Ride responsibly when using OHV’s
By Jim Harken, public information officer,

Arizona Game and Fish Department

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all hunters to be cautious and courteous when using off-highway vehicles out on a hunt.

The best advice for OHV users is simply:

“Walk while you stalk.”

Get out to your location early and walk so that you don’t interrupt other hunters or scare away game with machine noise.

Many hunters have complained that after a long hike to their favorite hunting spot and a good stalk on their game, their animal is scared away at the last minute by someone crashing through the area on a loud OHV.

Be sensitive by trying to only use your OHV to retrieve your harvested game. Here are some good rules of thumb to follow when out on the hunt:

• Minimize impact to wildlife and other hunters by staying on roads and trails.

• Always make sure that the area you go into is open for OHV use. There are many seasonal closings of areas, so make sure they are open before you leave.

• Keep the noise level down by making sure your muffler is in good working order.

• Use extra caution when fording wash areas or streams. Use the 90 degree approach, and cross at the approved trail crossing only.

• Watch for hunters on foot and respect their right to be in the same area.

• Carry out everything that you carry in, don’t litter and keep Arizona beautiful.

• Only use your ATV for recovery of harvested game or to get to your location.

The department wants this to be a very successful hunting season for all hunters. Safe and considerate OHV usage is a step in the right direction.

NATURE RULES

Stay on Roads and Trails!