Dan wilson
New member
wife and I were riding around baldwin,mi area 2/12/11 when we pulled up to us-10 and the usfs police were checking every sled registration(paper)stopped all sled's from both way's,does anyone know the legal's on this,we were all good but I felt it was the b.s,as part of the local club there and groomer,it seem's like they are looking for drinker's or stolen sled's.said he busted 3 out of state rider's for dui's the night before,at 2:00a.m, 
As much as it sucks, its probably for the best. Kinda like Airport security,id much rather take the extra time then have the plane blown apart while Im in it.
Since when does the USFS have jurisdiction on a snowmobile trail? I have never heard of this, I thought it was solely DNRE and County Sherriffs, now we have to put up with the feds on the trails? WTF? were you on trail 3 heading out of Baldwin? (this is the only trail I can think of that crosses 10 other than the White Pine.)
I know this trail travels through the Manistee Nat Forest but I have NEVER seen a federal forest service officer patrol a snowmobile trail. I guess they would have jurisdiction seeing as it is federal property, but that is not the point. Next, the feds will start taking trail permit funds for USFS patrol efforts. I dont like this idea at all
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Im pretty sure they use to set up dwi check points in MN. Now I think they lost a legal battle and dont do it anymore. You would think random snowmobile stops would be the same.
here is a list of states that can and cant conduct sobriety checkpoints.
http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/checkpoint_laws.html
http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/checkpoint_laws.html
Dan wilson
New member
yes it was on trail 3 crossing us 10,I asked our snowmobile club president to check on it,he called me back today after talking to usfs supervisor,they may get in trouble for this,in michigan they can not just have a check point to check for what ever,I will let you know what I find out,I am a active club member and groomer,I want to know what they are up to.the usfs officer told me he got three out of state guy's the night before for drinking.I will keep you posted!!!!!! 
BigTimeFarmer
New member
are you even legally required to have the paper copy of your registration with you in michigan. i never carry mine. maybe i should start. the only similar situation i had this year was a Conservation Officer standing at a crossing checking stickers in the UP. that was my only encounter with law enforcement in the UP in my whole snowmobile career. i have heard that they are really starting to police everyone pretty hard in the lower.
BigTimeFarmer said:
Yes you are supposed to carry the paper copy of your registration. I have been stopped many times by the DNR and Sherriffs but they simply stop you and look at your registration and trail permit sticker and wave you by. Sobriety checkpoints are illegal in MI, but that is not my point. The last thing needed is more officers out harassing people for the sake of writing tickets. Please do keep us informed on what you find out...
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Well if they are illeagel then the stops cant be used in the dwi case. So they have no evidence!BBlueSRX said:
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
We have to put a stop to this type of goverment misbehavior. Or else they will continue to do what the want.....reguardless.
Dannyboy
Dannyboy
Tell me how you would go about trying to put a stop to this.. Are you going to call their bosses???? Are you going to hire lawyers??? are we going to wait in the weeds and take matters into our own hands???? They're NOT going to obide by the laws.. They're COPS... COPS don't have to obide by the laws... JUST ASK THEM !!!!A couple of bucks said:
You guys SURELY aren't from CHICAGO... are you ?????
I'll tell you how you BEAT their system.. You pull over,,, Show them whatever paperwork and stickers they want to see,, be VERY POLITE and DO NOT DRINK ANY ALCOHOL until AFTER you've parked the snowmobile for the night,, and you'll be JUST FINE !!!!! That was EASY to figure out for me !!!
ANd MAKE SURE that you tell them that they are doing a GREAT JOB and offer to throw them $5.00 for a cup of coffee... Thats how you STAY OUT OF JAIL !!!
I was in Baldwin this weekend, I saw the check point, we were checked twice by an incredibly nice young lady. She was a Conservation Officer. We had a nice chat and I thanked her for being nice and also for keeping an eye on the trail. We did see a couple sleds without trail permits, they did get tickets. I have no problems with this at all. Keep it legal, be respectfull and all is good. We saw several Sheriffs officers also on the trail. I try to make a point to wave and give a thumbs up, it never hurts. Al
alswagg said:
I have been stopped by CO's and county boys many times, they are looking at your stickers and waving you by. That is not what this is about. If a FEDERAL employee is stopping sleds, then I have a problem with it. As for the paperwork checks, it is their own way of getting you off your sled so they can see how much you have been drinking. OHHH boy now we got Gary going with the Chicago police BS.....I cant imagine you have to much of a problem with United States Forest Service officers in Chicago do you???? You must not be from Michigan Gary.......
So my question is, was this indeed a Conservation Officer (State authority) or was it a US forest service ranger (Federal authority)???
The officer on trail 3 North of Baldwin was a female conservation officer. She had a Dodge 4X4 pick up truck with the lights on. She was not hiding, in plain view. Like I said she was very easy on the eyes and extreamly nice. Al
Good I hope they catch all the drunks. But why do I have to stop and prove something to the man? You dont its in the there state law they cant just set up randomly and stop everybody going by they have to have a reason!nosboy said: