Daniel Boone National Forest

[spurrs]

This may not be the place too post this,but.I hunt the DBNF alot during turkey season and each year it seems the atvs have destroyed more and more habitat from year to year.Are there no regulations about riding atvs off maintained roads in national forest? And if so who inforces them? SPURRS.

[FW OFFICER]

The US Forest Service has Law Enforcement officers that enforce the laws in the Dan'l Boone. There is a main office in Winchester and I think, one in London. You may want to inform personnel at these offices. They may not know of the ATV traffic in the area you're talking about. The DBNF is a large area and it's hard to keep track with all the activity that goes on in it, but the Forest Service does a good job with it. Give them a call and report the activity.

[Flintlock54]

The main office phone number of the Daniel Boone is 859-745-3100. Also, the Boone is divided into 6 Ranger Districts. A phone call to to any of the Ranger Districts will usually generate a quick response.

www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/boone

Click on General Information, then on Addresses for the phone numbers of the Ranger Districts.

Lots of good info in that website.

[npsdave]

Spurrs,
Yes, there are very specific rules about operating motor vehicles or ATVs off designated trails in National Forests. ATVs are allowed in certain areas of National Forests unless the Forest Manager has added a special regulation (Which he has the power to do) closing such traffic. Since ATVs are not allowed in National Parks, so we don't normally have to deal with them here at Mammoth Cave. I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with the specific regulations for Daniel Boone NF. However if you know what district of the forest you hunt in, you can contact the Ranger Station there and I'm sure they would be more than glad to take the information. When people report these kinds of things to us it makes our jobs a whole lot easier. I only wish there were more responsible folks like you out there.

You may want to be a little extra careful in the area you hunt. ATV traffic in strange areas at Daniel Boone and other protected areas can sometimes be associated with Marijuana cultivation. Those "good old boys" over there have been known to booby trap several of their plots. Turkey season happens to come along during the time most growers are out preparing or scouting sites.

You can get the individual Ranger Station numbers at the following link:

WWW.r8web.com/Boone/cont.htm


Good Luck & Thanks,


Ranger Dave
npsdave@msn.com