b'TRAILS REPORTBy Matt Tetreault, VAST Trails AdministratorTrespassers & TwitsFor those of us involved in any form of recreation we are familiar with the term off-trail or trespassing as it can generally be deemed. We are probably more aware of the term as it pertains to our recreational pursuit. For hunters, its those trespassing onto posted land. For hikers, its those who travel off the trail and damage sensitive terrain and alpine vegetation. For snowmobiles, its those who cut corners in the farmer fields or those that simply ride miles off the trail seeking that back country experience. No matter how we cut it, the folks who partake in these activities are trespassers and, in British terms, a twit.You may be thinking you know which direction this article is going to take but, to disappoint you, I am going to write about off trail riding, or trespassing during the non- isnt supposed to be there to possiblycloser to the truth. snowmobile season. This is as big of anget hurt while illegally there! WhenMy best guess as to why people do issue as the nonsense that takes placethese barriers dont work, there is athis stuff is they do not have enough during the snowmobile season, andsecond alternative to close the areaconstructive things to spend their time if the truth be known, the impacts areoff to everyone completely. This ison. After all, once you breach the gate probably even more significant. becoming a more common trend,you can get onto Twits on Twitter and Illegal use of the VAST trails by otherunfortunately, but why? Dont gates,gloat about how you made it beyond users, notably motorized trucks andor No Trespassing signs speak athe gate, upset a few landowners, all-terrain vehicles is the focus ofuniversal language that you may notcaused the trail to wash out during my rant this month. As a managerbe welcomed in that area? The answerthe next rainstorm, and $3,000 worth of recreational trails, unauthorizedto this question is yes for some,of damage to your truck while trying use is one of the largest demons webut for trespassers and twits, no. Theto destroy the gate. You really showed face on a weekly basis. Working andverdict is still out as to what a gate orthat gate who was boss, though!speaking with multiple land managerssign means for them. The photos that as well, from state, federal, municipal,go along with this rhetoric (I use thatIt isnt always about breaking through and private agencies, across the stateterm loosely) speak for themselves. a gate or passing a No Trespassing only reiterates the feeling, we all canAs I noted above, VAST works withsign for the Twits, despite what attest to the headaches caused bylandowners across the state, and eachyou might think. They also like to unauthorized use.year we allocate thousands of dollarsunknowingly continue out a muddy of TMA funds to replace damagedroad just to get to a log landing or As a reminder, 85% of our trails ingates and repair resource damageclearing and turn around for no Vermont are on private property. Aon roads and trails that were behindreason. It is like the childrens song, well-known fact: Vermont has a lot ofclosed gates. Trespassers and twitsThe bear went over the mountain water, hills and our soil easily erodesare determined to go where theyto see what he could see. The Green off our ridge lines and into our valleys!arent supposed to! Is it the crazyJelly version (The Bear Song) is my Hence our issue with unauthorized useJeep commercials or the YouTubefavorite rendition in case you want to of roads and trails. videos that show crazy off-road stuntslook that one up and give it a listen! The problem is well known, and sothat drive people to do this?Or isThe Twits are like the bear in the song! are the culprits to some degree. Toeveryone trying to create their ownThe bear only saw the other side of stop the issue, gates or other travelMy Subaru Story for the next radiothe mountain, so he really didnt gain management barriers are installed,advertisement? We could all spendmuch after all that effort.with proper signage of course. Aftera lifetime seeking an answer to theseThe Twits do have some great all, we wouldnt want someone whoquestions, and likely pass away noarguments though. The best one 12 | Snowmobile VERMONT'