ATVAM News - January 16, 2019 Newsletter of the ATV Association of (Est. 1983) "Your Voice for ATV Recreation In Minnesota"

-Send your comments, club news, photos and article ideas to: [email protected]. -Forward this email to club partners and business sponsors if they aren't ATVAM members already. -ATVAM members should be receiving this newsletter and MN OffRoad magazine. Let us know if you're not.

-Please note: Send member renewals to new mailing address: ATVAM, PO Box 300, Stacy, MN 55079 E-newsletters are now archived on atvam.org to refer back to on topics.

In This e-Newsletter: -Winter Riding In Full Swing -Spring Riding Fever! -Loss Of A Champion -ATV Violations In 2018 -Wide...Wider...Wider -Nominate An ATV Safety Instructor Of The Year -What Is NOHVCC? Register For Webinar -Save These Dates For 2019 -Invite Friends & Family To Join ATVAM ------Winter Riding: Where To Go And What To Watch For

Winter OHV riding is in full swing in some parts of Minnesota. Clubs have polar bear rides scheduled, and many riders meet up on weekends at locations posted on Facebook pages of ATV clubs and user groups such as "Minnesota ATV Riders" and "SxS Kings".

There are plenty of places to ride. They include State Forest roads and State Forest trails where allowed, per the DNR website list of trails. The graphic below summarizes the DNR's list of state OHV trails open year-round (compliments of Dean Schliek).

The DNR website page titled "Winter OHV Riding in Minnesota" also lists some of the more popular trails open to ATVs in winter, with some cold-weather riding tips. Check it out at this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/ohv.html

Watch For Signs, Stay Off Most Snowmobile Trails. ATVAM has received a few emails from snowmobile clubs and their volunteer groomers about ATVs and SxSs riding on Grant- In-Aid snowmobile trails.

Before you head out, here are a few reminders from the DNR:

1) Remember that most groomed, signed snowmobile trails are closed to OHVs and highway-licensed vehicles (HLVs) beginning December 1st. Please respect private property and follow all signs. Groomed snowmobile trails rely on a partnership with permission from public land managers and private landowners. Help keep those permissions by staying off marked trails open to only snowmobiles.

2) Before you go, check for OHV and road closures. That DNR website is at this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/closures.html

3) A few groomed trails are open to ATVs. The Chisholm Trail is groomed, 25 miles long and maintained by the Northern Traxx ATV Club.

A loop of trails groomed by the DNR in the Nemadji State Forest/Matthew Lourey State Trail/St. Croix State Forest area is open, but only when temperatures are below freezing to preserve a good trail surface. Watch for signs regarding air temperature. Pay close attention to signs to make sure you're not on snowmobile-only trails.

Parking Can Be Tough. Just as the DNR doesn't plow out lake accesses during winter for ice fishermen, it also doesn't plow most access roads and parking areas at ATV trailheads. But according to Mary Straka, DNR Area Supervisor in Moose Lake, ATV clubs can

request funding for parking area plowing The 25-mile Chisholm Trail is maintained in winter and trail grooming in the grant application and open year-round except during deer . for winter use on the ATV trail systems they maintain in the GIA program.

Spring Riding Fever! (As ATV clubs hold 2019 kick-off meetings)

by Perry May, ATVAM 1st VP

Spring is a few months away, however, ATV Riding Fever is beginning to grip ATVAM clubs around the state. The Cuyuna Iron Range Riders held their 2019 club kick-off meeting on the morning of Saturday, January 12, at the American Legion Hall in Ironton,

MN.

Cuyuna Iron Range Riders meeting, Crow Wing County On Saturday January 15, the Blind Lake ATV Club held their kick-off meeting at the 40 Club in Aitkin, MN.

And on Tuesday, January 15, the MN Valley ATV Riders held their kick-off meeting at the Grandview Winery, located in Belview MN.

