full stop, end of. You cannot get an Argo registered for public road use (possibly agricultural to go from one field to another if a agricultural worker).
If you were reported for riding on public land the police have trail bikes to catch you and if that fails they would get the helicopter out, they really would, just for someone riding where they shouldn't.

[plott hound]

i ride public lands around the house,2 big tracks of forest.have rode them all my life without any troubles.throw a garbage bag in the back with some crap in it and pick a bit of stuff up while your out.even if your trespassing it looks like you are a good samaritan.

[rodp]

i ride public lands around the house,2 big tracks of forest.have rode them all my life without any troubles.throw a garbage bag in the back with some crap in it and pick a bit of stuff up while your out.even if your trespassing it looks like you are a good samaritan.

That wouldn't work over here, you would still lose your toys. Anything of value is supposed to go to auction (yeah right, auctioned among themselves in the station) and other stuff is crushed. Then you'd get a fine, community service (unpaid labour) and another £15 at least to some fund they set up.
They can't turn out for burglary's or trouble on the streets but get someone ring with this sort of complaint and all hell lets loose. No chance of any officers getting hurt is there with this sort of thing, then there's no claim to pay.

[plott hound]

looks like great britain has turned into a police state.pack your bags and move to canada EH!

That wouldn't work over here, you would still lose your toys. Anything of value is supposed to go to auction (yeah right, auctioned among themselves in the station) and other stuff is crushed. Then you'd get a fine, community service (unpaid labour) and another £15 at least to some fund they set up.
They can't turn out for burglary's or trouble on the streets but get someone ring with this sort of complaint and all hell lets loose. No chance of any officers getting hurt is there with this sort of thing, then there's no claim to pay.

[rodp]

Should have done that years ago mate when I thought about it first. It wasn't too bad here then though, police were sociable, streets were relatively trouble free, jobs paid well, immigration was virtually nil and the NHS could afford to treat you.
Nowadays police are vindictive self interested liars, you get stabbed or shot in inner cities, wages are legal minimum for most folk (£6.30 hr) immigration has got so bad that some areas are actually no go for whites (and we've got more coming over ), and the NHS is terrible (Google Stafford hospital deaths)

Apart from those sort of problems it's great over here AND, we don't get 20' of snow every year

[North Country Tough]

Should have done that years ago mate when I thought about it first. It wasn't too bad here then though, police were sociable, streets were relatively trouble free, jobs paid well, immigration was virtually nil and the NHS could afford to treat you.
Nowadays police are vindictive self interested liars, you get stabbed or shot in inner cities, wages are legal minimum for most folk (£6.30 hr) immigration has got so bad that some areas are actually no go for whites (and we've got more coming over ), and the NHS is terrible (Google Stafford hospital deaths)

Apart from those sort of problems it's great over here AND, we don't get 20' of snow every year

Sorry to about the way Britain is heading,not the U.K I once knew,dont discount the snow further north you go the more snow,a whole lot less of all issues you mentioned and its 80 degrees at the moment.Cheers NCT

[guyfox]

I guess I have nothing to complain about. 200 meters behind my house is a trail (abandoned railway). I can drive for weeks...and I do mean weeks..... and do not have to worry. Then take into consideration all the old wood trails and a guy could get loss for months just driving their AATV. Your only concern would be carrying enough fuel and food/water to get you from one place to another.