With likely only one weekend remaining in the snowmobiling season, some snowmobilers are casting a cautious eye toward next year.
Most snowmobile trails wind through farmers’ fields and wooded areas, with the permission of the property owner.
That permission only extends as long as riders stick to the marked trails – which doesn’t always happen.
“They specify where they want us to ride – and we oblige with them by putting stakes in the ground, marking a trail,” says Graham Snyder, vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.
In the last few weeks, trails near Hanover and Woodstock have closed because of out-of-bounds riders.
That has yet to happen in Waterloo Region, but Snyder worries some landowners may not give permission to snowmobilers in future years if drivers don’t stick to the prescribed path.
“We can’t be having people killing two, three, four acres,” he says.
Todd Rockel, who was out snowmobiling Friday in the Maryhill area, says he’s not one to wander past marked trails.
“The farmers volunteer their land, and they’re very gracious to do that,” he says.
“The last thing I want to do is jeopardize trails.”
Snyder says snowmobilers heading off-path are more noticeable this winter in particular, because the snow beneath their tracks isn’t melting as often as it has in the past.
“The tracks from the previous weekend are still there, and people just keep following (them),” he says.
Waterloo Regional Police have two officers patrolling popular snowmobile trails during peak periods.
They’re not only looking for out-of-bounds riders, but also valid licences and permits, as well as sobriety.
So far this year, they’ve stopped about 300 vehicles.
“Overall, the compliance rate’s been pretty good,” says Staff Sgt. Mike Hinsperger.
