Driving a 4x4 on ofsc trails in winter rules? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Torch_Ind · 12-31-2009, 04:34 PM

Does anyone know where the rules are for this?

I was told it law that from a certain date to a certain date "can't remember the dates" that you couldn't be on any ofsc trails or risk getting charged for being on them? but others tell me it's only if the trail is open.

I'm not looking for opinions but if you could direct me to e-laws or something like that that could clarification on the actual rules on this that would be great!!

Cause to me honestly if there isn't any rules on it it can't be illegal right?

Waters88 · 12-31-2009, 05:32 PM

The use of ATVs at any time of year on land that is used by the OFSC is ILLEGAL and you can be charged.

Little known fact is that any land that OFSC uses, they have 365 day a year jurisdiction to lay trespassing fines, meaning that if you do not have permission in lets say August, and are caught on it by the OFSC on your ATV, they could charge you with trespassing.

There are many trails in Southwestern Ontario that are at risk of being closed, as farmers are tired of ATV use tearing up their land.

My opinion, stay off the trails with your ATV.

brandcole73 · 12-31-2009, 06:23 PM

Here in Northwest Lower Michigan, many of our trails are on seasonal roads. Once in a while the local 4x4 club goes out on them too. Although it is a gray area, they are licenced vehicles and on county roads, it sure wrecks the trails for sleds. I like four wheeling too, but would never wreck snowmobile trails to do it, whether its legal or not. Just a matter of respect for others. If it didn't make the trails rough and dangerous, I'd have no problem with it.

Torch_Ind · 12-31-2009, 06:43 PM

Like I said I want the facts or laws no one has posted the laws so I have to take them as opinions and don't want them!

I want the actuall laws to back up what you say!!!! or it means nothing.

Here in north bay several snowmobile trails are shared with other trail organization that give you access to atv and 4x4's

Please show me rules!!! If no one can find me the rules that means there is none and they can't charge you unless your on private property.

Please stick to the question I want a awnser to!!

Thanks

Torch_Ind · 12-31-2009, 06:45 PM

As a example this is the ontario snowmobile act but does not list anything about the ofsc trail system and weather there is dates or if it goes by trail opening.

p.s I am looking for Ontario/ Canada specific laws

Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44

Waters88 · 12-31-2009, 06:49 PM

OK, well you dont have to be rude about this. I am a OFSC Trail Patrol member(Trail warden) I am just telling you the laws. If you want to do your own thing, thats up to you. I am not going to waste my time scanning the pages in that outline this law for someone who just acts like an idiot when a question is nicely answered.

brandcole73 · 12-31-2009, 07:13 PM

You do what you what to do. And I certainly don't know what your laws are. I was just saying I don't like my snowmobile trails tore up so I don't do it to others.

Are there any laws saying I can't take my tractor's snowblower out on these trails and blowing snow into 10 foot high piles? If not I guess it would be a good idea to do that too? I have a couple big snowblowers and I like blowing snow.

Sorry to everyone else, not meaning to turn it into a pissing match, but what did you expect, asking a snowmobile forum if you should be able to drive 4x4's on the trails?

austinb · 12-31-2009, 07:18 PM

Why in the world would you drive a 4x4 on a snowmobile trail? It just doesn't make sense....

skilaris · 12-31-2009, 07:49 PM

I all together think ATV-ing and snowmobiling are just different. I have nothing against ATVs'. I just hate when I see people riding them in the winter on a trail or on someones land,or anywhere snowmobiles ride because to often I have seen them doing cookies, spin outs etc, beating the crap out of the trail ,the land or the farmers crop field that he allowed a trail to go through. In the winter any damage done to any of the above areas of travel will be blamed on snowmobiles. I have nothing against ATVs', it's just that they do not make a good mix with snowmobiles in the winter on the same trails. Snowmobiling has come such a long way since its' early years and we just don't need something else to crash the success of the sport.

Zack_lite_340 · 01-01-2010, 07:04 AM

If the ATV and 4x4 clubs are providing access to the trails, the trails PROBABLY aren't just snowmobile trails. but thats just my opinion... please don't whine at me.

