For all the griping that I see here on SW about the OPP being everywhere on the trails, some people must not have anything better to post about. We rode for 7 days, almost 1200 miles & never saw 1 OPP sled anywhere in our travels.

We were riding the TOP trails from New Liskeard, thru Timmins out to Hearst & back to Cochrane & New Liskeard. The weather wasn't terribly cold so I can't see that being a reason for them not being out checking on sledders.

To correct a post from an earlier topic, we saw 4 last winter on our trip in northern Ontario. 2 south of Kirkland Lake & the other 2 west of Smooth Rock Falls. We were stopped on A108 where the KL guys pulled up & shut off their machines. Asked us where we were headed for. We told them Hearst by way of Cochrane. They said have a good trip & took off. Never asked for papers or anything.

The ones @ SRF were were heading west as we headed east. They never stopped.

Finally, this was the 6th winter that I've taken a week's holiday to ride in northern Ontario. Probably over 7000 miles up there total & haven't been stopped. I'm more concerned about meeting someone on the wrong side of the trail down south than up north on TOP A or C.

Are you complaining?
I haven't seen any on the trails yet this winter either, but I've only got 800 miles on in Ontario so far and, probably only 500 on groomed trails.
True though, that their presence on the trails, even on the weekends, shouldn't be cramping anyones style. And for that I'm thankful.

Saw 2 this past weekend. They were hanging around outside of the Boiler Room in Dwight. After we passed them they followed us down to Lake Of Bays were they then took off across the ice. Never stopped us or asked to see anything.

I don't know what's going on this winter, rev. On my little holiday 2 weeks ago, in 6 days of riding we saw ZERO OPP and ZERO trail wardens. And that was in Muskoka! They seem to be cracking down (or so they say) on such things as drinking & riding, loud exhausts, excessive speeds, etc - but they don't actually police any of those things. I don't understand it. Is it the clubs who arrange policing on the trails, or is it the OPP??

Well I have to agree with revrnd.There has been a small police presence on the trails. But I have to question whether it is a good thing.. We need more police presents on the trails. Then there would be less complaints maybe about out of control idiots on the wrong side of the trail in our postings too... Just a thought, the polices presence don't hurt my feelings any . Sounds like you had an awsome trip revrnd. Glad to hear all went well.

Well in all the riding I've done I don't have too many complaints about yahoo's on the wrong side of the trail. This past weekend up north of Capreol there was one guy who was second in a group of 4 that was riding the middle of the trail, and a while later an idiot on a T-Cat passed me, and in his effort to show me how fast he could ride was using the left side of the trail around corners and over blind hills, but luckily nothing bad came of it.
I still think common sense is a much better deterant then a strong police presence.

Yes I dont think there really is a way to police aggresive riding on tight trails anyway, so bottom line is you just have to use common sence. It isnt always the faster riders that ride irresponsibly either - I have noticed many times this winter when I approach a slower group in front of me, the rider at the back will ride in the middle of the trail going into bind turns and approaching hills :dazed: . I ride much faster but strive to always stay to the right. Bottom line - if it looks like a blind turn and you cant judge how sharp it is - slow down and keep right!.

Funny you mention this Rev, as in the last five years of riding this area we have only seen police presence once, and it was a Saturday afternoon. I always thought it was just the fact we try and confine our riding to weekdays to avoid the crowds, guess not.

Well So far this year I have been pulled over twice by the Ottawa Carleton Police and Once by a Trail Warden. Both were just checking for proper paper work.
Last night I was pulled over by the Ottawa Police. He was just checking for proper paper work, ownership, ins, drivers lic. since I have everything there was no problem.
I also asked him about modified exhaust and trail use. He did not have an answer for me but gave me the name of a Officer at HQ that would know the answer.

If there are any other questions that anyone would like answered send me a PM and I will ask the Officer later this week when I call him. Just try and keep the questions to Snowmobiles and the Ontario Provincial Law.
Thanks

I've been checked once in the Muskoka's this year (quick look for stickers and permit and waved on) and once on Sat in Pembroke. They had radar setup, but were busy with other sleds when we came, so we just got the paperwork check.

This was on B trail heading west out of Pembroke. Its a fast rail line, that I really can't believe anyone is going to stay below 50km. Glad they were busy, or I would have been $110 lighter.

FishHog

The very idea of the cops using a radar gun on a snowmobile trail is scary to me. Anywhere it's open enough for them to use a radar I'd be going well over 50kph, and likely well over 50mph.
Speed limits are just plain old dumb. They should just try and nail the people who are driving like idiots and charge them with dangerous driving.

Have to agree with you on that one. Around here the trails are so twisty that 50kph is a struggle, but when it opens up then 80kph safely is no problem. Imagine 50kph up in Northern Ontario with there wide smooth trails???? Even me, the old slow sledder likes to kick it up a notch!!

got stopped by the OPP first time yesterday. there were 3 of them at the junction of trail 4 and E108 just by the Port Perry clubhouse. Radar and checking insurance, ownership and DL.