ATVAM executive board members

George Radke and Perry May, and Blind Lake ATV Club meeting, Aitkin County Region 3 & 5 Director Ken Irish

attended the meetings to listen to club 2019 plans and to share ATVAM happenings and vision. Annual kick- off meetings are great. You will observe camaraderie among club members, enthusiasm for improving or developing their local trails, and planning for 2019 club rides and events, and most always,

good food to eat. MN Valley ATV Riders, Redwood County If your club has interest in having an ATVAM executive board member attend your next club meeting, please contact us at [email protected]. ATVAM Clubs are the lifeblood of ATVAM, and ATVAM is your collective voice for ATV Recreation in the State of Minnesota.

The Loss of a True Champion of Motorized Recreation in Minnesota

"The State of Minnesota and the Motorized Community lost a friend and champion last week. Tom Rukavina will be greatly missed by all that knew him and had the privilege to work with him." -Ron Potter, ATVAM president

From Tom's obituary in the Mesabi Daily News:

Thomas "Tom" Martin Rukavina, 68, of Pike Township, died on Monday, January 7, 2019, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis after a battle with leukemia.

Funeral services will be on Saturday,

January 19, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia, at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Visitation will also be held on Friday, January 18, from 5-7 p.m. at Range Funeral Home in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Tom Rukavina Scholarship Fund c/o Mesabi Range College Foundation, 1001 W Chestnut St., Virginia, MN 55792.

Read the full obituary at this link: https://www.virginiamn.com/obituaries/thomas-tom-martin-rukavina/article_31708f90- 16ce-11e9-a4dc-f3044c01aaaa.html#tncms-source=block-behavioral

ATV Violations For 2018

Last year, ATV riders in Minnesota received 364 citations and 927 warnings from Minnesota DNR Conservation Officers.

Those numbers were part of a report on OHV and snowmobile violations, provided by Bruce Lawrence, DNR Recreation Vehicle Coordinator / Division of Enforcement, during a quarterly meeting of the Minnesota Motorized Trails Coalition (MMTC) with staff members of the DNR and its Parks & Trails, Forestry and Enforcement divisions.

MMTC is a coalition of the state's four motorized state associations: ATVAM, MNUSA, MN4WDA and ARMCA (District 23 of AMA). It meets four times a year with the DNR to discuss a wide range of issues related to OHV and snowmobile programs, trail projects, policies and regulations. ATVAM works with the DNR on behalf of 80 ATV clubs, and their hard-working volunteers who maintain thousands of miles of ATV trails, as well as the owners of over 300,000 ATVs registered in Minnesota.

As reported by Lawrence, OHV violations for 2018 included:

Warnings Citations Fail to display registrations 324 141 Operate unregistered ATV 105 77 Off-trail travel 9 6 Allow illegal operation 123 48 Over age 16 - safety training required 115 12 Operate without helmet 251 80 (required under age 18)

Wide...Wider...Wider...

1974 Honda ATC90: 38 inches wide 1986 Polaris Trail Boss: 43.5 inches 1998 Grizzly 600 4x4: 45.7 inches 2008 Polaris RZR 800: 50 inches 2018 Polaris XP 1000: 64 inches 2019 Can-Am Maverick X3 XR S: 72 inches

Over the past four decades, the width of ATVs (including recreational side-by-sides), has almost doubled. In Minnesota, vehicle width is the determining factor for registering an ATV. If it's 50 inches or less measured from outside tire rims, it's a Class 1. Greater than 50 inches but not more than 65 inches and it's a Class 2.

Wider than 65 inches -- with stock or aftermarket wheels - - and it's no longer considered an ATV in Minnesota but an ORV (Off- Road Vehicle). Registered as an ORV, it is legal to ride on Forest Roads and the trails open to ORVs (Jeeps and other 4WD trucks), but not on trails open only to Class 1 and 2 ATVs. It also falls outside the DNR regs

allowing Class 2 ATVs on the far

The Can-Am Maverick X3 XR S is 72 inches wide. Designed right of county roads. for desert riding, it would need to be registered as an ORV in Minnesota. Putting tracks on a Class 2 also changes width to a point where operation is permitted and registration requirements make it an ORV.

