Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is pleased to issue a $500 reward to Ken Mason as a token of appreciation for the time and effort invested in reporting a tip that resulted in two separate illegal motorized use citations. As he was recreating responsibly earlier this summer, Ken observed three OHVs parked by a small lake just off of a Forest Trail in the Lost River Ranger District. Noticing that two of these vehicles were oversized for the 50" trail, he snapped a few photos and noted their location. Ken also took a photo of trail marker clearly stating that the road was closed to vehicles over 50" and even received acknowledgment from the party that they were aware of this regulation.
In Ken's own words -
Why I care about illegal use of my lands - Well first off these lands are mine, well yours too, but mine to enjoy responsibly. The lands we all enjoy are managed lands. That management plan, to be effective and successful requires certain rules. It is up to us, the users of these lands, to be SELF REGULATING and to follow these rules. Too often continual disregard for the management plan results in closures and none of us that are responsible users appreciate that. But we have all seen closures happen due to illegal use. How often do I run into bad actors on an ATV pushing up into a Single Track Trail areas? Way too often. I ride designated single track trails that are so blown out by illegal use that you can drive a jeep or truck up them. My local USFS Enforcement officers are tasked with a huge area in Central Idaho. Like most agencies they are way under staffed. At a spring trails summit I was introduced to the possibility of assisting my USFS/LEOs with enforcement. When illegal use is observed I can lend a hand simply by snapping a few accurate photographs while in Avenza, easy peasy. Then later that day send the photos and a statement of what I observed to my USFS/LEO person for his review. This system works and if more responsible Self Regulating users would participate we all could have a positive influence on those users that disregard management plans.
Thank you Ken, for taking the time to speak up for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife!
To learn more about BHA's Illegal Motorized Use Reward Program, click here.
About Idaho BHA
The Idaho chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a group united by a passion to protect and conserve public land forests, mountains, prairies, streams and lakes that support our hunting and angling traditions.