Responsible ORV Preparation

• Educate yourself, plan and prepare before you go
  • Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment and supplies accordingly.
  • Know ORVregulations.
  • Obtain a map of the area and carry it along with a compass.
  • Obtain and use a GPS (global positioning system) device.
  • Allow for future use of the outdoors, leave it better than you found it.
• Safety on the road or trail
  • Travel with a group of two or more vehicles.
  • Don't drink and drive..
• Rules and common courtesy
  • Be considerate of others on the road or trail.
  • Drive only where allowed.
  • Yield the right of way to bikes and hikers.
  • Pack out what you pack in.
• Four Wheeling and the environment
  • Stay on designated road and trails or other areas open for use. Straying off trails creates .
• Minimum impact camping
  • Choose lightweight equipment, possibly in colors that will harmonize with the surroundings.
  • Use existing campsites whenever possible.
  • Avoid building fires.
• Negotiating terrain
  • Cross obstacles at an angle, one wheel at a time.
  • Don't straddle large rocks.
  • Turn the steering wheel rapidly from side-to-side if you sense a loss of traction.
  • Turn into holes or large depressions at about a 45-degree angle.
  • Straddle ruts, even if they are wider than your vehicle. This will keep your vehicle level.
• Winches
  • For small vehicles, use a a 6,000 lb.-rated model..
  • For larger vehicles, use an 8,000 or 9,000 lb.-rated one.
• Driving Tips
  • Keep your thumbs on top of the steering wheel to avoid damage to your thumbs if the wheel suddenly snaps.
  • Reduce tire pressure so that a bulge is visible to give you better traction and provide for a smoother ride.
  • Don't ride the brakes and clutch since this can lead to brake failure.
• Responsible Camping
  • Travel and recreate with minimum impact
  • While traveling to your favorite camping spot, stay on roads and trails to reduce impacts. Taking shortcuts can destroy vegetation and cause erosion.
  • Respect the environment and the rights of others.
  • Whenever possible, use existing campsites.
  • Camp on higher surfaces and place tents on a dry area.
  • Do not dig trenches around tents.
  • Camp at least 200 feet from water.
  • For cooking, use a camp stove. They have less impact than a fire.
  • Observe all fire restrictions. Be aware of any closures that might be in effect.
  • Use only fallen timber.
  • Gather firewood well away from your camp.
  • Do not cut living trees. Any wood used must be dead or down on the ground.
  • Let your fire burn down to a fine ash.
  • Put your fire totally out.
  • Leave no gear or trash behind when you leave
• Washing
  • Do not wash in surface water. Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life.
  • Wash 200 feet away from surface water if possible..
  • Scatter wash water so that it filters through the soil.
• Human Waste
  • In areas without toilets, bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole (6"-8" deep) at least 200 feet from water sources, camp sites or trails.
  • Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials.
  • Use toilet paper sparingly. Dispose of it in the hole or pack it out.
• Garbage
  • Take all your garbage out with you.
  • Leave your campsite better than you found it or as if you were never there.
  • Leave natural surroundings as you found them. · Naturalize the area by placing, fallen logs, rocks, etc. where you found them.

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