Snowmobiles and other people's property.

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Why is it, that just because there's a layer of snow between them and someone else's property, that people on snowmobiles seem to think that they're not trespassing?

Or do all the inconsiderate ones only live in this area?
 
adverse posession.

They can just say, well, duh that's been an ESTABLISHED TRAIL for as long as anyone can remember.
 
I thought I was the only one who was annoyed by this!

Originally Posted By: eljefino
adverse posession.

They can just say, well, duh that's been an ESTABLISHED TRAIL for as long as anyone can remember.


Not when it is through my yard!
 
I feel your anger. Came home the other day and found snowmobile tracks through the corner of my yard which is on the corner of a street. The traveled the whole length of the yard and to top things off there was not that much snow so the thing dug into the grass a bit. Really ticked me off. I will catch the sucker.
 
I would put up no trespassing signs at minimum. Besides the potential damage, which IMO is more of an inconvenience, Id be more concerned with liability/lawsuit if one is injured on your property.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
adverse posession.

They can just say, well, duh that's been an ESTABLISHED TRAIL for as long as anyone can remember.


I don't remember any established trails through people's front yards.... ever.
 
As a snowmobiler, I can say that riding through someone's yard is [censored]. I'd never do that. Our trail system relies heavily on highway ditches, which means riding in front of people's houses. I always made it a point to keep the speed down, keep the exhaust noise down and not tear up driveway approaches. Now while I'm not familiar with where the person in question rode, is it possible that he was on part of the road right of way? Even though you maintain your yard adjacent to the road, the city or county actually owns it I believe. Maybe that's the case?

If I'm wrong on my guess, the first thing you should do is contact the local snowmobile club, or failing that, the LEO or DNR as they regulate the sleds typically. Maybe they can help you or put you in touch with a club. While it's likely that this person isn't a member, maybe they'll be able to help you out none the less.
 
Eric you are spot on. The person in question was riding on the street and then went across the side walk through my yard. It looked to me that rather than stop at the intersection and stay on the road he was lazy and just cut it and shot through the yard. My property is in my sole ownership, but the town has the right of ingress to deal with water lines as utilities have the right to maintain power poles or natural gas lines. I have no issues with sleds. They can be a life saver for people snowed in on back roads that may be out of medication or in other trouble. It is a few that make snowmobiles look bad at times.
 
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Originally Posted By: The_Eric
As a snowmobiler, I can say that riding through someone's yard is [censored]. I'd never do that. Our trail system relies heavily on highway ditches, which means riding in front of people's houses. I always made it a point to keep the speed down, keep the exhaust noise down and not tear up driveway approaches. Now while I'm not familiar with where the person in question rode, is it possible that he was on part of the road right of way? Even though you maintain your yard adjacent to the road, the city or county actually owns it I believe. Maybe that's the case?

If I'm wrong on my guess, the first thing you should do is contact the local snowmobile club, or failing that, the LEO or DNR as they regulate the sleds typically. Maybe they can help you or put you in touch with a club. While it's likely that this person isn't a member, maybe they'll be able to help you out none the less.

Well said.
I to am a snowmobiler. There is no need to trespass by going onto someone's yard. IDK about everywhere else, but in Ontario, the OFSC relies heavily on private land owners to allow them to maintain trails through their land.
What you see from the trespassers represent a very small portion of us who don't have any respect, and it gives all snowmobiles a bad rap

I'll admit that the off trail stuff is fun, but there is a proper place for this, and it's not on someone else's yard.
 
How about riding a snowmobile between a Church building, and the nativity scene in the front yard of the Church?

Just saw that one this morning. Who cares about private property...

That's really immature.
 
Our country house being a few miles from NJ, it seems like a lot of people who develop an interest in motorized activities don't actually own enough property to accommodate them. I don't understand this.

Or normal residence is in a nearly urban setting, but there are still a decent amount of redneck boneheads who feel the need to own one on a 1/8 of an acre, and ride kamakazi around bike trails, behind malls, RR tacks and such, making a public danger and nusiance of themselves.

I actually don't getthe whole motorized lifestyle thing. Can you people walk, hike or ski under your own power? Yardwork is not that difficult by hand, but some need a Sherman tank to collect evil leaves. Our neighbour sent his 12 y/o grandson down the road illegally, under 1/4 mile distance, to fish off a bridge....in a quad. Fat kid could actually use some exercise.
 
Originally Posted By: Al
String a line of barbed wire along your yard that should end it. Wait I'm kidding.


Almost had my head taken off when someone did this to "discourage" ATV's on private property when I was out biking at dusk. Happened to notice it.
 
Wasn't me
whistle.gif
. It happens though with fences that are already up.
 
I have been out snowmobiling and accidentally found myself in someonone's back yard. Keep in mind I was on legit public trails in the woods( not private )and must have made a wrong turn in the dark. It was not done by me purposely. All of a sudden I came out in the middle of a guy's yard. He must have had a machine too and used his trail to enter the state trail is all I can figure? I stopped instantly and started to run around when I saw a house suddenly in front of me. All of a sudden though the lights come on and the guy coems out in a rage.

The guy had a stroke. Totally uncalled for. I tried to explain what happened and apologize but he was out of control and threatening. He actually called the police on us( my Brother was with me and showed up behind me a few minutes into it ). The kicker is my Brother knew the guy and even helped him out once when his car was broken down and he was still a 1st class jerk.

The police met us at my Brother's house where we explained what happened and they returned to talk to the guy about threats and such. Just no call for that from him. It was a mistake and I apologized and was trying to leave as soon as I realized my mistake.

Intentionally going through yards is one thing but I have seen land owners take it too far when no ill was intended. Also seen land owners bordering public lands who think they have control over the public land too and try to stop the use of it.

There are jerks and losers on both sides of the situation.
 
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