Good News for PA. Hikers

“yup. Nothing like getting hazed by a couple ATVs on a hiking only trail. Evil thoughts race through my mind.

RichB, I figured you were in touch with the Rangers, there's only so much they can do. Most likey drunken locals carrying firearms too, we'd have to sneak up on them to eliminate them... Hopefully they'll grow up soon enough and find a new hobby or something.”

“The same issue prevails in the Monongahela National Forest. There the rangers plead the same case, they're too hard to catch. That's utter nonsense. Any ranger willing to invest a little time could snarf them up in a minute. Unlike ATV nuts, rangers can use ATVs in enforcement, as well as life-saving situations. All it takes is the willingess to hide out in a likely ATV violation area and nab them in the act. It's as simple as that. Instead, they tell people who report ATV use to "get a tag number from their truck and ATV trailer." Well the culprits are long gone by then, so there's no tag number to get. The rangers want hikers to do their job for them.

Try reporting the problem to the Forest Supervisor, and be sure to mention that you talked to the ranger and that the ranger said what he or she said.”

“but there are no big billboards to hide behind on the trail as the suspects wiz by?”

“I agree with you Geo and on Sundays this area is a popular ATV riding spot with the locals. My guess is that they don't want to chase them. The local police are even reluctant to chase them on a street for fear of an accident. 2 years ago a police officer did try to nab an ATVer riding on a street around here and the ATVer ran the officers leg over trying to escape. So yes, if they wanted to they could go up there on a Sunday with a few rangers and clean out a few ATVer's. I'd like to think they would, but doubt at this point that they will.”

“It's hard to munch a donut while driving an ATV over a foot trail.”

“Caltrops.”

“Y'all need some of those good old-fashioned Pennsylvania rocks for that trail, and maybe some short but steep lung-buster rises. That oughtta keep those ATV freaks out...

And hey, if that doesn't work, you can always dig a moat around the forest, and the only way in would be across one of them little "log" bridges that you have to balance on...”