Bear baiting with off-highway vehicles

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St. Paul, MN - Hunters using bear bait should know that several state forests have a new limited classification that restricts travel by off-highway vehicles (OHV) to roads or trails that contain an OHV sign. If there is no sign, the route is closed to motorized vehicles, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). OHVs include all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and off-road vehicles such as four-wheel-drive trucks.
Also, it is illegal for hunters to make an OHV trail to bait bear in a limited state forest.

STATE FOREST LAND CLASSIFICATIONS

Managed - Motor vehicles may operate on forest roads and forest trails unless the trail/road is posted closed.

Limited - Motor vehicles may operate only on forest roads and trails or in areas that are posted and designated open. Forests classified as limited include: Badoura, Chengwatana, D.A.R., Fond du Lac, General C.C. Andrews, R.J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood, Foothills, Nemadji, Paul Bunyan, Rum River, St. Croix, Snake River, Solana, and Wealthwood.

Closed - Motor vehicles are not allowed except that vehicles licensed for highway use may use forest roads that are not posted closed or gated. Forests classified as closed include: Birch Lakes State Forest, Burntside (portions in the BWCAW), Finland (portions) Insula State Forest, Lake Isabella State Forest, Lake Jeanette (only portions in BWCAW), Sand Dunes State Forest, Pillsbury State Forest, and Whiteface State Forest.

STATE FOREST REMINDERS

    * OHV travel is not allowed on designated non-motorized trails or in areas posted and designated as closed to OHV use

    * OHV use that causes erosion or rutting, or that damages trees, growing crops, roads, or natural resources is prohibited

    * OHV riders must travel at reasonable speeds on state forest roads and they must obey posted speed limits and traffic laws

    * cross country travel is allowed for trapping, minnow or furbearer purposes any time of the year there is an open season (mid-October through mid-May for fur, all year for minnows). In September, people can only travel cross-country to recover a legally taken bear or deer. In September, people cannot use an OHV cross-country to bait, construct stands or access hunting areas. These restrictions are lifted from October through December.

STATE LANDS REMINDERS

OHVs are generally prohibited on wildlife management areas (WMA). Exceptions include Carlos Avery, Hubbel Pond, Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Roseau River, and Thief Lake, where motor vehicles licensed for use on public highways may be operated on established roads but not at speeds more than 20 miles per hour. Some other WMAs allow OHVs on designated travel routes at speeds of 20 mph or less.

GENERAL OHV RULES FOR ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS AND WATERS

    * OHV travel is not allowed on designated non motorized trails or in areas posted an designated as closed to OHV use
    * OHV travel is not allowed on unfrozen public waters or in a manner that would carelessly damage the natural and ecological balance of a wetland
    * it is unlawful to transport an uncased or loaded firearm on an OHV
    * it is illegal to shoot at a wild animal from an OHV.

For more specific information about hunting and state forests, see pages 112-114 of the 2008 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook.

For more information about hunting and ATVs, download the Hunting and ATVs brochure at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/hunting.html or request a copy by calling the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).

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