Ultrafrozen · 01-01-2010, 07:11 AM

Did you check out Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

The law reads that you can't trespass on private land without the landowner's permission. If the trail is on private property, the OFSC has an agreement with the landowner to allow permitted users to cross it in winter only when the trails are open. The landowners don't receive any compensation for the sacrifice they make.

austinb · 01-01-2010, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zack_lite_340

If the ATV and 4x4 clubs are providing access to the trails, the trails PROBABLY aren't just snowmobile trails. but thats just my opinion... please don't whine at me.

Who's whining at you?

Dave12 · 01-01-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrafrozen

Did you check out Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

The law reads that you can't trespass on private land without the landowner's permission. If the trail is on private property, the OFSC has an agreement with the landowner to allow permitted users to cross it in winter only when the trails are open. The landowners don't receive any compensation for the sacrifice they make.

EXACTLY!!

As for the law that backs it up. It's called the Trespass To Property Act (TTPA for short).

CanLII - Trespass to Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.21

Why people think they have some sort of "right" to go wherever they want unless there is some law or sign saying they can't is beyond me.

It is not a right to use the OFSC trails it is a privilege and that privilege is obtained through purchasing and displaying a OSFC trail permit.

Dave

whiteghost · 01-01-2010, 05:53 PM

i have sleds and i have quads i pay for trail permits for both i ride my sleds on the trails that i pay to ride on and i ride my quads on the trails i pay to ride on,when you buy a pass you get a map. seems simple enough to me.

freakout · 01-01-2010, 11:22 PM

I always thought it was as soon as it was groomed no more atv's, on atv legal trails in summer.

burnoutking · 01-01-2010, 11:46 PM

I have sleds(for winter) and quads(for the rest of the time). I'm not saying I don't play around with the quad in the snow(very little though), but not on trails groomed for sleds.

I guess there's always gonna be people out there that just have to be different/special, whatever you wanna call them.

Thats my OPINION!!!!

winterfresh · 01-03-2010, 12:22 AM

I thought it was 10 days after a trail was opened (law in wisconsin only???) I just took my snowmobile safety online certificate and i believe that was one of the rules listed.

Torch_Ind · 01-03-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrafrozen

Did you check out Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

The law reads that you can't trespass on private land without the landowner's permission. If the trail is on private property, the OFSC has an agreement with the landowner to allow permitted users to cross it in winter only when the trails are open. The landowners don't receive any compensation for the sacrifice they make.

the states that you can't trespass without permission if it's private property to begin with. the ofsc having a agreement with them and if you have a trail pass then you have permision

still doesn't answer my question about trespassing on the trail only in the winter when it's a unmaintained road or it's a trail on crown land that anyone should have access to

Torch_Ind · 01-03-2010, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waters88

OK, well you dont have to be rude about this. I am a OFSC Trail Patrol member(Trail warden) I am just telling you the laws. If you want to do your own thing, thats up to you. I am not going to waste my time scanning the pages in that outline this law for someone who just acts like an idiot when a question is nicely answered.

I'm not being rude you didn't give me the answer I wanted. you gave me your opinion. I have been charged by cops before also on there opinion and there opinion didn't hold up in court when I had all the documentation and all he had was a opinion.

If you are a trail warden in Ontario that actually lays charges to people for trespassing you would have to wright the act and law numbers on the ticket for it to pass in court!! other wise if you fought it the ticket would be droped by the judge

Torch_Ind · 01-03-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austinb

Who's whining at you?

It's people on my 4x4 club that we have been telling them to NOT wheel on sled trails but won't listen.

That's the reason I want the rule book and the actual rules to this hole situation. I remember it being dated from certain dates but others are saying if the trails aren't opened. So I want the Law not trying to be rude just want the regulations and numbers in witch to find them.

If I find there are no actual laws for the crown land and unmaintained roads/trails I will be forced to say sorry I was wrong guess he is right!!!