lowmilevmax
New member
I have always had a trail permit in the past, But I am bored with the designated State trails. My question is do I still need a permit if I was only in the open fields backwoods trails and the shoulders of the road? I live in Leelenau County and the only trail here is Trail 3. But last year I was on the trail once and this year will be less. Any input will be appreciated , Just don't want to get a ticket from the DNR. Thanks Jason
ALLSEASONRIDER
Member
I believe the trail permit only pertains to designated trails. As long as your registration is current, I would guess the backwoods (not designated as state trails) and shoulders of the road would be ok. If you want to be sure, you could buy the permit as we all know/hope it goes to a good cause.....once again, we hope!
Devilin AblueDress!
New member
I actually had a similar converstion with local police at the neighborhood gas station (we have no donut shop!) In their opinion due to the state classifying which roads are okay to ride on and which arent they would speculate that sledder should have permit while riding on any public land. Also that would kind of be up to officer. Prick cop = ticket, non-prick cop = warning. I myself look at it as 30 for permit prolly cheaper than the tkt cuz I am pretty sure my luck I would find the prick every time!
On the news hre they said the permits went up this year... Think they said like $45 now.
super1c
Super Moderator
Per DNR website and the nice DNR officer that has stopped us in the past on a local river. Its pretty much any time you leave private land you need one. Common guys i know the drill, it sucks. I have 3 to buy and the wife and daughter may not get a good ride in this year with the bad conditions but ill still buy. Its the way it is. Hell i know it goes to the general fund but thats a whole different topic. Buy a permit if you leave your house and ride. And not to ruin anyones breakfast in the morning but it goes to $50 next year then holds for a few years. In MI.
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bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
$125 here and I am sure no one has bought a pass this season yet...waste of time and money if you ask me.I am a off trail rider anyways and make my own trails.Thats the benefit of country living,drive right out of my property and give her wot and don't stop for anyone..no even the cops.Been chased before but they could never catch me...lol and would never catch me .I know guys who have ridden on trial's and don't have a permit..I have done it once or twice but late at night and just for a few hours.There are no patrol out this way anyways.We are not in a heavy populated area here so anything goes...
grapeape
New member
Super 1 C it should read any time you are on public land, therefore water would not require a permit to ride on. Now it is not legal to cross open water, and can be really pricey if you sink your sled. Gov Snyder wants to make it so any MI resident does not need a permit, only registration, but that has not happened yet.
lowmilevmax
New member
super1c said:
Thanks that clears alot of things up. If it was legal to ride without, then I would. But I just didn't want to get a ticket so it looks like we will be getting some this year.
super1c
Super Moderator
grapeape said:
Yup thanks for the clarification. It should read any time you leave your own private land. And according to the DNR website you do need a permit to ride on waterways. The only time you dont is for ice fishing.
super1c
Super Moderator
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL PERMIT
In addition to registration of a snowmobile in Michigan or from another state or province, a person who desires to operate a snowmobile in this state shall purchase a snowmobile trail permit sticker. The snowmobile trail permit sticker shall be valid for a period of 1 year which begins October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year. Permits can be purchased online or from local businesses. The 2010-11 permit is $35.00 and is good for one year.
Snowmobile trail permits are available from snowmobile dealers and many retail businesses located adjacent to or near the Michigan snowmobile trail system. Permits are available from the secretary of state an the time of registration renewal.
Snowmobiles are exempt from Registration and the Trail Permit Sticker if they are:
Operated exclusively on lands owned or under the control of the owner; used entirely in a safety education program conducted by a certified snowmobile safety instructor; or exclusively operated in a special event of limited duration which is conducted according to a prearranged schedule under a permit from the governmental unit having proper jurisdiction.
This is right off the website. Sorry about the rant above, late night and a few too many! LOL!
In addition to registration of a snowmobile in Michigan or from another state or province, a person who desires to operate a snowmobile in this state shall purchase a snowmobile trail permit sticker. The snowmobile trail permit sticker shall be valid for a period of 1 year which begins October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year. Permits can be purchased online or from local businesses. The 2010-11 permit is $35.00 and is good for one year.
Snowmobile trail permits are available from snowmobile dealers and many retail businesses located adjacent to or near the Michigan snowmobile trail system. Permits are available from the secretary of state an the time of registration renewal.
Snowmobiles are exempt from Registration and the Trail Permit Sticker if they are:
Operated exclusively on lands owned or under the control of the owner; used entirely in a safety education program conducted by a certified snowmobile safety instructor; or exclusively operated in a special event of limited duration which is conducted according to a prearranged schedule under a permit from the governmental unit having proper jurisdiction.
This is right off the website. Sorry about the rant above, late night and a few too many! LOL!