Heading out of state? Check the OHV regulations for your destination, because state's vary in their definitions of ATVs, equipment required to drive on roads and trails, and regulations regarding their use on trails, again, many with width as the determining factor. Some OHV areas in the desert that have trails will limit width according to the existing trail width; an example of this is California's Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, which has trails and dunes. In areas like Glamis (Imperial Sand Dunes/BLM) that are all sand dunes, there is no width restriction, but whip flags and registration are required on all vehicles.

Today, many National Forests and State Forests allow wider vehicles on their Forest Roads that are open to highway-legal vehicles. It's a different story on OHV trail systems. Most National Forests still have a 50-inch maximum-width policy on OHV trails. It would be nearly impossible -- physically and financially -- for the USFS to widen all ATV trails built originally for narrower vehicles. And while many states now allow the wider vehicles on OHV trails, their program managers are challenged with how to manage trails for both safety and sustainability.

------The Nation's Public Land Managers State Their Position On Vehicle Width (Including a message to ATV manufacturers)

At its annual conference in 2017, the International OHV Administrators Association (INOHVAA) -- an organization founded by and for officials who manage off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation in their areas -- addressed the issue of growth in the size of OHVs.

Discussion by land managers and OHV program managers from across the country focused on three points: 1) OHVs, especially Side-by-Sides, continue to get wider, heavier and more powerful; 2) there is no industry standard for measuring the width of OHVs, a key factor that determines which ones are allowed on roads and trails on public lands; and 3) the need for increased education by powersports dealers to their customers who are buying OHVs of varying widths, on where they can actually ride them.

As part of its mission, INOHVAA creates position statements regarding topics specific to OHV recreation that are national in nature, and endorsed by the organization as a whole. They may or may not be the same as the policies, rules or statutes in the states of those who are members.

In August of 2017, voting members of INOHVAA approved a position statement that addresses the issue, states their unified stand, and delivers a message to OHV manufacturers, moving forward. It reads:

"As the lead organization in promoting excellence in the management of organized off- highway recreational vehicle (OHV) trails, the International Off-Highway Vehicle Administrators Association (INOHVAA) encourages the OHV manufacturers to recognize that existing trail systems may have width limitations and manufacturers should market appropriately.

"OHV size may impact trail design, maintenance and safety on existing trails. Wider trails may not be permitted by landowners/managers, and potential use/abuse by unauthorized larger vehicles may lead to the loss of trails.

"INOHVAA encourages manufacturers to take an active role to educate customers on federal, state, provincial and local OHV restrictions and limit marketing wider vehicles where they are not appropriate." ------INOHVAA membership reflects all existing levels of OHV programs -- federal, state, county, municipals, or private areas -- with a focus on state-level organizations.

INOHVAA has also tackled other national issues regarding OHV recreation, including guidelines for trail signing and placement. As stated on its website: "The purpose of INOHVAA shall be to promote best management practices for recreational OHV use throughout the OHV community. To learn more, go to www.inohvaa.org .

DNR Seeks Nominations for Volunteer ATV Safety Instructor of the Year

from a DNR press release:

The Minnesota DNR, Division of Enforcement, Safety Training Section, is seeking nominations for ATV Safety Instructor of the year for 2018.

Most of us know a dedicated volunteer instructor who 'goes the extra mile'. The DNR would like to recognize and award an individual volunteer safety instructor who has gone above and beyond to make the ATV Safety program a success in their local community.

Please take a few minutes to nominate a deserving volunteer ATV safety instructor. The nomination form is available at the DNR Website Instructor Page.

Nomination forms can be sent via Fax, Email or Mail: Fax: 320-616-2517 Email: [email protected] Mail to: Department of Natural Resources, Education and Safety Training Section, Attn: ATV Safety 15011 Hwy 115 Little Falls MN 56345

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday February 22, 2019.

What is NOHVCC? Register for January 30th Webinar.

-The OHV Club Start-Up Kit. -The Adventure Trails kids color book. -The Great Trails Workshop & Book. Those and many other OHV resources were created by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC).

