Big Cypress Designated Trails

[Anoriginal]

The designated trail system goes into effect later this year within the Big Cypress National Preserve. The Preserve is closed to ORV traffic from June 7 through August 6, 2010. Upon reopening, ORV travel within the Preserve (Turner Island Unit) will be limited to designated (and marked) primary and secondary trails.

No more going wherever you want to go. There's big time fines and penalties in place for violation so, my advice is to stick to the designated trails. Remember, this is Federal property.

[pywacket1955]

Isn't that what happened to Ocala?
The government takes what it wants,
charges more for less. Oh Well

[zman03]

How will this tie in with the proposed Dade-Collier transition airport recreation area for atv's (1600 acres) that Miami-Dade parks & rec is 1/2 way in the prosess of completing? I am in favor of big fines as long as I have a place to LEGALLY recreate. I will follow any rule or policy as long as you have a place to do so!!! This is great news that there will be a place to legally go and ride an atv.             

[Anoriginal]

The airport project got the axe a few weeks ago so, it looks like that won't be happening.

However, this wouldn't really impact it. The designated trail system has been in the works for the past 10 years or so within the Preserve. It's finally being implemented this year is all.

[Keeter]

Does that include buggies?

[Anoriginal]

All ORV's including buggies. No more cross country adventures with Matt. 

[Keeter]

All ORV's including buggies. No more cross country adventures with Matt. 

Looks like your back to the Brute.  Haha

[rdm225]

Bear island unit is still rideable, and in my opinion still the best area

[Anoriginal]

Bear island unit is still rideable, and in my opinion still the best area

Designated trails in Bear island as well.

Keeter -

Will be making a fourwheeler trip in June to mow, etc. I'll call you before hand.

[foreman1]

This has been in the works for a long time ,at least  since 96' when the first set of meetings where held under Donahue's reign. Some of those meetings were very heated to say the least and I can remember the shock most had when the first set of changes/restrictions were implemented back in 2000. That year forced many to adjust to ORV operators licenses, mandatory course, new inspections ,no kids under 16 allowed to drive ,designated access points,massive loss of access, night time closures , airboat trails and the prohibition of Tire Chains.

I remember the frustrated look one old man had when he took his old 2wd buggy in for inspection one weekend only to be told that he would have to take the tire chains off and could not use them going forward. That was a turning point for so many back then that most of the folks I hunted with for years simply got fed up and never returned.

Ten years has come and gone , now dispersed use will come to an end and enforcement will be a top priority for the NPS. My advice to those who ride out there is to abide by the rules unless you want to be the first one find out what the fines will be.

[Keeter]

Bear island unit is still rideable, and in my opinion still the best area

Designated trails in Bear island as well.

Keeter -

Will be making a fourwheeler trip in June to mow, etc. I'll call you before hand.

Sweet..I am in.  Thx

[wilburz]

The sad part is if it was not for the few people that go out there and run over trees and litter and destroy wetlands and generally just don't give a shizit this type of thing would not have to happen.  This type of action will be taking place in the J.W. Corbitt area within the next 3 to 5 years also.

[foreman1]

The sad part is if it was not for the few people that go out there and run over trees and litter and destroy wetlands and generally just don't give a shizit this type of thing would not have to happen.  This type of action will be taking place in the J.W. Corbitt area within the next 3 to 5 years also.

Yep,
You're probably about Corbett .
I just wish folks wouldn't post videos on Youtube of them selves mudding, doing donughts,racing etc in WMA's, for the world to see. 
Wildlife management areas are not mudding areas , thats what screwing things up.
We seen it in area 3/ holeyland , we have it in the cypress and corbett.
Not to worry , the inevitable happens.

[Anoriginal]

Designated trails were brought on a result of a federal lawsuit filed in the early 90's. The issue with ATV's in the Big Cypress has yet to be settled. I'd bet money that ATV use will be outlawed in the Big Cypress within the next five years. I hate it but, we get what we deserve.

The same type of idiots that ruined the Holeylands for us (we all know who they are) are ruining everywhere else for us too. Regarding Corbett, it's just a matter of time.

[zman03]

Precisely the reason to form a group,club,organization,etc. It will have members that everyone knows and is in agreeance with the rules,regulations,policies,etc. of a designated area that is for that type of activity. Unless your a member or a permit holder you are tresspassing! This will reduce liability and reduce the likelyness of an accident. In return you will get a more enjoyable facility. SIGN THE PLEDGE FORM THAT WAS STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I would appreciate the help!!!

[Keeter]

I agree. However, besides the much-smaller vehicle footprint and weight, ATVs dump far less oil, tranny fluid and/or gear oil into the environment than those old buggies and other vehicles with leaking seals. Let's face it, most folks don't drive brand new buggies or other 4x4s are there. And, when they're dumping those fluids in their driveways, they're more-inclined to fix the leak(s) than if they never see it or can simply add fluid, periodically. 

Gosh!! Thanks Debbie Downer...

[MATT1969]

BUGGIES,AND TRUCKS  doing the most damage,YA RIGHT.just look at holylands.50 years of full tracks,buggies,trucks,and 3 years of puds on atvs killed  the place.

[Anoriginal]

Actually, most permits are for ATV's now and make up the largest group of ORV users in the BICY.

It's not an ATV verses Buggy issue. It's an ORV verses everyone else issue.

Unfortunately, the ATV crowd (of which we all are a part), seems to draw a great deal of negative press and impact when it comes to available areas to ride. We're percieved in such a bad light that it's an uphill battle out of the box.

[Keeter]

Whole lotta preaching to the choir. The message of good stewardship does not reach very far into the bush.



Or south of County Line road.

[zman03]

ATV'ers = Most Unorganized and voted least likely to get involved

[MATT1969]

i dont know how many people went to holylands in the last 20 years ,but i hunted it every weekend until the atv craze happend.anybody that says it looked like it does now 10 years ago never went there before they started riding atvs all the time out there.if your going to sit ther and say that .then your one of the puds that trashed the place.

[Anoriginal]

Tons of hunters are ATV riders as well. So, sharing is not a problem. It's the ATV crowd (again...that 20%) that causes such trouble, it's easier just to do away with the ATVs all together. Holeylands are a prime example. Talk to any FWC officer that patrols the Holeylands now. No more trouble since the ATVs are gone.

[zman03]

Anoriginal , let me get this straight, your against ATV's        ARE YOU KIDDING???   

[Anoriginal]

Zman...you really need to go back and re-read my posts. I'm definitely not against ATVs in any way, shape or form.

Aint, good thoughts. However, because its a Federal Preserve, the NPS and not the FWC patrols. The FWC only has a minor presence during hunting season and the NPS is stretched to the limit. That's why NPS is going to use volunteer patrols in the near future for trail enforcement. Also, pricing it higher has been discussed but, never come to fruition.

If they'd get strict for a while, fine the heck out of violators and take a few bikes from people who are the problem, I think things would turn around. I hope it does. I don't want to lose the opportunity to travel by ATV in the BICY.

[Anoriginal]

Anoriginal definitely is not anti-ATV, although I heard he owns a Kawasaki. I'm suggesting that Holeylands and other WMAs take a similar position towards ATVs as BICY takes. Limit permits and designate trails. I've seen no one but, FWC patrolling those. NPS is stretched thin by an evaporating tax base. No one wants to pay taxes and everyone wants government services for free, that is, until some oil spills or some other disaster occurs than they want the government to fix it and fix it quick.

I understand what you mean. I think that the "powers that be" let things go too far and get too out of control before stepping in. Had they done so earlier, things might be much different and places still open for ATVs.