Ok - what is the REAL LEGALITIES in regards to land/water use? - Need some input!

[1975 Argo 8x8 2-Stroker]

My entire family rides ATV/AATVs... and this dosen't mean we "destroy" or "disturb" things where we ride, we RESPECT where we ride, we respect other peoples properties, and the environment, you could call me a tree-hugger, I'd never cut a living tree down if it's the last thing I did, and I'm pround of that, I ride my AATV in swamp, mud, and forested areas without destroying things, great thing about AATVs, they have a very light footprint... so leave us tree-huggers alone. Oh, and great thing bout' living AWAY form big cities, no people to bother you!!!

[vanmeterj1]

I never met a sole on an AATV or ATV for that matter that did not have some higher level of respect for "the Outdoors" in general, Funny thing is I have folks on my street that get mad when I roll one of them out in the driveway and start it up for maintenance, let alone cruise out to the pasture for a quick ride. I just think they are all jelous of my 6x6..LOL

In North Carolina, The further you get away from town, the less you run into people who want to tell you how to do anything.

Seriously though, I would look up anything you can find on waterway use rules for small craft, there is a very good chance that the same laws that affect jet ski's may have some transfer to an AATV. THe Coast Guard may be a good source and even a park ranger could help understand what is best. In the mean time if you encounter any more hippies, give them a few minutes of your freedom of speach and, off to a new location with less hippies

[vader8x8]

I'm using treehugger as a term for the people around here that think they are the only ones with the right to use the outdoors. Anything with a motor is bad and should be banned is how they approach the subject.. The fact is 90% of the trails they are hiking and mountain biking were made by people like us on dirtbikes and atv's, which in most cases are now closed to all motorized vehicles.

[SumpCommander]

True points, what i am gathering is that as long as my tires are still in water, I am registered as a boat.. I am by law still in water & still a boat... I can come as far as the high tide mark anywhere in the U.S., get out of the Max & come ashore.. But if i drive up onto the beach, then i am operating a motorized vehicle on county or state lands & probably can be impounded if the cop wanted to do so.. However, even if the tires are on ground & i am below the "high tide mark" i am still in the eyes of the law a boat..

As far as my research goes, the "high tide mark" has been the subject of a few court battles in the papers here.. rich folks with their waterfront homes placed their own store bought buoys in the water in back of their house to keep boaters from coming close to their private beach.. truth is, Federal Law dictates that their landed property ends at the high tide mark.. you can legally walk behind a multimillion dollar house with a private beach, as long as your feet are wet you have legal right of passage..

I apparently will have to print up & compile what i can regarding this & keep onboard in a ziplock bag to present to anyone who has an issue.. since there are no specific laws on the books governing AATV's (only 4-wheelers which does not apply)..

Any input?

[blue88s2003]

im a hippy but i own a argo 6 wheeler and im canadian,so where do i fit in with all this?

[azz7772]

the rules in Saskatchewan are pretty lenient we have over 100000 lakes and rivers and tons of forestry and mining trails you usually do not have to worry about offending someone. You can still go fishing at a lake and be the only one there.trucks,ATV's, power sleds,and boats are a part of the lifestyle here I hope we do not get overegulated here like you guys!!! It must be stressful having to worry everytime you want to ride somewhere new

[flippy]

I live in michigan and I was going to buy some land that had marsh and cattails on it,well iw was considered a wetland and I was only allowed to walk on it if I bought it,I talked to the dnr who directed me to the department of environment quality and just mowing over cattails is a big problem.My poor scrambler is still waiting for the lakes and canals to freeze so i can actually use the darn thing.

[turd]

book em danno

...seems an interpetation of the law by
the governing jurisdiction is at hand,,,
coast guard,,dnr,,whomever,,,
you pay their way,,put your question
in writing,,you want the reply in writing,,
paper trail..name of who rendered decision...

once you know your rights,,,exercise them to their fullest,,,
tell the hippy f's what they are,,if they dont accept them,,smile
and ride away,,,when the cop finds you,,ask him to call an agent of
the governing body whom you queried,,,smile,,,real big,,,they got guns and stuff..

expect to get busted,,,ignorance is an excuse,,,look around,,,
(ultimately its about the revenue...)

[thebuggyman1]

Hey flippy, don't get me started on a long winded rant about the abuse of power that is the Michigan DNR. They are able to trample your constitutional rights without fear of reprisal. They are above the law here, and should be disbanded and reassembled under the state police....who at least have to follow the laws themselves.
That said, I't my understandind that the vast majority of the DNR environmental workers have been laid off due to budget cutbacks and rehired by the feds. Now they actually have to work for a living instead of worrying about somebody stepping on a blade of grass and how that hurts the environment. Lets face it, that cattail in question will grow right back...Maybe we should arrest all the deer that trample them.
Stay on private land....away from their watching eyes and you will be fine.