They are probably looking at less revenue now because less people will buy tickets or they might be trying to bump the prices up to recoupe because of the people that try to get away with not buying permits
grapeape
New member
Great, that is a change for sure, so if I want to mess with clutching I now need a permit.
kixx007
Member
grapeape said:
A trail sticker has been needed to operate on frozen water for years. And it's been a complaint for years.
I wouldn't have any issue with DNR's permit system, if it wasn't a scam. ORV stickers are a scam, Snowmobile Trail stickers are a scam. The money from these are abused so much it's a joke. Hopefully this changes soon.
The government will get what ever $$$ they need, where ever they decide to get it. If Trail permits generate $500,000 a year(pulled that number out of my arse) and they stop requiring them, they will get the $500,000 some other way.
It is, what it is....
It is, what it is....
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
out here it is a $474 fine if caught without permit.That is why I ride an SRX,,no one catch me to charge me..love the chase.Years ago someone chased me with their vehicle..don't know who and wasn't hanging around to find out.And I was just riding in a ditch.The guy was relentless..but I out maneuvered him back and forth along HWY..zig zaged thru farmers field to country road..then hit the River and I was gone.Never knew who it was till this day..but he was serious in the pursuit I'll tell ya.
If you ride with an SRX on the trails now with no permit..don't frett..the SRX will get you out of there quick enough..lol
If you ride with an SRX on the trails now with no permit..don't frett..the SRX will get you out of there quick enough..lol
We have 5 sleds, all have MI trail permits. I have no problems with this as MI is where we ride. I will not and have no future plans to ever buy or even ride in WI. When we go to MN I also buy trail permits, however the cost are much lower $15 each this year. Al
Devilin AblueDress!
New member
Renewed registrations....they raised that too!
kixx007
Member
yingxuy said:
English?
super1c
Super Moderator
kixx007 said:
LOL! x2
dbaker
New member
Snowmobile Trail Permit Fee Increase for 2011 Season
Increased Fee comes with Support from Michigan Snowmobile Association and DNR
The 2011 snowmobile season marks the next stage of a new fee structure for snowmobile permit fees. This season the price for a permit is $45, an increase of $10 over last year’s price. The fee will remain $45 through the 2015 snowmobile season. A state law signed in 2008 provided for the incremental increase in snowmobile trail fees, which support maintenance and grooming of the state’s snowmobile trail network.
Michigan’s snowmobile trail network is successful because of the unique relationship that exists between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and partners. The DNR provides grants to local snowmobile trail partners, who in turn are responsible for the grooming and maintenance of the trails.
“We have strong relationships with our partners in the snowmobile community,” said Jim Radabaugh, section manager for the DNR’s Recreation and Trails Program in the Forest Management Division. “It is because of our partnership with 68 snowmobile trail sponsors that Michigan is able to offer over 6,400 miles of designated, groomed and signed trails.”
The fee increase is necessary to offset the increasing snowmobile grant sponsor costs -- such as fuel, engineering services and insurance -- to maintain the designated and groomed trail network, and to fund long-term trail infrastructure needs, such as bridges and culverts.
“When it comes to keeping Michigan’s trails safe and groomed, a little goes a long way,” added Lynne Boyd, chief of the Forest Management Division at the DNR. “This fee increase is a way for every snowmobiler to do his or her part toward providing season-long access to miles and miles of magical Michigan trails.”
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.
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Increased Fee comes with Support from Michigan Snowmobile Association and DNR
The 2011 snowmobile season marks the next stage of a new fee structure for snowmobile permit fees. This season the price for a permit is $45, an increase of $10 over last year’s price. The fee will remain $45 through the 2015 snowmobile season. A state law signed in 2008 provided for the incremental increase in snowmobile trail fees, which support maintenance and grooming of the state’s snowmobile trail network.
Michigan’s snowmobile trail network is successful because of the unique relationship that exists between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and partners. The DNR provides grants to local snowmobile trail partners, who in turn are responsible for the grooming and maintenance of the trails.
“We have strong relationships with our partners in the snowmobile community,” said Jim Radabaugh, section manager for the DNR’s Recreation and Trails Program in the Forest Management Division. “It is because of our partnership with 68 snowmobile trail sponsors that Michigan is able to offer over 6,400 miles of designated, groomed and signed trails.”
The fee increase is necessary to offset the increasing snowmobile grant sponsor costs -- such as fuel, engineering services and insurance -- to maintain the designated and groomed trail network, and to fund long-term trail infrastructure needs, such as bridges and culverts.
“When it comes to keeping Michigan’s trails safe and groomed, a little goes a long way,” added Lynne Boyd, chief of the Forest Management Division at the DNR. “This fee increase is a way for every snowmobiler to do his or her part toward providing season-long access to miles and miles of magical Michigan trails.”
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.
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