Never saw any on my 2000km trip up north this year

Originally posted by NewfieBullet@Mar 7 2005, 09:11 PM
The very idea of the cops using a radar gun on a snowmobile trail is scary to me. Anywhere it's open enough for them to use a radar I'd be going well over 50kph, and likely well over 50mph.
Speed limits are just plain old dumb. They should just try and nail the people who are driving like idiots and charge them with dangerous driving.
408981



you mean my kids citation (one lung motor) could go fast enough to get a ticket up there? lol

I rode 4 days in the North Bay area in early Feb and have riden 4 days in our local area and no OPP to be found.

I did see 1 other trail patrol guy.

We have put in 17 hours of trail patrol in the last 2 weekends for our Club.
Only needed the OPP to attend (by car) and lay charges once. Most people were glad to see us out there.

I think everyone just forgot about enforcement since the lousy winter we have been having.

I can echo Fish Hog's comments with regards to the OPP Radar set-up outside of Pembroke on the rail-line. Our party encountered the same situation about a month ago. Only about 5 kms outside of town. The Police and one trail cop were just "checking papers". The OPP officer was using the hand held radar gun to monitor sledders, but we noticed he wasn't pulling the radar up to clock speeds until the oncoming sleds were already out of the throttle. You can easily hear the difference! So in that way, the cops were giving people a break! Except for one spot where there must have been a rail bridge at one time, this is one awsome piece of trail to let the sleds breathe for a few kilometres! Just get the speed thing out of your blood before getting close to town. Fair enough, I guess! :cool:

Got stopped once in late Jan by Police not sure if it was OPP or regional cops

Best part was at one of our club Trail Patrol stops we caught a off duty OPP officer from London with no permit :lmao:

We were stopped by OPP and trail wardens in Timmins on the "C" trail last wed. evening behind the wild life adventure park. All they were looking for was a valid trail pass and licence stickers. Took 15 seconds and away we went.

We were stopped in Gravenhurst in Feb to look for permits. Took 10 secs. It was beside the road and he had his cruiser running. Just standing on the trail

i haven't seen police presence on trails since 2001. it proves that their statistics say the snowmobiling population are generally a good group.

Originally posted by paul yarek@Mar 10 2005, 08:31 PM
i haven't seen police presence on trails since 2001. it proves that their statistics say the snowmobiling population are generally a good group.
410021


So true,Mr Yarek :)

but where does that put you :lmao:

Originally posted by FreezerBurnt@Mar 11 2005, 01:50 AM
but where does that put you :lmao:
410088

now that you've been asked to be a trailcop you seem to have all the questions. :lmao:

I don't know about the opp, haven't made it to Canada yet but we were stopped twice in the last two weeks in VT. They checked everything. TMA's, Reg, Insurance, even checked serial #'s against paperwork and complained to us about proper sticker placement. Can't put them on the side of windshield.

We rode 130 miles on Saturday, didn't see any Wardens or OPP... till the drive home!!! Ride check on 35 at the Fenelon Falls road... had the entire intersection blocked.
Asked the cop why there was no patrols... he had no one to ride with!!

Wish someone would start enforcing riding on the right side of the trail... it's worse then last season out there!! :cussing:

maybe if more people would voluteer,you might see us out there more.. :cussing:

I've never seen a warden or OPP either.
What do they even look like? LOL
Do the OPP have machines with OPP badges, and what kind of sleds do they ride.. I'd be interested to know!

How would you even know what a warden looks like if they are volunteers?

OPP sleds are fully decked out! Haven't seen any this year, but usually Skidoo's. Durham Region uses 2up 5 or 600cc

Originally posted by ZR Rider@Mar 14 2005, 03:31 PM
OPP sleds are fully decked out! Haven't seen any this year, but usually Skidoo's. Durham Region uses 2up 5 or 600cc
410955


500 or 600 :lmao: just blow by them and head to a lake and they have no chance. :D

just kidding. :whistling:

Originally posted by akrievins@Mar 14 2005, 01:41 PM
I've never seen a warden or OPP either.*
What do they even look like? LOL
Do the OPP have machines with OPP badges, and what kind of sleds do they ride.. I'd be interested to know!

How would you even know what a warden looks like if they are volunteers?
410939



Like this.

FishHog

Man I must have the worst luck after listening to you guys. My house is right on the trail just north of the portage in North bay and I've been stopped 6 times this year. 2 OF THEM LITERALLY JUST OFF MY PROPERTY. :bash: :bash: It's like they are watching for me. They have stopped us so much they know who we are (my wife and I). It starts to be a pain after awhile..

Hey Flash, I'm usually at the Portage at least twice a week and have yet to see the cops on the trail this year. Maybe you're right and they're watching for you, lol.
I know what you mean though, that would get to be a pain in the butt after awhile.