Started in 1990 by executives at Honda -- then the leader in ATV and motorcycle sales as well as education in off-highway recreation -- NOHVCC is today the most well- respected organization in the OHV industry, and with state and federal agencies.

Without NOHVCC, there wouldn't be nearly the number of OHV riding areas as there are today. ATVAM and many other OHV state associations would likely not even exist.

Want to learn more about what NOHVCC is and the resources it has to help your ATV club, its members and trail management? Check out the first in a series of new NOHVCC webinars.

From the

NOHVCC website:

NOHVCC is launching a new webinar series - join us for our first installment on January 30! You will have two chances!

Title: What is NOHVCC? This initial webinar will be useful for those who are unfamiliar with NOHVCC, its projects and its mission. It will also be useful for those more familiar with NOHVCC but who want to expand their knowledge about specific NOHVCC programs or projects.

When: January 30, 2019 Times: 6:30 PM Eastern OR 9:30 PM Eastern

Cost: FREE! Register For the 6:30 PM Webinar Here! https://www.nohvcc.org/event/what-is-nohvcc-630-pm-est/

Register For the 9:30 PM Webinar Here! https://www.nohvcc.org/event/what-is-nohvcc-930-pm-est/

Details: NOHVCC's mission is to "Create a positive future for OHV recreation." How does NOHVCC strive to further that mission? Learn more about how NOHVCC operates by participating in the "What is NOHVCC" webinar. If you have ever wondered about NOHVCC's structure, programs, projects or staff, this webinar is for you. Also, NOHVCC provides a wide range of tools, guidance and expertise to OHV enthusiasts and managers - don't miss this opportunity to find out if you can benefit from NOHVCC's assistance!

Presenters include all NOHVCC staff: Duane Taylor, Executive Director Marc Hildesheim, Project Manager Jack Terrell, Senior Project Manager Geoff Chain, Project Coordinator & Communications Associate Laura Feist, Executive Assistant

Any questions should be directed to [email protected]. Future webinars will likely focus on creating and sustaining OHV clubs and associations, mapping, engaging land managers, effective OHV websites, and more!

Please keep an eye on NOHVCC's website (and on your emails) as we will be providing more information as additional webinars are scheduled.

To sign up for the NOHVCC emails, go to www.nohvcc.org .

Grab Your 2019 Calendar And Save These Dates

Saturday, February 23rd: Choose from 3 Club Rides Open To All Riders

Northern Traxx ATV Club Polar Bear Days Ride - February 23, 10am - Chisholm -Meet at 10:00 am @ Jim's Sports Bar in Chisholm. -Leave for Ed Walberg Shelter (on the Chisholm ATV Trail) 11:00 AM. -Ride to the Northern TRAXX ATV Club Shelter (by Shannon Lake on the Chisholm ATV Trail) at 1:00pm. -Lunch provided by Northern TRAXX ATV Club at 2:00pm at the Northern TRAXX Shelter with a warm Bonfire. -Some riders will head to Side Lake to warm up after lunch, some will stay and enjoy the fire and some groups will head back to Chisholm to be back by dark.

For more info, contact Larry Folstad: 218- 969-6789.

--OR--

Over The Hills Gang ATV Club 5th Annual Polar Bear Ride - February 23, 10:30 am - Remer/Outing Area -Meet at 10:30 at Deer Haven Restaurant on Thunder Lake, 4309 State Hwy 6, 8 miles south of Remer. Plenty of trailer parking. Leave at 11 am, ride across Thunder Lake, then on Township Roads to Moose River ATV Trail (open year round). -Ride for 1.5 to 2 hours, weather dependent. -Return to Deer Haven for grilled cheese and chili for $5. -Bring nonperishable food item or cash donation to local food shelf. -Open to members and nonmembers. -Please RSVP to get a head count, to Perry May: email - ptmdmay@comcast. phone - 612-919-5806. --OR--

Up North Riders ATV Club 2019 ATV & Snowmobile Ice Ride February 23rd, Registration 10 am Fisherman's Bay Bar & Grill, McGregor, MN

January 19 -- Organizational Meeting #2, for new ATV club in Staples/Motley area. 11 am at Bricks Travel Center, 265 Hwy 10, Motley, MN. Focus is on organizing and naming the new club. For more information, contact Paul Deboer (email: [email protected] phone: 320-428-2639).

