Balancing the interests of all users of Minnesota’s state forests can be a challenge.
But we like the idea offered Tuesday for more discussion about where hunter walking trails should be designated among the 1,100 miles of state forest trails.
Clearly, there are many of us who use and enjoy all-terrain vehicles responsibly. But there are those among use who do not and that is why rules about ATV use are in place.
And there are many, some of whom are ATV enthusiasts, who enjoy the quiet of a walk on trails without the sound of an ATV coming up quickly, potentially scaring birds, interrupting hunting dogs and alarming children.
It seems that most of us want the best of both worlds — places for walking and places for using ATVs, and we think that can happen without contention with more discussion.
At issue Tuesday at the Koochiching County Board meeting was the recent posting of the Boyum Trail as a hunter walking trail, which prohibits motorized use. It represents less than 2 percent of the state trail forests available to ATV users.
In a multi-use society, we’re encouraged by a suggestion offered by Belmer Cole, who owns a shack near the Boyum Trail. He asked that the six shack owners nearby be allowed to suggest an alternative site for a hunter walking trail.
Some of the frustration voiced by shack owners and county commissioners may have been avoided with more communication by the DNR about the plan to post the Boyum Trail. A quick call to local media outlets could have spread the word about posting the trail and may have avoided surprises experienced by grouse hunters who encountered the posted trail on the opening weekend of the season.
We urge calm heads and voices in an upcoming discussion with more DNR staff on the issue. With some cooperation and communication, we can find a place for walking and ATVs within our area’s state forests.
