Salmon-Challis National Forest

Issues With ATVs

ATVs provide many advantages to hunters, and as a result the use of ATVs during hunting season has increased dramatically in the last 10 years. While ATVs have made access to some backcountry areas and big game retrieval easier for many hunters, their increased use has created some problems:

• Hunter Conflict: Conflict is occurring where ATVs have increased access into areas that were lightly used in the past.

• Noise
  The sound of an ATV may chase deer and elk away from other hunters. This creates hard feelings among hunters who used stealth and stalking skills to get into a prime spot only to have their efforts spoiled by an ATV.

• Closed Areas
  Operation of an ATV in areas where they are not allowed irritates other hunters who have specifically selected their hunting area to avoid motorized vehicles.

• Off Trail Use
  Cross country travel on ATVs can create a network of new travelways that cause soil erosion and damage to fish and wildlife habitats.

• Fair Chase
  Increasing numbers of hunters are actually hunting with their ATVs rather than on foot. This behavior raises concerns of "fair chase" and can reflect poorly on hunting and hunters.