January 24 -- ATVAM Region 2 Meeting, 7 pm (Fourth Thursday each month) Mountain Iron Community Center, 8586 Enterprise Dr S, Mountain Iron, MN 55768

DNR ATV Safety Instructor Certification Classes (required to becoming a TA, but can be taken after TA class, see note below) January 18 - in Tamarack February 18 - in Forest Lake March 16 - in Spicer Details on the classes, process and prerequisites, visit the DNR website at this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/instructors/atv/index.html

DNR Volunteer Trail Ambassador Training (last 2 for 2019): February 2 - in Willow River March 2 - in Little Falls at Camp Ripley Details on the classes, process and prerequisites, visit the DNR website at this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/ta/index.html Please Note: New participants to the Trail Ambassador program may attend ATV Safety Instructor training after attending a Trail Ambassador training session. ATV Safety instructor training needs to be completed by May 1st to be eligible to participate in the 2019 Trail Ambassador monitoring season.

March 29-31 - Vision Conference, location TBD Always well attended, with Friday evening social and Saturday discussions, as the executive board, regional directors and members tackle a wide range of topics, with one goal: creating a clear Vision for ATVAM, and the Action Items needed to move it and its 80 member clubs forward. More details to come.

April 27th -- 8th Annual ATVAM Region 3 Meeting - Ironton American Legion 232 4th Street, Ironton, MN 56455 9 am -1 pm. Region 3 clubs gather to share news on trail projects and discuss common issues, plus DNR updates and, this year, creating a 10 Year Master Plan for ATV trails in Region 3.

May 17th & 18th - ATVAM Ride & Roast - McQuoid's Inn, Isle MN Registration now open at www.atvam.org

-Friday: Boat launch on Mille Lacs from 6pm -10pm with food. $25.00 per person snacks & hors d'oeuvres are included.

-Saturday: Pancake breakfast at 7:30am, guided rides start at 10am. Pig & turkey roast dinner at 5pm. $15.00 per adult and kids 10 and under free. Registration now open at atvam.org. McQuoid's Inn is offering room discounts 10% off for one night stay, 15% off for a two night stay. Please mention ATVAM for your ride discount. Call 320-676-3535.

Sept 20-22 - ATVAM Fall Ride & Rally, Crane Lake, MN Hosted by Voyageur Country ATV club. It's not too early to register and make reservations. Registration and lodging options now available at www.atvam.org

ATV MINNESOTA "Your Voice To Ride"

Dedicated Volunteers Building Fun & Sustainable ATV Trails For The Riding Public.

Invite friends and family to join today!

See the mailing label on MN OffRoad magazine for the renewal date of your ATVAM membership. Be sure to include your email address on

Photos from Carlton County Riders, who renewal form to receive ATVAM e- ride newsletters. And send renewals to ATVAM's on the trails year-round. new mailing address: PO Box 300, Stacy, MN 55079 ------

"Hot dogs and Twinkies roasting on an Belonging to ATVAM, you join thousands of riders open fire." throughout the state, have fun, and help ensure the future of ATV riding in Minnesota.

As a family or individual member for just $20 you receive: -A subscription to Minnesota OffRoad magazine (6 issues per year) -Twice monthly newsletter by email with the latest news and information -Membership card and bumper sticker -Invitation to events, including our Legislative Summit and Vision Meeting in the spring, and the ATVAM Fall Ride & Rally, as well as general membership meetings -Discounts with many of our business members -A full-time lobbyist at the State Capitol, helping create pro-ATV legislation, and moving forward important bills that help provide funding for new trail systems

As a business member for $75 you receive: All of the above, plus: -Your business name, address, phone number, and website listed in each issue of the MN OffRoad magazine and on our website -Discounts on advertising in MN OffRoad magazine -An official ATVAM membership certificate for display in your business

To join, contact ATVAM or call (800) 442-8826.

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