2017 Polar Bear Poker Run for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Late planning didn’t hamper the success of the April 22 Poker Run at Four Corners in the Pipestone riding area this year. Planning team leader Don Kraft, Gallatin Gateway, got the ball rolling in December with a call to BLM’s Outdoor Recreational Planner Brad Colin. From this call, Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association (MYVRA) and Friends of Pipestone(FOP) jointly committed to sponsor the event.

Save The Date – St. Jude’s Polar Bear Run

Your MTVRA and the Friends of Pipestone will co-sponsor the St. Jude’s Polar Bear Run on April 22nd at Pipestone east of Butte. The Mining City Trail Riders from Butte are helping with arrangements. More details to come later from MTVRA!

Montana State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Program Update

By Erin Proctor, OHV Program Manager, Montana State Parks

The 2015 session of the Montana Legislature passed HB 167 that restructured the requirements of Montana’s OHV nonresident temporary use permit.  This new law makes Montana’s program similar to the regulations in our surrounding states. It rescinded reciprocity to 39 states, while honoring agreements with Idaho and North Dakota. The non-resident permit fee rose from $5 to $27 and permits are valid for one calendar year. 

Revenues generated go to education, OHV trail maintenance and noxious weed control efforts in the following amounts:

Governor Bullock Announces Public Lands & Public Access Agenda

Billings, Mont., June 9 – Near the banks of the Yellowstone River, Governor Steve Bullock today announced details of his public lands and access agenda, saying it’s his “responsibility as governor” to uphold the Montana value of protecting the state’s outdoor heritage.

The Governor was joined by sportsmen, conservationists, recreationists, and members of Montana’s outdoor recreation and tourism industries as he unveiled his plans to expand and protect public access to public lands and waters throughout Montana.

“Public access to public lands is a fundamental part of what it means to be a Montanan,” said Governor Bullock. “And it’s my responsibility as governor to uphold this Montana value – now and in the years to come.”

Governor Bullock Announces Release of Statewide Management Assessment of Invasive Species

HELENA, Montana—The Montana Invasive Species Advisory Council (MISAC) released a statewide management assessment of invasive species this week. The assessment, a first for Montana and the second of its kind in the nation, provides a comprehensive look at how invasive species were managed in Montana in 2015. A copy of the assessment can be accessed at:

dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/docs/misac-docs/montanastatewideassessmentfinal.pdf

Recreational Trails Program Achieves Major Victory

By Marianne Wesley Fowler and Derrick A. Crandall, Co-Chairs, Coalition for Recreational Trails

December 7, 2015

Working together as a potent national force as the Coalition for Recreational Trails, we have achieved a major victory in protecting the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) in the recent transportation reauthorization process. Conferees from the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have agreed to new legislation, which covers the next five years (2016-2020), and the bill was signed into law by the President.

New Legislation Will Bolster Montana’s OHV Program

by Erin Proctor, OHV Program Manager, Montana State Parks Division

Two bills, passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Bullock during the last session, will help strengthen Montana’s OHV program. A stronger program can support more projects on the ground and in the classroom, enhancing your riding options and experiences.

Cooke City OHV Riding

From: http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/activities/ohv.html

The network of OHV roads and trails on this map provide opportunities for outdoor recreation not found elsewhere. These roads and trails provide access to lakes, a historic mining district, a ghost town, breath-taking scenery, and numerous hiking trails. Much of the area you will be traveling is part of a large reclamation project designed to repair damage to the land and water caused by historic mining activity. Please be respectful of reclamation and stay on designated trails.

BlackTail Wildbill OHV Trails

From www.fs.usda.gov, Flathead National Forest

The 10 mile Blacktail Wild Bill ORV trail system has three legs. One begins off of Blacktail Mt. Road on Road #917a and intersects with the other two trails which begin off of Truman Creek Rd #213 and from the trailhead on Road #2990. The trail is open for the following uses: 3 or 4 wheeled vehicles, 2 wheeled vehicles, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.

There are three trailheads to access the Blacktail OHV system.

President's Corner

Montana State Parks administers two grant programs which are quite important to the OHV community. Two volunteer advisory committees help determine what projects are acceptable and to whom the grant monies will go. The State Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) recommends Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants, and the Off-Highway Vehicle Committee recommends State OHV grants. I had the privilege to serve on the STAC until two years ago when I was termed out.

Riding ATVs in Mud, Hills and Off-Camber Trails

From AMA Webpage

ATV Riding Tips

It’s that time of year, when you can sit back and think about last year’s best rides. Did you get stuck, need a pull from a buddy or have to take a second run at a steep hill? Was the cause lack of power, the wrong tires, worn tires or the dreaded operator error?

Let’s take a few of the most common trail conditions or situations, and discuss techniques on how to handle each one. The proper riding technique is a lot cheaper than new tires or a larger ATV. And guess what? If you properly tune your technique, you might find out that you’ve been holding back that old pile of bolts in the garage, and not the other way around.

Montana State Parks Needs Your Help - Non Resident Permits!

By Erin Proctor, OHV Program Manager, Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Nonresident OHV Use Permits put dollars directly into grant funds for trail maintenance and noxious weed mitigation, as well as program funds used specifically for OHV safety education. These dollars are put on the ground to make Montana’s trails safer and more fun. We are working with signs should now be posted at trailhead kiosks alerting nonresidents to the permit requirement. Please help us by letting us know where additional signs can be placed.