Tread Lightly! What You Should Know About 4 Wheelers

My husband and I live in a recreational area inEverything seemed to be going well, until one
central Minnesota. As with most recreation areasparticular day. Recently our path system was
throughout the country this means manydiscovered by a group of 4 wheelers that are
frequently use 4 wheelers around us. We have 4now using it as a connection from one racing area
wheelers ourselves that we use to plow snowto another. The racing causes an excessive
from our driveway, haul wood from the wood pileamount of noise and some serious damage to the
to the house and to travel the recreation trails ofwooded area, which prompted the interference of
the area. We also use our 4 wheelers during thethe department of natural resources which
deer hunting season to get back to our deerstepped in and banned the use of ATV's in this
stands and to transport the deer out of thewooded area.
woods. I think they are a useful and fun vehicle;This has been a great disappointment to those of
however there are so many people who use theirus who were using our 4 wheelers responsibly.
4 wheelers to destroy the natural beauty of ourWhen I mentioned this to some of my
State unknowingly or purposefully.co-workers I was surprised to find out a majority
It all starts from the fortunate fact that thereof them thought that all ATV trails should be
are several paths in the acreage behind our homeclosed. Many people see these trails as dangerous
for 4 wheelers. We normally use these paths toand harmful to the environment. I was amazed
go from one neighbor's home to another and tothat they saw the 4 wheelers as a bad thing per
simply walk in the beautiful woods. The woodedse. A close look at the situation should reveal that
area where the paths are located has quite densethe real culprits are those irresponsible people
vegetation filled with very old beautiful hardwooddriving them.
maples and ash trees. This wooded area isThe woods behind our house are much quieter
classified under tax forfeited land, so it isnow. People still use the paths for walking and
collectively owned by the State of Minnesota.nature-gazing. The thing that still bugs me is that
There is an agreement among the neighbors thatothers are getting the message that 4 wheelers
we will all do our best to keep the paths clear ofare bad for nature, when the true message
brush and fallen debris. However, there are noshould be irresponsible people are really what are
rules or guidelines whatsoever about the use of 4bad for nature. It is unfair that thoughtless
wheelers on the paths. Everyone used commonbehavior by some people is over - generalized and
sense and was courteous to each other as wellaffects the entire community. I love Nature. I love
as to Mother Nature.my 4 wheelers, too. They can co-exist.