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Post by Angela on Oct 9, 2012 20:32:25 GMT -5
- One more day to ride FATS before it closes for the start of hunting season (Oct 11 through Oct 24 - will be open on Sundays).
- Other trails in SC are open during this period - Modoc, Wine/Turkey, etc & there is no hunting on public lands on Sundays in SC
- Don't forget to wear your hunter orange when on the trails from now through the end of the year.
- Be extra cautious particularly these first couple of weeks of hunting season - the hunters have been waiting for the season to open for over 9 months and they are anxious to hit the woods - you've probably already seen their trucks on the way to the trails as they scope out their fav hunting spots, etc!
- Avoid riding around dawn and dusk if you can when visibility is low
- Hunting season does not start in GA until Oct 20th - so Keg, Bartram and Mistletoe are hunter free (rifles) grounds for a while longer.
- Remember to be respectful of all trail users - the trails are for everyone to enjoy!
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Post by wdleslie on Oct 13, 2012 19:58:58 GMT -5
governor.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx The Forks Area Trail System is posted Closed Oct 11-24 for all activities except hunting. This morning there was a dozen cars in the Trail Head parking lot and I counted nine Mt bike riders while hunting. Lack of enforcement of this closure is an annually reoccurring problem and calls to the Forestry Service and DNR result in an endless loop. Can you determine who is responsible for enforcement of this closure?
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Post by Angela on Oct 13, 2012 21:19:15 GMT -5
The believe USFS is responsible for enforcement and that they have written tickets in the past but I will verify that!
We have put out the message on our newsletters, this forum and through Twitter for the past month or so warning them of the upcoming closure.
I will forward your comments on to our contact there! Although it is posted at the trailhead we find that users don't always read the signs out there but we continue to try to spread the word (a lot of riders come from out of the area).
Thanks for the information.
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Post by dgaddis1 on Oct 13, 2012 22:10:49 GMT -5
A gate would work nicely as a reminder that the trail is closed.
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Post by Angela on Oct 14, 2012 6:11:00 GMT -5
Agree but that would have to be a USFS call for sure to install one!
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Post by brianW on Oct 14, 2012 6:27:18 GMT -5
When you enter Fort Yargo there is a sign that simply states Trails Open or Closed. Couldn't one be installed at least at the main lot. A few people have the keys to switch from open/closed when needed. Just a thought.
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Post by Angela on Oct 14, 2012 6:56:38 GMT -5
All the land managers function differently (Fort Yargo is a state park so different land manager, up at Blanket's Creek in Woodstock they have a donation box that collects money that goes right back into the trail but that is Corp land, this is USFS land). They make the call on everything involving the land and what will or will not be put in place.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Oct 14, 2012 7:08:29 GMT -5
When you enter Fort Yargo there is a sign that simply states Trails Open or Closed. Couldn't one be installed at least at the main lot. A few people have the keys to switch from open/closed when needed. Just a thought. Easier said than done and, as Angela mentioned, this is USFS Land. I would suspect that a USFS Ranger would have to lock/unlock the gate and I am not sure if they have the budget or personnel to have someone do that regularly. I would be even more surprised if the USFS gave SORBAcsra a key to "Federal property", although stranger things have happened. We can talk with our USFS contact and try to brainstorm a better solution. edit: Even if the USFS gave SORBAcsra a key to a gate/sign, we would still need volunteers to drive out there and open/close the gate or change the sign. As with most things in life, our core group of volunteers do a disproportionate share of the work and this would be one more thing to add to their list. It would be nice if we had more folks that were able to contribute more frequently, but everyone has day jobs and a life outside the trails. |
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Post by brianW on Oct 14, 2012 7:42:59 GMT -5
For the record, I am not in favor of any gate. The sign idea would be simple. The trails do not officially close on a regular basis. Hunting season and maybe a few very wet times. Not after every rainy day. I know I have been asked to place/remove signs and it was not a big deal. if I couldn't I just mentioned it. That is why I mentioned multi-keys for the sign. In case one of the persons couldn't do it, another could.
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Post by seenvic on Oct 14, 2012 9:17:01 GMT -5
governor.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx The Forks Area Trail System is posted Closed Oct 11-24 for all activities except hunting. This morning there was a dozen cars in the Trail Head parking lot and I counted nine Mt bike riders while hunting. Lack of enforcement of this closure is an annually reoccurring problem and calls to the Forestry Service and DNR result in an endless loop. Can you determine who is responsible for enforcement of this closure? Call 803 637 5396. That is the USFS office. I wish you luck. I am on your side of this issue. I am almost certain the governor's office has nothing to do with USFS lands. |
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Post by Angela on Oct 19, 2012 21:05:05 GMT -5
FATS will be open on Sunday and then back open on Thursday. The USFS has placed red closure tape at the trailheads - please respect this short closure!
They have graciously been issuing warning tickets only at this point but please pass the word on to your fellow bikers that the trail is closed through October 24th except for this Sunday.
Giving mountain bikers a black eye with other trail users by ignoring the official closure is irresponsible.
To all those mountain bikers who have followed the rules and respected the closure, thank you - it helps our continuing good relationship with the land manager and it helps our continuing good relationship with other land users.
Remember to wear your hunter's orange on all days hunting is allowed (every day in Georgia and every day except Sundays in South Carolina).
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Post by mcg2013 on Oct 26, 2012 9:04:17 GMT -5
So hunting is still alive and well for the rest of the year? Hmm.. Guess I should buy some orange if i'm headed out?
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Post by dgaddis1 on Oct 26, 2012 10:14:33 GMT -5
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