Colorado Off Road Etiquette for Hunters and Visitors to Colorado's Back Country.

Colorado off road etiquette for hunters should be good old common sense. I have seen fresh trails made cutting through the woods, up hill sides and across open meadows many times while out hiking or hunting. Some people think that because they are on or in an off road vehicle that they can go anywhere that their vehicle will go.

Truth is that on public lands there are very few places that are designated for off trail use. B.L.M. and the U.S.Forest Service try and work with people to keep Colorado off road areas open while at the same time protect the environment and keep wildlife movement from being disrupted.

Elk can be greatly affected by off road driving and many trails have been blocked off because of heavy use or abuse. What people on four-wheelers don't understand is that if you drive right to say a wallow or bedding area is that the elk will just move to another mountain. They won't put up with you parking in their living room and hang around. Then if you do find them again chances are they will be in even more rugged country and a heck of a lot harder to hunt and pack out if you do manage to get one.

These animals are already stressed because of the rut and hunt pressure so please, give them a break.

Take more time before your hunt and get yourself into condition so that you can leave your vehicle on the side of a designated trail and walk in for the benefit of everyone.

Hunting is physically hard but worth the effort. Colorado Division of Wildlife has programs for disabled people to go hunting so check with them if you are disabled.

Off road vehicles are a wonderful thing when used properly. Many people including myself, family, and friends use ours all year round. Colorado off road trails in most areas are designated for specific uses so that it really is not necessary to break the law and go off trails.

There are trails for jeeps, 48" wide vehicles, horse and hiking. You can usually get into most areas without too much problem and bring out your camp and game. Don't let a few knuckle heads ruin it for everyone else.

Colorado off road destruction also occurs in the desert type terrain with jeeps, four-wheelers, dirt bikes and yes, even mountain bikers striking out across closed areas. Remember that if you take food and water bottles out with you, you can also take the trash they are packed in home with you. We all must do our part.

Rifles or shotguns must be unloaded and cased on ATV's but you can have a loaded handgun on. Muzzleloaders must be decaped and cased. You cannot shoot from or off of a motor vehicle and make sure that you have a Colorado OHV permit if your vehicle is unlicensed.

Remember that on very steep and narrow trails that the person coming up the hill has right of way. Always keep an eye open for pull over spots in narrow sections in case you have to let someone by.

While driving always yield to horses, hikers and bicycle riders. When encountering a rider on horseback you should stop, turn off your engine, remove your helmet and avoid sudden movement so as not to spook the animal. Horses can be quit nervous and unpredictable and can injure themselves, riders or bystanders.

Keep noise and speed down when around others using the same trail as some people may find this quit annoying. When passing keep speed constant without showering the passed vehicle with a blast of stones, mud or racket. Be courteous to others. You may need their help further down the trail.

Spark arresters are required on ATV's and motorcycles for off road use.

Wilderness areas are closed to all mechanized (bicycles) and motorized vehicles.

Colorado off road travel requires good maps so that you don't find yourself on private land or in a closed off area. Land does not have to be posted to be private in Colorado.

The Forest Service has hired more rangers to keep on the lookout for violators and Colorado Game Wardens now can issue tickets to people that can't stay on the trails. This should help considerably, but people also need to be on the lookout and report violators.

Some counties in Colorado require liability insurance on unlicensed motorcycles and ATV's. They are San Juan, Ouray, San Miguel and Hinsdale counties.

Also, there are many towns like Lake City, Silverton, Telluride and others with dirt trail loops connecting them that will not permit you to drive into town for fuel or for any other reason while driving an unlicensed vehicle. There are signs on many of these dirt roads that specify where unlicensed vehicles may travel and on many trail maps.

For area Four Wheeler information check out the Grand Mesa Jeep Club website for more info.

For more information on Colorado Off Road.

Four-wheeling at rabbit valley co.

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