Last year I saw quite a few OPP/wardens on the Ontario trails.

This year in over 10,000 kms of riding I haven't seen a single one.

Most of the miles were in Ontario, but I did go through one speed check in Quebec.

I have seen lots of them this year, opp, york region and south simcoe police. They all patrol my main stomping grounds, mainly looking for drinkers.

Originally posted by powder@Mar 14 2005, 12:49 PM
maybe if more people would voluteer,you might see us out there more.. :cussing:
410923


Volunteer?? Why would the OPP volunteer?? It's a paid career.
If there is going to be real inforcment on the trails we need real police to do the job.

The police have an extensive training period to go through now to be able to qualify patrolling the trail system by sled . They have a guy who is paid to train them fully on snowmobile , operation , and general safe riding . They actually have to even train over open water sections , to qualify for the trail patrol now . I met two O.P.P getting trained last week on B106e two weeks ago ., The trainer was with them . Spoke briefly with them , and this is what they explained to me .

Originally posted by underdog@Mar 19 2005, 11:24 AM
The police have an extensive training period to go through now to be able to qualify patrolling the trail system by sled . They have a guy who is paid to train them fully on snowmobile , operation , and general safe riding . They actually have to even train over open water sections , to qualify for the trail patrol now . I met two O.P.P getting trained last week on* B106e* two weeks ago ., The trainer was with them . Spoke briefly with them , and this is what they explained to me .
412234


There are now 3 levels of enforcement on OFSC Trails.

1A - O.P.P. Officers. These are regular O.P.P. Police Officers.
1B - Local Police Officers.

Both of these groups are paid police officers.
However, they may be patrolling the trails on their own time, on their own machines paying their own way.
The O.P.P. Officers are most likely to be riding sleds supplied to them by their detachments.
The Local Police are possibly riding sleds that are donated for their use by local dealers to be used for patrolling trails and search and rescue operations. They are often sold as used sleds after the season is over. These officers sometimes have to donate their time.

2 - S.T.O.P. Officers.
These are volunteers that have completed 3 years of extensive training with O.P.P. Officers. They are deputized to enforce only the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act and our Driving under the Influence legislation. Maybe a few others as well that I'm not aware of.
They ride their own personal sleds. Must pay their own expenses such as, gas, insurance, oil, maintenance and trail permits.

3 - OFSC Trail Patrol Members.
These are volunteers that have completed 1 to 2 days of training along with update training every other year. They only enforce trail permit requirements. They are advised that they should contact the police for that area, when witnessing others breaking other legislation, especially when it comes to drunk drivers.
They also ride their own personal sleds. Must pay their own expenses such as, gas, insurance, oil, maintenance and trail permits.

Jeff

Originally posted by trailblazer@Mar 20 2005, 06:03 PM
There are now 3 levels of enforcement on OFSC Trails.

1A - O.P.P. Officers. These are regular O.P.P. Police Officers.
1B - Local Police Officers.

Both of these groups are paid police officers.
However, they may be patrolling the trails on their own time, on their own machines paying their own way.
The O.P.P. Officers are most likely to be riding sleds supplied to them by their detachments.
The Local Police are possibly riding sleds that are donated for their use by local dealers to be used for patrolling trails and search and rescue operations. They are often sold as used sleds after the season is over. These officers sometimes have to donate their time.

2 - S.T.O.P. Officers.
These are volunteers that have completed 3 years of extensive training with O.P.P. Officers. They are deputized to enforce only the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act and our Driving under the Influence legislation. Maybe a few others as well that I'm not aware of.
They ride their own personal sleds. Must pay their own expenses such as, gas, insurance, oil, maintenance and trail permits.

3 - OFSC Trail Patrol Members.
These are volunteers that have completed 1 to 2 days of training along with update training every other year. They only enforce trail permit requirements. They are advised that they should contact the police for that area, when witnessing others breaking other legislation, especially when it comes to drunk drivers.
They also ride their own personal sleds. Must pay their own expenses such as, gas, insurance, oil, maintenance and trail permits.

Jeff
412606


Sorry Jeff, I have to call BS on the 3years of extensive training. Maybe you meant 3 days?

Was surprised to see two OPP sleds being off-loaded at the French River this morning, wouldn't think there would be enough traffic in that area this time of the year. Guess I must be wrong.

Cory,
maybe in low traffic times it's their time to enjoy a little toot.

Saw them north of Apsley for the 1st time in a few weeks. They were checking a couple of other sleds, so they just waved me thru.

Cory, w/ the low traffic, the guys you saw may have been thinking of catching sledders that hadn't bother to insure/register/buy a permit & figure nobody would catch them @ the end of the season..

6k total this year, 1600 of that in Quebec, only saw the one OPP with the flyingdutchman.